Hey there. Hugh here. While Karen has been on the road, I have been supposed to blog some here, but as you can tell, I have not.
What passes for a snowstorm in Raleigh, NC (about 5-6 inches) hit last weekend, bringing my fair city to her metaphorical knees and leaving my friends who live outside in a very real lurch. I have been swamped trying to make sure everyone was warm, safe and OK.
Anyway, here is a short narrative I wrote a while back about one of my “typical” days – in which a homeless man shares with me a great theological insight.
Note: The way we talk, the choice of words we use, all of that is part of our story and part of who we are. Life on the streets is not pretty and it is not polite. Many in my position clean up the language when reporting what is said; I have chosen to leave it. I will not dishonor the people I speak to by imposing my grammar on them.
We didn’t scare him off, so Hugh has agreed to come back and share some more of his street smarts with us. Thanks, Hugh. (If you have a question about issues related to ministering to the homeless, email me. I’ll pass it along.)
KAREN: Is there a difference between a homeless person and a panhandler? If so, how do their needs vary and what are some the ways in which we can respond to the needs of the homeless?
HUGH:
The questions are not getting easier…
In answer to your first question – Not all panhandlers are homeless people, and not all homeless people are panhandlers.
Panhandler is sort of an occupation. And you can be un-housed and have an occupation.
Recently I introduced you to Hugh Hollowell, the shaved head behind Love Wins Ministry in Raleigh, North Carolina. I feature that ministry in my upcoming book. I promised you that we would visit more with Hugh in the days to come.
What I appreciate most about Hugh is that he makes me think about things in new ways and he challenges me to live out my faith in new ways as well.
I’ve asked Hugh if he would tackle some real-life scenarios to help me, and hopefully you.
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My question: I recently pulled out of a parking lot and there was a line of panhandlers at the stop light. How do I help? Who do I help?
Hugh’s answer:
I bet this is my most asked question. And there is no simple answer.
The short answer is – it depends.
(photo credit by glowbird)
I met Hugh Hollowell in Raleigh, N.C. on a cold Sunday morning in late February. I’d heard about Hugh and his ministry through a mutual friend. I sent him an email and asked if I could come over, see what he was doing and write about the ministry –Love Wins — for my upcoming book.
I wasn’t at all sure what to expect. I didn’t know Hugh, didn’t know much about him, and knew even less about the homeless. During all of my years of reporting, I’d never had much exposure to the homeless. Oh, sure, from time to time, I’d head over to the Salvation Army to do the holiday story. Once I tried to interview the black woman who roamed around town wearing a heavy wool coat on the hottest of July days, pushing her shopping cart filled with all her wordly belongings, but she was far too paranoid to talk to any reporter.
My friend Hugh, who heads up one of my favorite ministries, Love Wins, spoke about what it means to be a Neighbor.
Find the time to listen to Hugh. It’s worth it.
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