Presently Present: Spokane Update 4

Here is a long awaited fourth update (with pictures)! A lot has happened over the past several months. My beard and hair grew long (I trimmed my monstrous beard yesterday), I was Noah for Halloween, I worked five days a week (including Christmas and New Years), my parents came to visit, we went on retreat as a community, and a new year has started! It is so hard to believe so much has happened. Perhaps most shocking for me has been reflecting over 2011. I did so much in a single year including visiting another country, graduating, moving to a new state, and moving in with strangers.

Working at the shelter has gotten a bit more hectic as it has gotten colder. There have been a ton of cuts to government programs that offered money to those who were homeless or low income. Money is simply disappearing for many of them, and as a result we have seen increased numbers of those in need. The winter usually has a spike in numbers as well so it is a bit crazy at times. Thankfully nothing too ridiculous has happened yet. I have gotten to know some patrons better. I have learned that many people in the shelter (at least they tell me) were in some sort of accident that left them unable to leave Spokane. Without money or family they could not get home. Thus, they are stranded. Others are addicted to drugs and alcohol, and the addiction essentially makes them hostages. Either way many of those I serve are trapped in one way or another. It is hard to go to work some days because I am constantly reminded that the people I see everyday must overcome incredible odds to leave their current place. But I have seen some do this. Sadly, resources and time are limited so not everyone can receive the help he or she needs or deserves. I am constantly reminded by others that presence is itself a service. Despite my blog being titled about presence I tend to forget how important presence is in daily life. My hope is that despite my lack of physical service, my presence, my conversations, my listening, helps those I serve.

Community life has been great as well. I had to work over Thanksgiving so I did not actually get to have a "Thanksgiving" dinner on Thanksgiving. Instead, Nick (the other JV at HoC) and I ate chicken wings and reheated Mac & Cheese. I have a slight understanding now of what it feels like to not have any family to celebrate with. However, for Christmas all twelve of the JVs in Spokane were around, and my parent's came to visit. So we had lots of dinners and celebrations over a few short days. It was great getting to be with those I am close to back home, and those I have grown close to over the past few months. It was a truly blessed Christmas.