under the overpass

Just finished another book while on vacation this week. Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski is a true story about two Christian middle-class college students who felt called to purposely live on the streets as homeless men and put their faith to the test. The author and his companion Sam traveled to five major cities during a five month period with nothing but two guitars and two backpacks. The details of their journey are heartbreaking...and disgusting.

In their desperate search for food or a place to sleep, Mike and Sam were treated badly or ignored. Many times they were told to "move along". And for the majority of the time, guess who treated them worse?

Christians. Churches. Those who should be sharing Jesus' invitation of "come you who are weary". Rescue missions and a few individuals did the best they could to help, but many churches offered nothing but a closed door.

I have traveled to a few major cities (San Francisco, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.) where it was hard to ignore the homeless. They were screaming and dirty and I had to literally step over them. My heart broke for them, but I was scared and looked away, pretending they weren't there. I was ashamed of myself.

It makes me wonder who can be more disgusting...street people or church people?

"We hear a Christian assure someone that he will 'pray over' his problem, knowing full well that he intends to use prayer as a substitute for service. It is much easier to pray that a poor friend's needs may be supplied than to supply them". A.W. Tozer, Of God and Men.