This week was full of work. Close to 49 hours at the office. To top it off this was the week to review the proofs of the Hero Quest book. This pushed me and made me stronger in many ways. However, it did put me behind some of the goals that I set for each week.
My book for the week was Credibility. This book basically confirms the fact that if a leader has no credibility he is nothing and will not lead for long. I long to be a credible leader in all situations. Next week I have a great speaking engagement on Conflict Resolution. This is fairly exciting.
“That looks like Maddy’s toothbrush.I was wondering where it went.We already got a new one, thanks anyway.”
Carefully, John put the sink back together.“So where is your kids’ dad now?”
“About four months ago, Maddy started wetting the bed.It came on kind of suddenly.I was already miserable carrying around this baby, so lugging the sheets to the laundry mat nearly every day was exhausting.After it went on for a couple of months she became emotional and really out of control.One day she would eat like a horse and the next she would refuse to eat.I never know which little girl I would see in the morning, an angry girl or a weepy girl and I rarely got to see my happy daughter.Tyler didn’t want me to, but I found a counselor that would listen to us for free and it came out that Tyler was abusing her.I thought that I was going to kill him.He denied it, but something in me told me that it was true.That’s when we took off and came here.He still doesn’t know where to find us.I’m afraid that some day he will follow her bus home from school.”
John finished his work on the pipe and ran the water to make sure that the clog was indeed fixed.He watched it for a few moments, seeing no leaks, and the drain running smoothlyas he packed up his gear.“I don’t blame you for being afraid.But I can tell you this.Even if he figures out where you are, I know that God will protect you here.”The woman smiled.John walked past her.“I’ll be praying for your safety.”He stepped out into the sunlight and took a deep breath of fresh cold air.After crossing the parking lot he opened the lid to the dumpster and emptied the contents of the bucket.John just shook his head at the junk this world could produce.
Just a few blocks away from the Shelter, Sarah sat on the floor of a turn-of-the- century house.Clothing, food scraps, cigarette butts and papers were everywhere.The sound of cars racing by on the interstate meant that the television was turned up to decibel levels only found in nursing homes.Many years ago, the landlord had given up fixing the house since the State had been planning on claiming imminent domain and tearing down the house for the freeway expansion.On any given night about fifteen adults and seven children could be living in this dump.In the back room, a young would- be scientist worked on his latest brew of methamphetamines.
Sarah lit a cigarette and yawned loudly.Her hands were trembling but she could not tell at this point if it was her emotions or the drug use.In short order she had smoked three cigarettes and then looked around the room.“Who is that guy sleeping in the hallway?”
A scratchy voice from the lump on the couch answered her, “That’s my new boyfriend.I met him on the bus this morning.He said he wanted to marry me.I brought him here to meet my friends but you’re the only one that’s awake.”
“What time is it?”
“It’s only about .”The voice broke out into racking coughs.
“Where are my kids?” Sarah wondered aloud. She hadn’t heard Michelle, Susie or Little Anton around lately.
The whole conversation had a dreamy sort of tone as if none of it was really happening.Anyone watching the scene would have felt like they were watching a movie in slow motion.
Suddenly sunlight burst into the room and a menacing figure appeared and quickly shut and locked the door behind him.“What are you people doing in my house?”The two ladies sat up a bit and looked at the figure, trying to make out what they were seeing.Sarah’s face was filled with questions but none of them were spoken out loud.The figure stepped over a mound of debris and flipped on a light, exposing complete squalor.Light battled the gloom and revealed food wrappers, the floor obscured by rumpled clothing and other unidentifiable heaps. A listless curtain, torn and frayed, hung desperately from a crooked rod. The battered furniture was better suited for the dump, heaped ashtrays, sat nearby and spilled onto dirty dishes. Both women complained bitterly, not because of the housekeeping, but because of the light.They were not the only ones affected by the light, many people roused and moved from their burrows.
“Hey, Mike,” smiled a clean-cut looking man of nearly thirty as he threw Mike a beer.
Monday May 14:One of our guests moved out and on her way started bragging about the fact that she was going to go out using.This upset many of our guests who have been working at staying clean.
Tuesday May 15:Some of our phase II guests (5 pm-8am) were getting too comfortable.One refused to participate in shelter events and others refused to do the morning clean up.Those that are in rebellion now only have overflow (10pm-6 am) as an option.The rebellion has ended.One of our guests learned today that she is 6 months pregnant.This was shocking news and she is still processing.
Wednesday May 16:Quiet day.
Thursday May 17:One of our guests stated that she disagrees with the doctrine of the modules and small groups so would not be doing them.We let her know that Hope House has no such requirements so she went there on Friday.The building went into rebellion because I took the day off.2 washers went down, the computers went down and assorted tvs went down.It all came back up on Friday when I returned.One of our guests got a place and moved in and then decided around 11 pm that the place she just moved into was not safe.She has shown a pattern of this so we let her back into her room for Thursday night and then offered her overflow for the next week.
Friday May 18:The Friday small group is really growing and becoming popular.As a result the group going to MountSpokane is getting smaller.One of our guests made threatening remarks to guests (she is very sweet to staff) so she was moved to overflow.
Weekend:The Christian Motorcycle Association put on a wonderful Tea for the ladies at the shelter.Several ladies have been raving about the event and how it made them feel special.
General comments: Overall everything is running smoothly at the shelter.We have a new desk that was donated that looks incredible.Diane got it set up on Thursday and others on staff have worked to reorganize.We are starting to look very professional at the Crisis Shelter.
I feel really good about this week. Cara and I celebrated 15 years of marriage with a quiet afternoon lunch and walk through the park. I love to watch people and downtown Spokane gives you the opportunity of a lifetime. Everyone of the people walking by has a story and I enjoy thinking about what their story might be.
The book of the week was called Conflict Resolution for Dummies. This book took a bit to read but it gave me some ideas for my class that I will be teaching in June and is available to anyone who would like to get better at being a Peacemaker.
I felt good during my runs and I am feeling on top of things right now. I pray that God will use me to change the World!
