Homeless at the Olympics
The Olympic games are a time of friendly competition between the nations, and generally a time of celebration, especially as the host city welcomes the world to it doorstep. The 2010 Winter Olympic Games began last week and generated a large amount of excitement around the world!
This year Vancouver, BC has the honor of hosting the Olympics. Some Vancouverites are concerned about the event and the connected $2.6billion in costs, claiming that the money “would be better funneled into health care, education and housing.”
The Vancouver Courier reports that “the common number agreed to by city politicians and social service providers is that 1,600 people are homeless today in Vancouver. Which begs the question: How exactly will a two-week sporting event ensure there is a housing legacy? Housing Minister Rich Coleman doesn’t believe it’s a fair question. For him, the Olympics has nothing to do with the provincial government’s housing plan.” (Source: Vancouver Courier)
It seems like the housing minister is correct, at least in the sense that the long-term solutions to housing problems are not just money related fixes. Throwing money at things won’t fix the root of the problems.
A person who has spent time working with the homeless in Vancouver has posted a meditation on how people can really be helped in her article, “Loving the Invisible“. She offers some personal observations about what people really need, and a good reminder of our obligation to care for those less fortunate than ourselves. It is in line with Jesus’ teaching:
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:37-40)
If you would like to help connect people to resources that address their deepest needs, aka their “soul cravings”, please check out our Soul Cravings training resources connected to Erwin McManus’ book.
Upcoming online chats: Join us for daily online chats! One of our features this week will be “Purpose: Decision or discovery?” on February 22 at 12:15 pm EST.
Image by Seite-3 used under Creative Commons license
Tags: darren hewer, Experience, homeless, Men, olympics, social justice, sports, Vancouver, Women, World
2 Responses to “Homeless at the Olympics”
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I thought the Bible says teach a person how to catch fish, this is the same like give a person a fish and teach him how to fish. Then the lest God will do.
I do realize that people do go through trying times but do Gods word say that his children will not beg for bread. I do not know the exact scripture but I translated that to mean that if you are a true child of God and attempt to follow his word you will have your provisions met. I don’t know every person story but to be homeless really mean in the day and age that there are drugs, alcohol, deep sinful living, something is going on that the promise God gave his children isn’t working.