Plymouth Street Ministry Journal--Friday, January 23, 2015
I was running late again, and didn't arrive at the parking lot until a few minutes after 6. Mike was already there and hadn't had any visitors yet. It was fairly nice out--for January. The temperature was in the mid thirties with no significant wind.
Our first visitor had just been released from jail. He said he had stolen beer from a convenience store. He didn't remember it--he said he was too drunk. Mike knew him and talked to him for quite a while to make sure he was getting hooked up with his AA group again now that he was out of jail. He's a smart, likable guy with a future if he can beat his alcohol problem. While Mike was talking with him, YG showed up so I chatted with him for a bit. YG is pretty reserved so it was a quiet conversation, but he seemed to be in better spirits than usual. I gave him some food, water, and juice and he headed off somewhere warmer until shelter opening time.
Our next visitor was a man we see often. He has some legal problems and updated us about his current situation. He was frustrated--he didn't understand what was coming next. His last hearing seemed to him to be a lightning-quick procedure in which no one explained to him what was going on.
Another man, with a long history of drug problems, came by and asked us for money for a bus ticket. We had to turn him down and told him a couple other places he might try.
We then had a steady flow of people, but most came and went so quickly that they didn't say much. One older man asked for insulated boot liners, which we didn't have. We did give him two pair of thick socks, however, and he seemed quite pleased with them. We distributed gloves, scarves, and lots of food, juice and water. Our visitors seemed especially grateful and polite tonight--I received many thank-yous and God-bless-yous.
JF came by and talked for quiet some time. He has a chance to get into housing again and hopes to find out on Monday if it will pan out. JF continues to work at the thrift store and saves all he can so he can get off the street.
There were about 20 people waiting outside when the shelter opened, but quite a few more were coming down the streets and several were with us. We had handed out 26 bags of food when we decided to call it a night. As I started my car, at about ten after seven, I noticed that Mike had gotten out of the van again to help two more. Since we had also helped a few that didn't take any food, I'm guessing we helped over thirty people tonight.
Please pray for, and care for, the poor.
George
I was running late again, and didn't arrive at the parking lot until a few minutes after 6. Mike was already there and hadn't had any visitors yet. It was fairly nice out--for January. The temperature was in the mid thirties with no significant wind.
Our first visitor had just been released from jail. He said he had stolen beer from a convenience store. He didn't remember it--he said he was too drunk. Mike knew him and talked to him for quite a while to make sure he was getting hooked up with his AA group again now that he was out of jail. He's a smart, likable guy with a future if he can beat his alcohol problem. While Mike was talking with him, YG showed up so I chatted with him for a bit. YG is pretty reserved so it was a quiet conversation, but he seemed to be in better spirits than usual. I gave him some food, water, and juice and he headed off somewhere warmer until shelter opening time.
Our next visitor was a man we see often. He has some legal problems and updated us about his current situation. He was frustrated--he didn't understand what was coming next. His last hearing seemed to him to be a lightning-quick procedure in which no one explained to him what was going on.
Another man, with a long history of drug problems, came by and asked us for money for a bus ticket. We had to turn him down and told him a couple other places he might try.
We then had a steady flow of people, but most came and went so quickly that they didn't say much. One older man asked for insulated boot liners, which we didn't have. We did give him two pair of thick socks, however, and he seemed quite pleased with them. We distributed gloves, scarves, and lots of food, juice and water. Our visitors seemed especially grateful and polite tonight--I received many thank-yous and God-bless-yous.
JF came by and talked for quiet some time. He has a chance to get into housing again and hopes to find out on Monday if it will pan out. JF continues to work at the thrift store and saves all he can so he can get off the street.
There were about 20 people waiting outside when the shelter opened, but quite a few more were coming down the streets and several were with us. We had handed out 26 bags of food when we decided to call it a night. As I started my car, at about ten after seven, I noticed that Mike had gotten out of the van again to help two more. Since we had also helped a few that didn't take any food, I'm guessing we helped over thirty people tonight.
Please pray for, and care for, the poor.
George