During Reading Week in February, nine Grebel students participated in a three-day trip offered by Mennonite Central Committee called Toronto Ontario Opportunity for Learning and Serving (TOOLS). It is an opportunity for students to learn about urban homelessness in Toronto and gain knowledge that can be brought home to our own communities. On our first night in Toronto, the TOOLS coordinator, Pete Olsen, led us on a prayer walk where we learned about various aspects of homelessness and poverty in Toronto. After that walk, a student who wishes to remain anonymous, wrote this poem, which sums up much of what we learned on this trip.
Glimpses
I saw God in the bright eyes of children today,
Feigning courage among peers on the subway bus.
I saw God in the tired eyes of an old man in the corner,
With a weary sigh and lines stretching the plains of his face.
I saw God in the blue eyes of a homeless person,
Stiffly sitting on cold pavement asking for money.
I saw God in the curious eyes of a friend,
Searching for truth, searching for answers.
I saw God in the clouded eyes of a man in the food court,
Staring blankly into his coffee for hope.
I saw God in the lonely, tired eyes of a woman,
With makeup for a mask and designer bag for protection.
I saw God.
I heard God.
Through the whispers of the breeze between skyscrapers and subway cars,
I heard him say:
Get up;
Leave behind your self-serving life,
Serve my people,
Serve me.
