A Columban lay missionary helps with the needs of Chicago’s street people.
By Agnes Jeong Bok-Dong

Charles ran into our house to announce that he finally had a place to live. He had been homeless for five years. I hugged Charles and offered my congratulations.

I know that Charles still wants to be an extension community member at our St. Francis Catholic Worker House here in Chicago. I clearly remember meeting Charles when I visited this house for the first time before moving in. He kindly welcomed me and told me how much he loves this house, which he visited every day.

Later, when I moved into the St. Francis house in June 2002, Charles became one of my good friends. He is just one of many homeless people in Chicago the house serves. We provide food, clothes, shelter, running water or sometimes just a sympathetic ear.

In February, I introduced him to Columban Father Tom Glennon, who works in a program that helps homeless people with mental illnesses. At that time, he was able to get a spot in the program.

Charles would show up in the morning to say hello, attend the program’s meetings and then report the meeting’s events to us upon his return. Now, we don’t need to worry about Charles sleeping outside, which he would do even in winter.

Agnes Jeong Bok-Dong collects donated food from grocery stores for homeless people by loading up the groceries on a makeshift trailer hooked up to her bicycle.

During my first months at the house, many people thought I was a poor, homeless Chinese girl. Even now, it is not easy for many people to believe I am a Catholic worker like other fellow American workers in this house. It’s even more difficult for them to believe I am a Korean Columban lay missionary working in the States.

I am not sure why many think this about me. Perhaps my English is not always proper, or perhaps it’s the color of my skin. Also, I think many American Catholics never consider that the United States could be receiving missionaries from another country like my native Korea.

My homeless friends help me like I help them. We don’t have a television, computer or even a newspaper in our house, but I don’t need them. Any time there is big news about Korea, my homeless friends share it with me as soon as I see them. I also don’t worry about my English, because I find such good and kind teachers among my friends.

Many of my friends say they learn so much from others here who may have a different language, culture and religion. It sometimes surprises me when they ask about material goods in Korea. Many people I speak to don’t even know where Korea is, and some of the homeless people ask me if Korea has technology such as TVs, cars and computers.

A Sad Departure Awaits
Whenever I say yes and smile, they confess that even though they are homeless they think they are happiest living in the wealthiest country in the world. They ask me if there are homeless people in Korea, to which I respond, “Yes, but probably not as many as here.” That surprises them, but then I make it a point to ask them about what their government does for them, which is not much.

My friends ask me to continue to live here with them, even though I am scheduled to return to Korea in the spring. I do know that when I return to my country, I will be very sad to leave these good friends behind.