Feeding the Homeless

A couple nights ago I went to downtown San Diego to feed some of the thousands who live on the streets in that area. I stood at the end of the serving line offering a cup of lentil soup for each of the more than 200 persons who marched in front of me. I looked into the eyes of each one and asked if they would like a cup of soup. It was all a very moving experience and as I reflect upon it several thoughts and questions flood over me.

1. Each of those persons has a life story. I suppose that a mother rejoiced at the birth of each one of them. Did they go to school?  Serve in the military? Do they have any current family contacts? How did they end up on the street homeless and hunger ? Where will they be 30 days from now?

2. I was struck by the large number of women in line. I have been serving at this location occasionally now for some 15 years and I noticed how each year the number of women increases. I noticed especially how the women still tried to dress as best they could- While many of the dresses were obviously well worn they were clean and some effort seemed to still be made to have colors match. Some of the women even wore a bit of lipstick. Most looked me in the eyes but a few diverted their look. Life on the streets must be especially difficult for women.

3. There were people of all ages. I was struck especially by a young man of about 18. He seemed quite self-conscious and appeared to be ne  to street dwelling. I did not see evidence of drug abuse and I could not help but wonder, ”How did he get into this position?” Similarly, a person of about 25 who also seemed new to the situation appeared. He was neatly and nicely dressed. I had the feeling this was all anew and very uncomfortable experience for him. Of course, I also saw some faces of people who have been on the street for a very long time.  I was reminded that study after study shows that there are several different groups that make up that population. There are those who have just recently lost their jobs and or their homes. Others are veterans with pts syndrome. Some are perpetual drug abusers, some choose street live, others are trying desperate to get off the street. Some have to choose between eating and paying rent.

4. I was very saddened by the fact that many had no, few, or terrible teeth. I learned that tooth disease is the most prevalent illness of the homeless. And I was saddened to be told that the American Dental Association formally declined to have any part in any of our country’s affordable health plans-so all these people re ineligible for any kind of Medicare or other aid for dental care

5. It was obvious that homelessness knows no gender, racial or ethnic boundaries. There were men and women of all ages and skin color. But I did notice that there was only one person ( an elderly female) who was false assumption based on my many years working with the Chinese that the Asian’s heavy stress on education, family and the work ethic result  in fewer Asians among the homeless?

6. I also noticed the extreme friendliness and gratitude  o our homeless guests. All but maybe four out of more than 200 failed to say  “Thank you.” One gentleman with near tears simply said “Thank you.  This is my first mal in four days !”

One final word: the sponsoring group was the Third Ave Charitable Organization affiliated with First Lutheran Church. They really know how to do this right. They prepare a healthy good tasting and attractive dinner. They respect each of the homeless guests. They organize the process so that flows seamlessly. Thy carry the trays of those unable to do that for themselves. They carefully control serving size and the allow people to return as long as there is food. They welcome, respect and join in prayer with those dong e serving.

As I go home from the event I say a prayer of thanks for the many of us, the hungry and the well fed are brothers and sisters. And the words of Jesus ring in my ears, “I was hungry and you fed me.”

Reflections on a Long and Blessed Life -No. 60: Hong Kong Visions

My years in Hong Kong were certainly among the most enjoyable and rewarding years of my life. One reason for that is that I was a partner in a visioning process. Chinese fellow-workers and missionary cohorts and I had the job and the joy of envisioning what a Lutheran School System could be in Hong Kong.

When in 1950 Missionaries Behling, Holt, Simon and Boss and others were evacuated out of Communist China and landed in Hong Kong they immediately began teaching. Very early they were not only teaching religion but were starting schools and a Bible Institute. By the time I arrived in 1955 they had already secured the land for a large K-12 school to replace the middle school they had started in a storefront. (Concordia Lutheran School) But we had bigger dreams.

We wanted a Lutheran School System. It had to cover grades 1 through 12. It would include a target audience of very poor children and the children of wealthier families. It would in some case utilize the Chinese language and in other situations English. It would, of course be taught primarily by certified Chinese teachers but also by non- Chinese foreigners.

In the midst of the diversity there were to be some common essentials. The schools were to be Christian and specifically Lutheran. By that we meant they would teach that there is one God and that God is good. That God’s goodness was most evident in the reconciling work of Jesus Christ. The goal of Christian education is to set people free in Jesus Christ enabling each student to more nearly become all that God intends each student to be.

We knew, of course, that all o f this would cost a lot of money and that the money would not primarily flow from the USA but would be raised locally through tuition, government assistance, special education grants, etc. etc. We knew that we would need a system of teacher training focused on In-service learning.

The visioning was stimulated and greatly enhanced because of the values and experiences of my Chinese colleagues. They shared with almost all Chinese a great respect for education and for teachers. The refugee population included many persons who had been well trained in a variety of disciplines in China before they were forced out of China by Mao Tze Dung

In those days Hong Kong was a British Crown Colony and the British, too, had a deep commitment to schools. All Hong Kong land was owned by the Government and was leased out long term to businesses, not-for-profit organizations, churches etc.-The British had the tradition of allowing religion to be taught in schools and that practice was continued in Hong Kong.

My job title was Coordinator of Education and so I had the joy of trying to put all this together into a feasible plan and then find and utilize the resources to turn dreams into reality. Many many days were spent in Government offices studying the Colony’s plans for redevelopment. For example we selected one school site which when we selected it was all still under sea water-awaiting future development (Kwun Tong). Another interesting incident was when I found a site for The Hong Kong International School on a lot, which had somehow, or other escaped zoning by the government.

All of this had be done with a view to the time when Hong Kong would lose it status as a Crown Colony and most of the land (and accompanying conditions of lease) would revert to the Communist Party and its Beijing control. Fortunately the Brits negotiated a very good treaty with one provision being that the Communists would honor all leases including those made to Christian Churches-and would allow the teaching of religion in all church-related schools during the next 50 year period.

In a couple months I plan to be in Hong Kong and celebrate how so much of that vision has become reality. What a thrill it will be to meet with colleagues who are daily turning those visions into reality as they operate the following: 6 (six) secondary schools, 2 (two) international schools, 4 (four) night schools, 6 (six) primary schools, 1 (one) private school, 2 (two) special ed schools and 12 (twelve) kindergartens. These schools enroll more than 23,000 students and are staffed by more than 1000 teachers. Visions have become reality!