So down under the streets of StL, there is a community of homeless people who live under tunnels. On the back side of the Post Dispatch building there is a plaza in which you can look over and see into the tunnel and at night the fire which the residents of one camp warm themselves. Though, I might warn you- first time I got out to look over, I heard gun shots from a block or so away.... There is also an entrance just over the train tracks, down a dirt ally, the residents call it 1414 Mocking Bird Dr.
When you first pull down into the ally, and into the tunnel you will meet Dave, Earl (who now has a home), among others. Leaona, and Wolf were among them at the first camp too. Wolf now is locked up for a slew of reasons, and Leaona and her husband were kicked out from their own debauchery. Also, the first camp of people has cats EVERYWHERE. They claim to have up to 40 cats... weird.
Return to the tunnel a few times and you will meet and build relationships with John, Diane, Rick, and Dave. The other 20 or so people come and go, new faces every few weeks or even days.
The tunnel is a strange place. Go ask anyone in StL about the tunnel and they will think your an idiot for considering going under. Rumors of drug usage, murder, among others all run high. Where darkness is, yes, the presence of evil is great. But here are my thoughts....
Whether the drug usage, alcohol abuse, sex trade, whatever actions illegal, or legal take place in the tunnel we above the tunnel are still missing the mark severally. Time after time I have been in the tunnel, I have watched group after pastor, after family, after church pull in and hand out food, water, candles, whatever through their car window. Never even getting out of the car. Big name organizations will come and go in under 14 minutes... hmm.
These people need love, and community, stable friends, people to tell and show them they are worthy of life above the tunnel. You can sit and talk about Jesus with any of them-- they will quote you more scripture than you ever could imagine, and attend church weekly. So what is missing?? Why do these people act this way, and live in the slums under the tunnel??
When you first pull down into the ally, and into the tunnel you will meet Dave, Earl (who now has a home), among others. Leaona, and Wolf were among them at the first camp too. Wolf now is locked up for a slew of reasons, and Leaona and her husband were kicked out from their own debauchery. Also, the first camp of people has cats EVERYWHERE. They claim to have up to 40 cats... weird.
Return to the tunnel a few times and you will meet and build relationships with John, Diane, Rick, and Dave. The other 20 or so people come and go, new faces every few weeks or even days.
The tunnel is a strange place. Go ask anyone in StL about the tunnel and they will think your an idiot for considering going under. Rumors of drug usage, murder, among others all run high. Where darkness is, yes, the presence of evil is great. But here are my thoughts....
Whether the drug usage, alcohol abuse, sex trade, whatever actions illegal, or legal take place in the tunnel we above the tunnel are still missing the mark severally. Time after time I have been in the tunnel, I have watched group after pastor, after family, after church pull in and hand out food, water, candles, whatever through their car window. Never even getting out of the car. Big name organizations will come and go in under 14 minutes... hmm.
These people need love, and community, stable friends, people to tell and show them they are worthy of life above the tunnel. You can sit and talk about Jesus with any of them-- they will quote you more scripture than you ever could imagine, and attend church weekly. So what is missing?? Why do these people act this way, and live in the slums under the tunnel??
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