Touch Project Pictures

Breakfast under the bridge

This morning was the 3rd morning this week that I went down to the Washington Jefferson Bridge to feed the homeless. There's a skate park being built under the bridge...right where the homeless have been living. So to ease the blow, and continue encouraging NCU students to serve, I've been going down to talk to, pray with, and feed people in need. 

I've met a lot of cool people in the last week, but someone today really touched my heart and pulled on it's strings. His name is Eli, and he is 26 years old. At first, he looked wary of our small group, and didn't look to excited to come over. But with the food sitting out, and 3 people smiling and greeting him, he gave in and walked over to us. When we said good morning and asked how his morning was going, he replied something like this: "It's been good. It's cold out, but I slept pretty good". After he grabbed his food, I went over to sit next to him. He looked surprised...I asked what caught him off guard, and he said "People don't get that close to me. I'm dirty" While I was trying to recover from that comment and think of something new to say, he looked at me just waiting. Since I really wasn't thinking of anything, I blurted out (I'm not kidding...I really did blurt it out. I probably sounded ridiculous) "Well...you wanna pray with me before you eat?" He said yes, so I said a quick prayer (I always feel bad praying for a long time before their meal, because they finally have food in front of them. I'm sure they don't want to wait very long to start eating). So we prayed, and we talked a little bit, and then there was a pause. I was sitting there, enjoying the chilly morning with the sun peeking past the hill, and he was busy eating. Then he looked over to me and said "I just got out of prison." In my head, I was thinking "Okay...think of something to say. Don't just let that slide. Ask what happened. No, that would be rude, don't ask. Just think of something to say!" So eventually I thought of something, and it must not have been good, because I don't remember what I even said. But it was something and that led to further conversation. Finally, I asked him what he's really in need of since he's new on the streets. He said he could really use some socks and people. He craves human contact, but no one will ever give him the time of day. He then proceeded to nudge me and look me in the eyes. We locked eyes for a few seconds, and then he said genuinely, "Thank you. So much." I didn't know what to do. I am always touched by the homeless, and I always get the chills after I talk to them. But I needed some time to process...so naturally, I stalled. I asked him if he needed a blanket, because he looked FREEZING. He said yes, so I sent Lars to my car to grab my blanket. (Let's be real...I'm lazy. I didn't want to stand up to get it!) But we kept talking, Lars came back with the blanket, and then Eli stood up and said "I'm sorry...I really don't want to leave you guys, but this blanket is warm, and I could really use some more sleep" and he left! He went about 30 yards away, laid down on the concrete, and fell asleep. 

More happened after that, but that was the most important stuff.

I'll post pictures later...but Lars is the one that took them, and he hasn't sent them to me yet.

The Touch Project

Okay, so the Touch Project is coming up this Saturday afternoon! This is what I've been working on all semester...it's a huge deal! Last year, we served about 300 homeless and low income individuals. I'm aiming for 350-400 this year! 

Students have really gotten into it this time around. We counted up about 2/3 of the donations from NCU students and the Eugene Church of Christ at the sorting party... So far, we have 123 girls/womens clothing items, 97 boys/mens clothing items, 13 pairs of shoes, a full box of toiletries (shavers, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, etc), 7 purses, 62 hats, and a ton of sunglasses. 

You can see how much work it was to sort through everything...but the result made it well worth it.

So this Saturday we will have a huge BBQ, a donation station (obviously), haircuts, a shaving station, a place to get their nails painted, a foot washing station (John 13...Jesus washes his disciples feet), a games station (where people can play basketball, frisbee, volleyball, catch) and 2 kids stations (where they can color, play hopscotch, get their faces painted, etc) Then of course we will have NCU members walking around talking and sharing the gospel. There will also be some awesome music happening!

I will post  more pictures after the event! I think it will be an amazing experience for all the students that decide to show up. At least I hope so!

Putting myself out there

What happened??

Before Christmas break I was out and about helping the homeless a lot more, and was always finding ways to reach out. I don't know what happened (maybe 2 jobs, 18 credits, practicum, and a boyfriend?) but my outreach has really been suffering recently. SO! I decided to make a change.

Since I've been trying and failing to motivate people to go out and serve with me, I decided I would go out on my own. Maybe leading by example will prove to be more efficient. I know Eugene is a dangerous place (as several wise people have pointed out to me recently) so I figured I better make some plans that were super safe. Here was what I came up with: Breakfast! Who doesn't love a picnic style breakfast? I sure do. So I made plans to go out under the bridge with a couple blankets, a Bible, a couple tupperwares of food (pancakes, eggs, fruit, etc) and a huge thermos of coffee. I figured "what is safer than going out in broad daylight with food?" So that's exactly what I did.

I wish I had taken some pictures while I was down there, but my mind was focused on other things. But it was a really neat experience...I went down on Wednesday, and had so much fun I went back this morning. In all, I probably fed about 30 people. It was cool to see how many people would walk by and be curious at what I was doing. I can understand their confusion...I'm this blonde girl sitting on a blanket, reading a book (my Bible), with a huge amount of food sitting in front of me. Some people became so curious, they came up to me and inquired. Well...you can imagine how excited I was when I saw those brave souls walking towards me! Of course, I would chat with them and give them as much food as they wanted. I thought it would be okay to just help whoever I could and reach out to whoever God brought to me instead of rationing food. I had some awesome conversations and made some very hungry people happy. It's always so cool to see homeless people's faces when you tell them they should join you for some conversation and food.

It seems weird that something as simple as a breakfast can make such a huge difference to someone's day. A common theme in every conversation I had with people, was that they don't feel loved. One man actually said these words to me this morning: "It makes me sad that humans can treat other humans this way. Some people make me feel like I'm a different species. Is God really that far from me? Why can't people see me for who I am? I'm not just some dirty animal begging on the side of the road. I'm a real person that has a story. I have a past. I got knocked off my feet and need help getting up. Why can't anyone accept that?" WOW! Seriously? I was absolutely stunned. I literally had on words...even typing this makes me tear up. How can we allow this to happen in our city? How can we keep the love of God's from those who desperately need it? To hear someone say that he feels that God is distant from the city, and feels no love...what do you even say to something like that? All I could think of was to run to my car, get one of the FCA Bibles out (I have a box of them...not really sure why! But I keep them handy so I can give them out at times like this), and give it to him. I pointed him to some passages that really tug at my heart strings, and encouraged him to read through it. I don't know if he will...but I'll keep praying that he does.

Long story short, I had about a 20 minute conversation with this guy, and had my heart lit back up for the homeless in Eugene. I'm sure other people feel the same way he does. Why not put ourselves out there to help? We have resources and we have time; all we need is the passion.  

Romans 15:7 -- Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Matthew 25:40 -- And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Photo Shoot!

We took these pictures for some billboards around town!! These are my favorites by far :) It will be so cool if they actually get put up somewhere. I would be famous! And could the leaves have been any more beautiful? I love it here...God's beauty is everywhere <3

Rename my blog...? I think so

It seems that all my posts are going to be about my absolute love for the homeless community. I just can't get over the way my heart races and my stomach does flips when I see them smile. Not the "please reach out and help me" cheap smile...the real one. The smile they smile after you help them.

I just experienced this smile. I was driving back from running errands, and saw a homeless man on the corner as I was stopped at a red light. I could see my wallet sitting next to me on the passenger seat, and thought "God is basically screaming at me to reach out to this man." As I rolled down my window, I instantly saw the man's face light up. I handed him 3 bucks. It seems silly that such a small amount can make such a difference in someone's disposition. He went from sitting against a tree with a sulking face avoiding eye contact with people to standing up waving at people. Amazing...

I know, I know. Some people will tell me I'm crazy to hand a homeless person hard cash, because you never know what they are going to do with it. But this is the way I see it: they can spend it on whatever they want; I got the chance to look him in the eyes, smile a legitimate smile, hand him money, and say "God Bless you." From that point, he can do with the money whatever he pleases. He heard what he needed to...that God loves him and is with him. What was I gonna do with it? Buy a coffee? It will mean more to him no matter what he does with it. As long as I get to show God's love to someone in need, I don't even care.

If you're reading this, I'm sorry you just sat through a long rant. All that was to say that I have an in-extinguishable love for the homeless population. Helping them changes my heart every time. It makes me feel like God is right next to me...more than usual. He has blessed me in so many ways. I love splashing over to touch someone else's life.

God Bless you in the rest of your day.

God matched me step for step

Oh my goodness, there is just so much going on! Today was amazing though. I had to make a Safeway run to get brownie mix for FCA (because if you want college students to go to something, you bring junk food) Anyways, as I was checking out, the lady asked me if I wanted to donate to Breast Cancer Research. Usually I pass things like this up without second guessing. This time, though, I didn't skip a beat before I said yes. I don't know what came over me, but I didn't even think about it. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to donate that $5. When I said I would, the cashier looked me in the eyes and said "Thank you! You're the first person I've checked out today that has donated." As if that wasn't reward enough, she commented on the brownie mix and I got to tell her it was for a campus bible study I was leading tonight. That just added another spark into her eye, and she told me she was glad there was still stuff like that that is going strong. As I left Safeway and approached my car, I saw an elderly homeless lady. Feeling God tugging on my heart strings, I decided I needed to do something for the lady. I had a granola bar (something my mom taught me to always have on hand), but thought that might be too hard for this lady to eat. So I went back into Safeway and bought a couple snacks that would be easier on her teeth and hold her hunger. The look in the woman's eyes as I approached her was one of the most powerful things I have ever seen. I had thought the cashier's eyes lit up...until I approached the homeless lady. I don't think I have ever seen such humility and graciousness from any other human being. The opportunity to talk to the woman about NCU and how I love to do outreach and my life goal being that God's light would shine through me was amazing. The most amazing part of the day, though, was the woman telling me "Well let me tell you something! I knew God was going to send me an angel today. I don't usually stand over here on this corner, but today God told me to stand here. And now I know why." I can't even believe the amazing woman and her words. I felt so blessed to have spent those 5 minutes with her. Then I came back to school for lunch, where a freshman basketball player told me I inspire her. She was only talking about my healthy eating choice for that meal, but it just added to the joy I felt today. I felt like I made a difference in the community in several ways. Now I know only my wonderful sister reads this blog, but I had to share this with someone, I want to have written this down, so any time I have a bad day, I can look back and see my documentation of how I felt knowing that God was walking right next to me, step for step, today. Hopefully you made it through this whole thing...looking back at it, it seems a lot longer than it did when I was writing it.

Oh, and I finished a Pinterest project today...who doesn't like that?!? :)