The Things We See

  Recently, my eyes have been opened to something I hadn't witnessed in quite a while, homelessness. I read a lot and stay on top of today's issues and the economy is always a hot topic. I also realize that there are thousands of American's every day that are a paycheck or two away from being homeless, for whatever reason. I have also spent a number of years leading a ministry and traveling on mission/work trips around the world.  So I've been around a number of situations where people have felt helpless and hopeless. I get it, I don't like it, but I get it.  The reason it's on my mind is because I guess I haven't really experienced it so close to home until last week. My company is doing some contract work for the City of Columbus this summer. Many of the properties where our guys are working are city retention ponds, flood walls and levies. Near several of these properties lie 6-10 acre patches of woods. Within these woods you will find a tent and tarp village of area homeless people. When I first saw this I was a little shocked. Columbus, Ohio is a pretty big city but it's not Chicago, NY, Seattle, Boston or Dallas. Just the sheer number of people in the camp I saw was hard to believe. There were singles, couples, families; all pretty much segregated in those categories and from all cultures. Like a separate sub group within the group. Then too realize that there are several camps like this is really a travesty. These properties are in Franklin County and I live in Delaware County. I don't know which, if any, churches or local organizations are involved with the folks in these homeless camps, but I hope many are. The problem that I realized right away is that these properties are not close to anything, nothing! The folks there have a pretty long walk just to fill a water jug, much less to receive any services, medical or otherwise. I can't imagine being in their shoes and having to live in the woods and depending on someone to bring you what you need to live through the day. Some of them  leave the camp to go to a job that I'm guessing doesn't pay much or not enough to sustain any kind of living arrangements. That totally stinks.  I tell you these things because, A: I've seen it and it's on my mind, and B: When I see things like this I start asking questions like, 'Is anyone that's capable, helping these folks that are living in the woods?' and 'If not, what can I do about it?' I'm not a 'caped crusader' or any such idealistic character that thinks I can change the lives of all the people in those encampments. But I will look into the history (apparently it's been going on for years) and find out if those in the camp that need it, are being helped. It bothers me that we are so close to their 'homes' yet so far away from their reality. Not that we want to be homeless, but that we need to be aware of the things going on around us and how we can impact them in a positive way. I'm sure most of these folks in the tent villages have had more than their share of negative in their lives, regardless of the reason. After all, every one of us needs to be reminded on occasion that even though someone may feel like they are hopeless and helpless, we were put on this planet, not for our own benefit or selfish desires, but to serve and help each other along the way. I'll let you know what I find out in the future and in the meantime, take a look around you at work, home, strolling through your home town and pay a little attention to the little things we sometimes miss because of us.  Thanks for taking the time to read this and until next time, that's the view from my stand!