The Messiah Returns. Visit #394

May 20, 2004, Nightwatch got a visit from a diminutive Asian guy. He wasn't homeless, but somehow he knew about us. He was helping an elderly African American women get into shelter. At that time he said "I know it may sound strange, but I'm the Messiah."

Well, hmm. "Maybe you're a disciple?" He decided that would do.

This launched a long-time friendship. I got to know his family. I helped him with various projects. I assisted him when his mental health problems led to homelessness. And though he's moved out of the neighborhood, I still see him on a fairly regular basis.

You've probably seen him too, in his wild costumes around town. Yesterday he was dressed up in a combination of Chicago Cubs gear, and the Stay-Puff marshmallow man from Ghost Busters.

It was entertaining watching people do a double take as he walked around Starbucks and the Lake Forest Park Town Center.

Being with the Messiah is a good reminder that the thread between being homeless and not being homeless can be very thin. There are plenty of people with mental health issues who are not homeless, and who have drug and alcohol issues but aren't homeless. The central problem is expensive housing, and poverty.

Getting people inside will help stabilize all our homeless friends.