Today started like most mornings – alarm blaring at 6:30 AM while it was still dark outside. Rolled outta bed feeling half dead, honestly. Stumbled to the kitchen to make some strong coffee first thing. You can’t pour from an empty cup, right? Grabbed my worn Bible off the counter where I left it last night.
Morning Rituals & Street Time
Did my quiet time while sipping coffee. Read some Matthew about helping folks in secret. Makes you think. Then packed my backpack: water bottles, some granola bars, extra socks (learned THAT lesson before), and a basic first-aid kit.
Hit the streets around 8 AM. Walked my usual route downtown where folks camp out. Saw Mike under his usual bridge blanket. This ain’t glamorous work – knelt right there in the wet dirt. “Mike! You alive under there?” He poked his head out, all crusty-eyed. Hands shaking when I gave him the thermos of hot soup. We talked while he ate. Mostly listened, actually. Guy just needs to be seen.
- Stopped by 3 regular spots
- Passed out 7 bottles of water
- Changed bandages on Jenny’s infected hand (dollar store antibiotic ointment saves lives)
- Said “No” to 4 people asking for cash. Hurts every time.
Afternoon Grind
Back at the mission center by noon. Lunch rush was chaos – 50+ hungry people lined up. Served sloppy joes till my arm ached. Mrs. Patterson came through with her grandkids again. Watched her hide meat in napkins “for later.” Snuck extra buns in her bag when she wasn’t looking.
Our washer broke mid-cycle – flooded the laundry room. Mopped soapy water for forty minutes. Sweat dripping off my nose onto the tiles. Ran down to hardware store with Sam to buy new hoses. Fixed it jammin’ a screwdriver in places it shouldn’t go. Typical Tuesday.
Evening Wind Down… Sorta
Did youth group at 7 PM. Tried teaching guitar chords to bored teenagers. Mostly failed but one kid played “Smoke on the Water” without help. Small victories.
Got home around 9:30. Microwave dinner. Cold now. Checked messages: Jenny’s shelter bed confirmed. Mike missed his job interview. Again. Ate cold lasagna staring at the wall.
People think mission work is big moments. Nah. It’s wet socks. It’s hiding extra buns. It’s playing bad guitar while kids roll their eyes. It’s mopping floods at lunchtime. THIS is the work – showing up when it’s boring and messy. Gonna do the same thing tomorrow. Don’t feel special. Just gotta be there.
