One day, in particular, a woman walked up to me and asked me if I knew where her daughter and granddaughter were. She explained that they had just become homeless after leaving the family home to live with her partner, however, this didn’t work out and they both ended up on the street. She was desperate to meet up with them. She proceeded to show me a photo of her daughter, in hopes that I might recognize them, but I didn’t.

He asked us to read Matthew 24… I don't know what the significance of that passage was for him, but I do know that when he hugged me and kissed my cheek, we'd given him EXACTLY what he needed.

I’ve never been good at facing my fear, especially my fear of vulnerability. Hosting teams has helped me monumentally as I have been challenged by God to step out and not let fear rule my life. I see as students step out and face their fear as they go out and do ministry on the streets all week. They challenge me without even knowing it to step out in faith and trust that God will protect my heart.

Curtis lives his life pouring into others with anything and everything he has. All he owns in his life is contained on a utility dolly that he brings everywhere he goes. He gathers food donations that restaurants give him and passes it out to his friends. He frequently requests that I bring the kids down to see him just so that he can spoil them. He comes in to use our showers, yet he stays to make popcorn and then makes sure his popcorn machine is thoroughly cleaned.

Now community isn’t a choice. Having a roommate means I literally can’t hide. Eating most of my meals with people makes it harder to hide when I’m having a bad day, or struggling with the sadness and anxiety that is a part of my life. If I need to cry, I probably won’t get to do that alone. Thankfully, if I want a good laugh, I don’t have to do that alone either. What’s fun is that in this community we see that everyone is deeply flawed, but we’re all committed to staying here.

I didn't care that this man hadn’t showered in several days, or that his clothes were filthy, or that he smelled of alcohol and weed. I sat close to him and let him cry on my shoulder. I told him that God was always good, He is full of loving-kindness and slow to anger. Then we prayed together. On that chilly night in January, sitting on a cardboard box on a street of the Tenderloin, this man gave his life to Jesus.

Interruptions are an invitation from God. An invitation to life, ministry, relationship, connection, healing, and the list goes on.

At the end of the interview, the police officer looked at me with a new sense of understanding.  

“I am trained to see the problems of the neighborhood. Every night I go home feeling burned out and depressed. I have learned something today…to see the good in the midst of all the bad.”

Recently I found myself in a moment of helplessness as a stabbing victim lay right outside our door. I waited for the ambulance trying to calm and reassure the man, wanting to be able to do more - to be able to stop the bleeding, but I couldn’t. At that moment, I decided I would not be helpless again. I wanted to learn, in a practical way, how to save and restore life, so I trained to be an EMT.

Nadine was wearing socks, leggings, and a crop top on a very cold night. I watched as the officer’s exasperation rose. Nadine became more and more upset and emotional. Soon she was crying out to Jesus to help her, “It’s so cold” she said over and over. In that moment I knew I could do one of two things: I could leave, or I could step over and ask Jesus what to do.