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.