Being with the Poor and Homeless
One of the most quotable individuals of the 20th century was Mahatma Gandhi. A quote I heard earlier this year at a retreat called Walking with Gandhi was, “A life of service must be one of humility…. True humility means strenuous and constant endeavor entirely directed towards the service of humanity. God is continuously in action without resting for a single moment. If we would serve Him or become one with Him, our activity must be as unwearied as His. …This restlessness constitutes true rest. This never-ceasing agitation holds the key to peace ineffable.” At this same retreat, our leader shared that we must do more than give money and time in our service to humanity, but we must endeavor to be with the poor and seek to understand. What did that mean? How could I apply this to my life here in Ojai? I put it on my list of things to do.
I realized that the poor exist in Ojai. I realized that there are homeless in Ojai. But how was I to connect with them on a regular, and hopefully, an intimate basis? Nine months later, I find myself as a volunteer for the Ojai Valley Family Shelter. This program runs from December 1 through March 30 every year. They have many volunteer opportunities on every day of the week for those four months. This seemed to be a possible answer to my aspiration to be with the poor.
My son Jasper and I will be spending the night at the Wesleyan Church on seven Sunday nights between now and April. I hope to make friends and learn to look deeply at what it means to be poor and homeless in Ojai. If you have the interest, check out the Ojai Valley Family Shelter web site and sign up to volunteer. As the months pass, I hope to share more about my experience.
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Comments (4)
That's a great post, Kenley. Think they can get Paypal set up for donations?
Comment #1 Posted by: Tyler | December 4, 2006 01:19 AM
Thank you Tyler. Sure would be easy enough to do. In fact, I don't think you even need a bank account initially, just create a PayPal account. I'll mention it to the director.
Comment #2 Posted by: Kenley Neufeld | December 4, 2006 06:01 AM
Reminds one of avatar of peace and light who came to Earth, but was born in stable because traveling parents were told no room at the inn. On same subject addresed to OVNEWS,Bret Bradigan has always been balanced but his
repeated editorials on peasants w/pitchforms is below the
belt and beneith his intergrity level. Care to
discuss it in public setting? Divisive political
tactics like this and recent Horganisms are not
something to expect to go unaswered.
Sincerely,
Pete L
Comment #3 Posted by: pete lafollette | December 4, 2006 11:58 AM
The "peasants with pitchforks" theme is a widely used political and literary phrase. Are you objecting to the words exactly or the analogy behind it? I didn't react in the same way - am I missing something here? I must admit I personally have always found Bret's columns to be very balanced and insightful (and nothing along the lines of Ms. Horgan's foot-in-the-mouth blunders).
Comment #4 Posted by: Long Time Ojai Resident | December 4, 2006 12:41 PM