UNDER THE OVERPASS

At the request (or was it begging?) of a friend of mine in L.A., I was told that I needed to read “Under the Overpass” by Mike Yankoski. I more than appreciate the recommendation.

I would highly encourage anyone who has worked or plans to work with the homeless in American to take the time to flip through the pages of the book. If you don’t plan on doing any with the homeless read it anyway because it will change your views on a variety of things. It shouldn’t take you more than three sittings to read it. Maybe even one.

This is a very real look on what living on the streets of America is like. And it is not a pretty picture. It is the story of Mike and Sam who take five months of their lives to live among the homeless in six different U.S. cities. It is one amazing journey that moves you in so many ways.

There are so many stories that are told, you can not help but continue reading. The men and women that Mike and Sam run into during their journey sound like some of the most amazing and beautiful people in the world. And they most likely are.

The book isn’t afraid of showing the rough side of what it takes to survive on the streets. Panhandling is probably the most de-humanizing thing a person can do. They show why. Ever think getting a drink of water is simple and easy? Wait to you read this book.

In some ways this book brings out some of the ugliness that is inside each of each us “civilized humans” who take food, cloths, water and other things for granted. Have you ever had to use a tree stump for pillow?

By the end of the book I really hope that each reader is asking themselves what they can do to contribute to this problem. As the author puts it – “What would I do during my day or in my life for God if I wasn’t concerned with what I wear, what I eat, where I sleep, what I own or what people think about me, or what discomforts I face? Think about your answer to that question then read Matthew 16:24-25.
-------------
Personally it took me back to my time helping at the Union Rescue Mission this past summer along Skid Row in downtown L.A. I truly loved playing the small role I was able to play during my few weeks there. You know that whole thing about “being faithful in the small things”? … God made that a priority in my service at the Rescue Mission.

The passage in Matthew 25 about when Jesus talks about “what you did for the least of these, you do for me” has been rolling in the very forefront my mind since that day I walk along Skid Row on June 1, 2006. Really I can not describe it. It has been a fun conversation between me and God.