Ongoing Thanks - October 25, 2023

Week two of serving hotdogs on the street went even better than week one.  It is easy to say that there is still plenty of room for improvement.  And it feels like we are going to take the opportunity to form this into something consistently good.

When asked if we would be there again next week, I replied that I would not. (I have a previous commitment to potluck and prayer).  The immediate assumption of the person asking the question was “oh, it is getting too cold.”  Hmmmm, too cold for us to serve food for a few hours to people who are staying in tents.  No, that is not it at all.

Thank you for all the response to last week’s blog.  I have the use of a generator which made coffee and hot chocolate actually hot.  We also had crock pots of chili and soup to complement the hotdogs.  Not to mention the mini-marshmallows to upgrade the hot chocolate.

Which brings me to volunteers.  Thanks for all the people who already put their name on my list to help.  I took the Nywenings, Ben and his daughter Ella, along.  They responded first - and offered to make sure hot chocolate supplies were in place.  I limited the team size, but will let it grow a little more now as we experienced a growth in the participation.  Word on the street is there is a good place to get food and warmth on Sunday nights.  It would be hard to stop now.  Ben has agreed to go again this week and I will be tapping a few shoulders on my list for more help this week.  Feel free to add your name to the list… it looks like this will be an every-couple-of-months event for most volunteers. However, be warned.  I went once and had to go back the next week.  Ben went once and is returning.  God might grab your heart.

Here is how he grabbed mine.  I met Kara on the hot day in September when we first handed out tents.  She even let me take her picture but I decided not to publish it.  She was there this time and informed me that she has made it into a shelter.  I asked a bunch of questions about that and learned more about how things work.  Her life is moving forward at least one step in a good direction.

Sorry that there are no pictures this time… there was really no time to take them.  I would love to have shown you the warming tent that was set up with a propane fire going.  Again, really hard to shut that down when we packed up.

Present needs, if you can:  warm clothes (socks, mitts, toques, jackets, coats, sweats).  A cold looking woman was getting a hotdog and I asked if she was as cold as she looked and if she wanted another coat.  The excitement at the idea and thankfulness for the gift was beautiful to see.

We do not need blankets or sleeping bags at this point…seems we have met that need and there is a further supply in my office.

Food needs: hot chocolate (and mini marshmallows), crocks of chili or soup, the single serving chips are a hit. 

Thanks again for gifts, participation, and prayers.  Our new community of friends continues to share thankfulness for this work of God’s people.

Pastor Erick Schuringa