The Empty Stairwell

I am acquainted with this  church where there is an enclosed stairwell where the homeless sleep in search of safety and shelter. A couple of weeks ago I discovered a couple pairs of feet sticking out of the stairwell. I didn't want to wake them at first so I went to the copy room which doubles as my office and read my bible.

I did not hear an audible voice but God spoke to my heart as clear as can be. He said "Pastor Dean, make them breakfast" I thought about it awhile, threw the fleece out then went to work in the kitchen fixing up a couple of plates of food consisting of scrambled eggs,  cut up hot dogs and a bun. The plates were then wrapped with tin foil.

When I went back out to the couple sleeping in our stairwell I must have startled them as they were very eager to leave without incident.
"We don't want any trouble, we will leave" said the young man.
"Wait" I said "I made you breakfast"

Their eyes widened and both of their jaws dropped. They were hungry and also needed to use our restrooms. After all their immediate physical needs were met I was able to talk with them to find out how they had arrived here. Then I was able to share Christ and pray with them. Although I'm convinced people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Actions speak louder than words.

Eddie and Joanna were Native American Indians from the Rincon tribe. Eddie is 20 years old and Joanna, I later found out later, is 24 years old. Eddie just was released from jail on a petty theft charge he was caught shoplifting food from a mini mart in La Mesa. He was trying to support his family the only way he knew how in this economy.

The stairwell has been used by many street travelers over the years as a safe haven for the night. These kids were no exception. They had no where to go. I have been homeless myself before so I can totally relate to their situation. My problem was not these kids sleeping there but the rest of the church body and church staff. It seems that our church did not want people sleeping there for various reasons.

"Its against the law" said one church staffer.
"We were told by the police not to let people sleep on our property." said an associate pastor.
"Pastor Dean, please don't encourage them to sleep here" said someone else.
"I had to paint the stairwell 2 times last week because they really messed it up" said the maintenance man.
So the decision was made and signs went up in the stairwell " No sleeping allowed in the stairwell".

This is where my heart broke. These could be my own children. Jesus taught us to help others. Why is it so hard to love people? Why is it so hard just to turn a blind eye, help the best we can and just continue to clean up the stairwell?

The dawn came early today as I arrived to do my cleaning of the church before everyone began to arrive. As I passed the empty stairwell all bright and clean with a brand new coat of paint I remembered Eddie and Joanna and the expression on their faces as they ate their breakfast. I guess the right decision has been made. But I know an opportunity to reach out to 2 souls was missed. So the last few nights passed without the restlessness of Eddie and Joanna constant turning in an attempt to find a comfortable spot.

I wonder if the people quoted above would have made the same decision if it was their own loved ones sleeping outside on the street in a stairwell? Meanwhile sirens wail out on El Cajon Blvd as another victim is transported to Grossmont Hospital. Why is it so hard to bend the rules and  hold up people higher than material things or keeping up appearances?

Well I know where there is an empty, cold stairwell on El Cajon Blvd tonight. A lonely stairwell that once kept two young souls safe from the dangers of a night on the streets of La Mesa. Now it is a very bright and shiny stairwell with a fresh coat of gray colored paint,  one might even go as far as to call its appearance pristine. But as for me I liked it better dirty, urine soaked, cigarette ashes caught in the corners  but safe refuge from a long cold night. I liked it better with two pairs of warm human feet sticking out.

(I wonder which stairwell Jesus Christ would have preferred? I ponder as to whether our church would have let even Him sleep there?) WWJD