RECIPE

I was telling someone not to long ago that some of the best meals I have made at the soup kitchen were accidents, or if you will "mistakes." That's right that "to die for" blueberry cake was a mistake, not really a mistake, but a change in the recipe. I read the recipe, but in the scurry of getting it together to put in the oven I made mistakes, or changes were made.  Of course those mistakes/changes have translated into great tasting blueberry cake or Salisbury Steak, or whatever.
I felt that way this morning.  I got up planned to go to the Mission to pitch in.  I was feeling good after a day or so of feeling tired and worn.  I had gone to Chef P's soup kitchen,  which was an amazing experience.  God gave me the day before off to rest.
Anyway, I got up feeling refreshed and planned to go to the Mission.
I got dressed and headed down the 2 flights of stairs and out the door of the convent. Per usual, I walked down 20th st to 9th avenue to 23rd and 8th ave. to pick up the subway to Canal St station.  The train made the usual stops 14th and then 4th.  I felt that prompting to get off at 4th St station.  I didn't know why,  but I listened and followed.  Yes, I still had a plan, but the recipe changed.  As I walked through the tunnel, that echoing tunnel where Kenny (from last trip) had belted out beautiful music from his baritone voice gifted by God.  I didn't know why I was going that way.  I just kept walking.  I climbed the stairs and at the top was Raul. A very clean cut military looking man.  He was a marine.  He had a sign.  He had a bucket. He had a message.
As I had before with the others, I said, "Hi my name is Sue.  What's yours?" I stuck my hand to out to shake his hand.  He grabbed it, and happily shook.  I began asking the questions.  His name is Raul.  He is a Veteran who is in temporary housing, because he can't get what he needs from his government whom he selflessly volunteered to fight for our freedom. He is unable to find a job and therefore unable to get permanent housing.  He said he is very humbled that he is asking citizens for help.  I I asked him how many stop by to meet you and get your story?   He lowered his head and said, "not many.  "It's discouraging.  But it's the only thing I can do right now, while I wait."  I had a gift card to D&D.  So I gave it to him.  He was blown away by that simple act.  ""Wow!  I was just thinking how a good cup of coffee would taste right now."  He asked to give me a hug.  Of course,  I accepted.   I threw some money in the bucket as well.  We talked about his relationship with the Lord.  Yes, he too has faith in our God.  I encouraged him to not give up and to continue his faith in God.  I said I would pray for him, shook his hand and I walked on.   As I walked away, I heard Raul's voice yelling, "Thank You Sue," from where I had come from.  I smiled and continued to walk.

I walked down the street a bit and ran into Patrick who was sitting on the sidewalk against the building, with his sign.  He didn't look like Raul, but had the same message, with the exception that he was homeless.  Another Veteran on the streets, looking for help.  I know some judge my methods, but I am not called to judge them.   My calling is to give encouragement, to get their names and stories. 

Of course, I gave Patrick a D&D card and went on my way.  As I started up the street, I realized I was heading in the opposite direction from the Mission (I know, nothing new for me.).

The recipe for the day had been changed from it's origin to an "out of this world" gourmet treat.

I promised Raul that I would share his story.  I thought Veteran's Day an appropriate time.

50 Cards-1st Group

Rodney – Card given by M.H. –5/16/2014Chelsea district I had seen Rodney as I walked through the streets of the Chelsea District where I was staying. He wouldn’t talk to me, because he said he was too busy working (collecting bottles.) I was out for a refreshing walk after being on a hot, non-air conditioned bus. I had been drenched in sweat, so I was out airing out. I apologized for disturbing him, and moved on. It began to rain, so I made my way back to the convent. There was a section of sidewalk that had staging on it, which provided a place to get out of the rain. So I ducked in out of the rain, and to my surprise Rodney was there. I smiled as I approached him. He kind of chuckled. I said it seems that we are destined to talk. He agreed to speak with me. He’s been on the streets for 3 and a half years, by choice. He reiterated that point to me. Being homeless was his choice. When asked what brought him to that he replied, “Arrogance.” He said he mostly hangs out in Brooklyn Queens area, but was in Manhattan for a bit. He said he was raised baptist, but converted is Islam. I presented him the D&D card, and told him who it was from he said, “Please thank her for me.” I said I would.

Derek Mack – Card given by M.H.-5/17/2014 W23rd & 8th Avenue See the blog.

Kevin –Card given by M.H.- 5/17/2014Greenwich Village When I approached him he was sitting on the side of the sidewalk bent over. All his possessions were opposite him, so he could see them. Kevin has been homeless all his life. Faith-He claimed he had none. I replied, “No one has ever told you about Jesus?” He said, “No.) So I took the opportunity, in a very simple way. He didn’t want to pray with me.

Holly – Card given by C.C. -5/18/2014Greenwich Village Holly’s from long Island visibly mentally ill. She seemed very confused. Says she’s been homeless a short time. Can go stay with her brother occasionally. She got kicked out of her apartment.

Michele’ (sounds like Mitchell with an accent) – Card given by P.W. -5/18/2014 White Street He speaks with a heavy accent. He’s from Cuba. He is homeless due to lost immigration papers. He is staying at the mission. (When I say that they are staying at the Mission, it means they are on the street during the day and come in at night for the evening meal and sleep at the Mission.) He said NYCRM is helping him to get his papers needed to be able to get a job. He has faith in Christ. We had a very long conversation about how hard it is to stay on the straight and narrow. He was very sincere in saying that he struggles. He asked for specific prayer to turn when confronted with drugs or criminal activity. I encouraged him to continue in the faith, not to give up. I also told him that I would have my friends pray for him as well. I saw Michele’ almost every day while I was in NYC. He was very happy to receive the gift card. He said, “Thank her for me.”

Jerry –Card given by M.H.-5/18/2014 NYCRM Jerry is a resident at the NYCRM. He is nearing the end of the program. He was very cordial and respectful. He is trying to find a cooking job now that he is at the end of the program. He told me about the leads he had. He said he had an interview the next day. I encouraged him to hang in there. I said I would pray for him, ad have my friends pray for him too. He was very thankful for the card and prayer. Every time i saw him after that, he would remind me about his interview or tell me about another opportunity that he had. He was very thankful for the D&D card.




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Caesar – Card given by M.H.-5/18/2014 NYCRM Guest

I was getting ready to leave the Mission for the night.  We had served nearly everyone.  Caesar was one of the stragglers.  He recognized me as I walked across the dining room.  He said, “Isn’t this you?” while he held up the Mission’s newsletter.  I affirmed his suspicions.  He wanted to talk to me about Maine. He, jokingly, made the remark that Maine was next to Greenland.  He had a good laugh.  So I sat and talked for a while.  Caesar is not homeless.  He is working on his PHD in Mathematics.  He has had quite a colorful life.  He comes to the Mission to be with the homeless.  He is trying to get his friends to come too, but they refuse.  They don’t want to see it.  He has no faith.  We talked quite a bit about God and faith.  I told him what I believe.  It was a very give and take conversation.  There was a lot of respect, and agreeing to disagree.  I saw Caesar almost every night.

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Raymond – Card given by M.H. – 5/18/2014 near Greenwich Village.

As I began to pass by (I didn’t view him as homeless.) Raymond, he pointed across the street to the Chinese Restaurant.  He wanted me to take him there to eat.  I asked if he was homeless.  He said, “No, I just don’t have enough to eat after I pay the rent.”  He had a speech impediment, which made it very difficult to understand him.  He was a little disappointed that I wouldn’t take him to the Chinese Restaurant, but happy to receive the card.

Salvador – Card given by L.O. – 5/18/2014 Lafayette Street near the Mission.

He had very broken English.  Salvador’s wife died 10 years ago.  His children have all passed as well.  He has no family.  He has no way to pay the rent on an apartment.  He hangs out by the Mission, waiting for the next thing.  He has faith in God.  He has a beautiful smile, which is reflected in his picture.

Dora –Card given by M.H. – 5/18/2014

Dora was very confused at times.  She said she wasn’t homeless, but depends on others to help feed her.  I had to direct her to where the D&D is.  She was thankful for the card.

Dwight –Card given by L.W. W145th Street Harlem -5/19/2014

I found Dwight sitting on a bench in Harlem, when I was looking for Cookie and Anthony.  He’s been homeless about 5 months.  He lost his job, couldn’t keep up with the rent and subsequently was kicked out of his apartment.  I noticed that he had a quiet contemplative demeanor.

He was very thankful for the gift card.

 

Derek - Card given by L.W. -New York City Rescue Mission 5/19/2014

Derek is a resident at the New York City Rescue Mission.   He has only been there a short time, less than a month.

He lost his job and home due to drugs.  He is a believer. He knows that nothing is by coincidence.  He is at the Mission for a reason.

It brightened his day to get the gift card.  As soon as he gets a pass he will enjoy it.

 

Ernesto – Card given by S.M. -Lafayette Street near Starbucks 5/19/2014

He’s been homeless since 2008. He stays regularly at the NYCRM.  He has faith in God & the Holy Spirit.  He said, “That’s what keeps me going.”  He wound up at the Mission due to a decision.  He isn’t into drugs.  He just made some bad decisions.

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Andre’ – Card given by M.H. – Lafayette Street & Walker 5/19/2014

Andre was in the street approaching cars to sell a gold crucifix.  He had that look of desperation with tears running down his face.   When asked if he had faith, he replied an unwavering, “Yes!  Faith in God!

Andre’s has been homeless for 10 years.

I encouraged him not to give up, to continue hanging on.  He said he would, but it was very difficult.

I gave him the D&D card, told him who it was from.  He said, “Please tell her thank you!”  He began walking away from me.  “I’m going to use it right now!” 

Carl –Card given by M.H. – W4th Street Subway.

I met Carl on the subway coming back from W145th Street looking for Cookie and Anthony.  I had got off another train to connect with this train.  He was very loud talking about his own version of history. The people around him were repelled by him.  One lady got up and moved to another section of the subway car.  I was intrigued.  I just listened and laughed to myself. 

I wasn’t supposed to get off until the Canal Street stop.  He got off at the W4th Street stop.  So I followed him when he got off the subway car.   (Yes, it might be considered stalking.)  At the platform, I said, “Excuse me are you homeless.  “Since 1985!”, was his reply.  He was guarded in talking to me, but softened as I asked the questions.  He reminded me of Santa Claus, Big guy, red cheeks, jolly, old laugh.  He was taken back that I was so forward and bold, chasing him down and asking the questions, and wanting to know his name, and about his life.   He has faith in God.  He was very thankful to receive his card.

Frederick – Card given by C.C. –Canal Street Subway 5/19/2014

Frederick has been homeless for quite some time.  He said he was African American, which was quite evident to me.  Where I encountered him made me ask the question how the homeless get into the subway (It is expensive to ride the subway.)   Frederick said he gets subway rides when police have mercy.  He was brought up Baptist and holds to that faith.  He was very thankful for the card.

 

Nick –Card given by M.H. -23^rd & 8^th Ave subway Downtown side 5/20/2014

See the blog

Kelvin- Card given by L.O.  –23^rd & 8^th Ave subway Uptown side 5/20/2014

See the blog.