Twice a year, a Saskatchewan cattle rancher packs a bag and gets on a flight to Chilliwack.

The visits are no vacation for Khristina who spends time on the streets with homeless and drug-addicted people, many of whom have come to know her well.

Her reason for coming to Chilliwack is to find her son.

B次元官网网址淚 just spend time with him and love on him,B次元官网网址� said Khristina, whose last name The Progress agreed not to use to protect her son.

Khristina said her now-26-year-old son was diagnosed with high-functioning autism in school, where he was bullied because of his disability. Eventually the family got him a service dog, but she said the school system wouldnB次元官网网址檛 allow the dog in school, and finally all the meddling B次元官网网址渞uinedB次元官网网址� the dog.

Her family did battle with the school district, the Saskatchewan government, the human rights commission, but to no avail. Her son became addicted to drugs, and then she decided to sent him to the Chilliwack MenB次元官网网址檚 Centre in Yarrow, a substance recovery program part of Adult & Teen Challenge B.C.

That was 2016, but after he went through the program, he ended up on the streets of Chilliwack.

B次元官网网址淵ou can lead a horse to water but you canB次元官网网址檛 make it drink,B次元官网网址� Khristina told this reporter during a conversation in Salish Park last Wednesday (Jan. 18).

B次元官网网址淣obody wants to be a drug addict.B次元官网网址�

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For a few years, her son would call to check in occasionally but two years ago the calls stopped. So now she comes to Chilliwack, immerses herself in the people she comes to know on the streets, and tries to find her son.

On this most recent visit, she arrived on Jan. 9 and stayed for 10 days. This time, despite him not knowing when his mother would arrive, the two connected right away.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 called divine intervention,B次元官网网址� Khristina said. B次元官网网址淗e finds me.B次元官网网址�

Spending time with people living on the streets has been very eye-opening for Khristina. She has learned how many individuals addicted to illegal opioids are numbing the pain from various traumas, many of them sexual in nature.

B次元官网网址淪ociety likes to blame these people,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淏ut they just didnB次元官网网址檛 have coping skills. I say to people criticizing them, how many drinks have you had? We are judging these people who, they didnB次元官网网址檛 realize this is where it would end up.B次元官网网址�

Walking the streets and sitting with homeless people, Khristina is undercover in a way, and gets a glimpse into what it feels like to be at the pointy end of public scorn. She also sees the generosity.

Soon after arriving, she said she was over by the bottle depot when someone offered her some cans, which she accepted and passed on. She was also offered a sandwich, and then clothes by another person.

But she also sees the derision heaped upon those who are addicted and unhoused. Mocking words yelled from a vehicle. Police bullying them to move on.

She is particularly angered by the treatment she saw in some local fast-food establishments, and wants people to know about it.

At the McDonaldB次元官网网址檚 by the Yale Road overpass, Khristina said the restaurant is divided in half, on one side regular patrons, the other is usually homeless people getting a coffee, taking a break. While sitting on the B次元官网网址渨rongB次元官网网址� half one day reading a book during her visit, she said she was ordered to leave by a security guard and she was shocked by it.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know what their problem is, itB次元官网网址檚 like segregation, the homeless go this way. And IB次元官网网址檝e watched, the other side of the restaurant doesnB次元官网网址檛 get hassled.B次元官网网址�

Overall she said the treatment of those on the streets is about a 50/50 split between nice and rude.

What Khristina also does during her visits is fill backpacks with toiletries, water bottles, notepads and pens, snacks, some for men, some for women, and she hands them out when she can.

B次元官网网址淚 just meet people where they are at,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 can relate and have empathy because my son is one of them. IB次元官网网址檓 basically doing street ministry. You know when they are ready to hear it. Just being present is important.

B次元官网网址淭hey are somebodyB次元官网网址檚 kid. SomebodyB次元官网网址檚 father, uncle, brother, grandfather. They are loved.B次元官网网址�

Wearing a B次元官网网址淛esus is LordB次元官网网址� pin, talking to The Progress at Salish Park, Khristina was asked what she saw in her sonB次元官网网址檚 future.

B次元官网网址滸od only knows. I know the plan for us is hope and a future. I know my son will be clean one day.B次元官网网址�

As for where he happened to be that day, the day before she returned to her rural life in Saskatchewan, she canB次元官网网址檛 call him to ask. And meeting up didnB次元官网网址檛 happen.

B次元官网网址淚 guess IB次元官网网址檓 not meant to see him today,B次元官网网址� Khristina said.

B次元官网网址滻 spent time with him, and that has to be enough.B次元官网网址�

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:
editor@theprogress.com