Comments on: On the Streets: Day One

By: Faith Mugera

Faith Mugera — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:16:21 +0000

Wow, Barry. Wow.

By: Austin Bonds

Austin Bonds — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 04:12:16 +0000

My friend Pastor Brian shared this quote with our staff on Wednesday by Mother Teresa “Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.” It seems fitting. Love you Man!

By: Zeta

Zeta — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:12:31 +0000

I worked with the homeless for several years, and that is one lesson that always stuck with me. Whenever someone asks me for money, I always look at them and respond. I very rarely give money, but I will give them food if I have it (I often bring my lunch, so I will offer an apple, banana, sandwhich or something of the sort) or I will offer to buy them food from a food cart, whatever they want. (My dad taught me about that.) It is so important just to acknowledge the humanity of the person before us.

By: Jane VanOsdol

Jane VanOsdol — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:18:33 +0000

Thanks, Barry, for the encouragement to talk to the homeless, even if I don’t have anything to give them. It’s difficult to know what to do, and I appreciate the insight of how demeaning it is to be completely ignored all the time.

By: Jim.M

Jim.M — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:39:10 +0000

The World Next Door is just down the street… isn’t it? We do not have to go far from our own front door to see the agony of others, and the compassion of so few. A lot will be revealed to you in the coming days. Once you have spent a little time on the street amongst our homeless brothers and sisters you have a much sharper perspective on this social issue, you will not be the same my friend. You will also have a different view of “home”. As Greg Paul suggests, one of the challenges of the church in the 21st century is to radically reform itself so that the poor are not merely the subjects of outreach efforts, but are found right at the heart of our worshiping communities”…”home” in other words. Your dad’s comment shines a light also on the unspeakable desperation, shame, and agony of the parent of a homeless youth, or family member with a homeless loved one. Many quietly live amongst a community of believers… suffering alone…homeless in another way. There are so many dimensions to “homeless”…Barry, keep your eyes and ears and heart open, pour them out here for us to see. Blessings to you friend. All of us watching through your eyes will pray for you and those you encounter.

By: KIm

KIm — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:06:28 +0000

Simply remarkable. Thank you Barry!

By: Pat Pfeifer

Pat Pfeifer — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:29:08 +0000

Wow, Barry, this is truly powerful in many ways! As someone else said, I’ll remember your thoughts whenever I see or pass a homeless person! Thanks for sharing.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:35:30 +0000

I have been “digesting” this article for a few hours now and I keep being reminded of your dad’s sermon last weekend about the crippled beggar in Acts 3. While you are able to walk away any time, so many others are crippled physically, finanacially, emotionally, etc. and must remain where they are at the mercy of their fellow human beings.
“What I have I give you”–even if it’s just a smile and a moment of dignity–takes on a whole new meaning. Thanks, Barry. Praying for your protection and that you will continue to see what needs to be seen.

By: Laura Coonrod

Laura Coonrod — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:45:59 +0000

Barry -
Thank you for your willingness to meet with people. To see with new eyes. To not remain the same. Thanks for looking to not just be comfortable in this place we live in, but rather to see that people are people and deserve to be treated as such – I am hopeful for what God will continue to teach you -

By: Steve Buczkowski

Steve Buczkowski — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:40:04 +0000

This has to be one of the most powerful articles I’ve read from you. We can all read about Peter and feel terrible about what others are doing to him and then feel uplifted by what mostly others are doing for him. But this hits home. All of us are guilty of walking by those on the street. Thank you for sharing that simply looking someone in the eyes and acknowledging them might be enough. Julie and I are proud to call you a friend and to support your ministry.