Tent City 4

This last Sunday my wife Elaine and I decided that rather than go to our regular church in Bothell we would head down and visit the congregation down the street which was hosting Tent City 4. We did not pay attention to what denomination the church was. Our relationship is with God so we comfortable with our faith in most any circle of people. We were just moved to see that this little church on a side street in Kirkland was sharing their land and some hot meals with these good folks.

We went over after church there on Sunday to meet and chat with a couple fellas in the Tent City Area which is adjacent to the church. We were both very comfortable and the people there welcomed us very nicely. They were kind enough to show us around and explain how they were setup. The place is very safe; the people there go through formal background checks. The rules are quite strict. In fact, if you compare their rules to the average household, most households would not make it. There is absolutely no drinking or drugs and violators are expelled and sometimes permanently banned.

But that image begs the question of who these people are. They are just people in transition in life. They have run into a wall in terms of resources and are at the mercy of society as a hole in many ways. Many are not just surviving on meager incomes, they are struggling for one reason or another and yet there are those out there who ridicule them or make fun of them. Fools I say…it’s a fool in life who points the finger in ignorance at another before he has finished his travels. The fool does not know what lay ahead in the road of life. The fool will be humbled if and when they are ever in need. You don’t have to be in a tent city to wish for compassion on your situation. It has to start in YOUR heart.

Many if not most hold jobs. They are trying to get their lives back while still retaining their dignity.

I am reminded when I see these folks of how humbled I was to see a small local church open their arms to these people and show them the brotherly love that we all appreciate.

After meeting with the people there and finding out how we could help, Elaine and I went down to Costco to stock on some items that would help them out. When we went there, they had run out of laundry soap. They were washing their clothes with Dish Soap. Several hundred cars drive by here every day. I would suggest that if you have thought about stopping in and helping with a donation that you go ahead and stop. They are great people, very warm and polite. They are certainly grateful for the assistance and you know what? If I am ever in that position and I have been close, I hope people will stop by and help Elaine and I out if the time ever comes. We are hardworking people who don’t waste our money but life hits hard sometimes and knocks you down. Let’s all stop and give these folks a hand up and show them our love and support while they try to stay up on their own power. And let’s not just stop and leave the goods at the door. Stop and visit. These are the drunks on the street corner downtown, not that they are any worse but most of us have difficutly navigating through some of the issues many homeless face. These homeless are working class people who are “home less”. You will not be unconfortable to share what time you may have meeting them and offering some assistance.

God Bless Their Efforts and God bless the compassion that so many have shown for this place.
The next day I got a call from a head hunter…they offered me my dream job and my professional salary literally doubled over night. What did I just say about Travels? I love my current job and was not even looking. How’s that for a blessing. I am a contract IT Pro and my contract at Microsoft end in 3 weeks. Hmm, maybe someone’s watching over me

The good thing about that is that now I can start a “Plan for Giving” like my late uncle Paul J. Meyer taught me many years ago. If only in small ways at first like this, just the feeling of reaching and sharing what we have which is not much, we can maybe help another to their feet and watch them walk again. And when they start to run, our hearts will run. We will be so thrilled to see those we help build their lives if only for a small maybe insignificant gift from each one of us.

The Lord works in mysterious ways and we were both thrilled and touched that this organized and successful effort was underway near our home.
Join us please in helping these folks. Even the smallest donation is welcomed and appreciated.

God Bless,

Keith Caravelli