Change of Clothes

What do you do when your clothes are dirty? He is a black man who looks like he just stepped out of a time machine from the sixties. He has a large afro with an equally large and long beard. I saw him many times in college either debating politics or demonstrating against the establishment. It was not actually him but maybe a clone that could have ended up on the street and never changed or probably more likely would have ended up in suburbia with a wife and nice clean children. But that was not him.

I would like to take his picture but he does’t want me to. So I don’t. I know his pant and shirt size by heart because every week he wants a change of clothes. Washing is out of the question on the street but changing into clean clothes works. Usually he asks for a hygiene kit which is not always available. Last week we looked around and did find some deodorant, hand lotion which had good smell, toothbrush and toothpaste. He was set for another week. He is not the only one who comes in each week asking for clothes, but he is the most consistent. He does not come for the preaching or the food. He stays by himself and only appears when you got the goods. I wonder what kind of stories he could tell. I know he appreciates the help but he wants to be left along.

Last Tuesday we served 85 meals with the assistance of 18 volunteers. Dan preached the message which was well received by everyone. Most come for the meal but there is a core group that wants to hear the Word. That is why we are downtown. To provide not only physical but more importantly spiritual help in the lives of those who are poor in spirit.
~Marc