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!