My friends on the streets...

Homeless
By: Gary Hyink

My world fell apart the other day
A personal tragedy tore my world away
I was once so comfortable and secure
My life is now a constant blur
Family times and days well spent
Are now replaced by cold, hard cement
I never meant for it to be this way
A personal tragedy tore my world away
It's kind of you to help me when you do
Maybe you realize it could happen to you

I have posted in the past about doing my hours for my school placement, but have never really said much about what I am actually doing. For the past three months I have had the privilege of working with a homeless outreach called Light Patrol. They bring light and hope, into the darkness and despair that is often the streets of Toronto. They also bring practical things like food, water, clothes, and hygiene items to the people who need it. On the nights that we go out we usually go downtown in a motor home. We have our usual stops and people know where to find us. We are always searching out to meet new people that we can be a friend to. Our friends on the streets usually come on and hang out with us. They share with us their lives and stories. They become our friends. It is an amazing privilege to get to hang out with these people. Some are older, some younger. Some struggle with drug and alcohol addictions, most of them have been abused in some way, some are prostitutes, but they all matter. Every single one of them has a name that is worth knowing and a story that is worth telling. So many of them have amazing talents and posses great amounts of knowledge about so many topics. I have loved my last three months of getting to hang out with my friends on the streets. They are some of the most unique groups of people I have ever met. Most of their stories break my heart and make me wish I could do more. That is when I have to remember that God does more then I could ever imagine. When we leave the streets and go back to our homes, where we have roofs over our heads, God stays there. He loves every single one of my friends on the streets because they are a child of His. They may deny it and not want anything to do with God, but he will never stop loving them. I guess that thought gives me comfort ... when I know I can't make everything better, I know God is working it all out.

If you ever want to know anything more about my time hanging out with my homeless friends, donate items or are interested in becoming a financial and/or prayer supporter for a Light Patrol full time worker please feel free to contact me.