I am leaving my comfort zone. I see them walk by every day. They look amazingly haggard and a bit intimidating and scary. But this week I have been getting out from behind my desk, walking out onto the sidewalk and calling them back to speak with me.
They are the down and outers of Peachland. There are probably about 20 regulars who hang out on Beach Avenue right in front of my office. Some days they can barely walk and their smell drifts in my open door. Some days they look so bad that I actually lock my door when I am in the office alone. But for the most part, they are pretty harmless, just wandering around picking up empty bottles, buying cigarettes, lottery tickets and booze. They have a real camaraderie with each other. They will sit on the bench in front of my office and visit for hours.
About a week or so ago, I was trying to think of what to do for Thanksgiving. I didn't want our family to spend it alone, but I just wasn't sure who to invite over or what to do. An idea came to me to prepare a turkey and make up tv dinners and take them to the down-and-outers. I suggested it to Kevin, who loved the idea, and well, needless to say, it has taken on a life of it's own! We now have about 5 families interested in helping. We had 3 turkeys donated. The church put up some money to buy more supplies. We are spending Sunday before church making pumpkin pies (from scratch!) and then after church preparing the rest of the dinner to serve whoever comes from 4-6 on Sunday afternoon. Wow... the response from people has been unbelievable!
So this week I made up some bright orange invitations announcing a free turkey dinner at the community centre and I have been watching for the regulars in front of my office and running out to invite them as they pass. Their response has also been unbelievable! It brings a smile to their haggard face and a spring to their belabored step. On Sunday, if they don't come to us, Kevin and a couple of the other men will go find them and bring them to the dinner.
We are so excited. It is so fun to bless those who just need some love!
They are the down and outers of Peachland. There are probably about 20 regulars who hang out on Beach Avenue right in front of my office. Some days they can barely walk and their smell drifts in my open door. Some days they look so bad that I actually lock my door when I am in the office alone. But for the most part, they are pretty harmless, just wandering around picking up empty bottles, buying cigarettes, lottery tickets and booze. They have a real camaraderie with each other. They will sit on the bench in front of my office and visit for hours.
About a week or so ago, I was trying to think of what to do for Thanksgiving. I didn't want our family to spend it alone, but I just wasn't sure who to invite over or what to do. An idea came to me to prepare a turkey and make up tv dinners and take them to the down-and-outers. I suggested it to Kevin, who loved the idea, and well, needless to say, it has taken on a life of it's own! We now have about 5 families interested in helping. We had 3 turkeys donated. The church put up some money to buy more supplies. We are spending Sunday before church making pumpkin pies (from scratch!) and then after church preparing the rest of the dinner to serve whoever comes from 4-6 on Sunday afternoon. Wow... the response from people has been unbelievable!
So this week I made up some bright orange invitations announcing a free turkey dinner at the community centre and I have been watching for the regulars in front of my office and running out to invite them as they pass. Their response has also been unbelievable! It brings a smile to their haggard face and a spring to their belabored step. On Sunday, if they don't come to us, Kevin and a couple of the other men will go find them and bring them to the dinner.
We are so excited. It is so fun to bless those who just need some love!
Comments
I love it! church being the church it should be!