| November 6, 2004 Today was our 1st Sunday of our Potato Ministry. We started the day by getting up early and washing up 5 pounds of potatoes, and putting them in the oven to cook. We had planned to be down at the recycling depot at 10:00 a.m. At 9:30 we discovered that the oven was not on and our plan of getting there early was not to be. We micro waved the potatoes and put them back in the oven at 400F to speed up the crisping. After buttering, salting and wrapping the potatoes we put them in our insulated bag and headed out the door with the potatoes, hot chocolate (in a vacuum pump thermos), Styrofoam cups and Gospels of John. We arrived at the depot at 11:00a.m. The first man we met was "Shades". We asked him if he would like a free hot baked potato. He said sure since he probably would make it back up to 24th street in time. We gave him 3 baked potatoes and introduced ourselves. He seemed a little bit uneasy so we let him go, with his cart to bring his recyclables to be weighed. When "Shades" came back out of the depot he sat down on an old plastic milk carton and ate his potato. I went over, squatted down and began to take to him, offering him a cup of hot chocolate. I said what did you say your name was I didn't he said. Well what can I call you? People call me "Shades" Please to meet you "Shades" and I shook his hand. Actually my name is "David" but no one knows that and I would like to keep it that way. Ok, I said, what would you like me to call you David or Shades? Shades. I handed "Shades" a Gospel and ask him if he would like to read it. He said, so what you just drive around and give people potatoes? No I said, I'm just here to tell you about Jesus, the potatoes are just something we bring along. We spoke a little longer and he was off on his way, pushing his cart down Barclay St. The next man to come along was a truck driver that worked for the depot. He stopped in front of us and I jump up on the running board, opened the door and offered him a potato. No, it will spoil my dinner he said. How about a Gospel of John, the time will pass faster for you is you have something to read. No thanks; I don't even read my own Bible. Well, God bless you anyway. I jumped down and he went on his way. We met one more man pushing a cart that day, but he wanted to be on his way, didn't want a potato, I said let me at least give you this. It's a Gospel of John. I'll check it out he said and put it in his cart. At noon, the depot closed and we packed up. I decided to drive up to 24th St to see where the shelter was. We go about 3 blocks up and I saw Brian pushing his cart. I pulled over, got out and walked over and offered him some potatoes. He said sure. I offered him a Gospel and he said sure I know about this stuff I was brought up in the Catholic schools. He was shouting at his friend that was walking up the street. He said he was looking for some water to take some Vicadin. He's all banged up. I'm going to Bando's, he knows where I going, I'm going ahead. Well that ended our first trip to the depot. Stopping for the one. It was such a blessing to meet Shades and Brian. My prayers are with them that they stay warm and that they read about and are touched by Jesus. |