Melissa

Well it’s as I suspected…Kevin from (local church in the Conejo Valley) called today and said that they had not anticipated that Melissa would need $1,500. He said they would only be able to give Melissa $200 at the most. You have got to be kidding me! I don’t know why they even say they have a “program that pays first/last months rent.” What do they think rent costs out here? That’s no program. I can give Melissa $200 and I am just one person. They would be better off saying they don’t do much to help the poor. At least that would be honest. (Local church in the Conejo Valley) has bank loads of money. What a joke. They spend over $20,000 a month on the lighting bill alone and they paid over $35,000 for that giant neon cross on the front lawn. What are they hoping to communicate with that monstrosity anyway? That they are “Christians”?!?!

It gets better … Kevin did say on my answering machine those frightful, nauseating, and useless words, “we will be praying for Melissa and please call us if you need anything else.” Praying!!! … Need anything else!!! What does that mean? Jesus was love in action … not just a pat on the back with some trite words. No wonder Christian’s are called hypocrites.

So, as I continue to learn about resources in this area that are available to actually help the poor, houseless and otherwise marginalized in this community I can safely scratch (local church in the Conejo Valley) off the list.

A few weeks ago I read the book called Under the Overpass. It is the true story of a young, Christian college guy who felt convicted to leave all of his comforts and live as a homeless man for 5 months. The book is his journey. He lived in 5 cities in the US (Denver, Washington DC, San Francisco, Portland, and San Diego). He shared the experiences he had, the people he met, and how he was treated on the streets, specifically by the church. Needless to say it was not good. In fact, it was downright despicable. He encountered a situation almost identical to this one. It grieves me to know that what was printed in this book really does happen. Although, I sadly have to admit I am not surprised.

It will take time … but I am going to fight to change the way that the ‘church’ treats the poor and marginalized. I have started this change (as one person) and the Spring has started this change as one community. From here I hope more and more people are impacted to live and to actually love other people.

Ok end of soapbox. Thanks for listening.

PS I have omitted the name of the church but NOT because I want to protect the innocent!