HOMELESS BUT NOT HOPELESS

Dec 27/09

One of our ambitions after retirement was to “reinvent” ourselves which we defined as doing things outside our comfort zones and searching for new experiences.  We’ve been stretched in a number of situations and are still looking for opportunities to learn and grow.

On Christmas Eve, we attended a church service at a downtown centre called the Metro.  It is one of 5 locations that are all part of one main Willow Park Church centred in Kelowna.  The Metro is a converted night club and the majority of the people are homeless, lost or down-trodden people who congregate in the downtown area.

The place was full of talk and laughter as most of the 50 plus people seemed to know each other.  Christmas carols were led by singers and guitar players on a small stage but it certainly wasn’t a formal service.  Many of the audience just kept talking through the songs although some of them listened, or joined in if they knew the song.  I think a lot of them were anticipating the hot roast beef dinner being served after the service.

The pastor (a regular guy wearing jeans and a shirt) welcomed everyone and reminded us that their purpose for gathering as a church is to seek God and pursue truth in an atmosphere of love where judgment is left at the door.  Much easier said that done, as it takes effort to see others through a neutral, non-judgmental lens.  The reality of these people’s lives really hit home for me when the pastor prayed for those who could not be there that evening as they were sick, in jail or still out on the streets.  And where did we sleep that night?

After we sold our house last summer, we often joked about being homeless as we have no fixed address.  Well, meeting the street people in Kelowna has given us a realistic view of what it means to be truly homeless.  However, the kindness and caring of the leaders of the Metro gatherings shows that there is hope for anyone and everyone who needs it.