Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America Paperback – March 31, 2005

I read it twice! I have worked with homeless adults for many years and I live the transparency in this book. Its non-judgmental and to the point. A definite choice for any Church and for teens

IT'S ABOUT:Two Christian college students who voluntarily experience homelessness for 5 months in Denver, DC, Phoenix, San Francisco, Portland, and San Diego and relate how it changed their perceptions, assumptions, and faith.FAVORITE QUOTES:"What's worse? To not do dope or to not love your brother? Why do we kick drug users out of the church while quietly ignoring those who aren't dealing with other, equally destructive sins?""The contrast between the two homeless men that evening highlighted for me one of the fundamental lessons I'd learned on the streets: We're responsible to help others toward hope in Jesus' name. But we're not responsible for their choices."5 STARS BECAUSE:Having lived in or near most of the cities Mike experienced homelessness in, seeing homeless men and women was (and still is) a part of my everyday life. I often wondered how they got there and how to respond. When I started my empathy reading project for this year, the subject of homelessness was at the top of my list. This book was a fantastic intro into understanding and cultivating an "in their shoes" perspective. While many reviewers have taken issue with the debatable deception that Mike and Sam practice while appearing to be homeless (but always having an escape route available), I just took it at face value as a well-intentioned social experiment. They lived the homeless lifestyle as authentically as possible and they deserve the credit for their observations and lessons learned. It was hard to read about the cold shoulder they received from so many Christians - hard, but not that surprising. Just like not every crazed man was a struggling believer or every panhandler was legit homeless, probably not every Christian who passed them by was a hard hearted Pharisee. But the percentage wasn't good and that alone is worth taking note. The writing style is engaging and fast-paced. As a read for empathy, this book is right on.READ IF YOU: - Ever drive or walk past homeless people and wonder how they got there and how you should respond - Enjoy stories of spiritual journeys in unusual circumstances - Liked "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac or "The Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning

When I see a man or woman living on the streets, I feel this immediate, intense battle happening inside of me. My first reaction - like most people - is to ignore them, but there is this intensity inside of me to answer the problem. Clearly, there is csome discomfort when a stranger is panhandling but a sense of superiority instinctually flows through me."He must be a drunk. She is obviously high or trying to get high. Why don't they go over to the shelter or church? A shelter will do a lot better than the change in my pocket."But over the years, I have learned a lot about the realities of homelessness in America. The problem cannot be defined neatly in a short sentence. It is a complicated issue with numerous causes and zero quick fixes.Though we all may have different experiences with homelessness, in the end a homeless person is a person. He or she is a loved child of our Creator. And that's the other side of the battle inside of me."How do I help this man? Will giving him a couple of dollars help? Am I really doing the right thing? Where can I do more?"A couple of college students had this same question. Instead of sitting in class trying to understand the economics of homelessness in America or sitting through another sermon about feeding the poor, these two men set out to experience the other side. Under the Overpass chronicles Mike Yankoski and his friend's experience living on the streets of America. They spent six months in six different cities, spending a month in each major city. Normal activities that society rarely ever thinks about like eating, sleeping, or defecating became major challenges.This journey really shows you the personal side of homelessness. When I think of the homelessness, I usually think of no shelter and money, but seldom do I think a lack of relationships or love. What shocked me the most about this book was Yankoski's apparent lightheartedness. Though he took the matter very seriously and it was definitely not an easy experience, he did appear to portray this aura of freedom. He didn't have to rush to class or a meeting; life had an unusually different pace. I don't think he was trying to communicate that in the book, but it was something I noticed.I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in how we can help the poor and needy within our own borders.

Kind of like a reverse “In His Steps,” by Charles Sheldon, I commend these two young men for their bold and risky commitment of faith to learn firsthand what it is to be homeless. You won’t find neat and tidy answers to this issue, but perhaps you will gain a greater understanding of the God who loves each of these people with a love that is not offended and deterred by whatever problems they have that cause them to live on the streets. This can’t-put-it-down window into an aspect of life we’d often rather look the other way about, will give you a much keener insight into: 1.) The value of every human life, no matter the odor, appearance, or wreckage; 2.) The beauty, love, and compassion of the One whose dying to redeem us gives us all value; 3.) Your own heart.You cannot read this account without being deeply challenged to not only care more and live out your Christian faith in real and costly ways, but to get to know the heart of the Father who sent His Son to redeem all of us. I’ve heard it said that when we get to heaven, the biggest question we will probably be asked is, “Did you learn to love?” The brothers who share this account with us are helping us to learn and equipping us to answer yes to this question. Barry McGuire wrote a song about planting seeds of kindness, planting seeds of love. “Under the Overpass” lets us us see the immense value of our planting those seeds, something each of us can do every day, wherever God has placed us.

A helpful insight into life outside the norm. Without the comforts we take for granted life can be both difficult and scary.

Excellent.I would recommend that you read this book, it will challenge how you see the homeless, people with names!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It teaches us so much about life on the streets from not only their own personal experience but from the personalities they met and shared a moment, meal or conversation. I found this book inspiring, convicting and soul-searching and underlined many comments and quotes so that I can browse through it again in the future. One of those quotes is found on page 217 "I really do think that caring for the needy person begins with loving God more completely. " as well as this convicting one found on page 206-207 "What would happen, I wondered, if two rank, homeless strangers like Sam and I wandered into enjoy the air-conditioning at my church back home? Good things,I hoped, but I wasn't so sure anymore. The months of rejection by church after church had given me my doubts. Regular church attenders tend to come to our places of worship to feel better, not to be hit with the unfamiliar, the uncomfortable, the threatening."Mike and Sam's journey is a blessing to the Christian community.....thanks for doing what you did so that we can do what we do.....and should do.

From the outset I was hooked into this book! Having worked some time myself among homeless, disadvantaged, mental health & disabled clients I found this book shouting the message I have always believed. We are all a shared humanity, and the Church, which the author reminds us, is us 'We don't go to church, we are the church." ... the Church has often missed this connection. The book gives many sad examples of the saints overlooking the marginalized. This book shares with us an insightful journey which every Christian ought to live as a new norm. Remember, Christ Himself was a homeless person! We are all in this world together. Read it! Please! Then Act!

I read this book years ago and was so glad to see that it was still available to purchase.