Walk this Way

Tuesday was our first day with the mission teams. After prayer we drove to Stone Mountain.  Before the climb Andy talked to the group about community and how to talk to a homeless person (ie how to talk to any human).  Then after we reached the top he compared the climb to the Christian walk, and how as a community we have to work together and not simply race ahead like many people did, leaving the others behind.  It was a nice lesson but mostly I liked getting out of the city (which we also talked about and continue to read about in this dreadful book "The Meaning of the City").  After lunch we split up the two churches and walked around the city: our group went to Woodruff Park.  I was nervous about being in charge at first, in case something went wrong but everything went well. Actually everyone had a great first experience. I got to talk with some guys too which I wasn't sure if I would be able to do.  After dinner we walked through our parish, over by Pine and Renaissance.  As we were walking through I was leading some people down the hill and I heard my name being called so I turned around and Will is standing there shouting my name! It was so good to see him, but even better to know he was happy to see me. It had been a while since we'd talked, so 1- good to know that he is alright and 2- good to know that he enjoys seeing me around.  It's something we talk about all the time, everyone wants to belong and feel loved. Generally speaking I think I'm supposed to make the guys on the street feel that, but it's nice when I get it back.
We talked to some guys I'd never met including Steve. He reads about 4 books a week. We started talking and someone in the group said bringing books had never occurred to her because well it's entertainment, not a necessity.  But the groups are starting to see that just like anyone else these guys like to do certain things for fun: play chess, read, play cards.  And talking to them is just like talking to anyone.  Back at Rescue Atlanta (RA) where they are staying, we had a de-brief session and almost everyone shared some storied about something they had learned or someway they had been impacted throughout the day.  It was amazing.  Conversations that I had been a part of, that didn't phase me, some kids took away some great moment.  It was nice to see a new fervor and excitement to just talk to these guys.

Today our group spent most of the day working at the shelter.  We did tasks like sorting clothes, filing, taking inventory in the bike shop and a few other things.  The kids were all good sports though these weren't always the most exciting activities. In the afternoon we went and hung out with the guys again on the street.  It's interesting knowing that I probably have time to get to know these guys but the group doesn't. So where I would normally have a conversation on very surface level stuff at first, now I am thinking about how to advance it to make the most out of the time. I'm still without an agenda, I'm not trying to save them or convince them of anything but trying to realizing I should probably try to really get to know them faster.  We went over to Centennial Olympic Park, talked for a bit and Andy explained the task of the afternoon.  The groups had to meet us at Krispy Kreme by only asking directions of homeless guys-- no cops, no smart phones.  This is to let them get just a tiny taste of the fear of arriving at a city and having to find a place to stay, eat, and find work.  The added plus was that a storm was coming in, so if you didn't go quick you would get poured on (which a few people got to experience).  We talked about it afterwards and it seemed like they enjoyed it (though it turned more into a race than it was meant to be).  I can see already in 2 days how perceptions are changing. Now the real hope is that people can bring this home to their own neighborhood when this week is over.