Lets go camping…not!

Trish and Ken are a couple…
Both have records…
Criminal RECORDS - NOT RECORD DEALS…
(It's Nashville so one has to clarify…)
They are homeless.
We are trying to put them into housing…
Few places take non married couples.
and fewer places take felons… and it takes a while… usually months.
We have helped transport them to interviews, their parole office visits and social service agencies.
We have fed them and introduced them to agencies that will help them long term.

The temp hit 20 degrees this week.
The homeless camp they were living in was taken down and they had to move to another camp.

No one I know is camping this time of year… only the homeless…

So we found them another camp.
In Nashville we have 200 to choose from..
200 camps that house over 2000 people…

The new camp is a well run camp.
Clean and organized.
There is a Captain and a Lieutenant who run the camp,  and 30 people living in the camp. 
We know many of them from working with People Loving Nashville who feed the homeless on Monday nights.

The Lieutenant took them in cleared a spot in the brush and helped them set up their tent.
So…
They have a place to stay…
in a camp…
in 20 degree weather…

Today...
I'm warm, watching football, just had a snack for lunch, drank more coffee than I needed and have a glass of fresh OJ by my side.
I'm pulling out the chips and dip at halftime…
Then I might take a nap before the next game comes on…

Trish and Ken are cold and looking for a warm place to huddle in and scrape for their next meal…

The contrast drives me crazy.
The need of helpers makes me even more diligent in spreading the word of the plight of the homeless…
and the reality of hunger on the streets of Nashville saddens me.

Count your blessings today my friends.
Consider your wealth in comparison of those in need.
and reflect on what you can do to help the people on the streets.