what’s wrong with this picture?

5 AM- the alarm jars me awake with its annoying persistence

5:45 AM- the sky erupts in a symphony of pink, orange, and purple as I drive into the sunrise

6:15 AM- dew collects on layers of clothes as I walk through the marsh land and down the train tracks

Guess what I’m doing? Looking for people… What?

At the beginning of March I joined almost 500 other volunteers who arose before sunrise to search for the forgotten and vulnerable people who live on our streets. On three consecutive days our teams of 3-6 people canvassed an area of Santa Barbara County in order to conduct surveys with people on the streets. This was Registry Week, one part of the  100K Homes process of housing the most 10o,000 vulnerable people living on the streets in the U.S. Many other cities throughout the U.S. have already conducted this survey and have begun housing people. Positive change is happening in our country!

In one month the committee will release information about the 100 most vulnerable people in SB County and then the long term work begins. The Housing Authority, Mayor, Police, Social Services, Churches, Non-Profits, and individuals will all work together to find housing and support the most vulnerable people by providing all the services necessary. The most important part to this is individuals and communities coming around an individual to offer friendship and help for anything ranging from rides to cooking lessons to emotional support. It is a huge endeavor and one that is so important to our society as it is God’s desire for people to have shelter, food, and protection. Getting people into homes is a part of God’s kingdom made real here on this earth.

As I wandered along the train tracks with my team I couldn’t help but think about the absurdity of what I was doing. It wasn’t absurd that I was doing it, it was completely tragic that I had to do it; that PEOPLE are living on the streets, under bushes, on freeway embankments, and near train tracks. Change is coming my friends; God is on the move throughout Santa Barbara and this country. He is stirring hearts to care about his children who need food, shelter, and friendship.

One thing I have clearly seen in the past 7 months is that God is on the move and is eagerly waiting for His people to join in His work of redemption. The harvest is SO plentiful and the workers are too few. Offer your passions to God to see where they are meeting the needs of your city, the Lord of the harvest is waiting for you.

Advertisement