Always Something New

Today we started with prayer as always and then spent the morning discussing our readings. Then we headed to Atlanta Union Mission for lunch. Some kids (looked like 13 or 14 years old) were serving the food there. Apparently they were with some school program where they are homeless for a week. Each kid gets $4 a day, a blanket, and a water bottle. They sleep in the playground of an elementary school, meaning they got wet tonight. I was impressed with this program. I've never heard of something for kids that age. We also talked to a regular server. He is going through a personal development program at the Mission and completed 1 year of sobriety today. He was also diagnosed with schizophrenia but has been off his meds and the doctors say he is fine (but he still goes in every 3 months). I have never heard of anyone just getting over schizophrenia...incredible!

Next we headed to the park at St. Luke's. I talked to two guys, one who is not homeless but still comes around to talk to the guys. The other didn't talk at first then launched into a hour long monologue explaining his work in material science. He pulled out complicated diagrams of polymetric something and robots. I honestly didn't understand it, but he is clearly very smart. Then he started getting into all kinds if things that didn't quite make sense.

After the park we went to the office for some reading and intern bonding time. On the way in we ran into Rachel. We just spoke for a brief moment but she said something that stuck with me. She was talking about some author and said she writes about "the hood, something you don't know about." I said I know I don't, but we are trying to learn. To that she replied that it's not something that can be learned, it has to be experienced. I know that I have not been through the same things, or experienced the life of these guys. Sometimes I think, how can I possible relate, or why would they listen to what I have to say. She is right, that I can never fully understand, but I believe there is value is getting to know our neighbors. And I have seen already, that everyone can relate on some level. So I will be there tomorrow to try and understand more.

Just as we were getting ready to head back to the lot, a storm rolled in. We figured no one would be outside but when it stopped raining we went down and chatted with some guys until it started to pour again. Most of the guys we know stay at a shelter, but I know there are so many out on the streets tonight. My heart is just going out to them in this storm.