Yesterday morning, myself and 14 community members went down to Glide Memorial Church in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco to serve in whatever capacity they put us. Every year Glide feeds close to one million people and during the holiday season, the daily numbers increase. Where there is usually a ticket system, yesterday it was open and all who were in line by 1:45pm, were going to eat and eat very well indeed! We arrived after having a Thanksgiving breakfast together and upon arriving at Glide, we were shepherded into their sanctuary where the different jobs available were discussed. Our jobs ranged from everything from sanctuary cleaner to turkey carver (you’ll see pictures of Marianne and Judy carving the masterpieces) to serving in the dining hall, and finally standing outside on the street and greeting everyone who was waiting in line with warmth and love. That was the job I was moved to take ~ myself and three of my students put on our orange vests and proceeded to head out to hit the streets, except right when I was about to go out, someone poked their head into the sanctuary and asked, “Does anyone here speak Spanish?” I raised my hand as Spanish is my first language, thinking she needed an interpreter for something. I approached her and she said, “Are you willing to do an interview for Telemundo?” I was shocked but said yes right away and thought God is so interesting in the way God moves…. I was asked by the interviewer, Pilar, what I was thankful for and why I was there – I shared with her that first I was thankful for God, Jesus and Mary, who had given me the love and the guidance I needed in order to be in a place to give and serve and love too. I was thankful for my community who strives and courageously let’s us in there to help lift the burdens of their hearts. She also asked me if we should be thankful for life. Yes! After that we went out on the street and spoke to hundreds of people (the line was blocks long) while they stood in line waiting patiently for possibly the only meal they would have that day. I heard stories of homelessness, of people selling themselves in prostitution for drugs and ironically, for their safety, I heard stories of heroic decisions to stop drugging amidst a culture and environment that encourages it. I listened and listened and heard each one ~ I felt so grateful that God gave us this opportunity to see each one of them. The angels down there were all the staff who coordinated the 900 (!) volunteers on this day. During dinner last night with our community, people spoke of opening their hearts to touch and speak and give to homeless people in ways they had not in the past. It was a great time to introspect, renew and rededicate our hearts to serving and being in Jesus and Mary’s love. You know, all of these folks who don’t have homes are stark reminders of how people feel inside ~ that they don’t belong or there is something missing. I pray they all come to know this as a deep and meaningful reality. May you be blessed this day ~ Rev Rachel. |
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Thanks & Givingposted Nov 28, 2008 12:12 PM by Rev Rachel [ updated Nov 28, 2008 12:16 PM ] |