Plymouth Street Ministry Journal--Friday, February 6, 2015
Tonight it was just Mike and I out there, and, since I didn't arrive at our usual spot in the municipal parking lot until a few minutes after six, Mike was by himself for the first part of the night. Fortunately, it was right after the first part of the month. We usually see fewer visitors then since those who receive monthly checks often find lodging away from the shelter. The word going around was that a few days ago the shelter had had a record number of residents, and we were glad that wasn't happening today.
We had a steady stream of visitors to the van. To most we handed out food, hand warmers, bottled water, and juice pouches. We also gave out several pairs of gloves and at least one hat. One woman asked for white T-shirts, but unfortunately we didn't have any in her size. A man asked for a new backpack, which we didn't have either, but we did give him a nice large tote bag. People tended to come in groups tonight, and then left as groups after we handed out the food bags, so I didn't talk to many at length. A few did comment on what a nice night it was (it was in the low 20s) and also expressed gratitude that there was no wind.
Our conversation with one man, however, was worth noting. We was carrying a Stephen King novel from the library. We told him we had a few paperbacks, and we thought one was a Stephen King book, but he wasn't interested. He thanked us, but told us he had nowhere to keep books, and that with his library card he checked out one at a time and that was all he could carry. The man also had a small C.V.T.C. pack and told us that he was taking a special manufacturing course at the tech school. He liked the course, and was making arrangements to enter a program in either manufacturing mechanics or welding. It sounded like the program would try to get him hooked up with an employer while he received his more advanced training. He wasn't sure which field he would end up in, but he was happy with either one and was glad that he was on a path that would get him out of the shelter and into a more stable life. He was aware it would take time and work but was very determined and hopeful. We don't encounter good news stories like this man's that often, so he cheered us up. Please keep him, and all the others on the street, in your prayers.
I'm guessing that we helped about 25 people tonight, and there were about that many waiting to get into the shelter at opening time, with more approaching the shelter. We left a few minutes after seven.
Please pray for, and care for, the poor.
George
Tonight it was just Mike and I out there, and, since I didn't arrive at our usual spot in the municipal parking lot until a few minutes after six, Mike was by himself for the first part of the night. Fortunately, it was right after the first part of the month. We usually see fewer visitors then since those who receive monthly checks often find lodging away from the shelter. The word going around was that a few days ago the shelter had had a record number of residents, and we were glad that wasn't happening today.
We had a steady stream of visitors to the van. To most we handed out food, hand warmers, bottled water, and juice pouches. We also gave out several pairs of gloves and at least one hat. One woman asked for white T-shirts, but unfortunately we didn't have any in her size. A man asked for a new backpack, which we didn't have either, but we did give him a nice large tote bag. People tended to come in groups tonight, and then left as groups after we handed out the food bags, so I didn't talk to many at length. A few did comment on what a nice night it was (it was in the low 20s) and also expressed gratitude that there was no wind.
Our conversation with one man, however, was worth noting. We was carrying a Stephen King novel from the library. We told him we had a few paperbacks, and we thought one was a Stephen King book, but he wasn't interested. He thanked us, but told us he had nowhere to keep books, and that with his library card he checked out one at a time and that was all he could carry. The man also had a small C.V.T.C. pack and told us that he was taking a special manufacturing course at the tech school. He liked the course, and was making arrangements to enter a program in either manufacturing mechanics or welding. It sounded like the program would try to get him hooked up with an employer while he received his more advanced training. He wasn't sure which field he would end up in, but he was happy with either one and was glad that he was on a path that would get him out of the shelter and into a more stable life. He was aware it would take time and work but was very determined and hopeful. We don't encounter good news stories like this man's that often, so he cheered us up. Please keep him, and all the others on the street, in your prayers.
I'm guessing that we helped about 25 people tonight, and there were about that many waiting to get into the shelter at opening time, with more approaching the shelter. We left a few minutes after seven.
Please pray for, and care for, the poor.
George