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July 19, 2008

It’s 10PM and we are loading the van with sandwiches and new pairs of socks. The dashboard says that it is 20 degrees outside.  I am about to go on the trip of a lifetime. I have the chance to go for a ride along on the Mobile Mission. We pull out of the lot behind UGM Headquarters.

We make our way out of the Downtown Eastside and drive through the West End. We leave behind the ambient light of the city and head into Stanley Park. The park streets are empty. It is dark.As we make our way through the park, Arnie stops the van and turns all the lights on. He opens the doors and yells, “Are you hungry? Come out! Union Gospel Mission, we have food!” In that moment it hits me. We are in the middle of a park, just steps away from the downtown core of one of the world’s most opulent cities. There are people here that are lost and sleeping in the woods.

A few seconds later, a gentleman stumbles out of the forest. He tells us he has been lost. He thanks us for lighting his path but refuses any help we offer.

From the middle of the park we wind over to the water. Our searchlight combs the beach looking for hungry people sleeping on logs. We find someone. Arnie hops out and goes to wake him up. “Wake up man, I have some food for you,” he says as he gently wakes him. A cart beside him holds all his worldly possessions. He is filled with gratitude when our volunteer offers him a new, clean pair of socks.

It is a very warm evening and the beach is full of people. Some people criticize us. Some people praise us. But everyone notices us. Everyone we help is full of thanks.

From there we make our way under the Burrard Street Bridge. It is a thick type of dark. We find people sleeping there. One is mentally ill. One has AIDS. And they all need help. Arnie and our volunteer wade through the darkness and bring them food and make sure they have everything they need for the night.