a drunkard's dream

'Bandaid' is nearing his deposition date which is in November. He's been very patient and confident that he is going to win this case. He's been shopping through advertisement mags for houses and boats. I've tried to caution him about counting his chickens before they hatch, but he's a strong believer in his dream: To get a Tundra, a house in Aliso Viejo and a trophy fishing boat. He wants me to be his driver. I told him he would have to stop drinking. He said he wants to-- which is a big improvement from "I'll die drinking!" In other news: 'Sis' is in a rehab. She was sent there by the judge. Hub too, is in a court ordered rehab. 'Brutha B' is still at the pier. He got jumped by some strangers a couple of weeks ago. Most of the others have gone elsewhere but there are always newbe's to replace them. I think I'll head over there today and see if God gives me an opportunity to share Him with someone. Please pray for the sobriety and awakening of our homeless friends.

the spirit moves

Well I don't know why my last blog didn't post. It was about how Sis got hit by a car. She's ok now. This post is about how the Lord has relocated me again. I won't be going to the pier as often so I told the guys that I would pray that I can find a replacement. So far a couple of guys at the men's bible study and my church are interested. I asked them to be patient and to stay in their bibles. Well yesterday, saturday I went down to the pier to do the study. Lo and behold guess who showed up? Brother Abraham. It seems Brutha B had let him know that I was looking for someone to fill in for me and Abe couldn't refuse. Praise God that the study at the pier continues. Meanwhile back at the Newland area Ricky, Bandaid needs some help filling out his lawyers request for info about his case. I'll continue reading to him and help him get that done. I'll also be looking for opportunities in my new area. Please pray for us.

don't cook tonight--call Brutha B

Well Bobbie (sis) got hit by a car a month ago. She's slowly getting better but she's slower. Luigi and her got hooked up together. Please pray that they'll quit drinking. The bible study got switched to saturday due to my new job. The guys really do like it. I can tell they're spirit-filled at the end of it. Brutha B had an epiphany when he suddenly got the notion to go over to the other grass area about a quarter mile up the road. He said there was no reason to leave his buddies at the time but he just felt a strong urge to go there. He found a new guy who was hungry and said he wished he had some fried chicken. It just so happened that B had fried chicken in his bicycle trailer. He said he had never had a psychic experience before and he was really tripped out! I told him that the Holy Spirit is using him now that the word is cleansing him. He's coming along. Please pray for this ministry.

Court time

Hub's been in jail. His court date was today. I decided to attend so that I know his sentence. He got 90 days. The judge is going to have him go through a program on an outpatient basis. He'll have to go back to jail each night, like a furlough. His public defender said she couldn't get him a bed at the rehab because of the waiting list, but that she will keep trying. Hub sounded enthusiastic about trying to get help. The judge wants to see him again on June 29 just to check up on him. The judge (she was very nice) seems to have a humane interest in him. He'll be alright. When the bailiff wasn't looking I managed to get Hub's attention just so he could know that I was there and I did! He was in this cage for the inmates so he had to stretch his neck to see if it was really me, and the bailiff noticed him and quickly turned around to me and said, "No comunicating with the inmates!" He was really mean looking so I didn't argue, but I was just glad that Hub saw me. I'm sure he is too! God, please bless Hub so that he gets the most out of his time in jail and rehab. May he seek You and read Your word and find comfort in Your loving open arms. May his sobriety last and may he become the man You designed and purposed him to be. Through Jesus Christ, Amen!

Verrry interrresting...

It's been an interesting morning. First, I could find no one to come to the bible study, then as I was talking to someone on the pier I saw 'M' & 'D' riding their bikes on the boardwalk. 'M&D' are married and they're believers. They used to be homeless too, but thanks be to God they've been saved. My church had a lot to do with that. So I asked them if they wanted to have a study and they were of course willing. I had 4 hot burritos in my bag and I was silently asking the Lord who they are for. I asked 'M&D' if they wanted one. They said "no thanks." They bought me a coffee and we headed to the spot where we normally study. Two other guys were there. I haven't thought of a nick-name." Then I asked if they wanted a burrito and they said sure. Then they joined the study and I handed them a bible. Then another guy showed up. His name is 'CC'. We were in John 6 and when I came to the part where Jesus says, "He who eats this bread shall live forever." I said "This is an invitation from Christ. If any of you haven't already asked Jesus into your heart, let either M or D or myself know and we can lead you in a prayer that will change your life." The 'other J' accepted the invitation and I led him in the sinners prayer and he accepted Jesus into his heart! 'Other J' has been carrying a lot of painful baggage in his life so I also prayed with him and let him know he can place that burden on Jesus, and that he can be freed from that heavy weight. He didn't cry but his eyes were watery and I believe thay the Holy Spirit has a little more room to move in him and work in his life. It's been a very interesting morning indeed!

Special K

My friend just lost all his belongings. I'll call him 'Special K' cause his name starts with a K and he's kinda flaky. He had a secure spot except for the fact that he had to unscrew the latch that the lock was on to get into the place which the city owns. I'll call him Kellogg instead cause it rolls off the tongue better. Kellogg is young but he's matured in the last few years that I've known him. He's not as wild and spontaneous and carefree since he's been to jail too many times. He's smart and he loves learning guitar. He picks it up real quick. They took his guitar. He's bummed and I tried to reassure him that he'll get another one even better, but I don't think it comforted him that much. Losing property goes along with the territory when you live on the streets. Thieves, kids and authorities have no respect for what little a homeless person owns. Here's a pic of Kellogg playin my guitar.
In other news, bandaid was gagging and puking up bile this morning. He felt so bad that he said he wants to quit drinking. I asked him if he could repeat that and he said "I want to quit drinking." I encouraged him and prayed and let him know that God will see him through. He wants to wait until he can get medication. The withdrawal is so tough. Without meds we call it shake & bake. Please pray for these guys.
Hub is back.

wee little winker

Hub went to jail again. He's just not ready.
Halle and Luigi went to church with me!
They said they didn't really like the one they were going to
so I said "Why don't you come to mine, we meet at 'Boomers".
Boomers is an amusement park.
It's where we meet.
They fell in love with my church! They want to come back! Keep them in prayer that they will surrender completely by the power of the Holy Spirit to not only quit smoking and drinking and improve their lives, but to share with others the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
I took Bandaid to the tent revival.
He was really tipsy so we didn't stay long. I just wanted to give him a glimpse of what I do.
He kept winking at the women so I said c'mon, let's go.
He's not quite ready yet. He does pray with me though, so there's hope.\
Please pray for him.

found 'em

Brutha B's been workin' the paintball event. Good for him!
Rob told me at 'God's kitchen'.
Tried to find 'Sis' this morning so I could take her to the Methodist church for a shower and food but she was gone. She asked me yesterday to pick her up. I saw Luigi and Halle instead and dropped them off there.
Then I went and picked up bandaid. He actually confessed that he wants to stop drinking. That's a monumental event. I'll have to hold him and Hub to those statements and ask the Holy Spirit to guide me. Please pray for them... Then when I dropped them off I saw 'Sis'. She's so nice she apologized for missing the ride. She said she can get a shower over there somewhere.? Here's some pics from this morning.

Where'd everybody go?

I think the po-po has been doin homeless cleansing lately around the pier. I spotted Hub on the other side of town. He was talking to Uncle Fester's nephew. I haven't thought of a good tag for him yet, but he really is Jackie Coogan's nephew. He's mellowed out in the few years I've known him. He's young and he used to be so crazy! Anyway that's water under the bridge.
Hub said they just threw him in the drunk tank and then let him out. No, he said kicked him out. They said he stunk.
Speaking of stunk, tomorrow I'm taking Bandaid to the shower church. His partner (I haven't nicknamed her yet) said she wants to go as well. I know how a shower can give you a different outlook on things after you've been cruddy for a while.
Luigi (another homeless) was tellin' me how a car wrecked and he helped get the baby out. He said he went back for the lady's purse and as he grabbed it the cops gave him a hard time as though he was trying to steal it. He told the cop that he was helping and they ran him and frisked him and the whole works. He said the cop asked him "next time you see an accident what are you going to do?" Luigi said "I guess I'm gonna ignore it!" The cop said "That's right, now get outa here!" Luigi said of course he would still help someone in distress. "I mean do I look homeless!?" He does but I didn't tell him that because he was so sincere about the question. Later on I got to thinkin' that maybe I should have told him-- "Yes, you do look homeless," lest he remain in his ignorance. Proverbs 27:5 "Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. That's water under the bridge now, live and learn. Next time I'll know better! TC

Oops!

I inadvertantly deleted my whole blog! We'll just have to do with what we've got, it's just water under the bridge! Anyway, I went to the pier this morning and H. was getting arrested. You know what? I'm going to start using whole names instead of just the first letter in their name. I'll use nicknames in order to protect the innocent, whoever they are! His name is "Hub." He drinks alot! Hard liquor, with a chaser of beer, early in the morning, and not just a pint! A fifth to start the day! He's a sweet man, always trying to help somebody, but his drinking hinders his ability. I've known Hub for a long time. He was one of the first people we met when "Leno" and I first came out here. We were runnin' from our warrants in L.A. county hopin' they wouldn't come up here in OC. They didn't but you know what? God knew about them. Somehow he made us take care of them with the help of our pastor and his wife. Now we don't have any warrants. We're clean man! That's all water under the bridge. Poor Hub's gonna sit in the drunk tank for a few hours...Alot of good that'll do, he'll just start where he left off when he gets out 'cause the DT's will have kicked in and he'll want to get well. He's expressed to me that he's carrying on to much. Those were his words, "Terry I been carryin' on too much." Meaning that he's getting tired of living this way, which is a good sign, but it's so hard to quit without help. I mean drugs to take the edge off the withdrawal symptoms. The worst sickness I've ever felt, hard to discribe, it's so hard that it's scary to go through. He wants to stop. He said that after he got out of jail a couple months back he shouldn't have given in. He was weak he said. Hub might not last much longer, please pray for him.
Well naturally with all the cops there I didn't see the rest of the guys. I hung around for about an hour and then left. I ran into a homeless guy named "Sarco". Friendly, but obviously by his dress and his conversation a little touched. I prayed with him and gave him a Mcmuffin. He said he'll go to church with me.
I tried to give away another mcmuffin to someone but he adamantly refused it as though it were cursed!
I went over to the other side of town to check on "Bandaid". He asked me to read the letters he had. They looked official and he thought they might be his money from the lawsuit. I opened it up. It was a bill from the hospital. Poor bandaid, he wants me to drop my life as I know it and go with him in his new Hummer (when he buys one) and his boat and go fishing! It sounds tempting.
Last tuesday I brought "Brutha B." with me to the tent revival and he made the altar-call. At first I didn't think he was going to do it. He kept nudging me and telling me to go up. After a couple of times I realized that maybe he just didn't want to go up alone so I said "I'll go if you go!" He said "go on then!" so we both went up. It was joyous and he was filled. I'm still trying to get him to church but that was a big step!
Well I'm going to not hit the delete button on this anymore. I'm learning so that's a positive thing! Here's some pics.

my friends

Monday morning was a good bible study. Somehow Jesus provided just enough McMuffins for all. The guys at the pier are really starting to enjoy sharing and asking questions about the subject material, in this case John 3. When I asked if they would like to continue they were enthusiastic so we went into chapter 4! The woman at the well learned alot from Jesus about water. She went on to become a good witness about the "Living Water." Her witness is still alive and effective. In other news my friend in the hostpital (J) isn't doing too well...She's got an imbalance in her pain medication and her insulin. They're monitoring her in intensive care. She's asked the doctor to take her off the morphine because her husband thinks it's messing her up in other areas. Lets pray that she uses wisdom in the decision. She just called me and doesn't sound good, though they've moved her to a room and out of IC. I myself am sick with a flu and told her that I need to rest and that I'll visit her if I can. I'll wear a facemask. My friend up north (L) is still expecting me to move up there with him. When he calls I can tell he's been drinking and he stubbornly won't give up on the idea that I don't want to move. At least he's able to have a conversation about God and the end of the call is always upbeat and positive. My friend at the parking lot by the liquor store (R) finally came out of jail. He still smells like month old urine and he still talks about getting money from a settlement for an accident when a taxi hit him. (R) is a nice guy and I hope he gets some compensation because he really got hurt but I think more money could hurt him worse than he already does to himself with his vodka drinking. When I try and tell him the importance of being clean he shuts his ears to my voice and changes the subject. When I try to tell him anything realistic about his case (I read the police report and the reason his previous lawyer turned down his case), he doesn't want to hear it. He's living in his drunken dream world where anything he finds comfortable to believe is his reality. I took him to a reletive's house so that he could get his father's phone & address. One good thing, when I leave him with a prayer he is attentive and reverent. Please pray for my friends at the pier, (J),(L) & (R) and this ministry. terje