Push-Ups: A Day of Hope

Over the weekend, I participated in what I hope will become an annual event for the community of Murfreesboro: the Day of Hope down on our town square. The Way of Hope is the homeless program which falls into the category of "overflow shelter" about which I wrote in a previous blog entry. Local churches provide the shelter, and staff one night a month, for a mix of women, both single and with children. Brad, the founder and organizer of the whole shebang, loads up a trailer behind his SUV with air mattresses, bedding, toiletries and the personal belongings of the program's participants, and along with volunteer drivers (something I enjoy each time our turn comes up), shuttles these ladies to and from their home for the night. Our church has had the distinct privilege of providing a safe and comfortable place for The Way of Hope several times a week at times. It's fantastic to offer our facility for such a pressing and vital need as this one. Though we be small in number, we try to provide big when we can. I love that about Cross Point and it's members.

So, this Day of Hope event on Saturday was a somewhat hastily put together affair. The day before Mother's Day popped up as available a month in advance and had to be snapped up or lost. Brad pours his energy MORE than full-time into his fledgling program -- not yet a year old -- and supplemental staff is non-existent at this time. His wife and kids support him and The Way of Hope to the best of their ability outside of their regularly scheduled family life. In light of these facts, I'd say the light turnout, without the benefit of an advertising blitz or several months of advanced planning, was a success. A template of what will, and what won't, work in the years to come. But the ladies had a blast, aiding in selling drinks and snacks at their booth, along with modeling gowns in the big fashion show which brought the day to its elegant, if somewhat sodden, end. Their children fully enjoyed face painting, free candy and the run of the place. Our worship leader, along with other musicians including his lovely and quite talented girlfriend, played live music in the midst of off-and-on rain. Vendors rented space to display and sell their homemade arts and crafts: I made a few nifty purchases, including pretty owl earrings and a clever purse woven from 'yarn' made from recycled plastic bags. (The purse is a tardy birthday gift for one of my readers and dear friends -- so I can't post a picture of it quite yet.) Churches set up 'booths' to increase awareness of the role they play in supporting The Way of Hope, including ours.

My participation allowed me to spend a good part of my day with my friend and pastor, Rodney, and his Earth Diva of a wife, Gayla. Have I mentioned just how very much I love, respect and admire these two dynamic people? (Gayla can know but please don't tell Rodney. He struggles with ego problems. Just KIDDING!) My married daughter joined me later in the day for the fashion show. My hubby dropped off an gyro platter for my lunch. And there were those delightful Mayer lemon cookie thins I brought along to dip in the Starbucks coffee I bought at The Way of Hope's booth. Not to mention the shopping, picture taking, kid watching, and overall enjoyment of the mild weather (before the late afternoon drizzle) and visitors to the venue. Oh! There was even a friendly dog.

During a lull in the fashion show, created by rain and a need to move music equipment and usher the coiffed and dressed-to-the-nines ladies to shelter, Brad asked if anyone wanted to speak about their involvement with the program. One of the younger Way of Hope women took the stage and gave her story. And then I raised my hand. To the small crowd huddled against the mercurial spring weather of Middle Tennessee, with a canopy of sycamore above and the catwalk and red carpet below, I told of my own history with homelessness. How the help of strangers, through churches and various social programs, carried me and my family through rough times. They provided havens without judgement. I talked of how I understood what it was like to be a child in such circumstances. And how as an adult I realized the difficulties of being a parent in such dire straits. I told them that I was one of the many faces of the homeless; who would ever know if I didn't share the fact? I expressed the need that exists for society to realize that the homeless are real people, not simply faceless persons, deadbeats, abusers of the system. I pointed out that communities are hurt when we don't incorporate the support of homeless and abused women and children into the fabric of our overall social plan. Especially communities where churches play an integral part in the structure of a town or city. I felt the responsibility and privilege of my words, my history, my participation.

It really was a pretty fabulous day, quirks, rain, time issues and all. Next year, I'd like to be more involved in the planning and running of the Day of Hope event because I believe it is important. Important enough to warrant a group effort to aid a man and his dream of a program to build upon its mission and its success.

And now, here are the pictures to prove it that I didn't simply make this whole thing up!