Week #2

I would like to introduce you to Johnny. Johnny is one of many homeless in New York City. During our conversation John told me many things that I have not been able to forget.
He readily admitted that he is an alcoholic, and said he would be drunk 24/7 if he could. He collects about 240 can each night in his shopping cart, which translates to $12 at the recycling center. This is the money he uses to buy alcohol. He says that most days he is able to get everything he needs from the street. This includes clothes, food, companionship, and no responsibility. He went on to say that this is where he feels comfortable, and that is because he understands the streets. He is infected with HIV, and has cirrhosis of the liver. He can fit everything he owns in a midsize suite case, which he wraps in plastic when it rains. He looked me straight in the eye with so much conviction and said “there is no hope.”

Those words have echoed in my head over and over again. As it says in 1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." How lucky are we as Christians to know that no matter how bleak or glim things here on earth appear we will always have hope.