Wanting to emphasize the importance of interactions and outreach, pastor Mike Haskins recently led a group of Chicago students to San Diego to converse with the homeless population. The 24-person group ranges from middle schoolers to recent college graduates.
The group aims to focus on respectfully interacting with homeless people. The students make small care packages in plastic bags, which serves as a conversation ice breaker. Even though the conversations vary in length, the impact they leave is substantial. Some of the interactions have motivated people to overcome their homelessness, while others have inspired participants to establish similar programs in their hometowns.
In addition, the experience imparts on the participants a stronger sense of empathy and understanding for the struggle of homelessness. Furthermore, part of the program was focused in North Park, where the group was told to find food, water, and shelter during the day. Throughout the task, they were told to hold cardboard, collect cans, and stand outside buildings for 20-minute intervals. The pastor wanted to instill empathy in the participants for the people who have to do such things every day.
Being extremely cautious with the program description, Haskins wanted to reiterate the true nature of the program and the values it tries to teach. Before embarking on their service trip, the participants helped create the plastic bags, while also receiving training for respectful conversation techniques. Moreover, the pastor explained the significance of role-playing by embodying different personality traits, giving the students a chance to exercise the different techniques they had learned.
In the end, the main value pastor Haskins sought to cultivate in the students is respect. While the experience challenges people in new ways, it also teaches them to have a greater understanding of the struggles that others face. Through the use of conversation and prayer, the students are able to gain invaluable experience in community service and human interaction.
Photo by Daniel Guerra
