the bearded lady
Monday night, I went downtown.
We are in a new spot...just down the street... literally two buildings over from where we were. It's a great spot, complete with kitchen facilities and a sound system. It's actually in a building that in years gone by was "the" spot in Kansas City. Al Capone renovated the 8th floor and kept it for whenever he and his pals were in KC, Dean Martin and his crowd frequented the then hotel whenever they were in town as well. It has a great history and in former years, had great glory.
It's a little more rundown now. Section 8 housing mostly, but none the less has very colourful people.
For example...
On Monday night, we had a lady (who really did have a beard) come to the meal that we make every Monday. She told a story of woe that was captivating and heartbreaking. She said her apartment had burned down, that she had six kids and that they were starving. We gave her all the left overs.
Tuesday we go back down there and meet up with a woman who lives and works in the area. She lets us know that our "starving mama" was out selling the food for a dollar a plate. Haha... i would of charged $5! (it was an awesome taco salad afterall).
Then there is Ron. He must be a hippie of long ago, but he came on Monday night. Great guy, really funny and engaging and truly homeless. He spends his days "on the wall" pan handling and sleeps in a sleeping bag under the bridge. On Monday he asked for some new jeans. Since we don't have a clothing pantry yet (and I do mean yet) Lisa told him she would bring some next week. He laughed and said that next week might be too late. He turned around and shook his butt, to reveal that the rips in his jeans revealed just a little too much skin! We found him "on the wall" yesterday and gave him a pair of jeans. He had a huge smile and simply said "I love you guys!" too fun!
Then we drove through the West Bottoms area of Kansas City. It's were the 2nd largest stock yards were in the 50s. I was told of great stories of the flood that hit in 1950 where cows were floating everywhere and in buildings. That must have been amazing. Then back in the civil war, it was called the crossing. If you could make it through that area, you were free, but they would stand on the bridge and shoot at you if you tried. Amazing history.
Now for my Winnipeg friends you will appreciate this:
We are driving through the West Bottoms and I look up and see Winnipeg Centre Vineyard. Seriously... the building is RIGHT THERE! It's beside the train tracks near a bridge and looks exactly like our building... only six stories instead of 4. I look at the sign painted across the top and I freaked out... INTERNATIONAL HARVESTERS OF AMERICA! It was built by the same company that built WCV! We drove closer to it (after a few adventures going over grated bridges and down steep hills) and discovered it is for lease. I don't know if that was significant for us here at Hope City, but it was a huge thing for me personally.
I know I've said it many times before, I know I'm supposed to be here, and God is reminding me of it daily! Thanks for your prayers...please keep praying!
We are in a new spot...just down the street... literally two buildings over from where we were. It's a great spot, complete with kitchen facilities and a sound system. It's actually in a building that in years gone by was "the" spot in Kansas City. Al Capone renovated the 8th floor and kept it for whenever he and his pals were in KC, Dean Martin and his crowd frequented the then hotel whenever they were in town as well. It has a great history and in former years, had great glory.
It's a little more rundown now. Section 8 housing mostly, but none the less has very colourful people.
For example...
On Monday night, we had a lady (who really did have a beard) come to the meal that we make every Monday. She told a story of woe that was captivating and heartbreaking. She said her apartment had burned down, that she had six kids and that they were starving. We gave her all the left overs.
Tuesday we go back down there and meet up with a woman who lives and works in the area. She lets us know that our "starving mama" was out selling the food for a dollar a plate. Haha... i would of charged $5! (it was an awesome taco salad afterall).
Then there is Ron. He must be a hippie of long ago, but he came on Monday night. Great guy, really funny and engaging and truly homeless. He spends his days "on the wall" pan handling and sleeps in a sleeping bag under the bridge. On Monday he asked for some new jeans. Since we don't have a clothing pantry yet (and I do mean yet) Lisa told him she would bring some next week. He laughed and said that next week might be too late. He turned around and shook his butt, to reveal that the rips in his jeans revealed just a little too much skin! We found him "on the wall" yesterday and gave him a pair of jeans. He had a huge smile and simply said "I love you guys!" too fun!
Then we drove through the West Bottoms area of Kansas City. It's were the 2nd largest stock yards were in the 50s. I was told of great stories of the flood that hit in 1950 where cows were floating everywhere and in buildings. That must have been amazing. Then back in the civil war, it was called the crossing. If you could make it through that area, you were free, but they would stand on the bridge and shoot at you if you tried. Amazing history.
Now for my Winnipeg friends you will appreciate this:
We are driving through the West Bottoms and I look up and see Winnipeg Centre Vineyard. Seriously... the building is RIGHT THERE! It's beside the train tracks near a bridge and looks exactly like our building... only six stories instead of 4. I look at the sign painted across the top and I freaked out... INTERNATIONAL HARVESTERS OF AMERICA! It was built by the same company that built WCV! We drove closer to it (after a few adventures going over grated bridges and down steep hills) and discovered it is for lease. I don't know if that was significant for us here at Hope City, but it was a huge thing for me personally.
I know I've said it many times before, I know I'm supposed to be here, and God is reminding me of it daily! Thanks for your prayers...please keep praying!
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