It probably doesn’t need to be stated, but just in case, I do realize I’m not homeless.
In fact, we have a very charming little turn-of-the-century rental cottage we call home. And we have friends who are caring for it during our absence as we cycle across the states.
But as we cycle, we continually rely on the hospitality of strangers to take us in, otherwise, seventeen of us would sleep in a fifteen passenger van or perhaps on top of a fifteen passenger van. Every night, a church opens their doors for us, a group of smelly, sweaty, unknown young adults and lets us sleep on their floors, their pews, their couches.
They let us shower if they have one, sometimes feed us, or let us use their kitchen to make our own dinner. We’ve been greeted with ice coolers full of Gatorade, towels soaked in cold water, and always smiling faces.
Some of these churches are quite large, thousands of people calling them home. Their campuses sprawl and it’s easy to meander to a quiet spot to find some time alone. Others maybe just have a room or two, like the old and outdated church in a ghost-town in the middle of Arizona. But there was a floor, a kitchen, a shower, and a lovely pastor who opened the doors for us.
I realize quite a few people who may read this blog are on staff at a church, or are somehow involved in a decision-making capacity, and as I sit in the youth center at our church in Brownfield, TX, I couldn’t help but make a plea to you:
If you have the facilities or resources to host someone – do it. In fact, seek out those opportunities.
In the American church culture, we put a lot of bank in our building projects. We see this as an investment into ministry but it’s typically limited to the weekend. But what would happen if the doors were opened all week long? And if we can’t open the doors to our buildings for some reason, what about our own homes?
Every time I take a shower I find myself thinking, “I am taking a shower in a church in a place I’ve never seen before, and I’ll be safe inside this church tonight when I sleep because of people I’ve never met before.”
And every time I’m just humbled and blown away by their spirit of generosity, no matter how “much” or how “little” they provide.
The amount doesn’t matter.
The open heart and open doors do.
Comments
17 responses to “On Being Homeless”
wow. When you say it like that, it makes me wonder what would happen if I had no fear and just opened my home. So many ‘logical’ thoughts can just flood in that tell me why I couldn’t but what if I figured out how I COULD? Thanks, Anne.
.-= Jenna B.´s last blog .."WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY" =-.
what’s your route? if you’re coming through (or close to) greenville, sc, i could see if my church would put you up!
we are coming your way! newspring is hosting us! :)
What an awesome experience… I love what you say… its not about how much was given, but the open homes and open hearts… Love this :)
.-= Charissa Steyn´s last blog ..Job Experience: Shoveling Horse Manure… =-.
Good post anne. For several years I did week long tours similar to what you are doing and we relied on the hospitality of churches to open their doors. Some were willing to do so. Others we knew it was an obligation. Hospitality is often a forgotten gift. Praying you will continue to experience a rich ride.
.-= Bill (cycleguy)´s last blog ..Fatherhood & Sacrifice =-.
Oh girl you are preachin my sermon :D I’ve been saying something similar for years. Perhaps people will listen to you. We can only hope.
.-= Kristine McGuire´s last blog ..God Provides But We Still Have To Get The Jars =-.
this exactly the kind of church my husband and i want to plant…
.-= mandie´s last blog ..We love your heart….but… =-.
The place I work at for my church has a unique opportunity because we are located right off a major highway. Almost every week we get to help anyone from a standed motorist who has run out of gas to someone who has no place to call home. Very cool.
.-= Carrie´s last blog ..Hannah’s Heart =-.
Thanks for this great reminder! And wow – I used to visit my grandmother in Brownfield, TX. That’s out in the middle of nowhere and not exactly a metropolis. So glad they opened their doors to y’all. (Those small town Texas folk are allright!)
What a beautiful gift hospitality is. It seems to come in all shapes and forms, depending on the giver. Thank you for encouraging us to get back to this desperately needed gift we as individuals and as churches should be extending to others …
“ice coolers full of Gatorade, towels soaked in cold water, and always smiling faces” = YES!!
ornately set tables, fancy, complicated menus, immaculately decorated homes = NO!!
.-= Linda Stoll´s last blog ..Exploring Play Therapy =-.
Agreed, if something isn’t being done with the building called church during the week then something should be done. If the building isn’t being used to help those in need then maybe it should be sold and the money be given to a ministry that is doing something to help people.
You probably weren’t saying all I just said but that’s my two cents.
Keep up the good work with the cycling. :-)
.-= David Knapp´s last blog ..Jesus In Disguise =-.
This here will preach…
Glad you’re using your voice here to talk about this, and even more glad that are already some out there putting this in action. Kudos to all those who have served you all!
.-= Josh´s last blog ..For A Limited Time Only =-.
I appreciate you guys being so down to earth and not dropping a hint at who you are. And I’m ashamed I didn’t recognize Anne Jackson. But the next time you’re even close to SE NM or Lovington, drop a hint will ya? Mad Church Disease was a blessing. And I look forward to reading more. I continue to pray for the team’s efforts and those you will impact to make a difference.
Yes, we need to do this, badly, even though today’s problems (like drugs) mean we do have to be “wise as serpents.”
We live in a town that’s had a severe housing shortage. I called a minister to see if he could suggest where to refer a young man who’d just lost his home. The pastor said, “That’s the $64,000 question. We must get two dozen calls a day asking that: for the homeless, for wives, single mothers, children, single men. But there is no place here at all.” (Meaning no churches either.)
“We know we need a shelter. We’ve had committees working on it for years. But every time we suggest a place downtown, businessmen come to the Council and say “Not there. It’ll drive customers away.” And every time we look at a residential location, the neighbors say “Not there. We have children.”
He went on, “I hate to be cynical, but I’m afraid someone will have to die before we’ll act.”
When we built our building, we added showers with the plan that we’d be hosting groups. Being located in a vacation area means there are groups coming all summer — we have some who return each year!
.-= Faye´s last blog ..UNcomfortable =-.
Isn’t it sad that the church spends gazillions of dollars on buildings that sit empty 5 or 6 days a week? I won’t start on my opinions of why churches can’t share spaces.
I’m totally with you on the fact that we should live lives of generosity, in all areas of our lives. It shouldn’t be restricted to just our members, tithers, or clique. Jesus spoke of the stranger, the least of these, and those far from him. THEY should see Jesus through us in our generosity – giving and expecting nothing in return.
If you come through Huntsville, Alabama, let me know and we’ll have a place for you.
.-= Angus Nelson´s last blog ..Authenticity is Not Accidental =-.
Love love this! I am currently travelling and in between homes but I do nurture my desire to own a lovely house someday to host people! God knows my dream!
.-= Samantha Johnson´s last blog ..You Are In Our Thoughts and Prayers =-.