He would bathe in the hawker centre toilet. Late at night, when the crowds had departed, he would fill a bucket using a hose and then enter a cubicle to clean himself. This was Uncle S’ nightly routine before he made his way to bed, a piece of cardboard laid out on a table at a coffee shop that would close for the night. An old jacket would hang on his thin frame, one that barely insulated him from the cold night air. After losing his job and experiencing a family conflict that pushed him out of his house, he found himself unemployed and homeless in his 70s. He had run out of resources and run out of relationships.
We would meet Aunty C every week at McDonald’s. A jovial middle-aged lady, she would regale us with tales of her time as a police officer. Hard times had come upon her since her divorce – she lost her home and most of her possessions. During the day, she worked part time at a small provision shop and during the night, she slept on a piece of cardboard in the void deck of a HDB block. Yet she was always cheerful and energetic, facing a hard life while still full of life.
She worked part time at a small provision shop and during the night, she slept on a piece of cardboard in the void deck of a HDB block.
Uncle B was an elderly man in his 80s who loved to read and always held a book when we met him. Seated with us in the same hawker centre he would sleep in overnight, he spoke in refined English and spoke at length about topics he had read about. Though not a believer, he had previously read the Bible and had found it ‘interesting’. He had a kind face, a calm voice and round spectacles. The only reminder of his frailty and vulnerability was the box of medications that he would take daily for his heart condition.
Changing judgment to love
Hundreds of people like Uncle S, Aunty C and Uncle B spend their nights rough sleeping on the streets in Singapore, homeless and often hidden from plain sight. Each person has a different reason for being homeless, but each lacks the security of a roof over their heads and experiences living conditions that are uncomfortable, unhygienic and sometimes dangerous. They face challenges like poor health, bad weather, theft and discrimination, with no refuge and nobody that they can turn to.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ – Matthew 25:34-36
Rough sleepers come from many different age groups. Some are elderly and frail, while others are single parents with young children. Youth homelessness is also prevalent and around 25 percent of homeless help requests in Singapore come from rough sleepers under the age of 25.
It is easy for us to judge and make assumptions about why a person is homeless or why they don’t take certain steps to change their living situation. Indeed, it is easy for us to offer well-meaning suggestions from our ivory towers (our safe comfortable homes). Yet, as I take my hot shower and sleep in my clean bed, it is clear that I have never experienced even a fraction of the hardship or trauma they have.
It is easy for us to judge and make assumptions about why a person is homeless or why they don’t take certain steps to change their living situation.
God has called me not to judge, or I too will be judged (Matthew 7:1-2). God has blessed us with many material possessions and has called us not to close our hearts to those in need. He has called us to “…not love with words and speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18) How can we claim to love God if we don’t love our brothers and sisters? (1 John 4:20)
The homeless are our teachers
My homeless friends teach me so many valuable life lessons. They showed me that I should be grateful for the security and comfort of my home and how a person can be kind even when they have little. We once took an elderly homeless friend out for dinner on his birthday only to find that he had secretly paid for the meal before we could. There have also been homeless friends who have joined night outreaches to bless and help other rough sleepers. (A touching and inspirational article about one of our fellow volunteers: “They are deserving of love, just as I am”: Homeless since age 25, he now serves those who have nowhere to call home)
God’s heart is for the homeless
In Matthew 22:8-10, after being rejected by those he had invited, the king asks his servants to go out on the street corners and invite anyone they could find, good and bad, to the wedding banquet. Jesus too calls us to go out on the streets and welcome everyone to the wedding feast of the Lamb. God’s heart is for the poor and the needy (Psalm 140:12). Truly, homelessness is not a problem to be solved, but people to be loved. In obedience to Christ, may we show them God’s love through our presence and care.
Our homeless friends’ stories continued
Each of our friends has a different story. Uncle S was admitted to hospital for breathing difficulties and thanks to the efforts of a medical social worker, found a place in a transition shelter after he recovered. Aunty C secured a subsidised rental flat with two other roommates and joined us as a volunteer on night outreaches despite her poor eyesight. She passed away recently, but we will always remember her smile and her tenacious spirit. Uncle B contracted COVID during the peak of the pandemic and unfortunately passed away. We pray that our friendship provided them with some respite from their challenges and extended God’s love into their lives.
There are hundreds more all over Singapore who need a roof over their heads, a clean environment to sleep in and our friendship and presence. Will we respond to God’s call to pray and to go?
How to tell if someone may be homeless
- Lying down on cardboard or on a bench, usually out of plain sight.
- Carrying large bags.
- Dressed in clothes that may be dirty or untidy.
Steps to take if we think someone may be homeless
- Offer them bread and water, avoid monetary help.
- Initiate a conversation, but don’t push them to share information.
- Respect their private space and if they reject your offer, take your leave politely.
- Avoid approaching them in secluded areas if you are alone (especially for women).
- Direct them to the nearest family service centre or contact organisations such the Homeless Hearts of Singapore to check on them. Do not call the police or inform the authorities of their location without their consent.
- Silently pray to God for them in your heart. We are not the heroes; Jesus alone is the Saviour.
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ – Matthew 25:37-40
The above stories are adaptations of our experiences with the homeless friends we have been blessed to have encountered, by the grace of Christ, the God of the homeless.
Organisations befriending rough sleepers that some Wesleyans volunteer at include the Homeless Hearts of Singapore and The Lighthouse.
Please reach out to these organisations if you are interested in volunteering with the homeless. You can also volunteer to host homeless families with young children or find other ways to contribute.
More tips if you encounter someone who you think may be homeless: https://homeless.sg/tips-to-help/
(Images: Pixabay and Unsplash)
