There was a big crowd of homeless loitering outside Triune when we arrived. There is no way to predict how many people will show up each week. Some say at the end of the month there are more because their monthly disability checks will be long gone for food. Others make their predictions on the weather or time of the year. But I have found that over the last 6 years that the numbers are totally unpredictable. So prayer is our preparation each week.
The final count of meals served this week was 75 with the assistance of 14 volunteers. Fortunately, we had enough help in the kitchen which included our regulars, students from North Greenville University and the Evangelical Institute, and employees from General Electric.
Whenever you get this many people together there can be problems and tonight was no different. When we opened the door after arriving, the homeless always flood in through the door looking for immediate refreshment and comfort from the weather. But one gentleman was so weak he could not move. He said he was released from the hospital for cardiac arrest and had not eaten for two days. He just did not have the strength to move. Of course he had no insurance so he said the hospital released him quickly. However, we called EMS and he was headed back to the hospital. They might as well have kept him until he had fully recuperated. Another incident later in the evening resulted from one individual who was very angry and rude to the volunteers. This is very unusual but from experience we knew this individual was on his way to some type of confrontation. He refused to calm down so we had to call 911 for some assistance. We don't do this lightly but it can be necessary to maintain order.
Later in the evening I had an opportunity to talk with CJ. I had seen him before but never had an opportunity to talk with him. He is homeless but he has a different attitude than most. Many spent most of any conversation either complaining or asking for something. But CJ and I just had a good conversation outside leaning against the iron railing watching the cars go by. We laughed about different things and just talked about life in general as if we were old friends. Ultimately, I shared God's love for CJ and how he could have a personal relationship with Him. I did this not out of obligation but as a friend concerned about another friend. I thought that it seemed the natural thing to do when you care about someone.
~Marc
The final count of meals served this week was 75 with the assistance of 14 volunteers. Fortunately, we had enough help in the kitchen which included our regulars, students from North Greenville University and the Evangelical Institute, and employees from General Electric.
Whenever you get this many people together there can be problems and tonight was no different. When we opened the door after arriving, the homeless always flood in through the door looking for immediate refreshment and comfort from the weather. But one gentleman was so weak he could not move. He said he was released from the hospital for cardiac arrest and had not eaten for two days. He just did not have the strength to move. Of course he had no insurance so he said the hospital released him quickly. However, we called EMS and he was headed back to the hospital. They might as well have kept him until he had fully recuperated. Another incident later in the evening resulted from one individual who was very angry and rude to the volunteers. This is very unusual but from experience we knew this individual was on his way to some type of confrontation. He refused to calm down so we had to call 911 for some assistance. We don't do this lightly but it can be necessary to maintain order.
Later in the evening I had an opportunity to talk with CJ. I had seen him before but never had an opportunity to talk with him. He is homeless but he has a different attitude than most. Many spent most of any conversation either complaining or asking for something. But CJ and I just had a good conversation outside leaning against the iron railing watching the cars go by. We laughed about different things and just talked about life in general as if we were old friends. Ultimately, I shared God's love for CJ and how he could have a personal relationship with Him. I did this not out of obligation but as a friend concerned about another friend. I thought that it seemed the natural thing to do when you care about someone.
~Marc
