A story from Rev Allen Tysick, The Victoria Dandelion Society Ministry http://dandelionsociety.ca/

I often wish that you my friends were beside me in my ministry on the street. Each morning I wake up about 50 or so of the homeless on the streets of Victoria. This morning I saw 58 men and women. It is impossible of course for all of you to be there, so let me attempt in my feeble way to bring you with me through the written word.

The cold crisp air of February was blown about by the North winds. My first stop was a local church on the corner of Pandora and Vancouver. Some of the homeless sleep on the covered veranda as it protects them from the rain. This morning seven of them were sleeping there, four of them in sleeping bags, two with blankets and one just in his clothing. Another 17 were sitting on the steps just awaiting my arrival.

There was a young girl among them her age maybe 14 or younger. She was First Nations from Ahousit. She saw the large rabbit that I had tucked away deep in the trunk of the car. “Rev, can I have that rabbit?” “Of course!” I answered, “it yours.”

A few minutes later I noticed her sitting on the steps, a coffee in one hand, and hugging the stuffed rabbit close to her body with the other. She then sees the label attached to the rabbit’s ear, puts down the coffee and begins to read the label out loud, “I am your rabbit, I am your friend. Hold me tight and I’ll love you till the end.” After reading the tag she wrapped both arms around the rabbit for the longest time, tears streaming down her face.

Her childlike essence exposed - yes she sleeps on the streets - her vulnerability, her weakness and her naivety exposed.  She’s in search of love in all the wrong places.

As I climbed back into my car I left her in the darkness of the night clutching the rabbit.