The Word from the Streets - November 13, 2002

Namaste

What a glorious day to be alive, and to serve. We were blessed with the presence of our beloved Jaya Devi today. The joy she brings is not only apparent to us, but to the people we serve on the streets. There was quite a large crowd hanging out at Peachtree and Pine, waiting for us and enjoying the nice weather. As we pull "Big Red " into park, we scan the crowd trying to spot our regulars. There is such excitement when we see those smiling faces there to greet us. These characters have become family to us and we love them. We've instilled the numbering system again since there are many more folks to feed. Melissa had a blast getting to know #53 today! They cut up together about being a number...Anyway his name is Carl and Melissa escorted him up to get his lunch...introducing him all of the way up to the front of the line. Great news to share. Bernard searched out Ganesh Giri to say hello and to tell him that his job at St. Lukes is still going great. He is forever grateful for our prayers and love. There's still no sign of Mitch. Our prayers go out to him, we're hoping that he is safe. Kevin is in need of some prayers as well. He hopes to have an interview next week for a job. Also, at times when he's low, he'll do drugs. This upsets him and he doesn't want to do it anymore. We offered some advice telling him to pause and to really ask himself "What am I trying to escape?" We then told him that we'll be sitting on his shoulder like little birds. This made him laugh at the thought of having conversations with "his birds."

Our Homer today was so chatty. After our group left him, I noticed Kristina and Melissa getting in some "Homer-time".Those two really got him going. It all started off with Homer asking Melissa about her peace-sign button. This then opened up to conversations about tie-dye shirts, Hippies and streaking. Oh those sixties...

At the top of the stairs at Woodruff park was a smiley, Santa-type man dressed in orange to greet us. "God bless you all " were his words for us. Today, I was aware that when we all get to Woodruff, we seem to scatter and move like a well choreographed dance. We pull up to the park, and the dance begins. The line forms with such precision. We jump out with the bags of lunches and line them up. One person distributes, others keep that person wellstocked. Around this group, others are there to greet and hug our guys. I drift down the line handing out books and take the random requests for specific type of books. Melissa and Kristina are usually engaged in deep talks with the "Urban Sadhu" or meeting new people. Some days it moves too fast. It seems like we always want a little more time out there. David pulled out his journal and had more people add their names to his 'Heaven' list.

We leave after an abundance of hugs and waves. There is such grace in serving.

Serving in the name of Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati

Namaste,
Sadhu