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People are losing their homes daily, families are without running water, and living (or dying) without health care. Does this sound like a description of a third-world country? Perhaps. But it is straight from an interview between Cheri Honkala and ThinkFWD host, Spencer Burke, talking about the unique challenges facing us at this moment in U.S. history.

Many years ago Cheri was a homeless mom, who almost froze to death on the streets with her 9-year old son. Today, her life’s work and passion is building a massive movement to end poverty in America. We are taking up where Martin Luther King Jr. left off,” she says. Cheri considers herself blessed to spend her time among the homeless and poor, “the most giving people, who share everything they have. ”

Sometimes Cheri hears from people that demonstrations and protests are not effective—“ What are you really going to accomplish with that?” She believes things like marches show unity with and care for the poor, lifts their morale, and importantly, gives them a voice. “When you have lost everything, all you have left is your voice. But many homeless and poor people have been beaten down so much they have lost their voice. Solidarity can help them find their voice and bring awareness to the great need that Cheri believes, in a wealthy country like ours, can be overcome.

Spencer connected with Cheri at A Sustainable Faith conference held at a church in Florida. In the middle of Cheri’s session, someone came to the church seeking help with gas money. Sheri’s response was to stop in the middle of her story, and say, “We can solve this problem right now.” Taking up a collection from the group, the needed money was provided to the individual—a scenario that couldn’t have been planned any better to illustrate Cheri’s message: as people of faith, we have important challenges put in front of us. We must practice the teachings of Jesus to look out for our brothers and sisters and neighbors.

Cheri challenges people to get to know their neighbors, and be interested and involved in their lives, so we can be alert to the needs right in front of us. Every day there are foreclosures in our neighborhoods, but people would rather die than tell anybody they are going to lose their homes. Elsewhere abandoned homes are being heated to keep the pipes from bursting while mothers and children freeze on the streets. “Poverty is a sin against God,” says Cheri, “but we don’t see the reality on our TV sets or nightly news.” So we need to be cognizant of this unique time in our history, be aware of what’s going on with our family, friends and community, and take action.

Personal Reflections

How do you move your response to poverty from your head to your heart to action?

Are you looking out for your brothers, sisters, and neighbors like Jesus did?

Is poverty a man-made sin against God in a country of abundance?

Small Group Questions

How do we respond to the ideas of people and property? Discuss the example of heated, abandoned homes and homeless families and children.

What do you think of the power of protest giving voice and showing unity?

Resources

Her Website

March To Fulfill The Dream

One Response to “Cheri Honkala – Ending Poverty in America”

1. Velvet Mcjunkins Says:
   August 24th, 2010 at 8:25 am

   hello i really digg your blog. this is killer information.

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