Unexpected Gifts

Last week I was in Calgary visiting the Mustard Seed, which is an organization similar to Siloam Mission as it works to alleviate the hardships of homelessness and poverty.

One evening I was walking along one of the downtown streets and I came across a man with a large shopping cart filled with many little treasures. He stopped me and I thought he was about to ask for spare change, but he was attempting something else. He offered me a gift.

He had an old squash racket that he had found on the street and asked if I would like it. I suggested he should keep it because it was his. However, he told me he really had no use for it and would like me to have it. So I accepted.

The racket sits in my apartment now because I don't play squash. It's not about the use of the item though; rather it’s about where it came from. Besides, perhaps it gives me a reason to learn the sport.

We just recently sent out our summer newsletter entitled "Unexpected Gifts". The theme reflects the idea that we often have low expectations of our neighbours who live on the streets. We think that because they are experiencing poverty and homelessness, they must have nothing to offer. Often, the things we receive from people who are homeless (whether it be material or otherwise) are unexpected. We assume they have nothing of value to give. It's during moments like the one described above that we realize how wrong we are.

Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator

Does Anybody Hear Them?

I was listening to a song by Casting Crowns yesterday and realized it reminds me of many of the people who use our services at Siloam Mission. It also reminds me of how often we attempt to ignore them.

Here are some of the lyrics…

She is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
She is trying but the canyon's ever widening
In the depths of her cold heart
So she sets out on another misadventure just to find
She's another two years older
And she's three more steps behind

She is yearning for shelter and affection
That she never found at home
She is searching for a hero to ride in
To ride in and save the day
And in walks her prince charming
And he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason
And she gives herself away

Does anybody hear her?
Can anybody see?
Does anybody even know she's going down today?
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her?
Can anybody see?


If judgment looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we've never even met her

- Does Anybody Hear Her, Casting Crowns