Each day we have opportunities to connect; we get to look people in the eye, to learn their names and to know them. We often subconsciously ignore or choose hurry instead of human in these moments. This was me, this is me. It takes work to change our habits and it doesn’t happen in a day.

As I sat on the top level of a tall San Francisco building, I gazed in awe of the beauty. Every flickering light - a person made in God’s image loved and known. As I continued to stare across the city towards the light-sprinkled hills, a Bible verse came to mind. It was in Revelation 7, with this scene of people from every tribe, every tongue, every nation. This settled in my heart:  

San Francisco was similar.

What would it look like for you to show up in your community for those who feel forgotten? God is BEYOND our doubts and mustard-seed faith. He is the literal King of Kings. He is the God of Peace and Security. His safety protects us from our enemies and is even with us in the middle of our sickness. He remembers us when we don’t even remember ourselves. He shows up. Will you?

Living life together in the Tenderloin enables me to see and understand my neighbors at a much deeper level. We share the unique experience of the Tenderloin together. The most common meeting places are on the streets, at the park or the farmer’s market, a grocery store or a community event/party. 

Someone once said, “If you want to love your neighbor sometimes you have to start with loving your neighborhood.” To love your neighborhood you have to go out and get involved in the things that the neighbors are concerned about. For me, one of the places where I get to know the problems and the peoples of my neighborhood is my monthly police-community meeting.

Sarah knocked on our door and gave us a hammer she found – she thought we would need it as we were going to start renovations for our bathrooms.  I have so many stories similar to this of our friends and neighbors who are in great need but still want to give and express kindness.

One of the things I love most is getting to cut hair for people. I love seeing the confidence people have after they get a good haircut. This does so much more than just help them feel clean; It recognizes their dignity.

I started praying for him under my breath and Juan responded in Spanish as I was praying for him. I understood what he was praying and afterward asked him if he had ever accepted Jesus into his life. He said no, but that he would like to tonight.

I came here expecting to see a change in myself, our friends on the street, and the teams that we would be leading each week. What I didn’t expect, though, was how much this time would contribute to shaping the hearts of the people that I already had in my life.

On a Friday in June, our team took bags of snacks into the Tenderloin in hopes of finding someone who could be blessed by lunch and a good conversation. Near the local laundromat, I met Katie, who when asked if I could eat lunch with her, didn't respond in the way I was expecting. She remained silent and simply pulled out a small plastic crate. It was set out for me right in front of a similar one that she was sitting on.

I was terrified, I was devastated, I felt inadequate to be leading, and I doubted that God knew what He was doing. Throughout this feeling of not being enough, I went to other staff members and they simply repeated to me that God does not call the equipped, but He equips the called. God is able to watch over me and in the struggle God is continuously equipping me. 

Our focus is not trying to avoid what’s wrong, our focus is now fixed on our Father and because we love Him we don’t want anything else! That Spirit we receive lets us know our true identity as His Children.

“On the first night of the course I told you about the aliens and you were very gracious to accept me into the group, but I now know what Christianity is about, and the Holy Spirit is changing me.”

I was astonished to see the outpouring of grace and love your organization gives to those in need. I was touched by the dignity you allow–or so it seemed from the 11th floor of the hotel looking down on God’s creation. Even months since my return from San Francisco, your ministry is what I remember of the city.

So I did only what I could do - I gave up. My mind was over-burdened, so I stopped caring about the expectations of others. My heart was heavy, so I stopped striving to please people to maintain a relationship with them.

One day, in particular, a woman walked up to me and asked me if I knew where her daughter and granddaughter were. She explained that they had just become homeless after leaving the family home to live with her partner, however, this didn’t work out and they both ended up on the street. She was desperate to meet up with them. She proceeded to show me a photo of her daughter, in hopes that I might recognize them, but I didn’t.

He asked us to read Matthew 24… I don't know what the significance of that passage was for him, but I do know that when he hugged me and kissed my cheek, we'd given him EXACTLY what he needed.

I’ve never been good at facing my fear, especially my fear of vulnerability. Hosting teams has helped me monumentally as I have been challenged by God to step out and not let fear rule my life. I see as students step out and face their fear as they go out and do ministry on the streets all week. They challenge me without even knowing it to step out in faith and trust that God will protect my heart.

Curtis lives his life pouring into others with anything and everything he has. All he owns in his life is contained on a utility dolly that he brings everywhere he goes. He gathers food donations that restaurants give him and passes it out to his friends. He frequently requests that I bring the kids down to see him just so that he can spoil them. He comes in to use our showers, yet he stays to make popcorn and then makes sure his popcorn machine is thoroughly cleaned.

Now community isn’t a choice. Having a roommate means I literally can’t hide. Eating most of my meals with people makes it harder to hide when I’m having a bad day, or struggling with the sadness and anxiety that is a part of my life. If I need to cry, I probably won’t get to do that alone. Thankfully, if I want a good laugh, I don’t have to do that alone either. What’s fun is that in this community we see that everyone is deeply flawed, but we’re all committed to staying here.

I didn't care that this man hadn’t showered in several days, or that his clothes were filthy, or that he smelled of alcohol and weed. I sat close to him and let him cry on my shoulder. I told him that God was always good, He is full of loving-kindness and slow to anger. Then we prayed together. On that chilly night in January, sitting on a cardboard box on a street of the Tenderloin, this man gave his life to Jesus.

Interruptions are an invitation from God. An invitation to life, ministry, relationship, connection, healing, and the list goes on.