under the overpass

so a few years ago for Christmas my dad gave me this book called "under the overpass" by mike yankoski

i love this book, something about this book stirs something in me and yeah...i want to share a little bit of it with you.

[ " the pizza, hanging out down here, being nice to the people no one cares about, all of it, why?"

"i figure they're hungry and hey, everyone likes pizza right?" said George but he looked uncomfortable with the question.

"thats the easy answer" said sam "whats the real answer?"
"Okay" George said realizing we were serious "you really want to know? i do this because my faith tells me to. The Bible clearly says if you see someone hungry feed them, if you see someone naked clothe them. Those words werent written for us to make books and sermons about they're written so people dont go hungry and naked. And they require action from all followers of Christ, not just the rescue missions, Anyway thats how i see it. So im trying to live my life that way and be pleasing to Jesus"
"whew" i said inspired.
"Do you know what they call you around here?" sam asked "The Jesus guy"
"Highest compliment i could ever receive" George said with a big smile. "But you know what? i've never once come down here and preached. At least not in the typical fashion-you know,with yelling and Bible thumping"
Sam and i took a few minutes to tell George about ourselves and that we shared his faith. We thanked him for his powerful witness for Christ in the park.
"isnt it amazing" i said "that when we live as we're called and do what we're commanded the gospel does get preached one way or another?"

"I think so" said George. He was scanning the park. There were the usual strollers and loser and drunk and punks the usual American riffraff. But George was looking the place over like he owned it, like it was his own backyard. "Live as your called and the good news will go forth. I like that"

"Remember that the poor are people with names" writes bryant myers author of walking with the poor "they are people with whom and among who God has been working before we even knew they where there"

wanted

im telling you, 5 minutes ago i almost quit my job....why you ask? a little reason called gypsies....

so lets give a little bit of backround information, 2 or 3 months ago i posted signs in kensington that said "Wanted : a band of modern day gypsies" and i put some contact info, alas nothing came of it, i also looked longing back at a day in may where i was sitting downtown and two very odvious transiant travelers walked by me and i said hello to them and they smiled and said hello also.

But anyway to conintue on with this story, tonight at work at approx 2 am the front door rings and i go running to let who ever is waiting it, when i get to the door there are 3 police officers there and dogs, i am very confused and before i even open the door i radio the team lead to come to the front because i HATE dealing with the police.
Anyway i let them in and they tell me a story of 3 people who own the 3 dogs, the police had just pulled them off a train that was coming from winnipeg , they where traveling to vancouver, the cops ask me if they can "leave them in my care" and be on there way, I say they cant stay at the shelter (we dont take dogs) but they are more then welcome to use the phone, which one comes in a does...dreadlocks...wool cap...named kale anyway yeah, i chat with them for quite a while and tried to tell my co-workers that i was leaving with them...it did not work, but the gypsies did take my email address eeeeeeeeeeeee

cupcakes for breakfast toothpaste for dinner

but yeah like I said I'm interested in how this whole thing will turn out and tie together, I get this strange feeling when I'm downtown, when I see pavement covered in chewed gum, grocery carts overflowing with "finds", when i see policemen or people sitting down on the concrete.

This speaks to my heart, this makes me cry and makes me hope but...so did big eyes, heat, mud huts, and language barriers of Africa
Jesus where are you taking me?
I'm very intrigued

what time do we work?

"I know we're all dying but i actually am"

Some other guests bitch him out for being rude and upsetting me, I assured them he wasnt', it took me a few hours to realize that i have been made upset, but its not how he's speaking that done it, its what he's telling me.

Crack addict for over 25 years, 3 days clean and at least 3 heart surgeries.
A lifted shirt a exposed shoulder "look at this"
No sympathy
"you can read my shit to man"

this was his choice...does that mean this is what he deserves?
I hate that my only response is "what do i do?"
because you know we are all dying, but he actually is...

19 fab things that happened in my 19th year

1 I was given a treasure hunt birthday part.

2 I fell more in love with africa

3 I had my first kiss (insert vomit noise and teeny tiny grin)

4 i bunjee jumped the second higest bunjee jump in the world

5 I met kindred spirits like louise, my twin Danny, and a beautiful 4-some called, Dayla, Kathrine, Tara and Beth

6 I learned to Knit

7 a) I had a conversation around a circle table which inspired the term "Love Tour"
b) I got "Love Tour" tattoo'd on my arm

8 I came back to Canada, learing that Goodbyes are heart breaking, hello's are rather joyus and Love was coming at me from all over the place

9 I spent a poncho themed weekend in banff, where I lived out a song lyric

10 I did Gurilla Art projects (the mirros, the journals and a little wall writing)

11 I spent a night on the street

12 I went on a roadtrip to vancity and i was reminded of hope, talked to a boy from Denmark and learned something new about love

13 My baby sister graduated

14 Flew (tried to at least) kites in formals clothing with two lovlies

15 Had a night outside with 3 of my favorite guys reading peter pan to each other

16 My best friend got married, i glued feathers on my dress...no big deal

17 I made Prayer flags at camp

18 Went camping, left in a tiny red car fairly full from the two people in it, drove home with said tiny red car so full you couldnt see the two back passengers

19 I got what is my current dream job at the mustard seed

When all the love in the world is right here among us, and hatred to, we must chose what our hands will do...

oh please just run away with me

So I'm leaning against the wall near the men's bathroom, waiting for someone to wheel out the towel bin, only a few of the lights are on, i hear snoring, soft talking and a guitar. Aaron's playing the guitar, i can only see the back of him, his arms moving as he strums quietly. I have this feeling, this feeling i had so many times in Africa "you where meant for this"

I'm astounded with the way things have turned out.I have been giddy since i started at the seed, that almost doesn't describe it properly, i mean i was sitting outside the mustard seed cause i was early for my shift and every time i looked up i couldn't help but laugh, i am so excited about this!

My first shift basically flew by, doing all sorts of tasks, laundry and blanket distribution, guest storage, check in and bag searches.I cant stop smiling, but then it end on this weird note, that makes me cry all the way home, I am then stressed for the next two days and it comes down to taking a leap of faith...and i do it...and Jesus did me a solid.
After being told several times from seed management that i shouldnt quit my other job and that they cant give me full time hours, i went a head and quit my job with DDRC, not two hours after i quit with DDRC the seed comes to me with a contract position....
and Love tour calgary continues...