More than a school, Anastasis seeks to be a movement of good in our community and beyond. We partner with non-profit organizations from around the Denver Metro community. This week, Team Fink hosted some men from Denver Rescue Mission’s The Crossing to join us for lunch and stories. Below are student reflections following the visit:
The Crossing
Feeling uneasy, I expected the worst. I have to say, I was scared. I was thinking that I wasn’t going to like it. When I thought of homeless people, I always thought of they got kicked out of their homes because they didn’t pay their rent or they lost their jobs. I was closed minded, I didn’t think much of what was happening on the streets. When we sat down with the men from The Crossing, I was surprised. I thought much differently of how they would look and how they would act. I was a little scared, but also a little interested and excited about what was about to happen. They were so nice and funny! They were calm and positive people! I felt myself smiling when they would laugh or if they would just smile! When we all sat down and after we introduced ourselves, they began to tell their background story’s. During Seth’s, I could tell I was on the edge of crying. I had a painful lump in my throat and tears stung my eyes. The lump grew bigger after everyone told their stories. At that moment when we were discussing and talking to them, my mind felt open and my heart ached. Bella, Chris, Michel, Jay, Todd and Seth all were so brave and so strong. Their stories were so inspiring, emotional, and heartbreaking. Even through I only meet them for a couple hours, I felt that I built a relationship with them! I’m so honored that they shared their stories, rapped, played guitar, read poetry and sang for us. I’m so proud of them! I will forever take on what they all taught us, God will always have your back, he will provide for you, when you turn yourself to Christ, he will save you. Thank you for showing me that there is hope, even in darkest times. -Grace Life isn’t always as simple as it seems. There will always be ups, downs, twist, and turns, there will never be a direct straight path to the destination. “To be simple is not always as easy as it seams.” (Ferdinand Holder). Hearing the stories of people that went through some of the low parts in life and recovered showed me that they aren’t afraid to share their stories and let others see what they are really like. Hearing someone’s story is the one way to know what they are really like. When I think of someone with the label “homeless,” I think of people with old clothes, dirty hands and feet, and rude attitude because that is what I was told for so long. Some homeless people are less fortunate, but today my perspective changed because I got to meet and hear the stories of homeless men and not just judge them based on what was on the outside. I was encouraged today to always believe in myself, and always know that God is with me. May you men know that God is with you no matter what, and that sharing your stories has encouraged us all. — Cam Looking out the window and seeing the street corner that you used to live on makes reality blow up in our face. You have come so far, but you still have so much in store for you. Your words take form when they reach your lips but they are still incomplete until they have taken the form of peotry or been added to a melody. Knowing that a story hides behinds every face makes it personal. It opens our eyes to see that our differences are our similarities. An ordinary man living in an ordinary world could have their life turned upside down because of one decision. We don’t realize that we are standing on common ground until we hear stories and began to realize that we are more similar than different. Looking out the window and seeing the street corner you used to live on allows you to understand that your past doesn’t define your future. Psalms 16:8 Thank you for sharing your stories! Makayla Au Hearing stories, connecting. Learning to not judge one another but learning that we are more alike than different. Learning that their past does not put labels on who they are. It does not reflect the person they are now or who they will be in the future. Because of this the next time I see a homeless person, a broken person I will know that. “We are all broken that’s how the light gets in,” (Ernest Hemingway). I will know that every person I see on the street has a story. You can’t let your mistakes define you but you can let them mold you into the person you will become. Connecting with everyone today I saw the greatness in their hearts, I saw people striving every day to be better than they were the day before. I hope I can learn to be able to have the motivation and self confidence to make my way through the hard times like they did. I will carry this experience with me for the rest of my life letting it guide me and direct me to have greatness in my heart like the people that sat before me today. Thank you for sharing your stories, may God stay with you in your journey ahead. —Ella Each of these men hold a new and whole different story. Their stories related to me and many I know. They too have gone through trouble. I learned that God does not want sin no matter what. Chris empowered me to never give up. Before today I thought all homeless people held the same story. I then learned there is another story behind one’s story. I did not feel sympathy for any homeless people before today. Seth’s story showed me to forgive through hard times. Chris’s story taught me to persevere. Jay’s story taught me to stay on track. Michael’s story taught me to face fear. Bella’s story taught me to be passionate. Todd’s story taught me to be a leader. Above all I have learned to keep going. I must say thank you for putting a new “perspective” on the homeless. —Oliver Life has ups and downs, but the way you live is your choice and your perspective. Today men from Denver Rescue Mission, the Crossing came in today and told us thier story. What stood out too me from all there stories is that they don’t let their past define them. They do a really good job about living in the present . The men, especially Chris, taught me to be content with my situation no matter what is thrown my way. He had a rough life and he had a bad leg that he might have lost. He was okay about it he did not worry because what would happen would happen. Lastly I realized that my problems are not as big as losing everything. This morning I couldn’t find my other shoe, I was so frustrated but listening to their stories put my story in to perspective. I have like five or more shoe options. I did not lose everything my problems are mostly first world ones. Their stories impacted me more than I can even proses. Thank you the to these men, Seth, Jay, Todd, Michael, Chris, and Bella, for sharing your stories whether you read this or not. You made me think to live in the present. I know if you guys work hard through God you can continue to get back what you lost. -Noelle A tree is a home to some and paper to other. Just like trees, these people made great use of what they were given. When it could be used in a pointless way they made great use of it and turned it into a house. The story that touched me the most was Jay’s. Such a normal guy, like the rest, gone so different then what he probably dreamed of as kid. The only reason I was touched so much by his story is because it was close to our school. He brought his daughter to the church our school is in. I’m so glad that all of them changed their lives around to become happy. The best part was that all of them are successfully making use of their time and enjoying life to the fullest. I hope you maintain your faith and soberness. Thanks for coming in and inspiring me to continue to keep my life on track. Sincerely, Will How Don’t let your past define you. Today was an amazing experience. I always thought of homeless people as people who were addicted to drugs and alcohol. Today gave me a different perspective on how stories really uncover the truth. These men today were so sweet. The fact that the were so vulnerable to tell us their stories of not the best part of their life really open my eyes. One story that really stuck out for me was Chris’s. His story was so encouraging to keep looking on the bright side. Every time he was told that he might never have a leg again he just told them it’s ok God has my back. He had hope. Each one of these six men had incredible stories and I will forever remember them. Thank you Jay, Seth, Bella, Todd, Michael, and Chris for showing me the past does not define you. — Gabby Everybody makes mistakes, but nobody should have them held against them. Every one of the men had an extremely powerful story and I would love to hear more about each and every one. Everyone was so understanding when we talked about our problems and they tried to help. I thought it was extremely powerful when Michael said that, “it wasn’t a disease that spreads, it’s a choice that you make.” His story meant a lot to me and I can learn so much from him in the future. Everyone was extremely brave throughout everything that they told us. They are not homeless, they are not drug addicts, but they are imperfect people just like us. Overall thank you for willingly sharing your story and overcoming the hard times. – Nicole You can’t change what’s in the past but you can change the future. When I think of the homeless I thought of dirty people who spent all their money on drugs. Now I think of people who made a mistake. Every one makes mistakes, even me, but the the men from Crossing are known for their mistakes. Sometimes it seems impossible to get out of a hole that you dug for yourself. Change is always possible. No one really likes change. Change can help and it’s not impossible to get out of the hole you dug. The people who came today proved that. What I learned from the people who came today is to never give up. Thank you for coming today and telling your story. Hearing your story is something that will impact how I view the homeless for the rest of my life. ~Kaleigh It is crazy how your life can change in an instant. You can go from playing golf, then be at the lowest point in your life. The key is to stay on track and focus on what matters. When you get down, and you learn that God is on your side, it becomes easier to power through. “If you are in a bad place surrounded by bad people you will do bad things”(Michael), but the more you are around good people and are in good places the less you do bad things. Thank you to the men at Denver Rescue Mission for showing me that God is by my side and to stay strong through hard times. — Caeleb People are people and the past is the past. The past is where you learn. Learn from the mistakes. Your past does not define you, for you are you and the past is the past. You will always have a choice. The choice of accepting that everyday is an opportunity to start new, or to suffer in the memory of your past. However, there is a third choice. The choice of accepting who you are through Christ, our savior and creator of life. This choice will always be a choice no matter the circumstance. Jesus will forgive your past and help you with you with the present. The love of Jesus is unending for those thirsting for love, the poor and needy, the homeless and the hungry. Face the world with courage, no matter what you do, and know within your heart that God is always there for you. Guiding you through this journey we call life. Even in the darkest moments. For those are the moments where Christ helps you the most to see the light in the darkness. “Stars can’t shine without darkness” (unknown). Without the suffering and the pain, we cannot accomplish anything. Stories are told and stories teach. Each story has a lesson, whether its obvious or hidden. The stories I heard Tuesday, November 28, 2017, were stories that I will remember for the rest of my life. Astonishing stories of the lives of six men. Men who have been addicted to drugs and alcohol, but have overcome their addiction through Christ. Chris, one of the men, told his story. Listening to his story, I realized how much more he has been through than I have, yet his positivity throughout his life is extraordinary. He had the knowledge of Christ being his savior and that was enough for him. The men have faced trials throughout their life, but that didn’t stop them from becoming disciples of Christ. “Meeting with the wrong people at the wrong place leads to doing the wrong things. But meeting with good people at the right place will lead to doing the right things” (Michael). All of these men had sad but yet heartwarming stories. This experience to talk with these men really opened up my mind to think about being grateful for everything I have and that everything happens for a purpose. Thank you for coming in to talk to us. This experience was truly inspiring to me. -Kuyla Kim