Mobile Loaves & Fishes Blog

Where in the World is Sam Cole??? Formerly Homeless Man's Bicycle Journey to photograph the Comet Lulin in Big Bend

As you may know Sam Cole, formerly homeless himself  (first resident of Habitat on Wheels www.mlfnow.org/HOW) and an avid photographer has embarked on a bicycle journey to Big Bend National Park from Austin to photograph a comet.  Below are emails from him and some of his photography from along the way.  You can see some of Sam's photography at his Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/8898332@N07/.

-Alan

hi alan

here is the phot of comet lulin

its not great  but to see it set your screen to least 50/50  light and contrast

most screens are above that but you will still need a farily dimly lit room

to view the comet in this photo

 

a tracking tripod like this would be needed to gain a accurate exposure of space objects

http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?CatID=16&ProdID=92
 useing ultra wide lenses   but i plan to get this when the season comes to pass

with out the star trail effect to gain evan more vivid deep details images of the night sky

and funding from next years afts art show

 

also  included is a photo from 55 miles west of delrio on the pecos river overlook

of the pecos and reogrand photo of inpact and dangers of unconrolled light pollution carelessness   i bleve we can change  and keep the lights and eliminate 90% of waisted light keep the light out of the sky and on the ground where its needed no one benafits from light polluition it effects the cycle of nature and human sleep

 

 God creted night and its darkness for a time of rest but fake light distrups that process

 

see http://www.starrynightlights.com/ for lights that dont pollute

List of photos one comet lulin

2nd Milkyway vs DelRio light pollution

3rd pecos canyon overlook at highway 90 west central texas

Where in the World is Sam Cole? Update # 3 of Formerly Homeless Man's Journey by Bicycle to Big Bend

As you may know Sam Cole, formerly homeless himself  (first resident of Habitat on Wheels www.mlfnow.org/HOW) and an avid photographer has embarked on a bicycle journey to Big Bend National Park from Austin to photograph a comet.  Below are emails from him and some of his photography from along the way.  You can see some of Sam's photography at his Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/8898332@N07/.

-Alan

Email # 2

hi alan i witnessed a crash between 2 cars going high speed one death 6 injured

and resulted in me to camp on a area of the pecos river the accident happend on the bridge

Email # 1

hi alan an update  my bike and i will make it to big bend

 

but my bike will not hold up the return trip

 

the terrain i am going though is vary rough and roads made of large stone chunks insted of smooth asphalt

thee vibrations has caused some of the compoents on the bike such as spokes on both wheelsand the wheels in my traler being chewed by the hevy grade roads

 

so i will mostlikely use my 200 next month to bailmyself out and pay brian to get me back to austin when i am wrapped up with the trips intended goal

Where the Hell is Sam Cole (part II). Formerly Homeless mans Bicycle journey to Big Bend

As you may know Sam Cole, formerly homeless himself  (first resident of Habitat on Wheels www.mlfnow.org/HOW) and an avid photographer has embarked on a bicycle journey to Big Bend National Park from Austin to photograph a comet.  Below are emails from him and some of his photography from along the way.  Yo can see some of Sam's photography at his Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/8898332@N07/.

-Alan

5th email of this series

hi alan i will need to move to stay vary still today because the forcast by Noaa  for my 50 mile trek will incude a 35mph face wind with gusts to 45 mph  

 

my travle today on 90 is northwest for 30 miles and going  into that kind of wind

would thow me off my bike or make it inpossable to go up the hills

 

so i i will take advantage of the short ness of the brake between winds to make it to anothercamp ground just 9 miles a way from my current post

 

i will need to stay still most of the day and night till the winds turn back to the south east

in abut 22 hours from now

4th email of this series

steep canon road walls   dangerus 3k bridge crossing

and milage hits 777.77

323 of that milage is of the trip itself

 

i have enuf food t get me to big bend but i and bike right now is in Good working order

but i predict it will need a fixer when i reach alpine

in 2 days or so

and

a rare find a preserved reminet of  of the Old highway 90 bridge constructed

in 1935

3rd Email in this series

i am in seminel canyon state park just 169 miles from big bend

2nd Email of this series

hi i would like to seek a few sponcers to help with my next  bike repair in Alpine texas

right now my last repair cost 45 dollars and camp fees along the way have been vary expensive and campable sites outside along the road are full of cactus and ground thorns vine like plants that hug the ground and have 3 inch long thorns  like daggers

 

i plotted sleeing in one of the many dry creeks but they had there own problem Posted no tresspassing

 

so i have been forced into camping in  controlled places

 

such as state parks and fedral parks  and by the grace one mexican woman chagred me onlly 5 dollars bless her heart

 

but seminol park charged me 18 dollars to camp

 

but they also gave me the best  view of any of the camps  set on a hill top with a 360 view of the grass and cactus prarys and a Big Gorge

 

so if somone could  sponcer me for bike maitence  and food cost

 

i have about 60 dollars left and tommorrow i plan not to camp in parks and enbrace and slect a place i wont get shot or stabbed(by thorns)

 

by this expirnece has been posative for me as my alergys and headaches are gone

no ithcy or runny eyes and nose

no fatuge accept my from riding the wind

 

so i plan to save that remaing 60 i have

and  fight dodge again tommorrow with expected 35mph winds gust to 45

1st Email of this series

hi alan  amtrek denied me the use of bike on this train saying no bike service

 

i disputed this with them and made posative agruments to allowe me

such as i would be responable for loading and unloading

 

if you can advocate this for me or least try it

go for it amen

 

as for  the wind today took a bite out of me and i wound up only gong 40 miles

and i am at seminol canyon state park

will send update photos in the evning when i can see mh computer screen a bit better

Aren't You My Brother?

This is from my good friend Judy Knotts who has been a long time MLF volunteer and serial Street Retreater.  Enjoy!

-Alan

Last night fairly late, I headed over to the ARCH/Salvation Army site with a truck full of good food left over from a reception. The men and women were so glad to see food and lined up gratefully. At one point as I was dishing out plates of still warm mini tacos, enchiladas, pizzas,  as well as cheese, crackers, fruit, vegetables, and delicious desserts, a man stopped the process and said to me, “Why are you here, why are you doing this?” I replied, “Aren’t you my brother?” He paused for a minute and then with eyes downcast quietly said, “Yes”. Two other miracle moments. Denise came up to me and asked, “Do you need some help?” “Yes I said, I surely do! My trunk lights had gone out and I still had a mound of food to dispense. I encouraged her to get a plate and she said all she wanted was some strawberries. I assured her I would save some. Toward the end of serving, a man asked for berries only. I gave him what I thought was a few, believing I still had some for kind Denise. When I finally went to serve her, what I thought were strawberries were cherry tomatoes. At night, in dim light the eyes play tricks. She was so forgiving and said, “It doesn’t matter” when it really must have. Second small miracle, a man who looked tough, but wasn’t asked if he could have a hug before he got his food. Imagine love before sustenance. You started all of this! Judy

Thursday Morning Delight

Well it was a big surprise to those who were at Wooldridge Park this Thursday morning. I was called away on an unexpected trip to Tampa Florida on Wednesday and was due to fly out on Thursday at noon. It is hard for me to get the word out to my friends on the streets of Austin, so I decided to get to the Park this morning and feed my homeless friends. Tony was near the front of the line, he smiled and said, "Hey Brian, nice to see you this morning. This is perfect because I missed breakfast at the church this morning." Mark was first in line and said, "I think this is the first time ever I have been first in line, I missed you last Saturday too." I told him to "Aim better" I needed to explain this was a play with words, for some reason I don't think he thought it was very funny. Rudy was there too, He got a radio and a watch. Rudy is such a quiet guy. He is always so polite and thankful. He has a face you could never forget too. The twins were there this morning too. They both got sandwiches and hot cocoa. Everybody knows the twins, so they too agreed to let my homeless friends know I would not be able to make it out on Saturday. I did see Wayne on my way downtown this morning. I turned around to try to get to him safely (without causing an accident) but when I got turned around, he vanished. I looked for about 5 minutes then I figured I better get moving on and hoped he would read his email. I will miss serving on Saturday but I look forward to coming back out a week from Saturday.

Where the Hell is Sam Cole??

Sam Cole is on a bike trip from Austin to Big Bend.  Sam is our first resident in our Habitat on Wheels program (www.mlfnow.org/HOW) and he is a gifted photographer.  Watch the nightly weather on KXAN with Jim Spencer and you will see some of Sam's work.  He loves to shoot storms and lightning.  Sam is on a journey to Big Bend to photograph a comet.  I am not even sure of the name of the comet.  I will post his emails to me as written by Sam and also post a few of the photos as I get them.  When I get his Flickr address I will post as well so you can see a volume of his work.  Enjoy!

-Alan

hi alan  some updated needs

 

i have run out of food cash due to my bodys needing to eat the same as 4

example i purchased and ate 8 cans of heb ravalies a day

top that with roamen noodles  and 3 pack of hot bfeast and that has killed my big bend funds meaning the trip now is croputed

 

i am alo haveing the need to a bike tuneup as not only me has beeen worn a bit

but the bike rear wheel needs to be trued

its worped from the extrem vibrations of a vary rough highway that fellt like i was riiding on pea stonesand all the cables need to be clipped and tuend up

 

i have searched the last hour for a bike shop in delrio

 

 

what would save this trip is a cash infusion of 150$

and a bike tuneup

 

i am so close to big bend i can see its Mountin range from delrio

 

what is ur phone so i can call

 

also  when i crossed the famed texas dryline

 

 

My alargys  vertuly disappeared i feel human again

being ojut of the  stagnant air of east texas

 

but along with food also i have been drinking 2.5 gallons of water each day on the rroad

this being day 3

and that is going to go up 3 gallons a day now i am west of the dryline

i have about 20 dollars left

and i am thinking about hitting the nearby statepark and camp out there for the night

 

 here are some of the photos of my doings

 

 

also the 150 dollar need will cover the 50 dollar big bend fees

and  get more food  as when i leave alpine i will be in the dark as far as food is till i reach big bend

 

also dont worry about my starving i have 2 cans of soup and some hot cerial and ramen noodels 

about a 2 normal day supply buut will easly conqure them on the road

 

my calarie consumtion looks like this  i left austin 200Lbs

 

3 days later

 

i am down to 177  and that with kieeping my gut full  i am burning more calaries then i am able to take in

 

so i figure this to be about 40k calires a day of raw burning  earlyer last year march 1

trip to lost maples state park i burned over 100K caloires and lost 60 lbs in the 10 days i tripped

$783 Billion Stimulus Plan

"Hey Brian, Can you imagine what the stimulus would do for homelessness?" This was a question I attempted to answer on Saturday and I need your help answering. I had to stop and think, "what would 783 Billion dollars do to prevent local homelessness and poverty?" We could possibly put together a better support structure; get some local jobs to help the local people. I could go on and on about what 783 Billion dollars could do to help the homeless. The good news is there are "talks" of a plan to pump some of this stimulus into Austin. A newspaper noted in a tongue-in-cheek story that Austin was included with an $886,000, 36-hole disc golf course in a list of possible projects for federal stimulus money. The article I read said “The project has merit because Austin has "many" disc golfers, and the city's other five courses are heavily used” Real quick, how many is "many"?  How "many" homeless do local churches feed on Tuesday and Thursday mornings? How "many" homeless does Mobile Loaves and Fishes feed on a daily basis?  I know exactly how "many" Shoulder the Cross feeds and provides services to every Saturday. Can you imagine the good even 10% of the proposed $886,000 would do for the local poverty? What do you think?  I would love to hear your comments.

To Hell & Back - My Addiction to Heroin

This is from my good friend Gary who we met while serving out on a Mobile Loaves & Fishes truck.  The angels he refers to are David & Kay.  They have been earning their wings lately! :-)

-Alan

I just want to share a little of my story about how I got where I am today. Some of it may sound a little familiar to some people. Maybe at least one person may hear something that gives them the desire to stay clean and sober, because I feel if I can do it most anybody can.
   By the Grace of God, Austin Recovery (www.austinrecovery.org), the Fellowship of Heroin Anon., and a patient sponsor - Tjarko (pronounced charko), I am 108 days clean today. That is just one of the Miracles I have experienced in the last 3 months.
    Just about 110 days ago I was facing an emotional bankruptcy. I was standing on a corner holding a sign, trying to maintain a drug habit that consisted  of a current 25 yr. run of Heroin and Opiate addiction, along with a 38 yr. history of drug abuse.
    Just a few days before I had come to the conclusion that I was totally powerless to do anything about my addiction and I already knew my life was unmanageable. Hell, I had been living in a tent and flying a sign for the last 3 yrs., with the threat of being arrested for living like this. In my heart I knew there was Something greater than me. Hopefully it could help me return to a more normal, sane way of living. I surrendered.
    I was ready to turn my will and my life over to the care of the God of my understanding. He had never forsaken me through all these years of screwing my life up. After likely 30 - 40 times in the county jail, 3 times in T.D.C., an intentional attempt to die from an overdose (not to mention several accidental overdoses), to giving up on my personal welfare and living on the streets, You might say my God would think I was a waste of His energy.
   But when the tears flowed from my eyes and I cried out "God I can't live like this anymore," He sent two Angels to that street corner and they said, "We have a bed for you @ Austin Recovery, do you want to go?" I said "yes". God was doing for me what I could not do for myself.
   I thought I had been living a moral life by swearing not to lie or steal; and all of my signs I held had a religious script on the face. Hell, I was lying and stealing from those people in traffic everyday, using the money they gave me to shoot dope all day. I professed to be a devout Christian. I believed in God alright, every day asking Him - (1) God, let me get the money. (2) God, let the connection have some dope. (3) God, let him answer the phone.  (4) God, let him hurry. (5) God, let me find a vein. On page 44 of the Big Book it says- "If a mere code of morals and a better of life were sufficient enough to overcome addiction, we would have recovered long ago." My disease dictated my morals and philosophy.
   Well, after 20 days into recovery, I had to enter the hospital for complications due to Cirrhosis of the liver caused by over 22 yrs. of Hep C and constant I.V. drug use. It had caused the vascular system (veins) in my esophagus to start bleeding into my stomach. And I had been getting high all those years because I thought I enjoyed it, not realizing what it was doing inside me. After 7 days in serious condition, unbearable pain, and 6 blood transfusions in 4 days I was released to a homeless shelter, full of drug and alcohol use. It was Thanksgiving weekend and I had been discharged from Austin Recovery for missing too much treatment already. Back on the street for 5 days, I faced my fears and revisited my old neighborhood, once again repeating "God, I don't want this anymore." Monday morning I began making phone calls and was readmitted to the "Ranch" for another 28 days. I wanted to return because that is where the healing began.
   I may still suffer some of the physical pains created by my years of drug use, but the mental pains are being lifted everyday. It's easier today to "Let go and let God" handle the rough spots in the roads I take daily. By having faith and showing a willingness to find a new way of living, I'm able to share my Spirituality with others, show them brotherly love and forgiveness. Through perseverance and courage, I face each day as a new beginning and ask God to allow me to be of service to Him and others.
   In the Christian Bible, when Paul wrote a letter of hope to the Philippians he said, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining for what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize...."
   I can't tell you what will work for you; I only know what will work for me. I turn my life over to God every day in prayer and ask Him: Take me where You want me to go; Let me meet who You want me to meet; Put the words on my lips that You want me to say; Guide me in my recovery and teach me how to live.
   Since my first day out of treatment, I have stayed in contact with my sponsor and try to do the work he assigns me to the best of my ability. After all, it's about progress not perfection.
   Now in Austin, there are places for dope shooters like me to meet besides the street corner or methadone clinic. I attend Heroin Anonymous meetings and share in the topics and fellowship with others like me trying to stay off heroin and other opiates "one day at a time".
   I attend alumni gatherings at Austin Recovery because it is the largest, most loving fellowship I have found. They are part of my family. It takes a village to keep an addict like me clean and most of them are there.
   If I speak with another addict about something that is troubling them I can share what works for me, then share what the Big Book says. It may not keep them sober, but it sure as hell helps me. For those still in treatment, just stick with the program. They can't cure you; they provide you with the tools to work your own program of recovery. If you feel your not ready to do what it takes, go back out and do a little more "research". I did 4-5 times; just don't wait until you are in my condition before you come back. There's no shame in expressing a desire to change your life, just shame in not trying.
   It's all about dealing with life on life's terms; something I obviously haven't tried until now.There is a solution; just don't give up 5 minutes before you discover it. If you are hearing/reading this it is probably not by mistake. Remember, our best thinking got us where we are today. oh, and that rock we crawled out from under is waiting for us to crawl back. It hasn't gone anywhere.
   If I live another 15 yrs. or die tomorrow, I know God will be happy I got it right before I died. My gratitude goes out to my God for giving me another chance. May He bless each of you with the happiness I have found.
   If nobody has told you they love you today, and even if they have, remember I do!!!!

Our Valentines Gift to Each Other

David & Kay are relatively new to Mobile Loaves & Fishes but read here what they did for each other for Valentines this year.

 

-Alan

 

Another update...I went to see Linda over at the place on Congress last Friday.  Asked her if she needed anything and she initially said no.  Then I asked about clothes and/or shoes.  She said she could sure use a pair of 3X pants and some 9-1/2 tennis shoes.  She also she loves to read romantic books.  When I left her place I drove on to The Tallows and found Mary, her husband and three kids.  Mary was walking out the door on her way to WalMart on Ben White.  I offered to take her and she was so grateful.  They didn't have any food and food stamps were not due in until Sunday.  As we drove she shared more of her story with me.  She is one brave young woman with a lot of problems on her young, small shoulders.  I took her into Wal Mart and helped her spend our money on a lot of groceries.  She kept saying no and I kept putting more and more in the basket.  We had a great time together.  She shops so economically.  I was totally impressed.  I helped her get some more minutes on her cell phone and took her to McDonalds to get some dinner for the family.  She kept saying no and I kept on.  Took her home and her husband helped unload the groceries.  He said we can't afford these groceries.  I assured him not to worry.  They both hugged me and were so appreciative.  The best thing I heard was her two little boys - 3 and 2 - yell Mommy!  We're so glad you're home.  What a great little family.    (At least they had food until the food stamps came through and maybe they will not get behind on food needs.)

On Saturday I found some new pants and shoes for Linda and loaded up a big bag of romance novels that I had read years ago.  Just keeping them to give to the right person.....  Took it all to her and found her crying when I got there.  She was not able to pay her rent.  She is now paying by the day - $50 per day since she can't afford the weekly rate.  Highway or South Congress Robbery!!  I drove to the bank, went back and gave her some money for a few days rent.  She said her daughter was going to help her get on SSI but she hasn't seen her daughter in a couple of months.  Linda's son is in jail at Del Valle for heroin possession.  She is glad he is there since she feels like he is safer there.

I offered to help but she is one proud woman.  Anyway I left there with the words, "Kay you are an angel and this is the best Valentine's Day I've ever had" in my ears.    That broke my heart for her.  I'm going back and check on her sometime this week.  

Alan, thank you for showing us how to help others.  David and I are in such joy now.  Please let me know if you have any words of advice or guidance as I meander through the lives of these people.

 

I am just so happy to be involved. David and I made a decision last week to do for others on Valentine's Day rather than spend on us. It was a great decision.

See you soon!

Love you,

Kay

"It's Time To Find Your Mission And Fulfill It"

Todd, an Austin-based MLF supporter with incredible love for the Lord, completed a"42nd Birthday Challenge" in the service of Mobile Loaves & Fishes.  Todd and his wife, Kristi, raised $3,796.13 and 30 lbs of toiletries for the Lake Hills Church MLF by biking 42 miles, running 42k, swimming 4200 yards, lifting 4.2 tons, doing 420 crunches and 420 push-ups...In less than 42 hours!

To read more about Todd and Kristi's inspirational efforts, please visit his Birthday Challenge Page.

Thank you, Todd and Kristi, for everything that you are doing to help our brothers and sisters in need--you are truly an inspiration.

-Rachel