What’s Christmas Like for the Homeless?
Donnie's Story
“I celebrated Christmas, but not like everyone else,” says 46-year-old Donnie, who has been homeless for a decade. “I got drunk and high. That’s how I celebrated every holiday.”
Donnie, who suffers from bipolar disorder, has battled alcoholism since he got drunk for the first time at age 13. “I was a true alcoholic – I wouldn’t stop from the time I woke up to the time I passed out,” he confesses. “I was very violent all the time – hateful and self-centered.”
When Donnie came to the Mission during the midst of the holiday season last year, he was amazed by the outpouring of love he received here. “People I didn’t even know were giving me things,” he says. “I didn’t understand why they would care about me.”
Then, he went to church and discovered the source of their love: Jesus Christ. “I felt my heart breaking so bad the tears ran down my cheeks,” he remembers. Donnie gave his life to Christ that Christmas.
“I felt blessed to have a place to stay at Christmas, and things to eat and clean clothes to wear,” he says. “I got to spend Christmas with the family that God had given me, since my real family doesn’t want to have anything to do with me. It was awesome.”
