Lenten Journey with the Poor - Part One

Today, I joined a group of twenty people on a Lenten Journey with the Poor – a full-day walking tour with the poor to better understand the issues of homelessness, poverty, abuse and mental illness in Colorado Springs. This journey was hosted by Steve Saint in conjunction with the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission.

In his latest book, The Great Awakening, Jim Wallis speaks of three major obstacles when it comes to doing something about poverty. The first obstacle is the low priority of poverty on our national and international political agendas. The second obstacle is the debate over strategy that we quickly get into – about the causes and solutions of poverty. The third obstacle is perhaps the foundation of the first two. It is the lack of relationship with the poor. The vast majority of people in the richest half of the world’s population or in the top two-thirds of U.S. society have almost no relationship to the people on the bottom. Lack of relationship leads to lack of understanding, empathy, and urgency and creates stereotypes, myths, excuses, and passivity. It is the third obstacle that today’s journey was intended to overcome.

Our journey began by reflecting on two passages from the Fourth Sunday in Lent Lectionary, 1 Samuel 16 and John 9. In my notebook, I wrote that appearances are not always where it’s at and now that I claim to see, my guilt remains. These were the thoughts that set the context for the rest of the day.

In the coming days, I plan to reflect on this journey and then further elaborate on what I learned along the way and at each of our destinations. For now, I’ll just list the destinations and some brief notes on the mission of each.

Interfaith Hospitality Network
The mission of the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) is to give hope to homeless families with children. IHN realizes its mission by providing transitional shelter and supportive services to homeless families and those at immediate risk to experience homelessness. IHN's primary goal is to assist families with children to permanently transition into independent affordable housing; secondary goals include meeting community transitional housing needs in the most cost-effective manner possible and providing church congregations with an opportunity to put their faith into action.

Marian House Soup Kitchen
Since 1985, the Marian House Soup Kitchen has been serving people who are hungry in downtown Colorado Springs. Hot, nutritious meals are provided for an average of 400 - 450 every day.

Pikes Peak Public Library District – Penrose Branch
You’ll have to tune in later to find out why we stopped here.

The Salvation Army New Hope Center
The Salvation Army New Hope Center is Colorado Springs only 24/7 emergency shelter and can accommodate up to 210 people. Residents receive a warm place to sleep, meals and access to shower and laundry facilities where all necessary provisions are supplied.

Springs Rescue Mission
"To transform broken lives with the good news of Jesus Christ, serving the poor, homeless and addicted by ministering to the whole person. We purpose to change the quality of our community, one person at a time."

I’m indebted to Steve Saint for hosting this journey and to my good friend Ken for telling me about it. Please stay tuned...