The Surreal

Yesterday afternoon  Mom and I were in downtown Athens GA.  This is home of UGA and is an iconic College town.  Although it is summer you could see kids and parents whom you would assume were preparing for the upcoming school year.  I am sure there are those who would of assumed that of us as Mom, Peter and I had lunch and walked in and out of stores. But in truth we were there assisting Peter in his new journey of homelessness.  We brought him a few clothes, toiletries and a yoga mat to sleep on.  I looked over his hospital discharge papers and medication.  I was able to make refills and get him set up with his meds for the week.  And it even included him showing us the Parking Garage he has chosen to camp in at night. Yep it is as surreal as it was they day mom and I put the 4 year old in my jeep at the Baby's home in Uganda and I took him home to raise.

So what has happened;

• Peter was discharged from our local Behavioral Health hospital to Athens (an hour away) to a homeless shelter that he soon was kicked out of because of inappropriate language.  It is now not an option for 30 more days. (This is a very nice shelter by the way.)
• Peter can eat at this shelter just not stay there.  Currently he has money (I am slowly sending him) due to the apartment deposit refund.
• He has an appointment with Advantage which is their local Mental Health agency on Friday.  I think this is to help with medication monitoring.
• Advantage also has a homeless day shelter that I have pointed him to, to see if they can help him with other shelter options as well as other provisions..
• Peter picked out a quiet parking garage for making camp in at night and roams around downtown Athens in the daytime.
• I am continuing to see if there are any group home facilities that he might qualify for to get him off the street.

Things to praise God for:

• Peter is taking his meds to the best of my knowledge.  His mood is good and he is currently taking this in stride.  
• Peter is far enough away to keep him off my porch and begging for a place to sleep but close enough that I can get to him to provide some essential support.
• His safety thus far.
• Athens has free bus service.
• There was the kindest police officer who assisted him Saturday including calling me to get info.
• My college friend Melissa is from Athens (but living in Atlanta) and she called her Dad.  They have a family friend on the board of the shelter who was able to get "intel" so we knew what was going on.
• Melissa's family friend who sought Peter out on Saturday, providing him some food and conversation.
• Athens has a fairly large homeless population, Peter is not the much of an oddity and there are resources.  I know that sounds odd but I am grateful for that.
• Peter likes UGA - and Athens.
• I had last week off to deal with all the goings on.
• I felt prompted to cancel my weekend plans so that I was available to spend time on the phone regarding him Saturday and go help him yesterday.
• For cell phones that allow me to keep in touch and help without having him "in my space."
• The hospital is pursuing SSI/SSDI for him now that he is uninsured and owes them money.  This is a HUGE relief to have the responsibility of that taken off my plate.
• I was able to share my story with several of my church deacons yesterday.  They were very supportive offering to help where they can.
• The care and support of friends who have reached out and who pray.  I am grateful for encouraging text, emails and "checking in."

Things I continue to pray for:

• Peter will take his medication timely and accurately.  And that the meds will be effective.  
• Peter's mind and mood to be stable - this aids in keeping him out of trouble. He really is pleasant most of the time.  Staying on the medication - having the right medication is important for this.
• Peter will find resources and help today.  For people to show him compassion.
• That Peter can find a shelter option and not have to sleep in the parking garage. 
• A more long term safe, living option with some oversight of medication and care.
• For a speedy process of disability and that it will be approved without delay. (Normally this is a long process that is often denied originally.)
• For Peter to see Jesus meeting him in all of this.
• For his protection especially as he sleeps in a parking garage.
• That I will sleep at night.  Last night was a little harder.
• That I will have peace that passes all understanding.  There are moments where I have to dig really deep to find it!

So last night I received this photo from Peter with the title "My campsite."  Perhaps I should print a copy for his scrapbook like my mom did for me when I went off to college.

God is Good.  All. The. Time.  Even in this.