Advent Shelter: Devotion #7

 

                     

                      Homeless  -- by Pete

The pic is of the tent community living across from the church (Welsford St) 

On June 17^th, 2022, I found myself in a situation I never thought I would ever be in.

On that Saturday in June, I found that after 22years of living at the same address, after 36 years of being married to the same woman, my life crashed.

 

I left my home, separating from, my then wife, I was homeless. It was with not trying to find housing in Halifax, it was out of reach, rent wise, too expensive. You needed a damage deposit, 1^st and last months rent. I did not have that. I spent that weekend in a hotel out of the rain that was coming down.

 

Lucky for me, I thought, friends opened their home to me in Kingston, NS. They came from Kingston and picked me up. I was there with friends, safe from the streets, for so I thought. That September, I was asked to leave as they wanted the room I had for their grandchildren. So, back to the city I came, with nowhere to go.

 

From the end of September to around the first of November, I was homeless and on the streets. I picked a well-lit spot behind Station 7 Fire Department on Dunbrack and Kinghtridge, where I stayed in the woods by the park for some shelter from the rain. I eventually found my way to Dunbrack and Lacewood Drive and a park bench where I stayed for about four weeks. A busy intersection, well-lit and I would be seen by police, fire, and EHS on a daily basis.

 

During my time there, I met some awesome community members, who brought me food and a comforter to keep warm. These folks talked with me, wanting to know my story. After 3 ½ weeks or so, a young woman who saw me almost every evening asked if I would like a tent. I said, “Sure!” She came back about an hour later and set up her tent for me. To say the least, I was pleased.

 

The next morning, I received a visit to my park bench from Halifax Police. They advised me I would have to move as it was not an area for a tent. So, I moved up the street to the Mainland Linear Trail, where I set up my tent in the woods, out of public view on the advice of Halifax Police.

 

The days were chilly and the nights cool and lonely. I was there for about 3 weeks, leaving there in the day and returning around early evening.

 

Then, one fine morning I received a call from Pastor Kimber. She was so helpful to me during this time, with coffee, chat and a gift card. Pastor Kimber mentioned to me about a place I could possibly move into. A day or so later, with the help of my friend and MLA, I was on my way to Kentville, NS, to my new home. There I met Jeff Hosick, a Lutheran pastor, therapist. I’ve been in Kentville since November 2022, with a roof over my head, off the streets. Thanks to these 2 awesome folks.

 

 

*NOTE – Pete and Jeff are both members at Resurrection. Because both were connected to the church and known to Pastor Kimber, through sharing their lives, struggles, and situations, she was able to connect them, meeting both their needs, a HOME was provided for both of them (boarder and homeowner).

 

Is there a possibility that you would like to share an apartment with another person? Do you have an empty room that you would like to offer to a student? Are you lonely and would like to have someone else around? Share with Pastor Kimber, you never know who else is looking to create a new sense of HOME.

 

Creator,

You created animals such that they seek refuge for the winter and hibernate until spring. They are warm and secure in their dwellings. We pray that it is so for all who find themselves homeless, tent-living, precariously housed, or couch surfing. May shelters be built, supportive housing provided, rooms opened up, and permanent spaces offered. For those who still shelter in the open air, blanket them with the warmth of kindness from others, comfort from the struggle of mental illness, and a sense of peace in the home of their hearts. Amen.