For many people, a tent is a temporary residency during a camping trip. Or an element of a fun sleepover. For Chris, a tent is home.
Currently a construction worker, Chris has been through his fair share of struggles. He was initiated into a gang at age 15, where he dealt with drugs and violence. A bad fight put him into prison. After he got out, his ID and social security card were both stolen. His lover left him, taking everything, including his child. On top of all that, he lost all his immediate family members. His dad to cancer, his mom to a car accident, and his brother to a gunshot wound.
“I really don’t have nobody in my life to do nothing for me. So it’s just like a constant struggle just trying to stay focused and… trying to do the right thing,”
He felt as if he had lost all hope.
“I thought about committing suicide. I put a gun to my head. I put a gun in my mouth cuz I wanted to end everything. I was tired and frustrated trying to keep myself alive. I went into the middle of the street in the dark street, late at night, hoping that somebody’d hit me.”
But something in him told him to stay alive and he decided to ask for help.
“I got on my knees and just cried, tears coming out of my eyes, saying, ‘God, if you got a plan for me… talk to me, show me a sign, do something for me now’”
Shortly after, he met someone who offered him a full-time job, but he was unable to keep it for long. Even though Chris had just started, he was already making a good amount of money due to working overtime. Some of the other employees became angry, and started a fight, leading to a decision to fire Chris.
But he kept pushing forward, and was met with another surprise. He encountered a young woman on the streets, in a worse position than he was in, and decided to take her in, essentially raising her.
“She got potential. I don’t want to see her on the streets, going further down than she was… tried to show her how to do womanly things… because she was strung out on drugs, prostitution, things like that… you got too much of a brain up here to be doing [things like that].”
In a perfect world, Chris’ story would have taken a turn for the better and life would have become easier. But the harsh reality is, it hasn’t. What has changed though, is Chris’ mindset and attitude.
“I had a hard life… I’m still having a hard life… just trying to stay focused, stay positive… if you’re surrounded by negativity, that’s all you’re going to think about, that’s all you’re going to feel.”
Chris’ generosity and optimistic attitude is largely inspired by his faith. An ardent Christ-follower, he imitates Christ’s sacrificial love and encourages others to do the same.
“Just be uplifting… even if it’s just one hour like this or 15 minutes… if you made somebody smile today, you did something positive… always give something. That’s the way Jesus was.”
Armed with his optimism, Chris has a mindset that always looks forward, never dwelling on what could have been.
“What do you want for yourself? Do you want to stay in the same position? Or do you want something better for your life?”