“Imagine if you woke up tomorrow, only with the things you had thanked God for today?”
That’s the question that Missionary Jennifer Garibay asked the guests at the art club at Webber Street, our homeless day centre. Jennifer’s theme for the art club that week was ‘thankfulness’, encouraging each guest to creatively write down or draw what they felt grateful for.
Barry* has been homeless for a long time, and his face reveals years of isolation and suffering. Jennifer admits that others see him as intimidating. He couldn’t write in English very well so he opted for drawing what came to mind for the theme ‘thankfulness’.
“I’m thankful for warm socks,” one guest said. “Webber Street, and people that give,” said another.
“…Clean clothes,” said Barry, “…and lemons.”
He wasn’t just thankful for the ‘obvious’ things, like the hot meal in the morning or a new coat, but Barry was grateful for the ‘little’ things – unexpected and surprising but nevertheless something he really appreciated. It’s the ‘little’ things we love, but because they’re a normal part of our lives we neglect to be thankful for them. Barry’s answer also opened a window to more than his external appearance, but he shared a deeper part of himself – his likes and dislikes – his affection for something as simple as lemons!
That moment reminds Jennifer that there is more than meets the eye to people you meet, beyond their appearance or problems. “We can be quick to judge someone by how they look or focus on their obvious, visible needs,” says Jennifer “but on the inside they are so much more – they are soft and tender with deep and rich inner lives that so often get overlooked. Everyone has a story to tell.”
People like you and me, will likely have opportunities to build community in our churches or Bible study groups. But for those who are homeless there is nowhere for them to share their hearts and be vulnerable. “Spaces where connection and community can grow are hugely important for our mental health,” says Jennifer.
Poor mental health can be a barrier to building community, which then leads to deeper isolation and worsening mental health. The result is further isolation, and so the spiral continues.
The Webber Street art club offers a way to break that cycle – it’s an accessible next-step to practicing community, and growing in self-expression and confidence. If someone has been isolated for a long time, walking into a large church community of 50-100 people can feel really daunting. By building smaller communities first, guests can slowly make connections, and become more confident to take the next step if they want to come to church.
The art club that week not only allowed Barry to express thankfulness, but it allowed him to connect with others and share a part of himself that might resonate with those around him.
“Through the art club we’ve seen the softer, vulnerable side of our guests. Everyone that walks in has a deep and painful past, but through art they are able to express themselves in a safe and healthy way. It’s really special.”
Not only can creativity improve our own mental health, we can use it to connect with others and help them feel a part of our community.
But there's also something distinctive... something deeper going at the sessions Jennifer runs at Webber Street. In fact it plays out in everything that happens at the day centre - and if you ever get to visit you might witness it for yourself. It's evident not just in the Bible talk which guests hear every morning, but in the radical, self-sacrificial way that they're valued and welcomed from when they step through the doors. This distinctive thing... is the character of Jesus on display.
And it strikes me that for Barry and other guests, it's this in particular that makes for an environment where they can be creative and vulnerable and where, we pray, healing can start.
To find out more about our Homeless & Marginalised ministry click here and for ways to volunteer with Webber Street, click here.
LCM shares the gospel alongside the local church of London, equipping everyday Christians to lovingly bring a message of hope in Christ to those least likely to hear it.
Registered Charity No. 247186
