Peace In and Through a Street-Involved Youth

Sixteen years ago, I met Gabriel* at a Drop-In centre for street-involved youth where I worked at the Yonge Street Mission. He was a homeless teenager, part of a subculture of punk rockers, and one of the 200 youth we interacted with daily. At the time, I could not have predicted the depth or longevity of the friendship that would form. What unfolded over the years was far from a straightforward story of transformation—it has been a journey filled with challenges, setbacks, and moments of grace.

Gabriel’s life has always been marked by adversity. Living in tents, surrounded by drug use, and enduring personal traumas, his circumstances reflected the harsh realities of being street-involved. Our paths crossed again eight years ago after a few years of silence. He reached out for help navigating a lease transfer from a friend. This moment marked a turning point—the end of his homelessness. By God’s grace, I was able to help manage the legal complexities, and, perhaps by divine design, his new home was just up the street from mine.

While securing housing was a monumental step, it was only the beginning of a new set of challenges. Gabriel, an orphan, lacked many of the life skills needed to maintain stable housing. I quickly realized he needed guidance, from budgeting and resolving roommate conflicts to handling disputes with his landlord. He would often withhold rent when repairs were not made, an act of defiance that brought serious consequences. Each incident required mediation, and I often represented him at the Landlord-Tenant Board to resolve these issues.

Over time, I became more than just a support worker. My role in Gabriel’s life expanded to that of a mentor, advocate, and, as he would later say, a father figure. This role was both a joy and a challenge. There were moments of deep frustration, but there were also glimmers of hope that revealed the work of the Holy Spirit in his life. Gabriel began joining me in educating others about homelessness through street walks. He would share vivid and heartfelt stories about life on the margins, leaving audiences moved and, at times, in tears. These moments, filled with raw honesty, reflected the grace of God at work in his heart and the power of storytelling to open others to the plight of the oppressed.

One particular moment stands out. During a birthday lunch a few years ago, he turned to me and said, “Ejay… you’re a great dad.” I smiled, knowing how much effort I put into being present for my own children. Then he added, “We gave you lots of practice.” I laughed, recognizing the truth in his words. Being a surrogate father to the fatherless is a sacred calling—one that invites participation in God’s ongoing work of healing and restoration. Psalm 68:5 comes to mind: “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.”

A few weeks ago, we celebrated his 32nd birthday. It was a poignant moment, as I had first met him when he was 16—half his lifetime ago. For the first time in our long journey together, we had no issues to resolve. It was just a simple birthday lunch, filled with laughter and funny stories about the oddities of life on the margins. That lunch felt like an unexpected Christmas gift—a holy surprise of peace.

Gabriel’s story is a reminder that peace is not the absence of struggle but the presence of God in the midst of it. His life has not been a straight path, but it has been one marked by resilience, grace, and growth. To walk alongside someone like Gabriel is to witness both the messiness of life and the profound beauty of redemption. It is to see God’s hand at work in ways that are both ordinary and miraculous.

This year, as I reflect on peace during the Advent season, I am reminded that it often comes in the form of quiet, unassuming moments—like a simple lunch with an old friend. Peace is a gift we crave when we have embarked on rocky and troubled roads. But when it comes, we need steadfast eyes to pause and reflect and recognize because this fleeting moment of peace often arrives unexpectedly. These are sacred moments serving as a sign of God’s faithful presence.

*names are changed for privacy purposes

Advent reflections shared by Earnest John "Ejay" Tupe, a Mission Canada Urban worker.