My eyes, my ears and my heart have been opened this weekend. Learning about the history of my city, Houston, and gaining knowledge about the uniqueness of the different Wards, and most of all, working side by side with true servants of The Lord loving the homeless men, women and children for the weekend. While working at The Beacon, a place designed to provide people on the streets with food, clean laundry and showers, I was assigned the job of checking in and registering new people. I loved this job due to the fact it allowed me to identify with each person in a different way. An elderly man walking through the door, my mind shouted out at me, “that could be my Grandpa”, a woman with her older daughter, “my mom and I”. Throughout most of the morning most of the individuals who entered the Beacon’s doors were in their twenty’s at least, and up into the elderly ages. Despite my awareness of street children, I had never had any interaction or witnessed seeing any before. When the first child walked through the doors with his Father, I couldn’t help but immediately think of the movie, The Pursuit of Happiness. The Father approached Krishten’s desk while the child hopelessly dragged his feet towards mine. With little to say, he gave me his name and thanked me for his ticket which I gently handed him. Tears flooded my eyes as he walked away with his head still down. He couldn’t have been more than 9 years old, and forever he will have touched my heart.

Moments and experiences like these are the ones that change the way I view people, our world, and this life. Witnessing firsthand the multitude of people on the streets just in Houston has sparked something in me. It’s convicting to realize how much is able to be done, and is try to be done, but not enough people are taking part in it.

While registering new clients at the Beacon, I was required to read over a set of rules and guidelines prior to completing the rest of the questions and form. Each time I had a new client approach me, I could feel the pressure arise in me and would suddenly become so uncomfortable. Haley Graham always talks about how “[the Lord places us in uncomfortable situations because it's in those moments where we are able to truly show His love]“. Her words resounded in my head with each rule I would read aloud. Lots of times new clients would become very defensive in assuring me that “no, no ma’am, I’m not into drugs anymore” and when I came to the rule about no violence, “no I wouldn’t hurt a fly”. Pain struck me as I realized that this is the way the society views these people, and has always viewed them in the past. Therefore, they have no other option but to defend their selves. It has become “normal” for them to be viewed like this.

I wish I could have somehow captured every single sight I witnessed this past weekend, or recorded each conversation for each of yall to see or listen to yourselves. But unfortunately, that would have probably been a little weird, and made things a little less REAL. All I cay say and do is encourage you to get involved with the “Jesus’ in disguise” in our world. They can be found everywhere you go, if only you take the time to notice them. Living so close to Houston, we have numerous opportunities to get involved in actually DOING something, instead of just talking about how we SHOULD. This is truly living out the mission. Getting involved in organizations and people like I was blessed to meet and work with this weekend are living in true community with each other, and their actual community around them.

On Sunday we attended St. John’s United Methodist downtown for their 10:00 AM service. I am always excited when we attend a predominately African American church because it is in them that my eyes are open to what a real church family looks like. The intense passion they all share for the Lord and true worship is contagious and one can’t help but join in on the dancing and shouting out to the Lord. From the second you walk into St.John’s and the minute you walk out the door, you are embraced with a huge hug from one of the spirited family members. True community; walk inside the doors of St.John’s and this is what you will experience.

I love Houston. And it is because of this trip that I have realized what an amazing city it is and the deep cry for help it is proclaiming to it’s own community. Reach out. Open your own heart to your own city; I can promise you-you won’t regret it.