Just Send It

I have been struggling with the thought of sending and/or wiring money to my homeless brother. I know I have urged all of you to do it - to face the challenge of non-judgemental giving by sending my brother money via Western Union as he has asked. But I am caught in the tangle of wanting to give blindly - biblically - as we are called to do by Jesus - [sic] 'give in a way that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing'.

I want to do that, and yet, I feel like Christ is not actually calling us to give blindly, but more so in secret - so as not to make a display of giving.

Which leaves me at the question: Do I give him money knowing it is just going to be wasted? Cause it will be wasted. And, is that act just enabling his weak heart to continue a life of homelessness? And if so, so what? Maybe that's just his life and I am being called to support it. My job should be to help someone in need.

Which brought me to this: I have offered my brother $10 per page if he continues to write in his blog about his life and experiences. I figure, this will be like a 'job ' for him in that he is earning his money...but he is still able to do what he loves - write to his family, and remain free on the streets.

What do you think? He has not yet taken me up on it. But this should be easy money for him, don't you think?

Yureka!!

I have contacted the Yureka newspaper, and 2 Christian churches in Yureka, CA with the hopes that somebody will go find Frank and give him some food or money. We like to say we have a heart for the homeless, but do we really? Will we really try to help out a homeless person being presented to us on a platter? Or do we still like the safety on not knowing them personally, seeing them sitting on the side of the road with a sign? Is it going too outside of one's comfort zone to be presented with a homeless person electronically? If you can read this - you are being presented with the opportunity to help someone...will you? Check out Frank, 52, in Yreka, CA :

realhomelessguy.blogspot.com

My Homeless Brother's Blog

I have started a blog for my homeless brother.

Because he uses the computer at the public library - in whatever town he goes to, I thought it would help him to reach out on a blog in order to get connection to people (1) and give us some insight about the homeless from a real homeless person (2). No undercover phonies who want to write about the homeless.

My brother has been suffering from schizophrenia for many decades and has been homeless (by choice) for most. He has no communication or relationships within his own family. I don't know how he got my email. But I started receiving regular emails from him about 2 months ago.

I want to help - but if any of you have dealt with mental illness in your family - you know how futile that becomes.

I am hoping somebody out there will send him money, or start to email him - he needs shelter, yes. But he mostly needs friendships - his life is a lonely life and love can do wonders.

Please email him - or better yet, go to his blog and leave him comments or email him directly...or even wire him some money. This is the real deal.

http://realhomelessguy.blogspot.com/