loser lovers – Herman’s bridge update #10

This update is written by Ben…all the way from Houston, Texas!

A while ago, when Terry and I first launched the Herman’s Bridge project, we informed one lady of our project and she questioned, “Well, I hope Herman’s not a loser, is he?” I was caught a little off-guard by the way she came back with such a loaded question. I wanted to be like, “so, what if he is?” She exposed our real intentions – to love those that everyone else thinks are losers.

We are loser lovers because of our belief that God has a special concern for the most vulnerable of society. We are loser lovers because, like John Lennon’s admission in the Beatles song “I’m a Loser,” we, admit that we are losers ourselves. We, though unworthy of grace and redemption, have been reconciled…redeemed…we are being restored.

Over the past year, we’ve literally met countless “losers” on the streets of Wilmington, DE. The last couple of weeks, we’ve met two new losers: Darien and Gandy. Gandy is 46, works 14 hour roofing shifts on the weekends, and has a difficult time finding steady work during the week. Darien recently got out of prison, only to find that his kids’ mother had skipped town. He has a tattoo of his youngest child’s 2006 birth date on his arm. Darien realizes his situation as temporary and looks forward to being reunited with his children.

What makes Darien’s story come full circle is that he was present during our interview with the News Journal. The article mentions that “Cooper looked up to see several of the homeless guys wrestling on a concrete walkway. He was concerned. But the tussle broke up with laughter, rather than taunts and spite.” That was Darien and his friend acting out in strange ways. After hearing Darien’s story, his acting out wasn’t so strange; it was pretty normal.

I think that part of what makes our mission so unique is that we try to treat everyone as “normal.” Yes, everyone is unique, and certainly many of their problems are complex and require special consideration; but, even more powerful is the idea that Herman, Darien, and Gandy are our neighbors, and when our neighbors spend the night on the streets and are treated with disrespect, it upsets us. We want to break the social barriers in our own lives that treat them as outcasts.

One gentlemen handed Lorenzo a few coins last week, but it was the kind of gift that said “here’s some money, hopefully that’ll make you go away.” When we handed Lorenzo a sandwich and made eye contact, his smile told us he was being restored.

What better way to treat someone neighborly than to throw them a birthday party?

“Then Jesus said to his host, ‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.’”

This is, in fact, what happened just a few weeks ago. We threw Herman a birthday party.

Herman invited his friends and family. He has LOTS of family. He bragged that “not even everyone showed up.” We met his nieces, nephews, sisters, and even his father. He has one of those families that’s always laughing and arguing at the same time.

Ken brought his family. Rick brought his wife. Joanna and Ryan brought their kids. Josh and Christy came. We broke all kinds of unwritten rules. Blacks dined with whites, old with young, rich with poor, city dwellers with suburbanites…all united at Christina Park.

Perhaps the best expression of unity was the opening prayer. We all circled and held hands. We must have taken up half of a football field. We thanked God for the children that were playing together and that all were present in honor of a single cause – Herman’s birthday.

Libby had a cake made that said, “Happy Birthday to the Herminator.”

We ate. We played chess. We mingled with Herman’s family. We swung Eli and Eden in circles by their arms (according to Eli, they went 8 mph). We were blessed.

Sometimes homeless people are enigmas. Herman’s issues may be obvious, but the answers to the questions of “why?” and “how to help?” are not. With each conversation, we find out a little bit more about Herman and we get closer to helping him in a more significant manner. It was good to talk with his family.

There is much more to tell. Thanks for showing continued interest in this story. Thanks for being patient as we wrestle with the best way to help Herman. Thanks for trusting us in an untrusting world.

a person

herman is not a problem

we are trying to solve

herman is a person

we are trying to love

 

The Ordinary Radicals

Last week, Nicole from The Ordinary Radicals documentary came to Wilmington to meet Herman. She also talked with me and Ben about the homeless scene here – she wanted to hear the Herman’s Bridge story first hand.

Ben and I had a great time hanging out with Nicole and John (2 ordinary radicals), playing chess with Herman and sharing a meal together – that is once we found a place that was still open for lunch!  (We found out the hard way that the happening lunch scene in center city Wilmington shuts down @ 3 PM – but Brew Ha Ha didn’t let us down…)

Earlier this spring, Ben and I had the chance to go to Kensington, Philadelphia to have lunch with Jamie Moffett. Jamie is the director of The Ordinary Radicals documentary. Both Jamie and Nicole are working hard to tell an important story.

Nicole wrote an excellent blog entry about her day in Wilmington – check it out and leave a comment on The Oridinary Radicals blog. Check out their documentary info and other resources too.

Her is part of the blog…

This past week I went down to Wilmington, DE to meet with Terry and Ben to interview them for The Ordinary Radicals Documentary. Ben and Terry do not get much more ordinary as people. They are both married, go to church, and hold big business jobs. They were living their suburban lives as usual when knowledge hit them like a bus out of nowhere. Forcing them, as it did me, out into the world to do small, seemingly insignificant things. Things like taking the homeless and hungry out to share a meal with them. It was this small action that birthed a close friendship with many that our society shuns. One of these beautiful friendships is with a guy named Herman, who I also had the chance to meet.

Read the rest here!

$2,306…so far, wow! – Herman’s Bridge update #8

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the lack of updates. There is still a lot happening – good things happening.

Ben and I continue to meet up with Herman each Wednesday, and we are in the process of helping him take some new steps. He still has a long way to go, so please remember him in prayer.

One thing we’ve noticed is that this experiment has given Herman an extra layer of accountability – that he never had before. He seems to be recognizing how people from all over the country are chipping in to help him. And you know what? That’s giving him HOPE.

We had the chance to take him some of your notes/letters. We’ll make sure he gets all the letters, a few at a time.

This whole experience has been so humbling for us.

So far, we’ve collected 903 individual dollars!!!! So we’re very close to maxing out our two $500 matches. We also have a third donor who will give an additional $500. So we have $2,306 so far.  Yeah!

Keep telling your friends. We hope to have this wrapped up in the next couple of weeks.

Here are a couple of random bullets…

• Herman found his Cross! (He said he found it a week after he lost it – in his stuff I think…)
• Herman will be 58 on May 31, we’re going to throw him a birthday party – any ideas??? What should we get him? – leave a comment with your ideas! Seriously.
• I heard about this kid (Sean) that worked a half-day with his dad to earn some dollars for Herman. Amazing.
• One grandmother (she referred to herself as an 80 year old grandmother) sent Herman an extra $5 so he could buy himself a birthday present.
• University of Delaware students were having a Barbecue and they started passing a bucket around for Herman. They were getting together for a Baptist Student Ministries gathering. They gave us an envelope with $39. Thanks Blake and Emily!
• We were sent US dollars from Canada (Winnipeg & Ottawa) and Perth, Australia! Global.
• We have all the major sections of the US represented (Northeast, Southeast, Northwest -thanks Oregon, Midwest, California and Texas)
• We have some photos and other updates coming soon. In the meantime, I updated the map. It’s exciting to see so many states jumping in to help Herman.

Peace!

View Larger Map

love, for the day is near

We’re finding that Herman has a debt that needs to be paid. A relatively small debt. Is there a better picture of the gospel – but to pay someone’s debt? – without any expectation of anything in return?

Love, for the Day is Near (Romans 13:8-11)

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule:

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Let’s apply some of this to Herman, what do you say?

As a side note, Herman lost his cross (the one pictured here). The picture of Herman holding his cross was in the News Journal article. The caption under the photo read:

“I found God when I found this cross,” says Gibbs of the Christian symbol he wears.

Ben and I met Herman for breakfast on Sunday, the day after the article was published. Herman was admittedly proud of himself for getting in the News Journal. In Herman’s way, he sees the publicity as affirmation of his worth. Ironically, he lost his cross on the street the day the article ran. In Herman’s words, “it (the cross) came like it went.”

Herman’s Bridge – update #6

Ben, Terry, and Herman in the Media See below for links to newspaper stories, video, and radio podcasts

News Journal Coverage “I call him The Herminator,” says Cooper, a tall, trim 27-year-old from Bear who plans to move to Houston, Texas, later this year to attend medical school. “Call me the generator, if you like,” Herman jokes, adding that his mind percolates too. As a result of the blog posts, readers from Delaware, Texas and Vermont — all over — are getting to know Herman, as the young men usually call him. Readers now send Herman encouraging letters along with $1 donations, having read that he sleeps in a warehouse on the Wilmington waterfront. Cooper and Foester believe they’ll raise $1,000 or more for Herman. But they insist this is more about connecting with another human than fundraising. “Our philosophy is to be laid- back and be a friend — we’re not treating Herman as a problem who needs to be solved,” says Foester… Click Here to read more from Gary Soulsman’s article in the News Journal… AND, click here to watch the video from the News Journal site!

Herman’s Bridge – update #5

If you’re just learning about Herman’s Bridge, and you want to give Herman 1 dollar – start here. Don’t forget to leave a comment on the original post if you’re in.

Ben and Terry were interviewed by Rick Jensen @ WDEL. Listen here!

Rick Jensen interviewing Ben and Terry about Herman’s Bridge

Ben and Terry goofing off in the WDEL/WSTW lobby…good times.

Feel free to leave comments or questions, and Ben and I will respond. We want to hear how Herman’s Bridge is influencing you.

Our idea of Family fun.

Peace!

Herman’s Bridge map – update #4

This map is a living document. If anything, it’s certainly alive and moving. These are the towns and cities across the nation where a dollar was sent to Herman.

View Larger Map

Thanks so much for sparing a dollar for Herman.

If you have no idea what Give Herman One Dollar means, start here.

Peace!

Ben & Terry

Give Herman One Dollar – update #3

Update: Ben and Terry had a blast being interview by Rick Jensen. Listen to the full interview here.

Ben and Terry talking about Herman’s Bridge on the Rick Jensen Show
Wednesday, April 30, 2:07 pm on WDEL, 1150 AM

This Wednesday afternoon tune in to hear all about Ben and Terry’s efforts to make a difference in Wilmington – One Dollar at a time!

WDEL’s Rick Jensen will have them on the show during the 2:00 hour (right after the top-of-the-hour news).

bigish small news – what can 1 dollar really do?

Like in chess – sometimes you need to start playing the game and figure out the moves along the way – are you in?

Ben and I just started a virtual experiment, right here.

Often, experiments fail. Experiments are risky. Experiments push boundaries. Many times, experiments raise more questions than they answer. But in the end, something new is discovered.

It’s important to say right up front that we’re not setting out to solve any specific problem – but we do hope to discover something new – and maybe bring a little restoration along the way.

But first, let’s set the scene…the scene you forgot about…

You are walking down Market Street in Wilmington, DE (or call it Houston, TX or Los Angeles, CA or Detroit, MI). Everyone is moving quickly except you. Today you’re not in a hurry. You begin to look around and suddenly you feel out of place. It’s a cool day, but the sun feels warm. You look up for some reason, to find the sun. It’s right above you. You realize you forgot where you are headed – and you begin dodging people. They know where they’re going – “whoa that guy has a nice suit!”

You think, “Get your head out of the sky bro”. And you let these thoughts pass as melancholy begins to set in.

Rounding the corner, RIGHT in front of you is a man. He has distinct features. His face is especially worn. He looks right at you – right into your eyes – he says with a half smile “any spare change? I could use some.”

In a split second several thoughts run through your little mind. You react. Mostly with questions that you keep to yourself. It’s amazing how quickly your brain is working today, and how good you are at having a conversation with yourself.

“Is that alcohol I smell? Why is this guy bothering me? He should get a job. Really, why can’t he get a job? I have a job. He should get a job. Well maybe he has some kids at home, that could really use my change. Do I even have any change? I only have bills. I wonder if I have any dollar bills. But that would mean I’d have to stop and get out my wallet – and what if I only have fives? Then what do I do? What if he grabs my wallet? Maybe I should keep walking. Yeah – keep walking. Don’t make eye contact. That guy’s face looks worn. His cheeks look really worn. His shoes are pretty nice though.”

You keep walking. It’s your choice.

Since you’re melancholy today, you keep asking questions.

“Maybe I should turn around and talk to that guy. But wouldn’t that be even weirder at this point? It’s easier to keep walking – but now I feel bad. Why do I feel bad? I haven’t done anything wrong, have I? Man, I’m thinking too much today – I just need to stop thinking and remember where I was headed…what can a dollar really do anyway?”

You don’t answer your last rhetorical question.

So that’s the scene, can you relate? We can.

Maybe the person you walked by was Herman. We know Herman really could use your dollar. Let us introduce him…

This is a picture of Herman (right side) spanking Ben in chess, while Eden and I watch. Ben, what was it – 8 moves?

Ben and I take homeless people to lunch every Wednesday. We’ve discovered that in many ways, they take us to lunch. We’ve been at it for almost a year now, and it’s too much fun to stop. Our friends have joined in.

We met Herman last fall, and have had a great time getting to know him, and hearing his story.

We know where he hangs out, where he keeps his stuff – and how he helped raise his grand nephews while he lived with his niece. He likes chess, and his street name is Rue. He wears size 32-36 waist jeans. He doesn’t like riding far distances to buy pasta sauce. Thanks to Joanna and Ryan he has a tarp to keep his stuff dry. Thanks to Krissy – he has a sleeping bag. He’s been on a waiting list for a subsidized apartment since February 16, 2006. He’s still waiting. We’re trying to help him get on other lists. He’s turning sixty soon. He worked in a factory near the train station for most of his career, and now sees himself as retired.

He has a routine to keep himself moving and out of trouble. He’s a leader in his community, and police officers actually talk to him as a liaison to others that hang under Herman’s Bridge.

Ben is moving to Houston in June to start med. school, and we want to do something significant for Herman before then. We need your help.

The idea is simple – that a bunch of smalls would come together to make one big. Or maybe it’s better said that a bunch of smalls will come together to make a relatively bigish small. Got that?

This idea of a lot of smalls coming together comes right from Shane Claiborne – he describes it really well in his book Irresistible Revolution. Ben and I read Irresistible Revolution last summer. It challenged us to listen to Jesus’ words with new ears.

As I mentioned earlier – this is an experiment of sorts – and we don’t expect to solve world poverty here, or even to solve all of Herman’s problems. He has as many as Ben and I do. But if we have learned anything over the last year – it’s that we can help. We’re in a place to help. If you’re reading this – that means that you have access to a computer – and that you have time to read a random blog – and that you probably have a dollar in your wallet.

Go ahead and check, seriously. We’ll wait….

Good. So here’s the deal. We have some financial backing; someone has offered part of their tax refund to help Herman. They said that they would match up to $500 dollars for a onetime gift to help Herman.

Last night, I asked Eli how much we would have if one person gave $500 to Herman, and 500 people each gave $1 to him. Eli thought for a minute – and the light bulbs started to go off. “Herman would have $1000 dollars!”

I asked him, “Eli, are you in?”

He said, “Can I give 2 dollars?, then he’d have 1000 and one dollars.” (Seriously, I’m not making this up to be cute – that’s what he said. You can ask Libby)

I said to him, “No you can’t give me two dollars buddy – but you can give me one. Maybe you can think of your own idea on how to use your other dollar to help someone else.”

So I’m asking you to give Herman a dollar. That’s all.

Details details!

You may have the same question Eli did: Can I give two? We’d rather you just give one. Be like Eli, and give your other dollar to someone else. If you live in the area – feel free to randomly walk up to me or Ben and hand us a dollar bill. We’ll know what to do. And it will become two.

Or, if you live in Texas (as many of my readers do) – you can use the PO box below.

This is a true 1 for 1 match, so if all seven of our readers each give a dollar (and we know that Eli is already in) – then we’ll buy something really nice for Herman with our 16 dollar bills. We’ll be creative and make sure it’s something nice.

We won’t give him a life-size cardboard check – we’ll talk to him – find his need – and then get something he can use. In other words, we’re not going to give Herman cash. We’re going to work with him to see how this money might help him best.

Our simple contract: You trust us and we’ll tell you the story. It’s simple.

A thousand dollars for Herman.

Are you in?

I hope 500 of you are.

Remember, this is a virtual blogging experiment. But it’s true. Feel free to be critical and not join in. Or, feel free to be critical and join in anyway. Or just join the game.

Follow these 3 simple steps:

1. Comment here on this blog.
2. Leave your first name and your city/state, or if you’re scared just leave your “street name” – and tell us “I’m in.”
3. Follow through by sending $1 to:

Herman’s Bridge
PO Box 363
Montchanin, DE 19710-0363

Go tell 500 of your friends before June. Help us make this idea fly.

PS – in case you’re wondering – I checked, and it is legal to send cash in the mail. Just wrap it in a sheet of paper with a little note to Herman and we’ll see that he gets it. We’re giving grass roots a new definition. We’re going old school here. Or send a money order or check made out to “Terry Foester”.

One last thing – we’re doing this in Jesus’ name. Herman already knows this, but we want to help him understand.

Here’s the reality of the situation…it’s not our doing.

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them. 1 Samuel 2:8

It’s true.