9.27

"We're going in. On Thursday most likely, or maybe Friday. Larry and I got a place."

It's part of this way of life, this isn't their home, they're nomads. I knew these things all too well but I couldn't help but feel a little surprised. After seeing and speaking to Tasha for the last couple of weeks, I had created this expectancy of meeting up with her again. After arriving at Love Park, I had scanned the faces to find familiarity. But familiarity doesn't dwell there, it shouldn't. I forget that seeing my friends week after week means little to no progress, no opportunity, no home, no comfort.

A few weeks ago, as we were wrapping up Diakonos for the night, a woman broke into our circle and asked us for prayer. She grabbed her husband's arm and yanked him into the circle looking and waiting for our reply. We readily said yes and asked for what she wanted prayer.

"Oh, where to start! Everything, a home, a job, an opportunity."

That's when I met Tasha and Larry. They're wonderful to talk to and filled with stories from their past. She was a paralegal for eight years with a firm in Philadelphia. Three years ago, she was forced to resign because of a bipolar disorder.

"I fell apart when they came to get my car and my house."

She was smiling when I spoke to her though, anticipating the end of the week. Here is a place where goodbye often means better news than hello.

Thoughts on my first time

Hey guys,

I just wanted to thank you guys for allowing Dreamcatchers to help out with Diakonos around 2 months ago. It was a great experience for me personally and I think it was really good to get outside the Penn bubble I usually find myself wrapped in. It was nice to do some of God's work outside the context of school and I really enjoyed the time we spent at Love Park

I remember the only person that I spoke at length with was a guy named Joe Clemons. Kathryn and I had the privilege of talking to him and I thought we had a great conversation. He didn't look like a smart guy but he knew a lot of stuff from his time as a TV repairman. He also showed us a couple of drawings for some of the inventions that he had in mind and then he drew a portrait of both Kathryn and I. Goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover. I was glad that I had the chance to get to know him as well as the chance to pray for him. It was hard for me to pray for him because I don't pretend to know what its like to be homeless but I hope my prayers gave him a bit of hope.

Before I knew it, 2 hours had passed and it was time to go. However, looking back on my experience, I realized that I didn't get to talk to all the people that I gave sandwiches to; as they all swarmed me within the first 5-10 minutes of our arrival. I didn't have much of an opportunity to share anything related to Christ, as they would leave as soon as they received their brown bags. I was thinking that maybe a gospel track could be included in the paper bags, or at least contact info so that they know how to get to GCC? It would be a pity if they didn't know we were doing this because of God's love for them. Maybe you guys already thought of this but I just wanted to bring up the idea in case you guys haven't.

Thanks again and I'll see all you guys this upcoming school year!

Jabez