We're all agents of much hope

By John Mohan

I get invitations to speak to churches across Manitoba and beyond and last Sunday I was booked to be at a community summer church on Hecla Island.
Usually I'm expected to address a social justice theme from a Christian perspective. Congregations like it best when you speak in a language they understand and from a premise they already agree with.

That's not always easy to do because a lot of church members believe people are poor and homeless because they're sinners and if they simply accept Jesus they won't be poor or homeless anymore. It's never been that simple.

Some of the people that I know who have the greatest love for God, greatest faith and character are also people who struggle with mental illnesses, inhumane poverty (in a country as rich as ours) and life-crippling addictions. How do we reconcile there are people who know God but still live on our streets and eat out of dumpsters?

In the case of the Hecla Island Church, they wanted me to talk on the topic of hope in any way I wanted. I could do that because everyone, regardless of economic or social standing needs some hope from time to time.

Before heading out on the two-hour drive I needed to fill and wash my car so at 7 a.m. Sunday I searched for an open gas station and car wash in my area -- no easy feat.

Upon confirmation of people at the desired destination willing to assist the distressed individuals, arrangements are made, tickets issued (nationally and even internationally) -- courtesy of New York City. Emergency service costs are reduced and people are reconnected to homes and family with a fighting chance to start over and get out of shelter living which does no one any good long term. Overall, it seems like a win-win.

Stopping at one station that looked promising I tried to activate a self-serve pump with my credit card. While doing so a lady pulled up and asked if the pumps were working. I said I'm trying to find that out. When it turned out the station wouldn't be open for another hour she started to leave but hesitated for a moment. She said, "I know who you are."

I hear that sometimes, being recognized as that guy from Siloam Mission who's on the news or that guy who rode the bike for the homeless. She happily continued about how she loves the agency I lead and offered that she donates. (I cherish the confidence and support people offer us.) Then the conversation took a different turn.

Sadly, she revealed she has an adult son who has a schizophrenic disorder. He's in a group home, but can be hard to deal with which puts him at risk of being homeless and needing a place like Siloam Mission to help him be safe and cared for.

I affirmed that a high percentage of people relying on us for basic needs like meals, shelter and health care are suffering from diagnosed mental illnesses. She already realized that and was grateful that social agencies are there to catch the people falling through the cracks that don't fit into the system easily.

Driving to Hecla an hour later, I was reflecting on our conversation and thinking about what I would say to an audience of vacationers. Simply, everybody needs hope and sometimes you and I are the hope of those who need it.

-- John Mohan is the CEO of Siloam Mission.

Last Updated: 19th August 2009, 1:48am

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