Time for Act II of The Homeless Monologues’
Come on in, ladies and gentlemen. Hey you, Spokane city leaders, way in back of the theater. Don’t be shy. We have a whole row reserved for you up front here. Welcome to Act II of “The Homeless Monologues,” a play designed to help folks understand the true nature of homelessness.
The timing is intentional. City leaders are scheduled to continue hearing testimony Monday on whether to pass an anti-camping ordinance. The homeless would be fined a maximum of $1,000, or face 90 days in jail, if caught camping on city property.
In Act I of “The Homeless Monologues,” held here in this column space April 17, you met Ed McCarron, director of the House of Charity located near the core of downtown Spokane. He wowed us with memorable lines such as “Just because a man has 20 plastic spoons and forks in his pocket doesn’t mean he can’t solve the daily crossword puzzle in 15 minutes.”
Today, put your hands together for Shirley and John Murinko, prime movers behind City Gate, which is at the intersection of Second Avenue and Madison Street in downtown Spokane. About 1,400 women and men find their way to City Gate each week for hot meals, clothes, food-bank items, companionship and prayer. About a third of them are homeless. The Murinkos have been involved in this ministry for 16 years, and they believe the only way society can solve homelessness is through relationships. Those who live on the street and those who don’t need to come together for coffee, meals, conversation and fellowship. At City Gate, this happens all the time.
Lights, please! Welcome to the stage Shirley and John, City Gate’s dynamic husband-and-wife team, performing Act II of “The Homeless Monologues.”
“ The homeless develop these family units that they missed out on one way or the other earlier in life. We can actually learn from them about commitment and camaraderie.
“ If they had $1,000 to pay a fine, they would be able to pay rent. So most will end up in jail. And some people prefer jail to the streets.
“ One day in our alley, early in the spring, this young man’s feet were cold and wet. He was asking another guy where he could get some socks and the guy said, “I just happen to have one pair, and it’s my only pair.” He reached in his backpack and handed him that pair.
“ Spend time with them. Rather than push them around, why not buy them a hamburger and talk for 10 minutes?
“ Many have experienced some form of physical and mental abuse. And a lot of them are mentally ill. They like the outdoors because the outdoors can feel safer. They can be in control. They position themselves so they can see 360 degrees around them.
“ Society forgets that God classifies the homeless as our neighbors.
“ They give us stuff – drawings of Jesus, flowers, photos of their kids. One gal Dumpster dives, and she gets really good stuff. She’s always bringing us laundry soap from the Dumpsters. Sometimes we even have a choice of brand.
“ Shirley: When John goes out, there are a lot of people covering his back. They look out for him. When he walks down an alley, one man always walks with him. No one would mess with that guy.
“ John: I’ve known for many years a young man who was actually born on the streets of Spokane. He grew into a teenager who decided to wear long black coats and dye his hair black. I met him for breakfast once at a family restaurant. A pastor friend came over and said hi to me. The pastor later asked me, “Who was the Satan worshipper?” I was sad and angry because he’s not a Satan worshipper. He was judged outwardly and not inwardly and that’s the whole issue here.
“ Most of the people we minister to have been rejected by their parents and society. We believe it’s the job of the church and the community to bridge that gap.
“ We get discouraged, yes. The changes comes so slow. It takes a lot of time.
“ Proverbs 13:12 says that hope deferred makes a heart sick. We have a very sick society. People feel hopeless. But when you see homeless people get a glimpse of hope, it’s like rocket fuel.