Thursday, November 17, 2005
Karoline Blog 2 - Hate to Leave
I am taking a short break after cleaning up the pots and pans - I have about 10 minutes before "sandwich patrol". Bergen and Olga are out back in the food distribution line. Daily we run out of food, and daily the Lord provides. I went outside to observe for a few minutes. People drive up, and volunteers take their "order". We have pre-packed boxes of food that will last 3-4 days, depending on the size of the family. These are set up on pallets in the rear of the church. Olga and Bergen will run in to get "special order" items, such as baby food, clothing, hygiene products, etc. We have buckets filled with cleaning products. Supplies are low. People are living in tents in "Tent City" or a lucky few have the FEMA trailers, which they are now trying to move back on property owners' land. I feel guilty sleeping in a nice warm house when these families are in a tent and it's in the 40's or maybe even 30's at night now.
I'm sure the check Pastor gave the church for purchasing supplies has probably already been spent. Volunteers went out last night to Walmart until 11 p.m. purchasing peanut butter, tuna fish, ramen noodles, etc. since we ran out of food to give out yesterday afternoon. A pickup truck of food arrived this morning.
There is a homeless woman...I think her name is Diana.... who comes in every day. She wants to help. Yesterday she was vacuuming, and then she helped in the food distribution line. She doesn't want anything for herself. Just to help others. Ironically, she is probably one of the only people living here who didn't lose anything - she didn't have anything to begin with. But she shows up here and offers her assistance.
In the kitchen, we have meals planned out maybe 36 hours ahead of time. We don't know what food we will have beyond that time. We have to pick through the bread for the sandwiches, because some of it has been moldy. Last night we ran out of fresh vegetables, and I was thinking about running over to Walmart this afternoon to buy fresh salad. Bob, our cook came in a few minutes ago with about 15 bags of salad - a local restaurant manager or owner donated it, saying that he wouldn't be able to use it before it went bad. God always provides. Bob jokes that we don't serve "real" food. The scrambled eggs come in a 10 lb. bag or a 10 lb. can...the french toast just needs to be heated...I think we have been having good meals and grateful volunteers. I'm thankful to have anything to eat when so many have so little.
Time for sandwich patrol. Will write more before we leave tonight, if there is time. We are leaving after the supper hour. I really hate to miss prayer meeting tonight, but want to drive for a few hours before sleeping. The morning and evening prayer hours have been very meaningful, with people sharing stories and experiences they've had that day. Many people are leaving today, and many more will arrive. Pastor Mike has left with Pastor Mark from Lacrosse, WI to make calls on parishioners. I wanted to wish him a good day, but somehow that seemed a very trite thing to say. After he left, I thought I should have wished him a blessed day...because that's how I feel, spiritually blessed and filled at each and every new corner I turn here at Christus Victor. I know he will have a blessed day. We are making a difference here. Thank you for your prayers.
Karoline
I'm sure the check Pastor gave the church for purchasing supplies has probably already been spent. Volunteers went out last night to Walmart until 11 p.m. purchasing peanut butter, tuna fish, ramen noodles, etc. since we ran out of food to give out yesterday afternoon. A pickup truck of food arrived this morning.
There is a homeless woman...I think her name is Diana.... who comes in every day. She wants to help. Yesterday she was vacuuming, and then she helped in the food distribution line. She doesn't want anything for herself. Just to help others. Ironically, she is probably one of the only people living here who didn't lose anything - she didn't have anything to begin with. But she shows up here and offers her assistance.
In the kitchen, we have meals planned out maybe 36 hours ahead of time. We don't know what food we will have beyond that time. We have to pick through the bread for the sandwiches, because some of it has been moldy. Last night we ran out of fresh vegetables, and I was thinking about running over to Walmart this afternoon to buy fresh salad. Bob, our cook came in a few minutes ago with about 15 bags of salad - a local restaurant manager or owner donated it, saying that he wouldn't be able to use it before it went bad. God always provides. Bob jokes that we don't serve "real" food. The scrambled eggs come in a 10 lb. bag or a 10 lb. can...the french toast just needs to be heated...I think we have been having good meals and grateful volunteers. I'm thankful to have anything to eat when so many have so little.
Time for sandwich patrol. Will write more before we leave tonight, if there is time. We are leaving after the supper hour. I really hate to miss prayer meeting tonight, but want to drive for a few hours before sleeping. The morning and evening prayer hours have been very meaningful, with people sharing stories and experiences they've had that day. Many people are leaving today, and many more will arrive. Pastor Mike has left with Pastor Mark from Lacrosse, WI to make calls on parishioners. I wanted to wish him a good day, but somehow that seemed a very trite thing to say. After he left, I thought I should have wished him a blessed day...because that's how I feel, spiritually blessed and filled at each and every new corner I turn here at Christus Victor. I know he will have a blessed day. We are making a difference here. Thank you for your prayers.
Karoline
# posted by Pastor Mike @ 2:54 PM 
