The River Church Community

A few years ago, I lived off the Los Gatos Creek trail.  Since I enjoy bike riding, it was a great location for me.  I’d take quick rides from Sam Jose to Los Gatos.  It may be surprising to you but along the Creek Trail I developed a relationship with a homeless man named Rob.  I noticed Rob’s home under the overpass along the Creek Trail and one day I decided to say hello.  I’d seen Rob reading so I offered to bring him novels.  He liked the idea and over time I brought him a few Grisham novels and Shelly’s Frankenstein to name a few.  But one day, he was gone.

I knew homeless life was unpredictable.  Rob would tell me of police raids along the rivers in which homeless people were forced to re-locate and in the process lost most of their belongings.  You’d be surprised how many people live along our creeks.  When I lived at 16th and Santa Clara, I’d run along Coyote Creek, and I was surprised by the little shanty communities full of life.  When I first saw the creek communities it seem highly incongruous that third world living was the creek-norm in San Jose.

Since Jeanie and I moved to the Washington Neighborhood, I have been biking along the Guadalupe trail (i.e., Guadalupe Creek).  The ride is about 4.5 miles to work and quite nice off the busy downtown streets.  Yet, the pattern is the same.  Along the creeks, the homeless gather. 

A few days ago, I was surprised to see Rob again.  Forced to leave the Los Gatos Creek trail, he came to downtown and the Guadalupe Creek.  Though unfortunately, he also explained that earlier that week a man with a knife had attempted to steal his bike and in the process seriously injured my homeless friend.  Fortunately, the police happened by in the middle of the struggle and brought Rob to the hospital.

Because our book exchange had been helpful in the past, I offered to begin again.  He gratefully accented and we have since started a book exchange and dialogue.  This week I gave Rob Treasure Island.  As we talked he wrapped his feet in paper-towel-“socks,” and I was forced to consider the true source of my treasure.  In Luke 12, Jesus tells his disciples that where their treasure is so their heart will be also.  Riding to work after meeting with Rob, I wondered and still wonder where my heart is.  Living in one of the wealthiest cities, in one of the wealthiest nations that earth has ever seen, is my heart truly with Jesus? 

It is one thing for me to abstractly and even spiritually affirm that my heart is in “heaven” with God.  But then I wonder if my heart was truly with God, then would not my heart also be with Rob—would it not be with the lepers, the prostitutes and the lower-class “fisherman” with whom Jesus walked the dirt roads of Galilee?  For if my spiritual affirmation is not practically realized, then is not my spiritual affirmation merely a mirage? 

As you can imagine, this is not a question I hope to answer today.  It a question which I must carry like a little rock in my shoe to remind myself that my life does not necessary reflect Jesus’ just because it reflects those around me.

Tony, Pastor of Mission Mobilization