Dear Inner Circle,
It’s an annual event now, a photo text followed by an excited call, “See how much stuff there is!?”
The picture in the text was of the bags of clothes this young man bought into Wayside along with his entire week’s salary. As he was excitedly telling everyone at work, his bosses also chipped in, and now his whole company is behind it. This fella used to sleep rough, until one day he woke up believing what the thousands of Wayside community members had been telling him: that he was a man with so much potential and life, and in his words, “I started to believe that what you all were telling me, just might be true.”
This year there is a whole vanload of blankets, ‘trackie dacks’ and beanies on their way. As we chatted, his son excitedly grabbed the phone, “Uncle Jon, is that you? I am bringing some things over for people,” Mr 4-Year-Old proudly declared. Dad told me that at kinder they were asked ‘What would you do if you were Prime Minister?’ The tender-hearted kid boldly declared, “I would help everyone poor, by giving them all blankets and something to eat!” My heart melted, “Well Mr Prime Minster, what would you feed them?” “Hot Chips!” he proclaimed without missing a beat. Now, there is a young man with a plan!
In this season we hold an extra worry for our people in the extremities of weather, and as our winter appeal continues, I see an outpouring of love in the notes that are slipped in alongside donations. A box arrived with a cheque in it from a pensioner who prays every night for those who are on our streets. The contents of the box were her recently deceased husband’s winter clothes, and before taking them downstairs I took a moment to hold one of his jumpers and to thank him for his life and legacy, knowing that it will go immediately where it is needed during these cold nights.
Walking home to pick up a parcel last night, I was accompanied by a young man, wearing that very jumper. He is a fragile few days sober with a heart full of courage and steadfast intention of extending his “winning streak.” The colour is slowly returning to his face and the spark in his eyes is once again emerging. We fell into deep conversation and soon the distance we walked disappeared. As we parted ways, I asked him where he was heading, “Nowhere, I was just walking for the chat, I could sense you needed one.” It’s those moments that capture the heart and stop me dead in my tracks — the eyes to see my weariness, in spite of his struggles, which include finding shelter each night and resisting the constant offers of alcohol and drugs that come his way. What a beautiful man he is. Often the broken hearted have a sensitivity to those who are also experiencing distress, and as we walked away, it was as brothers.
Occasionally our mission smacks you in the face, though usually it whispers its truth; both render us speechless.
Thank you for being part of the Inner Circle,
Jon
Rev. Jon Owen
CEO & Pastor
Wayside Chapel
