Often I am asked a question that goes like this: “We know that you are concerned about international poverty. But what about the poverty in our own community. What about homeless people who are in our own town and other nearby ones? Are they important as well?” Leviticus 19:37 tells us to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” July 3 marked the completion of one of the busiest weeks in my calendar. The church to which I belong (Covenant Baptist in West Bloomfield, Michigan) is part of South Oakland Shelter (SOS). The name comes from being based in the southern half of Oakland County (immediately north of Detroit), and it began in 1985. Visit the SOS website: http://www.sos1985.org

SOS is an interfaith network of about 65 churches and synagogues. Although Oakland County ranks among the most affluent counties in the United States, its population includes hundreds of homeless people at almost any given moment—and the number is increasing. Almost every year for the past two decades, my church has opened its doors to up to 30 homeless men, women, and children who stay with us from Sunday night until the following Sunday morning (but are gone during the daytime).

This year we were joined by a nearby Jewish synagogue, a Catholic church, and another Baptist one. Each congregation took a 24 hour responsibility for helping the homeless guests who come to us. There were over 200 volunteers. Again I was the coordinator for the SOS week at my church, and I also have a broader perspective by serving on the SOS Board of Directors.

Every homeless guest who came to us had to first go through the SOS screening process. That included an interview by a SOS intake worker and an agreement to comply with all of the SOS policies. Often the number of people seeking help exceeds the maximum number that SOS can serve, so it contacts other similar agencies on their behalf. If they are also full, the homeless people may end up sleeping in alleys, under bridges, or wherever else they can manage to exist.

Although I am concerned about homeless people of any age, I am especially so when children are the victims. Did you know that the average age of homeless people in the U.S. is only nine? On the final night of our SOS week, a mom came to us with her 14 month-old daughter. She needed milk and clothes for her baby. We gave her a room with another homeless mom and her six year-old daughter. Still another homeless mom who was with us had four children—including an 11 year-old who is autistic.

At the same time, you should also realize that even the most destitute American people who are served by programs such as SOS have advantages far beyond those of people in most of the developing world. It’s very unlikely that a homeless American has parasitic worms that steal about 1/3 of the person’s nutritional intake (but most Africans do). The laws throughout the U.S. provide for free public education (but that’s not available in many areas of the developing world). It is illegal for any U.S. hospital to deny emergency care to a destitute patient (but many parts of the developing world are beyond the reach of just about any kind of medical care).

In the aftermath of our nation’s birthday celebrations, we should still remember why the United States is called the land of opportunity. We attract people from everywhere who are searching for better futures for themselves and their families. Yet we should also remember the poor farmer in Haiti who fears every major rainstorm that can wash the mountains down upon him or her (and needs immediate help as well as longer term ecological assistance). Remember the children in Cambodia, and so many other countries, without shoes. Also think about those who have lost legs and feet because of landmines and can’t get artificial limbs. Remember that although one can find homelessness in many areas of the U.S., it has become tragically so much, much more commonplace throughout the developing world.

I hope that you will realize that providing help is not an “either or” situation. Certainly we need to remember our local, regional, and national problems, but we must also realize that we live in an international society.

In Acts 1:8, Paul tells us to “go into Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the outermost parts of the earth.” Putting that into today’s language, you need to be concerned and involved about what’s happening in your local community, your state and nation, and everywhere else. Although this directory primarily focuses on alleviating overseas problems, I hope that it also gives you some ideas and resources to help on the home front as well.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and suggestions.

H. Bruce Carr