This week we were back at The Lighthouse, a local homeless shelter. Each Thursday we go and help feed and hang out with the people who visit this place. Probably half the people aren't homeless who come, but they just don't have enough money to buy food. We welcome anyone who walks in the door. Alex(roomie) and I were sitting amongst the people who were coming in to eat when we both had men sit next to us. I met a man from Romania, he was about 26. His name was Alex. He was very chatty and immediately proposed marriage as soon as he found out I was American.(Mom, don't worry, there's is plenty of supervision at this place and no I'm not getting married.) His eyes did light up quite a bit and then he immediately asked me about jobs over there and how much money he could make, he works in construction. He did ask me out on dates quite a bit as well, even when I said no repeatedly in the nicest way possible, he still pursued!
My roomime, Alex, also made a friend, John at the shelter. He has actually come to Abbey Presbyterian twice since we met him. He is a very nice guy! Alex plays volleyball and so does John, well it turns out that John had been praying for 8 months for a volleyball partner and well here she is! We hope to go actually play volleyball with him in a park one day, but we will be sure to bring along some guy friends.
My other roommie, Christy, probably has the more the serious of all the suitors from The Lighthouse. His name is also, Alex, but he is from Latvia. He is very kind and sweet, and has made the statement that he has given his heart to Christy. Now we have been having some good laughs about the guys we have met and how well I pretty much think they want green cards, but maybe I am just cynical! Even though we joke, there's some real truth in wanting to be known and wanting others to know our story in the people we have met.
Another woman I met at The Lighthouse was named Patricia. She was probably around 65 and had several bags that she carried around with her. She seemed lonely as I stared at her from across the room so I went and sat with her. She immediately started buzzing with conversation. She was so lovely. She had a soft face, silver and gray hair with a few black strands, she had a few twigs in her hair, which made me sad for her. I wondered what her earlier years were like and how she got to this point. She was very chatty and knew a lot about the church I was working for actually. She didn't seem to be afflicted with any type of drug problem (as many of the people have who come there), she seemed pretty normal, like she could be someone's grandmother, and maybe she was. I hope I see her again.
(I really don't want anyone to be worried about us, we are fine!)
1. I have been made very aware of several things through this venture. Wow... these guys know how to pursue a girls heart... where is this in America or Ireland. I feel like guys of my generation can be so passive and guys it's okay to pursue a girl. Step up, take your role, don't make the girl take yours! It doesn't work that way!
2. From the people I have met at The Lighthouse and from ge
neral life experience, how much do we long to be known?? We strive to be known, we strive for relationships, for someone to hear our hearts! Think of all the things we have to be known out there: reality tv, facebook, myspace, blogs! and etc. I admit I am apart of have the things I just listed, so in my heart I am striving too!
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He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight." Luke 16:15
"When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there." - Anonymous
Said to a wise man to one in deep sorrow, "I did not come to comfort you; God only can do that, but I did come to say how deeply and tenderly I feel for you..." -Tyran Edwards
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We had dinner the other night with these lovely ladies from the church.
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