The Word from the Streets - October 30, 2002

The weather was gorgeous today. In the words of Ganesh Giri "If I was a kid in school...this is the type of day I'd play hooky" This amazing day brought many people out to our first stop, Peachtree and Pine. There were a lot of happy faces coming through the food line. Towards the end though there was a bit of a frenzy to get a lunch. At one point I over heard one of the men saying to the others, "Take it easy you guys there are some nice little kids up there handing out lunches". There are so many of the guys that treat us with so much kindness and appreciation. We feel so comfortable being with them. Everyone is someone and everyone deserves love and kindness. Cookie, one of Jersey's friends, told us that Jersey was in jail. We don't know the details, but pray for his safety. We met a new man named Bobby. He was full of himself, quite a character. He spent a good amount of time talking with Melissa.

It was another slow day at Renaissance Park. One of the new guys was Alfonzo. He told us that his whole family was staying at the shelter and he needed some lunches. He was at Peachtree and Pine and had missed out in the lunch line, so he ran the whole way to Renaissance Park to catch us. He said he's just gotten a new job dishwashing and needs some size 32 pants and a warm coat. He only had some shorts. While we were there, a woman told us that there was another small park around the corner and there were some hungry folks there. After finishing at Renaissance , we went over to Cental Park..the new park. There were only about ten people there. I believe that we're going to try to include this park on our rounds.

When 'Big Red' rounded the corner onto Auburn Ave, we were in awe...IT WAS ALL PAVED...AND SMOOTH!!! What a treat! We do wonder though..."Will it last?"
There was lots of activity at Woodruff Park. There was a group handing out soup at one end of the park. Julia was at the top of the stairs with arms wide open to greet us. David was there at her side full of smiles for us. They both asked me when was I going to see Ma again. I don't know why they asked, but it was cute. I told them that Melissa and Kristina were heading down next month. Then they told us that they're from Florida and maybe we all can do a road trip!!! Our Kevin, AKA security man to the stars, needs our prayers once again. His security job was a temporary one, so he's looking for work again. He wasn't able to keep his apartment. He is though able to stay at a housing facility for eight dollors a day. He told us that he had missed us and was so happy to see us again. As we were hanging out talking to everyone it occurred to us that these people are becoming so much like family. There is such joy spending time with our new family. We love these folks so much.
David and Julia need some blank journals. David has always been an avid writer, and now Julia is joining in.

Thank you Neem Karoli Baba
Thank you Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati

We are so blessed to serve...

Namaste

Sadhu