The summer I spent serving in San Francisco

Wow. When I began the summer, I meant to write every week. I suppose that just goes to show how crazy a YouthWorks summer gets. Especially one in San Francisco! I have so so so much to say about the summer that I spent serving in San Francisco. Too much. This summer rocked me to the core. It changed the way I view everything-the way I want to live my life. Let's start with the city: San Fran is the 2nd most populated city in the U.S. (The first being NY city). It is extremely dense (and foggy and cold) as well as diverse. Only 1/3 of the population of SF is native-born and raised. Another 1/3 is immigrants. 1/5 of the population will be completely changed out and replaced by next year. Crazy huh? Things are always moving and changing there. Most of the ministries that we worked with were in a place called the Tenderloin. It is the poorest district in San Francisco, only covering about 25 square blocks. It is a little triangle on the map in the middle of the city. On one side are all the government buildings, on the other the richest neighborhood in San Fran-Knobb Hill, and on the other-Union Square and all of the fanciest stores and hotels. All of these people have been pushed into this area of 25 square blocks. There are absolutely no residential homes or apartments in the Tenderloin. Zero. However, there are about 18,000 people that call the Tenderloin home. They live in what are called SRO's or Single Room Occupancy Hotels. They are old, run down hotels that people live in. There are no kitchens and the conditions are not anything that a human being should have to live in. They cost between $600-$1,000/month. A typical government check in SF is around $659/month. Even if living in a bottom line SRO, this leaves like $60 for food, clothing, medical expenses, etc. That's nothing. A person would have to work 195 hours/week in San Francisco at minimum wage ($9.00 there)in order to afford a basic place to live. The cost of living is insane there. Over 12,000 additional people remain still homeless in the Tenderloin. That's 30,000 people living in the Tenderloin-25 square blocks remember. On top of the housing situation, over 200 businesses in the Tenderloin have liquor licenses. It is easier to get alcohol in the Tenderloin than it is to buy a loaf of bread. How sick is that? We look down on these people for turning to substances to deal with their problems, yet bombard them with it and place them in an impossible situation with it. Not fair. Over 92% of the women in the Tenderloin are fleeing battered and abusive homes. 1 in 4 people you meet are veterans down there. I saw more drug use than I can count. I saw hatred for people and for life there. I saw darkness and grief. I saw the lost and the lonely down there. But I also found God there. I found Him working in the hearts of these people, right there where I never expected He would be. He was in the darkness and created light. He was the hope that I saw in eyes and faces I encountered. He was the love that I found there. I found a beautiful community of people there who knew and cared for and looked out for each other. My heart was broken so many times and my attitude was checked and my stereotypes and walls broken down by these people and my experiences there. I fell in love with them and with the ministries that we worked with. I also fell in love with 4 crazy wonderful individuals who were my support, my family, my challenge, and my growth this summer. Tom, Cecka, Maria, and Emma are a staff that I couldn't have picked better myself, for they were placed with me this summer by God. Tom was the best leader I've ever had. He challenged me and spoke truth to me and humbled me and taught me by his actions. Cecka, my sweetheart, was a strong force of faith and love and peace for me and supported me and laughed with me and loved me, also leading by example and action in her faith. Together, married, they were an example of what I want a relationship to be like someday, in Christ, a partnership, and a bond so strong and so dependent on God. It was incredible to witness and to be a part of. Maria and I were so different, but so similar as well. She challenged me and frustrated me because we were both blind by our own tiredness and frustrations but I learned so much from her example and her quiet strength and compassion for others, especially me. She was a force of joy and light in the lives of the children she worked with this summer. Miss EMMA was hilarious and a force to reckon with. She taught me patience and compromise and the release involved in letting things go and loving despite frustration. She is an example of faith and leadership and kindness. All of these people are near and dear to my heart and were placed in my life this summer to teach me all of these things and more lessons that I have not even discovered yet I'm sure. I miss all of them very much and I am praying for their transitions back home. :) I have so much more to say, but Dunn Bros is kicking me out and I want to go home and spend time with my family. Tomorrow I go to Africa for a year. After all the sweat, hard work, tears, and deliberation, I'm leaving in around 12 hours. My bags are packed and in theory I'm ready to go. Like I said, I have so much more to say... Perhaps I'll drag out my computer at the airport tomorrow and say it. For right now, pray for me :) I love you all!