Introduction to "My Ladies"

I hope your Christmas was as meaningful as mine. Pictured are my three daughters and two grandchildren. From left to right and in order of birth are Kelly, Katie, and Courtney. Molly and Pippin are Katie's daughters.What a joy to see them all doing so well.

I was also able to meet with old friends while in Fresno. My friendship with Larry & Sharon File began in 1968 when I was at Fresno State playing football. Later, they introduced me  to Christ. About two months ago I got a surprise phone call in Vancouver when they made a trip to visit me and tour the DTES. Sharon is a newly published author and I have asked her to write a few words about their experience for a future blog.

Another visit was with a long time mentor, Jim Westgate. I first knew Jim when I was a student at Dallas Seminary in the early 70's. We reconnected in 2000 when I moved back to Fresno before taking the counseling job in Roseburg OR. I accompanied Jim  and his wife Nancy on a tour of Turkey and Greece he led visiting most of  the New Testament church sites.

What a confirmation that the only things that really matter are our relationships. I will be on my way back to Roseburg tomorrow. Looking forward to visiting with many of you on December 31 at Redeemer's Fellowship.

Shalom,
Ross

Roseburg Reunion (from Fresno CA)

I spent a couple of days in Roseburg OR on my way to Fresno CA to spend Christmas with my three daughters and two grand daughters. What a treat being included on a tour of the new holistic clinic in Winston with the Adult Outpatient Staff I used to work with. The picture is joining them for lunch.

There is an old Lakota saying, "only go places where the lights come on in people's eyes when they see you." Being greeted with warm hugs and noticing how everyone lit up to see me was very meaningful and humbling. I spent two days at my good friend, Jimmie Harris' "mountain retreat" and received the same welcome at the recovery meetings we attended.

A book I strongly recommend: Beyond  Homelessness: Christian Faith in a Culture of Displacement makes clear a house is not a home and describes eight characteristics of a home.  The most important to me is feeling  like I belong to a community. Even though serving in the DTES in Vancouver is my mission, it was very evident that Roseburg is still my home. This will further inspire me to encourage community for the homeless.

I will be in Fresno for a few more days, and then return to Roseburg on my way back to Birch Bay WA. On Dec 31, I will be part of three services at my home church, Redeemer's Fellowship. They are hosting a get together after the services at 12:45 for personal interaction. I hope you can attend.

Christmas blessings!
Ross

Poem "From the Kitchen"

I have a friend
who was eight years old the night
his drunk mother attacked him with a kitchen knife
he left that night, with no choice but to run
and never went back

I know a man who remembers
sneaking past sleeping nuns
in the dead of night to dig in the ground
for turnips and potatoes that the harvest
might have missed
recalls devouring them in
in the raw cold dark

I met a woman who was raped
by every man she ever met
until she was thirteen
battered and drunk she ran
to the streets and learned to make her living
quietly violated

I know a woman
who birthed her only child alone
in a hotel room, raised the child up
in a van
until her government saved the child
and left the mother to starve

I know a guy who got mugged
on his way home to home and family
got beaten so bad
he was never the same
lost the job, the wife, the child
and tonight, has no place to sleep

and Gabrielle, was a babe in arms
when his country went to war
he watched his world burn
with a gun in his tiny hands, was a killer
by puberty spends his days and nights
in empty doorways , on mission steps
in dark alleys for the last 20 years
trying to die rather than remember

I know a beautiful girl
who had it all, until she got so sick
so confused by the vacancies, and voices
that she couldn't sleep
and forgot to eat
and frightened everyone so much
with her ranting that they turned out the porch lights
and double bolted the doors

My friends are homeless
frightened, threatened, and alone

I have friends
who fight harder, daily,
than you will ever have to
and all they are crying for
is one
open
door

Lara Thesenvitz—Cook, First United

Crisis Resolved at the Church.

 "The City has stepped up with $500,000 worth of funding and the Province has agreed to open two additional shelters. With the Extreme Weather response in effect for tonight, everyone in the DTES should find a place to sleep." This was announced at 4:00 PM December 2.

Thanks for all who were involved contacting those in the political process and those who prayed and gave their thoughts to this homeless dilemma in the current cold weather. It is forecast to be 30 degrees in Vancouver tonight.

The host team who are the "on line" staff with a number of volunteers were exhausted today from the emotional stress of having to refuse lodging and staggering meals the last two days and nights. I'm in awe of their spirit of service and ability to deal with the troubled that reside at the First United refuge.

Shalom,
Ross

Crisis at the Church

This morning when I got to the church I was met by locked doors and this sign. We had some notice of the current crisis, but weren't prepared for this in the daytime. We were only recently informed of a  regulation that the church can only hold 240 people as there is a ratio of people allowed in the building to the number of flush toilets. The weather has been near freezing lately and there have been up to 270 folks spending the night.

Previously ignored, the current enforcement of this regulation is related to recent provincial government cutbacks in funding temporary shelter for the winter. This reminds me so much of the state cutbacks treating addiction when I was living in Oregon. Society continues to ignore their marginalized.  First United takes seriously the Biblical mandate of Matthew 25:35-45 and I John 3:17.

All shelters in DTES have been full during the recent cold spell. As a refuge, First United is willing to take the resulting overload of people, often when the shelters are already closed for the night.The staff puts down mats and provides blankets in the dining area for the overflow from the bunk bed area. Last night for the first time in 4 years over 30 residents were turned away. These were men and women the staff knows personally and by name. This was very painful for the night staff having to enforce this limit. There was a report this morning of one man going into a nearby store, shoplifting, and then waiting to be arrested so at least he would  be warm for a few nights.

As the church seeks to comply, this morning we were informed that staff in the building also counts towards the 240.  Many of the day shift coming to work couldn't enter the church until the same number of residents left. Meals had to be served to about 30 people at a time. Usually over 200  folks are fed in two sittings. The choice for many tonight will be finding some way to survive the weather rather than waiting in line for the bathroom. How ridiculous!

The church is asking for donations of extra blankets and sleeping bags as they consider creative options. Ric Matthews called a press conference in front of the church today. I have full confidence in his abilities as a negotiator gained from his experiences in S. Africa helping resolve conflicts after Apartheid was defeated.

Your thoughts and prayers through this are so important and appreciated.
Ross