BEGGING BREAD

Not all homeless people are Christian obviously, so for me evangelism is very much part of the work that goes on out there. I discover that people have some good reasons for rejecting church. Partly this is as I say because of not realizing that church is people not buildings…and the buildings are not very welcoming places when you have only one set of clothes and they are damp.

But partly also they know that they will get sold a religious line and be expected to clean their act up and join the congregation. It is an interesting proposition that the church within walls would be inviting people to believe that Jesus is in the building and not on the street, meeting them where they are. Unless we get an understanding of how false that is, denomination-based street evangelism is going to yield heartache and disappointment for all involved.

Now I am not attempting to undermine the very fine efforts of the church where she IS spreading the Word, but rather seeking to open our eyes to the falsehoods we have become immune to in the affluent parts of the church. We have become used to having our spiritual banquets laid before us in warm buildings on a gilded plate. No such privilege is allowed the precious ones who live under the open sky. Even so they are satisfied with bread and water, if it is shared in love.

The bread of heaven is to know that Jesus has died to set them free, and then let them use that freedom to worship where they will. It is not to give them a bright church sweatshirt and a plastic badge labelled “Pentecostal” or “Methodist” or whatever.

How easy can it be to sit under a blanket begging money? I have heard lots of people say that beggars are just layabouts who don’t want to get a job. But if you have no address you have no bank account and no identity and no way to earn a living in a respectable manner. It is not as easy as people think to sit in one place with your bottom frozen to the pavement for hours on end. Most I know don’t want to be there. None have Porsches parked around the corner out of sight.

DEAN AND THE INFAMOUS RED TABARD

Some of the homeless people in the city where I work sell the Big Issue, the homeless magazine we have here. It would seem there are strata among homeless people depending on their potential to earn. Up the ladder of respectability somewhat are those whom the Big Issue allows to sell its magazine on certain “pitches” spotted all over the city. They have to buy the mags up front and then sell them at a profit, which they can choose to keep, or invest in further magazines.

The money they earn is obviously dependant on how many mags they sell and can be enough to scrape a living, if you happen to be good at it. Sometimes it is just the difference between eating and starving, buying food or scrounging it…such are the choices they face.

This year the Big Issue introduced red tabards, which say “Working Not Begging” on the front. These cost ten pounds which is returnable should they find a job and get off the street. Seems odd to me that when they have no money they have to find some to pay for the tabard, yet when they get a job they can have the money they spent back again. Spot the anomaly here…or is it just me.

The red tabards were not welcomed in the beginning but some like Dean have found that the public respond more positively to them if they think they are working and not in fact begging. It is like, so long as someone has one foot on the ladder of respectability, society is willing to assist them up further.

That would be ok but sometimes it seems for every person willing to help you up out there, there are two more ready to kick you back down again. Selling Big Issue can end up worryingly long-term that way.

MIKE

It is wonderful to see a life begin to take shape in Jesus as He begins to heal broken hearts and put things right. I met Mike a couple of years back down in the subway when he was busking. He has an amazing voice and musical presence, but on that day when we met he was needing a touch from God and a comfort of His love. I remember that we prayed together and brought our concerns to Him, little knowing what things were around the corner for either of us.

Mike is someone everyone knows on the street, and he makes no secret about his love of Jesus. He writes songs and sings them, some having that tingle factor that makes you aware of his anointing. I see a unique ministry evolving which makes me want to praise God.

It is hard to plan meetings and keep them, on the street, with one thing and another. So Mike and I leave it all up to God. Sure enough, when one of us needs it we will just bump into each other in the middle of the crowds somewhere. How cool is that.

ALIVE ON DEAD MENS ALLEY

There is a place where the homeless people hang out called Dead Mens Alley. It is called that because it is a walkway between the graveyard gardens of St. John’s Church, and where there are bodies underneath there are little brass numbers to mark the spot.

On the day that I took these pictures there was an empty space where one Christian brother usually begs. I heard that he had been attacked by a number of youths, sustained some nasty injuries and ended up somehow with blood poisoning and having to have an arm amputated. He had been on the street for as long as I have and I found him to be polite and pleasant always.

He will be housed now by the authorities, so I probably won’t see him again. But how sad it should have to come to this. I always liked this guy’s ability to discern between the spiritual and the religious: he knows what is real and what is not. I hope that he has some comfort and some good things to look forward to in his life now. God bless you brother.

Should you visit Dead Mens Alley you might find Kenton with his poems. Kenton is a very spiritual kind of Christian (is there any other sort?) who has turned his writing gift into something challenging that engages people’s interest.

The pieces of cardboard he writes on start out as part of his bedding when he sleeps out. He has a collection of poems all on cardboard of assorted shapes, which he attaches to the fence railings for people to read. Passers by like to stop and chat, maybe help him out with a few coins, spend a while reading his work.

Christians shine wherever they are.

 

This is one of Kentons poems I thought ought to go in.

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

Speaking of shining, this page wouldn’t be complete without a picture of Trevor. He got saved some years ago while homeless in London, and now works on the streets near me. Trevor has one of those toy plastic echo machines like a microphone which he sings into in a silken voice as good as Tony Bennett, no kid. He really could do with a proper little microphone and amp so we have been praying for that for him.

The wonderful thing about Trevor is he is very willing always to pray with me whenever any street needs come up. Like if someone is poorly or has an urgent need I know I can find Trevor and we will pray together there on the street. Actually we usually praise the Lord a little at the same time, and overflow into our heavenly language as we feel we must. Jesus is with us. Things change like this. Hallelujah.

These people are but a few of the ones I have known in the years I have been out there. Some have gone on to better things. Some go to other cities and sell Big Issue or beg. It must be the only “church” where the main object is to see them leave, in the sense of getting off the street and making a new life. Sad for me if we lose touch but great for them.

Many of course do not know Jesus yet. Very many are struggling with different problems and finding it hard to cope. My main mission is to communicate the fact that Jesus is the answer to whatever we face, without exception. His love knows no limits, and His power is only a little prayer of faith away, praise His Name.

Thank you for reading all about these loved ones. I hope you will bear us all up in your prayers.

Love in Jesus,

Mary Lloyd