Under the Overpass book review...

                                Under the Overpass:
             A Journey of Faith in the Streets of America


Ever Wonder What it Would Be Like to Live Homeless?
Mike Yankoski did more than just wonder. By his own choice, Mike's life went from upper-middle class plush to scum-of-the-earth repulsive overnight. With only a backpack, a sleeping bag and a guitar, Mike and his traveling companion, Sam, set out to experience life on the streets in six different cities—from Washington D.C. to San Diego— and they put themselves to the test.
    For more than five months the pair experienced firsthand the extreme pains of hunger, the constant uncertainty and danger of living on the streets, exhaustion, depression, and social rejection—and all of this by their own choice. They wanted to find out if their faith was real, if they could actually be the Christians they said they were apart from the comforts they’d always known…to discover first hand what it means to be homeless in America.
   Mike and Sam's story is gritty, challenging, and utterly captivating. What you encounter in these pages will radically alter how you see your world—and may even change your life. 




My review:


Mike decides to become a Christian and live as a homeless man for five months during 2003.
He literally lives with the homeless people for that long. He finds Sam who decides to also 
go along for the ride to help make sure that Mike is safe.


This book is a very emotional read. Mike and Sam experience many not so good days in this five
month period. They actually have to pan handle and eat old rotten food to survive. They live the entire five months off of charity, which they don't always receive. Many times they aren't given what they
need or ask for and are even thrown out of churches. 


About the author:


Mike and his wife Danae live in Vancouver, B.C. with their dog, Elliott, and are both studying for their Masters of Christian Studies (MCS) degrees at Regent College. Their passions include backpacking, hiking, running, tea, growing veggies, good books, and connecting with people of all sorts. Mike serves on the board of directors for World Vision US and the board of advisers for Kilns College. He and Danae have also  released a book called Zealous Love: A Practical Guide to Social Justice.