last entry of the year
I've been working pretty hard all day at some of my precourse work for India. the original plan was to get everything done before I came back to Vancouver, so i could actually take a break and hang out with family and friends. Instead, work turned out to be a lot more than i had anticipated, and I'm forced to stay in while people are out on the town, having a grand old time. Nevertheless, I do have an outing tonight that I'm looking forward to. My sister and I have been planning to bring a smile to some of the homeless residents of the Vancouver eastside. A few others will be joining us, including my cousins who recently returned from a year long missions trip.
I've been looking forward to this for some time. I remember being involved in a few blanket drives in the past, where we handed out a bunch of blankets to the homeless during the Christmas season; as well as socks, gloves, warm clothing and hot apple cider! believe it or not, Vancouver does go through some cold snaps once in a while, and it was good to know that you were really making a difference by helping people out. As the years have gone by, i've tried to stay fairly connected to this kind of community service, although I admit that I don't make enough room for it. Ideally, i hope it becomes a monthly or weekly thing for me, and not just once a year. but for now, it'll have to do, at least its a small start.
its always humbling spending time with homeless people. Interestingly, the people who are most affected by the experience are the people giving stuff out- even though we'd like to think that we are doing this amazingly significant service. Important as it is, one of the biggest things we take away from being in service to others, is a realisation of what's important in your life. The poor and destitute very often survive on very few resources, most of which is from charity. Right after the consumer oriented Christmases we have in North America, its sobering to remember what other people go through.
Its one thing that I love about Canada and our socialist roots. that people who have had a rough life still have hope. I know, some people will disagree with me, and insist that its stupid to pay taxes so someone else can "slack off". Usually though? most of these people haven't really spent time with truly poor people. In my experience, many of these people honestly have had a bad run of luck. where they've lost their jobs, or have gotten deathly sick and are unable to work. yes, yes, there will always be a few that are trying to beat the system. on the whole, i don't think most homeless people would choose that lifestyle if they can help it-thats what you'll hear them say. you might disagree with me. i've also met people on the streets that have mental illness, another thing thats not within their control. but often times, its easier to lift the snotty nose, and accuse people of being lazy or weak because they have substance addictions.
The older I get, the more I see how deep the well of depravity that humanity faces. and then I see my face in the reflection at the bottom. that homeless person could be me one day. and while i have the ability (even if its for one night of the year), I'm going to do my best to give a helping hand.
moving away from Canada. what about around the world? the India that i will be visiting in a couple of weeks will also have many of the same poverty issues. people living without hope.
well, as I turn another calendar year, I'm going to do it investing in the lives of people who have no hope. Maybe tonight will be a tide turned and fresh realisation for someone that I serve. perhaps tonight, I will find kinship in the same depravity that all of humanity shares. there are more similarities than we would want to admit, I'm sure of it.
by the way, i'm sorry to say that my first kudo award will have to be postponed till next year, the two people who participated weren't very close at all. maybe the idea of the kudo was a stupid idea to begin with. ha!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I've been looking forward to this for some time. I remember being involved in a few blanket drives in the past, where we handed out a bunch of blankets to the homeless during the Christmas season; as well as socks, gloves, warm clothing and hot apple cider! believe it or not, Vancouver does go through some cold snaps once in a while, and it was good to know that you were really making a difference by helping people out. As the years have gone by, i've tried to stay fairly connected to this kind of community service, although I admit that I don't make enough room for it. Ideally, i hope it becomes a monthly or weekly thing for me, and not just once a year. but for now, it'll have to do, at least its a small start.
its always humbling spending time with homeless people. Interestingly, the people who are most affected by the experience are the people giving stuff out- even though we'd like to think that we are doing this amazingly significant service. Important as it is, one of the biggest things we take away from being in service to others, is a realisation of what's important in your life. The poor and destitute very often survive on very few resources, most of which is from charity. Right after the consumer oriented Christmases we have in North America, its sobering to remember what other people go through.
Its one thing that I love about Canada and our socialist roots. that people who have had a rough life still have hope. I know, some people will disagree with me, and insist that its stupid to pay taxes so someone else can "slack off". Usually though? most of these people haven't really spent time with truly poor people. In my experience, many of these people honestly have had a bad run of luck. where they've lost their jobs, or have gotten deathly sick and are unable to work. yes, yes, there will always be a few that are trying to beat the system. on the whole, i don't think most homeless people would choose that lifestyle if they can help it-thats what you'll hear them say. you might disagree with me. i've also met people on the streets that have mental illness, another thing thats not within their control. but often times, its easier to lift the snotty nose, and accuse people of being lazy or weak because they have substance addictions.
The older I get, the more I see how deep the well of depravity that humanity faces. and then I see my face in the reflection at the bottom. that homeless person could be me one day. and while i have the ability (even if its for one night of the year), I'm going to do my best to give a helping hand.
moving away from Canada. what about around the world? the India that i will be visiting in a couple of weeks will also have many of the same poverty issues. people living without hope.
well, as I turn another calendar year, I'm going to do it investing in the lives of people who have no hope. Maybe tonight will be a tide turned and fresh realisation for someone that I serve. perhaps tonight, I will find kinship in the same depravity that all of humanity shares. there are more similarities than we would want to admit, I'm sure of it.
by the way, i'm sorry to say that my first kudo award will have to be postponed till next year, the two people who participated weren't very close at all. maybe the idea of the kudo was a stupid idea to begin with. ha!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
posted by Cheryl & Darrell | 5:41 PM
1 Comments:
Amen younger brother, Amen!! Finally: someone who does not live in the streets and yet you GET IT!! You understand the hopelessness of those of us who have. Bless you and keep up the godly work.
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