Adventures of Q&T part 2

Day two in Philly was a treat. It began when I got to meet Chris Lahr. Chris lives with his family in the heart of Philly's poorest neighborhoods. It was once a centerpiece of the city, but urban decay and and industrial decline ha left the landscape riddled with abandoned factories and neglected homes.

Chris and his family along with the "Simpler Way" community and Mission Year are seeking to rebirth this decaying community. As I arrived I was blown away by the way these folks have created islands of life and family in the center of this place. The Lahr's home was beautiful and filled with love. I felt at home immediately. Chris showed me to my room in the basement and we began to talk. I felt like I was in an out of body experience from here on. I was in the moment, yet standing back and marveling. The passion and practical approach that Mission Year brings to the overwhelming challange of "Homelessness" and systemic poverty is incredible. Allowing young adults to come into this setting and give a year of their life to learn and serve left me so humbled. These folks walked the walk. Each participant gives up their "normal" life and comes to one of the sites (Philly, Atlanta,New Orleans,...) and for 12 months learns about the life dynamics of the poor. they raise the money to sustain the ministry and build community with eachother and the area they serve. I couldn't wait to meet them.

Chris took me on a tour of his Parish. He serves a congregation in the Hispanic community. The building in an abandoned United Methodist facility. His congregation is about 35-50. They sponsor an incredible after school program. Chris asked if I knew anybody that wanted to buy a pipe organ or any of the incredible oak pews..."We need the money to build a place for the kids to play ball." As i walked I was haunted by the thought of how our facilities are often our worst enemies.

After the tour we went across the street to get the "best " phlliy steak sandwich in the city. The store was a shotgun building with shelves loaded to the ceiling and no manouvering space. We placed the order...with spicy catsup and fries and went outside to wait as Chris introduced me to some of his members. As we walked he began to talk about the weekend and all the prep he had to do, so I volunteered to help. He poured out dreams for the community and his genuine love of this place oozed out of every cell of his being. I was captivated!

we went back to get our meal and I found some individually wrapped orange slice candy (which my father-in law loves) and bought a bag to give him at Christmas. we grabbed the sandwiches (which were incredible..even with the catsup..which up till now I hate) As we left the neighborhood my mind raced. What a special place this is.

When we returned home to prepare for the evening ,I got one of the best treats of the weekend. Chris's wife and family had gone to visit his mother-in law because there was a Monday school holiday. All his family except his daughter Alexa. Chris went to school to get her as I processed things. when they returned this 10 year old bundle of personality lit up the room. She immediatly took center stage and it was obvious she was Daddy's girl. She loved having him to herself and I wondered if I would spoil that by being there. She sized me up quickly and we began to talk. She had a delightful sense of humor and a flair for the dramatic. She had planned her weekend with Dad and after the PRoP she would get to decide all they did on Monday. She had assignments  in the program and liked it. All the feelings of being away from home melted. I had been welcomed into the Lahr home. Hospitality is an incredible thing. Home isn't a place. Home is family and friends...house is a place. What a gift.

  

The Adventures of Q&T

 I met some absolutely unbelievable people a few weeks ago in Philly (Pa not MS). I was part of a Mission PROP weekend. PROP is an acrostic for  for Pauper's Rite of Passage. I joined 24  young adults for a weekend with the homeless. For the next week I want to share some of the experiences I had and things I learned.

It all began with a call to Chris Lahr. I had invited him to speak at the Mississippi Annual Conference in June of '09. I had been refered to him by Shane Claiborn of Simpler Way. Chris is onr of the directors of a ministry called Mission Year. It is an outreach affiliated with Bart Campollo and Eastern University. The core of the project centers in homeless ministry. Students and young adults covenant to spend a year living in areas that have a heavy homeless population. They spend their time building relationships and community. It is an incredible place.

The weekend I went they were having a PRoP weekend (Pauper's Rite of Passage). Chris had invited me to spend the weekend at his home and to participate in the weekend as much as I was comfortable. I was intrigued. I flew into Philly on Thursday, rented a car (and a Garmin), and headed to a nearby Hotel(which shall remain nameless). It was a few blocks from Chris's. The closer I got the more butterflies I got. This was a tough part of town. The hotel was next to an I HOP. Cool! The lobby was small and a homeless woman and hes cart followed me in as I registered. I wanted to be comfortable, but I wasn't. The cashier was behind 2 inches of bullit-proof glass and the place reeked of smoke. I smiled at the homeless woman, but never really looked at her directly in the eyes...a decision I will always regret. As my bloodpressure rose I scurried down the hall to my room. It was simple and small. I began a conversation with myself. "Well, this is why you came. You didn't fly all this way to stay in the Ritz." I checked the window and turned on the air(it kinda worked).I was getting hungry. "Let's go to the I HOP for supper." " It's almost dark..." "You chicken?" "Not chicken, just careful...ok a little chicken." I was mad that I couldn't convince myself to go out. "Ok...we order in." I looked through the brochures by the phone and decided on the Italian Pizza Emporium (Name has been changed). I called and ordered the "white pizza" and a drink all for $8.99. 

While I waited I called Cindy (my wife) and let her know I had arrived safely. I gave a brief description of the hotel and tried to laugh. We talked and I tried to exude excitement. I was excited and terrified. I chattered on nervously and finally said good-bye. I was getting real angry with myself by now ( I am not a nice hungry person). I was angry becuase of the unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomache which was more than hunger pangs. I wanted to do this! I love this kinda thing! I'll learn so much! There was a knock and the pizza man saved me.

I ate half the pizza and settled in on the bed to unwind. My senses were on red alert. I seemed to hear every sound within a half mile. I turned the TV on and the news was talking about a street protest over the Mayor's budget cuts. They were closing several firehouses and the people had taken to the street, shutting down several streets."We're not in Mississippi any more Toto!" I began to channel surf...nothing on....suprise! "I'll read some." "Too tired"...so I took a shower. It was a long and wrestless night...no dreams...not much sleep.

I always want to be braver than I am! Why do I live between my sense of adventure and my fear? I knew I needed to be there, but I wasn't comfortable being there. It's hard being away from home. Home offers comfort and security. Home is a place where you know the people and they know you. I was in the midst of a strange place and strange people. I had no idea what an life changing lesson I was already being taught. There are lots of layers to homelessness. I didn't know all I didn't know! Was I in for a weekend to remember!