This is such a sad sight in this modern age. I used to go out with a team every Friday night in London (UK)and give out blankets, food, clothing and be a listening ear etc. We never gave money though. I loved those nights, it makes you truly grateful for what you have in your life. What I found hard though was that we are meant to be a multicultural society that looks after everyone whatever their colour, creed, religion etc yet we can allow some people to literally beg and sleep in shop doorways? Some people choose this life style I know ( i met a few) but many just got themselves in financial trouble and it spiralled until they were hoeless. It seems easier for a foreign person to enter Britain (maybe in your countries too?) and live here permanently, get a job, house etc and be happy enough, than it is for someone who lives here already who has become homeless to get a home, food, life etc. It just doesnt seem right does it? One man told me that I was the first person in about 5 years that had actually sat down next to him and talked with him. His homeless friends would stop and say hi but never just sit and chat. I remember crying all the way home and feeling so guilty that I was going home too.
Raised both our boys not to pass by a homeless person w/o giving them something, and we have an unbroken string going of never having one fail to say "Thank you, and God bless." No matter how wasted or burnt out they've been, and we've explained to the boys that that's God's way of giving them a high-five for doing a good thing. ;)
