On this blog we have discussed conversations started and the incarnational living out of our faith in this world. We have great ideas, good plans, hopes, dreams, and we love to talk about our successes. But in the interest of full disclosure and honesty, I am going to tell you about a missed opportunity that has been haunting me.
Last night my extended family all met for dinner in the Pear District of Portland, Oregon. The Pear District is exactly the kind of place I like: authentic, artistic boutiques and coffee shops, every restaurant from chains to mom and pop shops. Unfortunately, we were late and had only time to walk from the parking garage to Henry’s, a tavern with great food and lots of seating. Just before we got to the restaurant, a teen boy asked us for bus fare: he had only 90 cents. David and I and our sister-in-law kept walking, and it has haunted me ever since.
We had a chance to stop, for just a minute or two, and look that boy in the eyes. We could have asked him how his day was, if he was making it ok. We already knew that Portland, Oregon has one of the highest incidences of homeless runaway teens in the United States. The stories we have heard have broken my heart. I had recently watched the clip of the Burnside Bridge Ministry (not sure if that is the right name) from Lord Save Us From Your Followers. I’d seen Christians washing the feet of boys like this, giving them dignity. I’d read about the Bridge Church in Jim and Casper Go to Church, and heard about the kids who pour into their ministry for fellowship and help and a little free food. I heard these things, but I didn’t stop, afraid that my family would not forgive another few minutes late. I heard, and I didn’t do.
I think there is a Bible verse about that somewhere.
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Thank you Marla for sharing your heart. I wonder if the Bible verse you were looking for is James 2:15-16 “15 If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food,16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? … We just returned from a “mission trip” to Portland from Scottsbluff, Nebraska. I saw a documentary on TV that showed the plight of the homeless teens in Portland and was determined to go there and offer the teens Hope in Jesus Christ. We’re back now and it was amazing to take the good news of Jesus Christ to a generation who has no hope. We’d like to go back to Portland again and do the same thing, perhaps next year. But if you ever do get a chance to talk to the street kids, I am looking for a way to contact 2 teens named Hope and Star (13 & 14) if you happen to run across them give them my e-mail I have more HOPE to offer them. They said they were heading up to Seattle, but could still be in Portland. Star is a tiny blonde (85-90 lbs? Hair shaved, braided, and bizzare) with 3 or 4 dime sized bottom-lip rings and Hope has short black hair and is hispanic, both about 5 feet tall. They were neat kids caught up in a jacked up society. We would love to give them another lease on life and get them away from there.
If every Christin could take care of one of those kids (those who want out) we could make a difference in their lives. Lord bless you, take care.
I have read all of the very sad times in our world now!! Teens are being kicked out of their homes due to the family can’t make it.
I would like to open my heart and home to a teen who needs a place to sleep.
It’s the one thing I think will keep me under the grace of god.
So if your cold and in needs just say so.