Before last night, I’ve not been on the streets since January. I’m in school again and class is on Monday nights so others have carried on instead. Thank God for Suzanne, Wes, Gracie, Melanie, Jan and her PB&J moms, church women who make PB&Js too, Amy, Micah, Leo, Scottie, donors, and plenty of others I’ll add when I’m reminded of who I’ve forgotten. People have shared food and love because of everyone’s dedication at the Burrito Ministry. I’m between semesters now though so I was able to go back, and being there Monday night sure reminded me how much I miss it. It’s hard to say I miss going to burrito nights, that I miss seeing the people. I shouldn’t want to be there. To say I miss it means I like being there and in some ways, I really don’t. It would be better if none of us were on the streets but those without a home have nowhere else to go, and I sure have missed being with them even if I don’t like where they are at all. I don’t like it that many of the same friends are there. I love it of course that they’ve asked about me and know how I’ve been doing via Suzanne’s reports. I’ve kept up with them, too. I just despise that friends are still there, still hungry, still vulnerable, and still forgotten. I missed the hugs. I had so many hugs Monday night! Not side hugs either, but real ones. They were both arms where you hold on for a few seconds kind of hugs. It felt good, too, because I know how the world can often be hugless and I know my friends know it even more than I do. So, I miss our hugs and pray for a world that might learn how life’s metaphorical hugs are so much better than the alternatives. Maybe if the world did a little bit better hugging with the hurting I wouldn’t have Monday nights to miss. I missed the small talk. The line behind the burrito wagon is often several people deep, so we have time to chit chat. I don’t like that there’s a line for food. I don’t like that people feel as if they’re getting a handout. So, I talk to people. I was reminded this week how quick the wit is on the streets. I was reminded how interesting our friends are, smart and resourceful, too. I missed laughing at terrible jokes. I got reminded how appreciative people are and how when some thank us, they thank us from a place that is deep and real. I missed thanking them back for allowing us to be with them. I missed it, but that makes me hate no less that it all occurs on side streets and tent camps. There’s got to be a better way. That’s the way of the world though, I guess. It’s not going to be perfect. It’ll have things we righteously hate and despise. Still, in the middle of all the muck and mire, we can be a part of the good that exists even in the worst places. We can see friends, talk, laugh, pray, cry, hug, and share. It might not make the whole thing better, or maybe it will. No doubt though it’ll give us the motivation to come back and be with our friends again, and miss them terribly when we’re not there.
Join us for Sunday Bible Study at 9:00 and Worship at 10:15