When .. ?
The Samaritan Story. I'm guessing that 4 out of 10? people know this story, for it's morals and teaching reaches out to many different kinds of people. And the moral is this: Help out your neighbor, no matter the social diversities or if your reputation is at risk.So today, with our Path to Eternity (Evangelism Group) we decided to go to North Hill Mall and do some walk up evangelism. In my story, I so happened to sit beside this Chinese guy who looked like he was waiting for someone - probably for a friend to finish shopping or whatever. He looked like he was in his mid 20 approaching 30, skinny, tall, glasses, harmless, etc. I was there and he asked, "Are you Korean?" And this isn't unusual for me - I've had lots of people guess a wrong ethnic background for me. So when I just said I was chinese, he said he was too, and then a conversation starts. He tells me he's from Ontario, here for only a little while, but with no place to stay for the night. I look at his belongings - he had a huge huge backpack with a big red book bag beside him, with a Chinese magazine and other pieces of clothing. He didn't look like he was like he was from the street, and that he just was some normal man waiting. He pulls out his wallet and shows me his ID - at that there was to show me he was from Toronto. He continues on about a whole lot of other things (he went to university before blah blah) and he for some reason BLABBED ... just didn't stop talking. So there I was fiddling because I had tracts to give out - and was going to try to steer the conversation to spiritual matter - when he says, "So my friend just sold his house - for half a million dollars!" I was like, "Oh wow! that's good for him ..." and then he continued on about finding a place to stay ... and that he'd be leaving on Monday. We was willing to pay 20 - 30 bucks a night (guess he didn't have that much money) He also said he went to church and fellowship in Edmonton and Toronto ...
So I offered to call around for him (being skeptical in mind knowing I probably won't be able to find anyone) and when I was doing that, Ian continued talking to him. Questions continue to be asked ... and apparently the guy was actually here in Calgary for a Court Case ... and when being asked what that case was for - he said he barely got out innocent. He had spent a lot of money getting a lawyer, ($200) and had only $400 to spend this weekend. There was a plane ticket for $400 to get him back home today, but to make it cheaper, he took the Monday plane ride home for $200. Ian tells me that he'd be willing to spend $200 for a decent place to stay - but wait a second, $200 + $200 = $400 ...so he's not saving at all! Mind as well just take that plane ticket home tonight! That didn't make any sense at all ...
Either he wanted to save money (by being 'lucky') or not wanting to get home so early ... So Ian suggested the Cecil since it's $14 a night? (*cough cough - what the - Cecil??? prostitutes, druggies etc.?!?) but he was getting antsy about this guy's 'court story' and we don't know the cause of his crime ...
So I dropped trying to look for a place for the guy (I have a friend that was actually willing to lend his place - WITH his family for the weekend. You're a super nice friend btw, but I felt bad for almost giving this stranger a chance to be staying over at your house!) Even our chaplain who was with us said a big "NO" to this.
So yeah, in the end - we lost interest in helping this guy because of his story and all the other things leading up to it .........
and we just hope the guy's able to find a place, and return home on Monday.
But .... but ...
God? Did we do the right thing? Was he telling the truth? We weren't really the samaritans in this case - but we felt our safety was something to consider ... and it kept us from doing the full good deed. Well, I'll pray still, for him ...
What do you think?
