Glasses for Alexander: A Miraculous Day for the DRR

On last Saturday’s Dirty Roots Revolution Homeless Outreach, many of you know that my heart (and mind, as many of my thoughts the following week were about him) was captured by one of our homeless brothers named Alexander.

You can read more about Alexander’s story in my blog post and Facebook note, simply titled “Alexander”, but the thumbnail sketch version of his story goes like this: Alexander served several years in prison for an unspecified crime. He was released a few weeks ago and he got into a homeless shelter. He also, through hard work, secured a manual labor job at the rate of about $7 an hour. After two weeks of work the employer did a background check (which could/should have been done at the beginning) and Alexander was publicly escorted from the job site by three armed security guards when his past was discovered. Alexander is trying HARD to look for work. He has been tempted by the bottle since he’s been released, but he has been fighting giving in to that temptation and to his frustrations. We prayed with Alexander last week and I urged him fervently to keep on the path he knows is right.

To make his story worse, Alexander lost his glasses on a city bus about six weeks ago. His eyes are worse than mine, so I can personally vouch that means they are B-A-D. This impedes his chances of securing work, makes it hard to get around, and is just a general frustration.

After an hour of visiting with Alexander, I loved his spirit. I could see his good heart and his desire to change. So I shared his story. And it touched many of you, too. I received many comments and emails after publishing it.

After that, I began to think about putting out a call to raise some funds to get Alexander an eye exam and the cheapest pair of glasses we could find him.

As I logged onto my computer to do so, I received notification from a DRR supporter that if I could get Alexander an appointment with an eye doctor, this donor would foot the bill for his exam and the glasses.

In almost unbelieving joy, I contacted LensCrafters and explained the situation. I told them about the DRR and what we do. They were excited and glad to help out.
Which brings us to today. I fervently asked for prayers and positive thoughts for today because the whole thing hinged on us seeing Alexander today. I was confident he’d show up, because I’d promised to bring him every pair of old, used glasses I could get my hands on during the week (this was obviously before the generous offer of new glasses…).

As soon as I pulled my car up to our distribution site, there was Alexander, peering in my window, making circles around his eyes with his fingers, like glasses. He told me he’d been thinking about us all week. I asked him to hang back and stick with us a while.

After the crowd thinned, I told him the situation and he agreed to go with us.

The nearest LensCrafters I could get an appointment at was in Fairview Heights. After the conclusion of the Homeless Outreach we headed that direction. Alexander was friendly, but a bit reserved in the car. I can’t blame him…he was with me and DRR volunteers Andrew and Kelsey. He’d known me and Andrew a total of about an hour and he’d just met Kelsey. And here we are offering to drive him 20 minutes away, across the river, to give him some free glasses.

We got to St. Claire Square a little early, so we walked through the food court, so Alexander could get a nice sample from each of the restaurants.

After we checked into LensCrafters, Alexander began to loosen up a bit. At some point I could see on his face that he realized “This is really happening!” He’d told us numerous times up to that point that “I sure appreciate this,” but hadn’t said a lot more.

After we sat in the waiting area for a while, Alexander began sharing more of his story. He lived in Greenville, Mississippi till he was 10 years old, when he moved with his mother to St. Louis. He said once he got here he immediately started “stepping off into awful things. And it just got worse and worse.”

He was stabbed nine times with a screwdriver over a gambling debt and in return later stabbed the man who stabbed him. “And, after going to prison once, I went right back out and did bad stuff. Turned into more and more of a monster.”

Alexander isn’t a monster. He made mistakes. I have, too. Mine may not look like his. And others may not look upon mine in the same way as they look upon his. But he made mistakes. Bad decisions. The man I spent today with is NOT a monster.

Alexander said, “I’m afraid to be violent now. I’m afraid to rob. I don’t know if it’s ‘cause I’m older, or wiser, or if I’m just getting soft. But I don’t want to do that. I talk to God every day.”

Alexander also had three children. His 14-year-old son was shot in the head two times. That same day, Alexander’s 16-year-old son shot and killed the man who killed his little brother. The 16-year old is currently serving a 35-year prison term. He has a daughter that will turn 17 later this week. She was born as he was going into prison and he hasn’t spoken to her until two months ago – when she called from a foster care facility in Granite City. They had a bad phone connection and couldn’t talk much. And with a sadness that only a lifetime of this kind of heaviness can produce, he told us he wanted to find her. I told him I’d see what I can do. I’m no expert, and don’t know where to begin, but I will try.

It was time for his eye exam and they took him to the back. Upon his return, it was obvious he was excited to pick out new frames. You could tell he’d had a good experience in the back and had been treated very well, too.

The other part of the “miracle” I was anticipating for today was that LensCrafters would be able to make his glasses that day. They claim “glasses in an hour”, but as someone with horrible eyes, I can tell you, they can’t take care of ALL types of prescriptions in an hour – or even a day. But they had what they needed for Alexander’s.

They staff told me they found Alexander had very serious glaucoma and gave me a referral sheet to a Metro-East doctor who could help him out. I’m going to call that doctor to see if he can, in turn, refer us to a doctor closer to Alexander’s home-base in downtown St. Louis. Maybe we can get him qualified for some kind of public aid to get the treatment he needs to save his eyesight.

We went to lunch to wait for the glasses. Alexander chose the Japanese restaurant in the food court. We got him a big hot meal, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He was very comfortable with us by this point and we talked freely. It was a good time.
He shared his struggles and frustrations. His desire to stay on the right path. He said he needed God to take care of him. I shared with Alexander that the Bible tells us that God takes care of the birds and the flowers. And if they are as beautiful as they are, we know He does care for them. And we, His people, are made in His image, and He loves us more than anything. So, if he takes care of little things like birds and flowers, He’ll surely take care of us.

We talked more and more and then the most magical and unexpected part of the day happened…

A lady sitting next to us got ready to leave her table after finishing her lunch. She sat back down and said: “Excuse me…I wasn’t listening in, and I didn’t mean to eaves drop. But, I heard what you all were talking about – about the Bible telling us that God takes care of birds and flowers and will take care of us…And…this is all the cash I have today, but I want you to have it.” She gave Alexander a few folded bills. I’m not sure how much, but there was a $10 on the outside.

Alexander, Kelsey, Andrew, and I sat there – literally – speechless and dumbfounded with tears in our eyes. She said, “Thank you for the work you’re doing. And sir, you hang in there.” She patted Alexander’s arm , we introduced ourselves, and she left. Her name was Kim.

Thank you, God, for Kim.

Alexander talked on and on about how blessed he was today. He told us when he prayed last week, he worried that God couldn’t hear him. I promised him that God always heard. But, I said, sometimes even though we feel a need, God has other plans or other timing in mind. You may think you need it today…but He may know that next week will be better.

We headed back to LensCrafters and as we waited our turn to pick up the glasses…Alexander grinned and said, “You know what…my buddy likes 7-Up. I’m gonna take some of that money and buy my buddy a big ol’ bottle of 7-Up.” He’s blessed with some extra cash and his first thought is to treat his friend to a special surprise. I.LOVE.THAT.

The buddy he’s talking about shares some space in an abandoned building with Alexander on the nights they don’t go to the shelter. (The shelter has a 14-day in/30-day out policy. You get 14 days to sleep inside as you chose – they don’t have to be consecutive. Once your 14 days are up, you have to take a 30-day consecutive break to give other folks a turn to be inside).

Alexander shared that recently he told his buddy that no one knew they were up there. If something happened, no one would know it. His friend just said, “God knows, man. God knows we’re here.”

In closing, another blessing. As we began the payment process, I contacted our donor by phone and he provided his credit card information to pay the bill. The LensCrafters lady told me with a wink…we took care of the exam. They hadn’t charged us a penny for the exam – just the glasses themselves.

Another unexpected blessing in a day full of them.

I asked Alexander if he needed a new shirt to wear for interviews on his job hunt. “No,” he said sheepishly, “But I do need some underwear.” We got him some new undies and socks. And a nice cup of Starbucks on the way out.

We drove Alexander back to St. Louis, with him looking excitedly out the window most of the way there. I wondered, not only has Alexander been near-blind since he lost his glasses…but how long had it been since THOSE glasses had been updated? He told us he was like a kid in a candy store and he was seeing a whole new world.

He asked us to drop him off about 10 blocks from where he was staying. “I just want to walk…I want to walk and I want to look at everything!”

I can’t tell you how many times Alexander shook my hand today. And I can’t tell you how good the hug I got from him at the end of the day felt.

We can’t do this kind of thing for every person we encounter on our Homeless Outreach. However, I’ve been filled with a desire since we started this program to keep our eyes open for these unique opportunities. Lord willing, we’ll be able to do more.

I don’t say this to be puffed up…but I was part of something today. And it was amazing. What happened today was WAY bigger than Kelsey, Andrew, and/or myself. We were part of what this revolution is all about. People loving people. People doing what they can. People giving what they can. People acting when they’re hearts are touched.

I was blessed today. Kelsey and Andrew told me the same thing many times throughout the day. Alexander said it the most. Every time Alexander told us he was blessed today, we assured him it was a blessing for us, too.

THANK YOU to our benefactor on this project. Your gift means SO MUCH (SO, SO, SO, SO, SO MUCH) to the Dirty Roots Revolution and, most importantly, to our dear friend Alexander. And thank you, as well, for your initiative in this. You weren't asked - you offered. Because you were touched.

THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU.

Please continue to keep Alexander in your prayers. His heart was lifted today, but he’s still looking for work. He’s still homeless. He’s still going to continue to be tempted by things that could derail his progress. He wants to do good. He wants something new. And we now know he has severe glaucoma. I'll work with him to seek treatment, but please keep the situation in your prayers.

And he promised us that he was going to pay this forward somehow. I told him that doing good and continuing to try is all he needed to do for us.

I could go on and on. Today was truly an amazing day. Unbelievably so.

Every one of you played a part. Every one of you who prayed and sent positive thoughts our way today played a part. And that, too, is part of what the DRR is all about. Again, everybody doing what they can. We had someone with a desire and a means to provide for this situation financially. We put out the need (a very vague need, I know) for prayer for the situation, and I was flooded with messages today that people were, in fact, praying.

No one person made today happen. Everyone did. Everyone played some kind of role. Kim at the food court played a role. The ladies at LensCrafters played a role. Our donor did. You did.

Most of all, God did. This journey of the Dirty Roots Revolution has taught me so much about blessings and his provision. I’ll write a blog soon on some specific examples of that.

But I lived an amazing one today. Thank you again, to each of you, for making this amazing day happen for an amazing friend.

As Kelsey posted on her Twitter account today:

“Why, yes, Alexander, it HAS been a blessed day, indeed.”

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

- BY D.R.R. HOMELESS OUTREACH VOLUNTEER CATHERINE WEYERS -

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." –Juliet, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare

Last Saturday morning, I went down to St. Louis with Dirty Roots Revolution’s homeless outreach. On this particular week, I stationed myself with my friend Andrew making hot cocoa for our homeless brothers and sisters. Although the line is often long and crazy, I try to take the time to learn each man or woman’s name as I stir up their steaming cup of cocoa and place it in their shivering hands. I’m not usually good at remembering the names, but I try, and I’m starting to recognize certain people that we see week after week. Sometimes our friends drink their cup of cocoa and then come back five to ten minutes later sheepishly asking for another cup or a refill. Of course, I happily oblige.

This week, a fairly well-kept middle aged man entered my line for the second time. His name is Forrest. If that is his first name, last name, or nickname, I do not know. As I handed him his second cup of cocoa, I cautioned him, “Be careful, Mr. Forrest. It’s still pretty hot!” He accepted his cocoa and looked at me in disbelief. “You remembered my name?” he asked. “Of course I did, Forrest!” I laughed, “Why would I have asked if I didn’t intend to remember? Besides, it was only a half an hour ago that you introduced yourself to me!” He sat back for a moment and stared beyond the bus stop where we were standing. After a few seconds he spoke, “Well, ma’am. Most people who come down here don’t care about my name. Even the ones that do ask don’t seem to care to remember.” With that statement, my heart broke.

What would it be like to have no one know my name? Even worse, what would it be like to be passed by in the park as though I was the refuse of society? What would it be like to live in fear that if I gave out my true identity, a background check would be run, and I would be further ostracized for my past that I so desperately wanted to separate myself from? That is the life of many of our homeless friends. To many, they are nameless, smelly, unshaven bums. Although this might seem like words that can be used to describe their state, it is not their identity. They have been created by God, and are loved by Him, just as I am. They have made mistakes, and many want to change, like I do. They get hungry and thirsty and cold, just like I do, but much more often. They need the forgiveness and love of a Savior, just as I do. They need to embrace their identity as a Child of God, just as I have.

I would love to hear God say to Forrest as He did to the Isrealites, “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Forrest, and He who formed you, ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are mine.” (Catherine Paraphrase Version)

For now, I will not take for granted that God will audibly speak those words to that man. I cannot trust that someone else will say them either. I will go to St. Louis again, and I will look for my new friend. I will call him by name, and I will offer him a cup of hot chocolate. And perhaps, one of these days, I can speak to him the name of Jesus.

“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.’” (Isaiah 43:1-4)

ALEXANDER

Friends,

I intended for this to be a very short blog post about my new friend, Alexander. However, as I began writing, my emotions began to spill forth. I shared what was in my heart. I feel sadness, empathy, frustration, and anger over the story you’re about to read. This post may be scatterbrained and disjointed. I chose to leave it that way, without any editing, to illustrate the complexities of the situation detailed here. Thank you for reading.

-Ryan Mifflin


I made a new friend on our Homeless Outreach this Saturday. Alexander dropped by our distribution site to get a cup of hot chocolate. As he did, I prepared to snap a picture of Catherine, one of our volunteers, handing it to him. He turned to look at me, seemingly wondering why I was taking a photo. I was afraid he was upset.

I nervously muttered, “Mind if I take your picture?”

He grinned. And then began mugging for the camera, giving Catherine bunny ears and making face.

(It’s worth noting that we were very nervous about taking photos of our homeless friends, for fear that our intentions would be misunderstood. We never want to exploit anyone, but rather to give a face to this issue of homelessness. To tell their story. As we got to know people and started bringing a camera occasionally, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that not only did they not mind us taking photos – they WANTED us to. Both because it was a fun treat for them – a break from the norm – and because they wanted their story told. We make copies of our photos whenever possible and bring them back on subsequent trips to give them to our homeless friends, which they love.)

Anyway…once the ice was broken with Alexander we started talking casually.

I don’t remember much about our initial conversation, but at some point Alexander began talking about Jesus and how if Jesus were on the earth today, he’d most likely be a homeless person (this is a common theme in our experiences…see some older blog posts for similar conversations).

Alexander said, “If Jesus were here now, he’d be homeless. And dirty. He’d be sleeping right here on the ground, under a park bench. Hanging out with prostitutes and druggies. And no one would understand it! He wouldn’t be out there in Ladue or anything like that…he’d be here! This is where people need Him! That’s what He did back then.”

We had a great talk about Jesus and how he did, in fact, live his life with “the least of these”. We also talked about angels. Alexander told us he believed that there were angels on earth, all around us. “You never know…You just never know, man.”

In talking with Alexander I learned that he had recently been released from prison – another common theme with many of the homeless men we meet.

Alexander’s story was a bit different, though. Most of the homeless men we meet who have recently been released from prison are in the early stages of getting established. They’re looking for room in a shelter, etc.

Alexander had done that – he’d secured a two-week stay in a local shelter. The shelter only allows folks to stay for two weeks, then they have to take a month off, to let other folks have a chance to sleep inside. Alexander’s time in the shelter was almost up.
He’d accomplished another major feat, too – he’d secured a job. It wasn’t much – hard labor for what he said was, “about $7 an hour.”

However, after he’d worked there for two weeks, Alexander’s employer ran a background check (why they didn’t run it initially, I don’t know) and found out about his record. They called security and publicly escorted him from the building.

I’ve heard similar stories before, but this one really affected me. As I talked with Alexander, I could feel his pain and see the shame, embarrassment, and frustration in his eyes. I could feel anger building up inside of me.

Here is a man who has done wrong. He was incarcerated for whatever crime it was that he committed. After serving his time, he was released. His first effort was to make a better situation for himself. He got a job and worked dutifully there for two weeks. And upon learning of his past, he was escorted from the building.

I understand folks not wanting felons working in their business, I do. But if someone trying to turn their life around can’t secure a $7 an hour job to make a new start, what can they do?

As we talked, Alexander told me that he’s sometimes tempted to go back to his old ways. Of course he is!!!! He tried to work within the system and look where that got him: shamed, humiliated, fired, jobless, and running out of time in a homeless shelter.

This is why we hear folks talk about how broken our system is. Many of you will call me a leftie. And I am. Many of you will say I’m a bleeding heart liberal. And I am. And I understand the ideological differences you and I may have.

But this much I know: I’m a dirty wretch who was saved by the grace provided by the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ on the cross. In the standard order of “justice”, I have no right to claim the reward His sacrifice provides me. I deserve to die alone and pay the consequences of my sin. But I don’t have to. I was given a second chance.

And Alexander deserves one.

Before you tell me that Alexander must reap what he sows, think about grace. Think about your second chance.

True enough, even recipients of grace have to live with their consequences. God forgives, Jesus provides redemption, but we have to live with the earthly mess we created.

But it still seems like the system could give some consideration to a brother trying hard to make changes and do the right thing. As I said, if he can’t get a $7 an hour job, what’s he supposed to do?

Something just seems “off”. The “system” is broken.

I asked Alexander if we could pray with him. As we did, a few other homeless gentlemen joined us and we formed a prayer circle, with each volunteer and each homeless person lifting up prayers for each other. Everyone offered praises. Everyone offered thanks. Everyone had specific requests. We didn’t all know each other, but it didn’t matter.

After the prayer I went out on a limb and started another conversation with Alexander. I haven’t been too bold in “pushing” our friends into any specific kind of action. We’ve been focused mostly on building relationships and meeting folks where they are. We don’t push religion and/or any part of it on the folks. We’re there to be friends.

But I pulled Alexander aside and urged him to keep on the right track. I asked him not to give in to any temptations he might be facing. I told him I knew it was tough, but I asked him not to give up or give in, and to keep doing what he knew was right.

I pledged to pray for him. I also pledged to find him some glasses. His eyes are poor and he lost his glasses on a city bus, which makes his chances of getting a job even worse.

I can’t wait to go back to St. Louis this Saturday and see Alexander. I want to get as many pairs of glasses together as I can, to give him some prescription/strength options to choose from. And I pray one will work.

I want to hang with him again and talk more. I want to urge him to keep going.

Please pray for Alexander.

And pray for everyone on the streets. Homelessness is such a complicated issue. Yes, many homeless folks are in their situation because of very bad decisions and horrible actions. Yes, many do not do anything to improve their situation.

BUT…

Many do. Many want out. Many have jobs. Many regret their past and want to make changes.

But with a system stacked up against them, how can they? What if they can’t find a job? (We met one homeless lady who was told repeatedly by job-placement services that her situation WASN’T DIRE ENOUGH). What if they loose their glasses and they get set back in their efforts even further?

Some say, those people need to get jobs. Sure they do. But how can they sit for an interview in dirty clothes they’ve worn for a week and fleas in their beard? If someone doesn’t help them with the minor things, how can they accomplish the major things?

Our efforts are not about enabling people to stay where they are. Our efforts are to provide folks with the basics – a razor and soap as often as possible, for instance. And, most of all, to provide them with friendship and love. It is our hope that this effort will provide our friends with hope and motivation to keep going. To keep trying.

Everyone needs a little help sometimes. Everyone needs a friend.

Again, if you think of it, please pray for Alexander. He’s trying.

International Revolution

Britney Villhauer is a recent Greenville College graduate who was a volunteer in the early stages of the Dirty Roots Revolution. Britney is working with the Peace Corps now and is currently stationed in Costa Rica. She submitted the following blog post to paint a picture of the need for a revolution not just in America, but around the world. As Pete Seeger once said, "The most important place in the world is right where you are, at that moment". - Ryan Mifflin


BY BRITNEY VILLHAUER

Costa Rica’s presidential elections are tomorrow, Sunday the 7th. We hope for a change that will bring justice to the poor and exploited in Costa Rica, but prospects do not look so great. One of the candidates proclaims the encouraging campaign slogan that labels himself as “the least bad.” If that doesn’t reflect the amount of corruption in the government, I don’t know what does. Governmental leaders have been consistently ignoring the marginalized people of Costa Rica.

I had the opportunity to visit one of the poorest areas in Costa Rica, which also happens to be the country’s biggest and most financially successful port city. The inequality produced by racial discrimination and corruption of the elite was very apparent to us when we interviewed people in the streets of Limon. The $80 million dollars that President Arias promised to renovate the port city last year has never arrived to those who need it. The biggest problem facing the area, as is also present all around the world, is a lack of jobs. Another major problem in the area is racial discrimination. The majority of the people in Limon are descendents from the African slave workers who were shipped in to work for the United Fruit Company. I had the chance to talk with a homeless man named George about the struggles that he is facing in Limon. In his thick Caribbean accent, he sang us reggae songs and spoke to us a message of peace and love. All people need to do is love each other and be with God. And race does not matter. But he also showed us the scars on his legs from when he was beat up when he slept in the streets.

The inequality and exploitation that exists due to race is even more evident in the indigenous populations. I also had the opportunity to meet Gloria, an indigenous woman of the Bri-Bri tribe outside of Limon. Her people have been working hard for years to save the forest from destruction by outsiders. One aspect that they focus on is the conservation of the iguana population. They work hard to repopulate the forest with iguanas that are being hunted at an unsustainable rate. They are trying to protect creation so that their grandchildren will be able to see it how God created it. Gloria told us of how her people have consistently had their land stolen from them by the government and other large companies. The forest that they are working so hard to save is being destroyed by the same people that oppress the Bri-Bri’s. She also told us about the missionaries who came to their land to teach them the gospel. Instead of sharing the love of Jesus with them, they came with violent threats to force the Bri-Bri’s to attend the Catholic Church. The Christian God that Gloria and her people have been exposed to is not a God of love, but a God of oppression and exploitation.

Another experience that I have had here in Costa Rica that inspires me was at a family owned organic farm. We met a farmer named Roderick and his family and learned about how they live in harmony with their land and produce organically grown food. We learned about how a monoculture/chemical-dependent style of farming may be more efficient and cheaper, but it is also unnatural and hazardous for the environment, the workers, and the consumer. At this organic farm, Roderick uses compost and mulch from the plants that grow naturally in the area, around his coffee plants. Rather than weeding away the plants he doesn’t harvest, he uses them to hold the moisture in for his crops and provide completely natural, God-made fertilizers and pesticides. When we visited the Dole Banana plantation, we saw how different agriculture is on a large scale, for powerful companies from the U.S. They use chemicals to make the bananas look unnaturally yellow and perfect for picky American consumers. I just think it is important, when you shop for the cheapest, quickest, prettiest products to think about where your products are coming from. Did the people who made the items you are consuming receive fair pay? What kind of hazardous chemicals were used to make your food look pretty?

Though I have only been in the country for a short while and I have much more ahead of me to see and learn, my time in Costa Rica has already been an extremely eye-opening experience. I am struggling with ideas of imperialism and corruption of the elite and I am trying to figure out what is the best way to bring justice to people who have been exploited since the conquest of the Americas. But at the same time, I am trying to remember George’s wise words that it is really just all about love. I just need to love the people I come into contact with. That is the best way to change the world.