An updated and expanded edition of the gritty, challenging, and utterly captivating portait of the homeless crisis.
Ever Wonder What it Would Be Like to Live Homeless?
Mike Yankoski did more than just wonder. By his own choice, Mike's life went from upper-middle class plush to scum-of-the-earth repulsive overnight. With only a backpack, a sleeping bag and a guitar, Mike and his traveling companion, Sam, set out to experience life on the streets in six different cities—from Washington D.C. to San Diego— and they put themselves to the test.
For more than five months the pair experienced firsthand the extreme pains of hunger, the constant uncertainty and danger of living on the streets, exhaustion, depression, and social rejection—and all of this by their own choice. They wanted to find out if their faith was real, if they could actually be the Christians they said they were apart from the comforts they’d always known…to discover first hand what it means to be homeless in America. What you encounter in these pages will radically alter how you see your world—and may even change your life.
FOREWORD TO THE UPDATED AND EXPANDED EDITION
by Francis Chan
I would like to write a few words about Mike Yankoski, and then I’ll give some thoughts about his book. . . I am a very
skeptical person, and I struggle with cynicism. Like most people, I have heard so many lies that now I have a hard time trusting. I even struggle when reading a good book, because in the back of my mind I’m wondering if the person who wrote it is for real.
So what is it about Mike that inclines me to trust him? The sacrifices he has made.
Sacrifice promotes believability.
The apostle Paul defended his ministry in 2 Corinthians 11 with a list of hardships he endured. It was his suffering for the sake of the gospel that gave credence to his message. Paul showed that he genuinely believed what he taught. Why else would he suffer as he did? His argument in 1 Corinthians 15 is similar as he explains the foolishness of his lifestyle if the gospel isn’t true.
While there are many who say they live for eternity, Mike and his wife, Danae, are among the few I actually believe. Their actions have shown me that I can trust them. You can too.
Now about the book. . .
I was warned when entering seminary that if I was not careful, a dangerous habit could form: I could learn to read
the Bible and do nothing in response. I still remember our seminary president warning us that study to the neglect of
action becomes easier and easier with each occurrence. We should be terrified if we have mastered the art of becoming convicted and doing nothing in response. Don’t read Mike’s book if you’re not willing to change your attitude and actions toward the homeless.
As a person who considers himself sensitive to the needs of the rejected in our country, I learned from this book that I still have a ways to go. I look forward to seeing the changes God will bring about in my life because of it.
Mike shows much grace in pointing out weaknesses our churches may have in caring for the poor. It is embarrassing
to admit, but I have often struggled with pride when encountering the homeless. I can’t say that I usually see them as having equal worth with me, much less consider them as “better” than myself (Philippians 2:3). Like many, I have found myself at times working to avoid rather than seeking to engage.
Far from condemning, this book actually causes me to look forward to my next encounter with those living on the
streets. I believe it will do the same for you. As I followed Mike’s journey and tried to put myself in his shoes, it caused me to love Jesus more. As I thought of what a struggle it would be for me to leave my comforts, it stirred a greater adoration toward my Savior, who emptied Himself to dwell with us.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid
down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our
lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions
and sees his brother in need but has no pity on
him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children,
let us not love with words or tongue but with
actions and in truth. (1 John 3:16–18)
I pray that the story of Mike and Sam’s five-month journey causes you to eagerly anticipate your next encounter with a homeless man or woman, created in the image of God. —FRANCIS CHAN
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