Five young Mennonites invited three guests who live under the railroad tracks to share Greek food with them  on Friday night.

After hearing Shane Claiborne’s call to seek out the “many Calcuttas” around them, youth from Waterford Mennonite Church, Assembly Mennonite Church and Sunnyside Mennonite Church, all in Indiana, visited the homeless people living under the railroad tracks near the Hyatt Regency hotel.

“After worship, we discussed what the spirit was leading us to do,” said Mark Fromer, a youth sponsor at Waterford Mennonite in Goshen. The group ended up inviting three homeless people to dinner: Drake, Woody and Patty.

Niles Graber-Miller, of Goshen; John Swartley, Elkhart; Karsten Hess, Goshen; Robert Heydon, Elkhart; and Aaron Kauffman, Goshen, met each other only the previous day, after Claiborne addressed thousands of young people.  Fromer said they prayed together as they walked to meet the homeless.

“We had to hop a fence to go and talk to them,” said Fromer. “Drake was hesitant; he didn’t want to be paraded around.”

After assuring him it was just a meal, the group walked with the three homeless guests to Happy Greek restaurant, where Fromer had made a reservation.

Drake ordered chicken, and Woody chose a gyro. Patty ordered calamari twice, as an appetizer and the main course.

Fromer said that as they began talking,  it became clear that Woody was comfortable using profanity.  Drake pulled Woody outside for a chat. “I think he was telling him to be on his best behavior,” Fromer said.

The group had a chance to talk, laugh and share their stories. Patty talked about her experience being kicked out of the house at a young age, and alluded to abuse. Drake and Woody both had given up living with family and possessions in favor of a more nomadic lifestyle. Woody even showed them videos on his cell phone of different places he’d been.

“(Drake and Woody) chose this lifestyle,” said Heydon. “They didn’t own any possessions and didn’t hold onto stuff.”

“One of them looked exactly like Shane Claiborne!” added Graber-Miller.

Although Drake and Woody chose the lifestyle they were living, “they had had some painful circumstances,” said Fromer.

Drake and Woody talked about the risks that come with living under the railroad tracks. Since the area under the railroad is private property, they are living in illegal territory. Woody has 17 stitches in his forehead and 13 stitches on his chin from beatings by security.

The youth were struck by the community the homeless people form with each other. Even though Drake and Woody had a history of traveling together, they and many others included Patty right away when she arrived. They share things freely.

“They took their leftover food back for their buddies,” Fromer said. He added that since they travel so much, the group living under the railroad tracks share a special train list with each other.

Drake, Woody and Patty were vocal in their gratitude for the invitation to dine with the youth.

“They hugged all of us,” said Hess. “They thanked us and said they were really grateful.”

After the meal, they went in their separate directions. Hess said that Woody and Drake are now headed west to California, to visit Drake’s family.

“(The meal) was the highlight of convention,” said Swartley. Heydon encourages other people try it sometime.

“It’s amazing how much you learn in one meal,” he said.