Sandwich Day 12 : November 27, 2007

Colette’s mom (Gaye) made more cookies – oatmeal and ginger snaps – THE BEST COOKIES EVER!! They are works of art.
I walk into my cube Tuesday morning and Mystery Angel has struck again!! Three sacks full of Sweat Shirts and tube socks!! Whoever you are…thank you!! You are such fun!!

Menu: Sacked lunches to include sandwich, chips and HOME MADE COOKIES
Additional stuff: knitted scarves by Colette’s aunt – big bag of socks – jacket – We are a Salvation Army on wheels!!

Today we are blessed with a new barbarian sister, Cameo!! So it’s Rick, Jerry Cameo and me.

The Gap – Rick decides that we are “four wheeling” so off across the field we go. Being a barbarian is the best!!

Randy – Joe – Tex – Ron: Everyone took a lunch and went through the stuff taking what they needed. Randy is new to the streets. When I asked him if he had a Bible, he said yes…”I may be a tramp but I am a Christian”. I told him to stop right there. God made and loves us all – we all have a special place and assignment. Tex spent most of his time talking with Jerry and Rick. Ron is new. I didn’t hear him say much. I did watch him go after the lunch as he was saying how hungry he was.

It was great to see Joe walking up. I have not seen him since I drove by on my bike several Sunday mornings ago. He said that he did recognize me that day. I asked him how he was doing and he said not well at all. He held out his hands and it made me gasp. He says that he is allergic to sun. The skin on his hands is severely cracked open. I’m not sure how infected these wounds are. We told him to sit tight and we would stop on our way back with some medical supplies. Note to self: these folks need basic first aid kits. We prayed healing of Joe’s hands – for Tex to overcome drinking and protection and provision for each. It was time to set off for our next stop.

The Cove
Vinny – Teresa – Susie – Freedom & Rooster – all waiting for us – everyone took a lunch and went through the stuff getting more shirts and socks. Vinny had 5 more key chains ready for me. Next week will complete my order. Once again, all I can say is that he just doesn’t fit … but he is confident and at peace with his life….more than what many can say. Freedom and Rooster spoke with me about getting Freedom medical care. Freedom said that she would be calling the social worker today for an update on getting her birth certificate for Medicaid. We gathered around for a prayer and Teresa asked for special prayer for her son addicted to drugs. Susie said that she needed prayer for a job. So we lifted them all up to God and made our request…in Jesus name.

The Exchange
Sherry – Linda – Hugo – Sparky – Tom – Todd – Winston – Mustafa – Wilson – Graham – Princess the dog.

What a gathering! This is a new meeting place. I was introduced to everyone but didn’t get the opportunity to speak with everyone. It really touched my heart when Sherry walked up. She was crying and when asked what was wrong, she simply answered that she didn’t know where the tears were coming from. She took some socks and a sweat shirt. She was happy to receive the Bible that I handed her. When she opened it, she said that it was hard for her to read so Rick gave her a pair of reading glasses that he had. She was tickled to be able to see the print. Cameo and I prayed with her that she be encouraged. At one point I just stopped and looked around. Over there is Jerry with Todd, Tom, and Winston - it's easy to see that good conversation is going on. Then I look over at Rick talking with Hugo and Sparky. There is Cameo sharing with Linda and Sherry. All I can say is "Thank you God." These folks are their own little family. Hugo said that if there was anything that they could do for us…to be sure and let them know.

We didn't even make it to The Edge. I trust God that there is a reason and our friends were provided for.

I'll let the other barbarians finish this up...once again...I will never be the same.

---Vicki
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My walk was great today!! Praise to God for everything!!

The Gap: I talked to Joe and Tex. My husband and I meant them on Thanksgiving. Joe hugged my neck and thanks us for the coat; Joe is so in Love with God. His hands were so cut and bleeding it made me so sad. I hang with hero's though and my partners decided to go to Walmart and get some medical things to fix his hands. So we left with a promise to come back with medical things for Joe's hands. I got to meat two new guys Randy and Ron. I did not get to talk to them but will next time.

The Cove: I got to meet all new people that I have heard so many stories about so I was a little excited. I talked to Suzie she was so sweet. She looked like she wanted to cry and just kept hugging my neck. She told me about her sons. She has two in their 20's. She had a sadness about her and I have a special prayer for her boys to come and find her and that she realizes love has not prices tag. I got to meet Freedom and she thanked me for the boots. Wow what stories them boot have so I told her to give than more stories. She seemed like a special person and Rooster was by her side. I meant Teressa she was quiet yet smiled a lot and was very grateful for everything. I did not get a chance to talk to Vinny but everyone I was with just had such good things to say about him.

The Exchange: I got to meet all kinds of people there and we came at a time of need I think. Hugo was there and I got to see Princes again she is such a sweet dog. Hugo was really wanting to get off the streets. He seemed to be drinking and kind of defensive with me he just had a story and was very passionate about having Princes with him. I will pray that he can find a place so he can have his Princes with him soon. He is a fellow vet and found out he does have means. Linda came up and she was just crying. Me and Vicky said a prayer with her and she just cried. We did not ask questions we just gave it to God. I think everyone there was real upset because of a new guy who is having a lot of medical problems and spent a couple days in the hospital. He is not doing well and I ended up giving the coat I had brought for Isaiah to him. Isaiah will understand and I will get another coat for Isaiah by next Tuesday. I got to meet Sheri she was nice and gave a couple requests for Tuesday. I did not get to talk to Mustafa he was working on the street. I will get to talk to him and Isaiah next week. I meant a lot of new people and look forward to getting to know them better next time.

My prayers will be with them.

--Cameo
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We had a big load again and it is never enough. It is a beautiful sunny day and the bad wet weather is over for a while.

We got to The Gap and we had to "Off road it" with lots of whooping and hollering from the Barbarian crew to get where the guys are hanging out. I met Tex and Randy for the first time and Joe (Red) was there. We haven't seen him in a while.

Tex was pleasant, confident and articulate. They recognize the Harley stuff right off and Tex tells of making 14 consecutive trips to Sturgis to polish the show trucks and make cash (And spending $700 in a bar the next night) they are Interesting stories. These folks seem to travel a lot. This lack of roots is probably one of the reasons they end up on the street. Tex is the "Unofficial" leader of this group. Seems each of the groups has one. Vinny is the one for the Cove. You can see the confidence in their faces and they seem not to totally fit with how the rest of the group is. Vinny told us this time every day was a good day and he was a survivor. I don't doubt it at all.

Randy was very nice and you can tell he is down on himself for being in this position. He blamed it on being old and not being able to do physical work any more. Many of these folks are right where they are at because of resistance to change. You can hear in many of their conversations. Lots of looking in the rear view mirror and having a hard time going forward. Jesus is all about change. He wants you to die to yourself. Can't get much more change than that!

Joe's hands looked terrible. He needs sunscreen, lotion, some antibiotics and gloves. We tell him we will be back with stuff later and head for the Cove. we prayed for him and he prayed for us and them. Joe likes to pray!

The Cove is always refreshing because they are all smiling! They said they love Tuesdays! We gave out more warm stuff and all the rest of the sandwiches. The food went fast and we realize we need about twice as many sandwiches. We haven't even gotten to Howard lane yet! Susie really enjoys the visits and she tells us multiple times how awesome it is we come to see them and she loves Tuesdays. I think it is awesome they invite us in we love Tuesdays too! The prayer at the cove was hand holding and powerful. Vicki does a great job with the prayers! Susie said she could feel it. No question the Spirit was there in our little huddle of friends.

I gave Freedom the "Jesus Inside" hat and she said she would make sure Rabbit got it. I think he is avoiding us. Been 3 weeks now since we have seen him. They say he is ok and is drinking a lot less. Maybe staying away from the store and the easy access is helping. I just like Rabbit and miss him.

Howard Lane was empty as it has been for several weeks. The place where it all started with Randy is no longer the hang out.

We got to The Exchange and found the camp at the bottom close to Lamar. A little more off roading and we are parked next to them. The looks on their faces when we first drive up is concern and question. Probably thinking "Who is here to jack with us now?" till they see us with sandwiches and stuff. We didn't have any food left but we opened the "Warm Store" and let them dig around. They seemed to come out of the wood work for quite a while. Hugo's eyes got big as saucers when he saw the Harley shirts. He got three of them and put them all on at once! Mike donated them and they went to a great cause to someone who really appreciated them!

I didn't talk to a lot of them other than Hugo and Sparky. Sparky was in bad shape. Said he was a bad alcoholic. Hugo said Sparky had just been in the hospital and they kicked him out even after he told them he needed to detox. They even knew the name of the drug they give you to take you off slowly but I can't remember it. Hugo said he gets a disability check from the military, is 61 and wants to find a place where he and Princess, his dog, can stay. It is going to be tough with the dog. Tough choices that most of us don't understand. His love for his dog of 8 years keeps him living in a tent on the street. Hugo did tell me there was some dope use in this group so we need to be aware. It is till encouraging though. We just met ten new folks, gave a lot of stuff away and no one asked us for money. Sparky wanted a Coleman stove.. Said Cops give them a hard time about the fires.

Sherry wanted a Bible but she opened it and said she couldn't see. I went to the pocket and gave her my biker fold-up readers in the little case. She was so excited. I wonder how long she had been unable to see that close? She very lovingly wiped the case off and was very careful putting them in her pocket. These glasses cost me two bucks a pair and you would have thought they were pure gold.. Sherry had been having a bad day and when it was over she was smiling. If nothing else we sure turned her day around.

We had a great prayer with this group too. Big circle and they all grabbed hands. Heads bowed and Cameo led this one. She is a good Barbarian and fits right in..

We blitzed Wal-Mart to get the supplies for Joe's hands. Vicki and Cameo hit the medicines while Jerry and I headed for the gloves. We got triple antibiotic cream, Corn Huskers lotion, bandages and 5 pairs of gloves so he can keep them covered.

We went back to give the stuff to Joe and he was asleep on some cardboard. He seemed out of it as we tried to help him doctor his hands. Not sure if it was the alcohol or he was just groggy. We left him with all of his medicine. Tex said he would help.

We have learned a lot in these few weeks. These folks know the Bible. When they start quoting, I start listening. You just never know who the Lord may speak to you through.. I wouldn't trade these few weeks of Tuesdays for 5 years of Sundays in most Churches.. It has been beautiful and such a blessing. I feel heartfelt sorrow now for the folks that have to turn their eyes at the intersections (Like I used to). If they only knew what they were missing.

--Rick
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A tent for Tom, a prayer for Todd, and a missed friend...

Tom. One word. Happy.
I spent most of my time at The Exchange chatting with Tom about "stuff". If you ever feel like you are piling up too much on your shoulders or the "world is out to get you" and cannot for some reason ask God to take over, go visit Tom. Not that Tom is going to solve your "problems" but the Lord may just work through Tom to let you know that He is in control of the situation, relax, chill out. You can see that assurance from God, through Tom.

I asked my new friend Tom if he needed anything, and he said not really, besides the socks and shirt he grabbed, but then made mention that his tent is leaking pretty bad and duct tape just wasn't cutting it anymore. I told him I would dig around and try to come up with something if at all possible. He of course he was very grateful and insited it wasnt neccessary. I cannot imagine my roof leaking in my home and just having to deal with it. I really cannot imagine trying to fix it with duct tape or even the right tools over and over again. How truley thankful am I that God has blessed me with a roof, food, clothing, a hot shower...the simple stuff I sometimes take for granted...

Todd. One word. Me.
I spoke to Todd for all of 30 seconds. He was a very quiet guy about my age. I kneeled down next to him and asked him his name and if he needed anything and he said "I'm cool". Me too, I thought. I can't say much more about Todd, other than that. Todd reminded me...of me. Not sure where this is going so I will leave it at that for now and pray for Todd.

Jimmy (aka Rabbit). One word. Missed.
I was a bit bummed out when we pulled into the Cove and Jimmy wasnt there. That meant Jimmy and I couldn't get our "Street Corner Bible Study" (SCBS) started. This one if for you Jimmy,

Last Week :
Proverbs 22:4
Humility and the fear of the LORD
bring wealth and honor and life.

This Week :
Proverbs 24:16-
for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again-

--Jerry