The Word from the Streets - September 20, 2006

Namaste,

Every Wednesday that we go down to the streets to serve, we go down without an agenda. We go down to love our friends unconditionally.

There is no judgment on what we think they should do with their lives etc. So, when they do things like get off the street, get jobs, get a partner, it is a moment of celebration. They did it, because they wanted a better life.

There are so many of our guys that have changed their lives around. Many of them will still meet up with us at our particular stops to “check in” with us. Their faces light up when we hook eyes with them. They are thrilled to see us and thrilled that their lives are going well

This week was no exception. One of our guys, Kenny , that we met over five years ago, came by to see us at Woodruff Park When we had met him, we were serving our lunches in parking lot right outside of the shelter at Peachtree and Pine. Every week he was there like so many others, except there was something different in his eyes. Kenny had a twinkle of enthusiasm in his eyes. Even when he had days when he struggled, he still shined.

When we first met him, he wasn’t working, and didn’t seem interested. Then all of a sudden, he started getting little jobs, then he got regular jobs at the Georgia Dome, then he disappeared for a while. A year or so went on and he reappeared. Our Kenny was fully employed, had an apartment and was as radiant as ever!!!

To this day, he shows up every few months and visits with us. He is such a beautiful man. and seeing him, lights us all up. This is just one story that comes from our peanut butter and jelly sandwich Wednesdays! All of us, that go out every week, are so grateful to our Guru, Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, and our Jaya Devi for having this program and teaching us about the gift of service.

In great humility and gratitude,
The Ma Jaya’s Street Meal Team

 

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