What an autumn joy to discover the values, commitments and love of the folks at Dry Bones, a ministry committed to practicing the ways of Jesus. They do this by ... "meeting the spiritual and physical needs of homeless and street-connected youth and young adults. Seeking to equip and inspire all involved to relieve suffering, facilitate reconciliation, and free the heart to love." Two different Saturdays featured a "turf tour" followed by "101 volunteer training." All along the way: richness and clear "transferrables" for our Kenya efforts.
Here's Reb Duke (above-right), Dry Bones Staff, as we toured the bridges, stairwells, river, woods, and tunnels that serve as temporary homes to the homeless:
- "If we look only from a distance, we're not going to know what's going on and how to help."
- "Let the city teach you."
- "Look for values, the values speak."
- "Every piece of trash is evidence of a human being."
- "I hold on to the hope that this is temporary."
Matt Wallace, Dry Bones Staff at the 101 class:
- "Dry Bones is all about experimenting."
- "We are a family."
- "As labels fade, we become friends." (with people on the street)
Robbie Goldman, Dry Bones Staff:
- "Best result is not about what you can give but what you can learn."
- "Have you ever given away 100% of what you have? We have friends on the street doing that all the time."
- "We're called to go where things don't fit, where things are thin."
- "We try to create 'us' environments, intersections of opportunity."
- "Our big weekly effort: Ascribe unsurpassable worth on all human beings."
- "We are asking volunteers to share the full extent of His love."
- "'Us' and 'we' is often unknown to those surviving on 'I' and 'me.'"
- "You know what Jon Stewert said: 'If you hate yourself, please leave your neighbor alone.'"
Among the transferrable norms engaged with friends on the street:
- Be present.
- Speak value.
- Build dignity.
- Be clear and direct about boundaries.
- Don't correct language.
- Don't give out cash.
- No baby sitting babies.
- Never be alone.
- Always be aware that manipulation is a big part of surviving.
- Present belief ("Tell me more…").
- Be careful and limited with cameras.
- Secure your "stuff" ("If it's not locked down, it's fair game."
