A voice for the voiceless
Friday, November 21, 2008
Last year, I got to know a homeless man in Durham named Nick through a feeding and assistance ministry here called the "15-501 Ministry" (in reference to the highway near where many of the homeless in Durham live). Nick was a veteran who had a history of substance abuse and suffered from a painful back condition. But he was also a leader among the homeless, helping local church and social service folks look after those in need. He also regulated the forest community where many of the homeless pitched their tents, and in that sense, he made their "home" a safer place to live.
Nick died a few days ago in a tragic circumstance. He had finally gotten approval to have his back surgery last summer, and doctors at Duke Hospital worked to repair some of the damage from which he suffered. But he also contracted a staph infection while in the hospital, which eventually claimed his life. Nick worshiped at the church my wife and I attended at the time, and his death has been a real blow to that church community. He is now buried in the church's graveyard.
Nick's witness to us and to those he touched was considerable, and I am thankful for having known him. In his own way, he was a voice for the voiceless in our world - the poor and downtrodden, who are all-too-often forgotten even by the Christians among us.
One of those who got to know Nick wrote the following letter to the editor of the local newspaper. I share it with you, as a way of continuing to help Nick have a voice:
"One of the men who panhandle at 15-501 and I-40 died this month.
His name was 'Bulldog.' He had lived in the woods and panhandled at the same interstate ramp for about six years. 'Bulldog' was a former Navy Seal who, ironically, was buried on Veteran's Day.
'Bulldog' died, in part, due to his lack of health insurance. Like most homeless people, 'Bulldog's' health history was complex and his treatment inadequate. He had learned to cope with numerous chronic health problems, but he eventually died from a staph infection that went untreated for too long.
About 35 people attended 'Bulldog's' funeral. some were what 'Bulldog' called 'church people.' They were serious Christians who tried for several years to help 'Bulldog' with his spiritual and physical needs.
The rest were fellow panhandlers who thought of themselves as 'Bulldog's' family. Every person talked about how 'Bulldog' had touched his or her life. They described him as a strong, but troubled person. They talked about him as a 'protector' of fellow panhandlers. They expressed respect for his willingness to protect his community of panhandlers the same way he was willing to protect his country at an earlier point.
'Bulldog' was not a hero, but he was a decent person who was willing to help the people around him. Unfortunately, to most of us who drove past him every day, he was invisible.
His real name was Nick. He died at 49."
Submitted by
Michael Owen
Chapel Hill, NC
November 20, 2008.
Good-bye for now, Nick. May the God of peace give eternal rest to your soul.
Nick died a few days ago in a tragic circumstance. He had finally gotten approval to have his back surgery last summer, and doctors at Duke Hospital worked to repair some of the damage from which he suffered. But he also contracted a staph infection while in the hospital, which eventually claimed his life. Nick worshiped at the church my wife and I attended at the time, and his death has been a real blow to that church community. He is now buried in the church's graveyard.
Nick's witness to us and to those he touched was considerable, and I am thankful for having known him. In his own way, he was a voice for the voiceless in our world - the poor and downtrodden, who are all-too-often forgotten even by the Christians among us.
One of those who got to know Nick wrote the following letter to the editor of the local newspaper. I share it with you, as a way of continuing to help Nick have a voice:
"One of the men who panhandle at 15-501 and I-40 died this month.
His name was 'Bulldog.' He had lived in the woods and panhandled at the same interstate ramp for about six years. 'Bulldog' was a former Navy Seal who, ironically, was buried on Veteran's Day.
'Bulldog' died, in part, due to his lack of health insurance. Like most homeless people, 'Bulldog's' health history was complex and his treatment inadequate. He had learned to cope with numerous chronic health problems, but he eventually died from a staph infection that went untreated for too long.
About 35 people attended 'Bulldog's' funeral. some were what 'Bulldog' called 'church people.' They were serious Christians who tried for several years to help 'Bulldog' with his spiritual and physical needs.
The rest were fellow panhandlers who thought of themselves as 'Bulldog's' family. Every person talked about how 'Bulldog' had touched his or her life. They described him as a strong, but troubled person. They talked about him as a 'protector' of fellow panhandlers. They expressed respect for his willingness to protect his community of panhandlers the same way he was willing to protect his country at an earlier point.
'Bulldog' was not a hero, but he was a decent person who was willing to help the people around him. Unfortunately, to most of us who drove past him every day, he was invisible.
His real name was Nick. He died at 49."
Submitted by
Michael Owen
Chapel Hill, NC
November 20, 2008.
Good-bye for now, Nick. May the God of peace give eternal rest to your soul.
Labels: Homeless Ministry
posted by Andrew C. Thompson at 1:53 PM
3 Comments:
Nick was one of the founding "deacons" of the homeless ministry which took seminary students and made them pastors. The homeless ministry helped Nick to have dry feet on wet days, he and his friends showed us Christ.
There can be no greater compliment that I can give than that - he took the time to care for others, and in doing so changed our lives.
Rev. Andrew Coon
Thanks for your post, Andrew. I remember him as Bulldog. I'll always remember him as 'protector'. When we ventured out as young, green seminary students, we knew that as long as Bulldog was around, we would be safe. Yes, he had his struggles, but I experienced him as one who loved those around him. Like you, I'll be forever thankful that I knew Nick.
I always welcome the opportunity to read stories about the homeless. Even though they're sad, they make us aware. I think you need to add digg and stumble upon buttons to your posts. I will try to stumble it although I'm new at this sort of thing.
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