Those Radios are really bad!!

I was getting my truck ready Monday night for my normal Tuesday morning ritual and my phone rings. “Are you going to do your ministry in the morning” I was asked. “Could I tag along?” I am always happy to let people experience this wonderful ministry and there is always room for help. My friend Brian and I were surprised at the amount of folks in line. Normally on payday weeks, the line is real short, not this week. I estimate I had 40 friends in line again. If this keeps up I may need to change my food distribution to better accommodate everyone. I stepped out of my truck this week and immediately got an earful. Apparently there have been some problems with the brand new radios I have been buying. The main problem is they do not last. Sheila did not hesitate to voice her “Product Review” of these $2 radios from Big Lots. In the past I have purchased the $5 sports radios from Wal-Mart, and these have been indestructible. After learning Wal-Mart would no longer carry these radios, I found some at Big Lots. The Big Lots $5 radios require tools to remove a protective cover over the battery; this has proven to be a difficult task. The easy resolution was to stick with the $2 radio. If I want to show up without earplugs, I will need to get a better option. My friends were patient and kind this morning. Mississippi was near the front of the line. He got a can of soup, a sandwich and an MRE. "What does MRE stand for?" he asked.  "Each meal is a Mystery" I explained "that's why they call them Mr. E's"!  Mississippi got a kick out of this explanation (MREs are really military "Meals Ready to Eat").  I later saw him share his Mr. E with a friend who was one of the last people in line who got very little to eat. The kindness and willingness to share has always impressed me, Mississippi was just another good example of how my friends “survive” on the street. Steven shaved this past week. I mentioned he looked different and he said “Really? How?” When I told him he had shaved he said “I forget that it is gone. I don’t carry a mirror so I never really look at myself.” I had several new people in line this week. Two of the new people were named John.  Last week it was Joshua, this week it is John. Next week could be Mathew, Mark or Luke.  Avon was back this week. He has been fortunate enough to have been staying with someone recently. Mark showed up late. He was excited to get a razor and some coffee. Mark Smith was there this morning too. He said he has already filled up the zip drive he got as a Christmas present. I missed Patrick this morning, I hope he shows up next week.  All of my friends are excited about an upcoming BBQ in the park I am planning. The BBQ will be Saturday February 16th. I know it will be fun and hope there will be plenty of helpers.