naming the homeless

when i moved to the community two years ago, "the homeless" became a regular part of my life. we have a drop-in area where anyone can come in and have coffee/tea with us. and people getting their life back together (often needing a place to live) can live with us. and so, i have gotten to know people who are and have been homeless. and as my dutch gets better and as i pay closer attention to what is happening around me, i am learning more than just people's names.

in many ways, i cannot imagine becoming homeless. i have been blessed with many people in a number of different countries who care about me and i am part of the family of God, who i expect to take care of me wherever i am. and yet, most of those i know who are homeless now also never imagined becoming homeless. but something happened. and something else. and then, homeless. sometimes it is choices that are made: poor use of money, drugs, alienating themselves from people around them, criminal actions, poor relationships, violence, etc. sometimes it is things over which there is much less control: war, language difficulties, being a foreigner, mental illness, other's decisions, escaping an unsafe relationship, etc.

and there are as many different personalities and reactions among those who are homeless as there are reasons for being homeless. some are friendly, polite and quiet. others are angry, fighting, and use other people. most of the homeless who come in for coffee are men, somewhere around 40. perhaps it is the men who feel safest sleeping in the parks, perhaps the women will look for shelter and help in other ways, perhaps this is the age when the choices catch up to you.

there is no simple response to being homeless or those who are homeless. some of those who come through our doors will stay homeless for years. some try to get through it in whatever way possible. some avoid others, as much as possible. others share their stories - and give advice of where to sleep and how to start over. and we offer a cup of coffee or tea. sometimes we listen - and sometimes we do not know how to or choose not to. sometimes we can offer help, and sometimes we suggest somewhere else to look. we can tell you where someone can give you immediate, temporary help: food and shelter. and for those willing, we offer a pattern of life, help to start over again, and a place to call home - even if we do it imperfectly. it is hard to open one's home and one's heart to different people; learning not only names but finding out who people really are.