Why We Do What We Do

*** Slightly gross but too true dep't ... ***

Question: what does a TV have that a human on the Downtown East Side doesn't?
Answer: secure waste disposal.

I was about to throw a pile of styrofoam packaging into the dumpster in the alley next to Gospel Mission last week when I realized I was not alone. A man was relieving himself against the wall next to the dumpster.

I gave him some respectful distance, and when he had left, I then unlocked the dumpster and chucked the packaging in; replaced the padlock and got back in my car. As I drove down the alley, I couldn't help thinking that we were treating our garbage with more diligence than our brothers and sisters. The styrofoam got placed in a padlocked bin. This poor fellow had to go in the alley. (There are OT references to "those who pisseth against the wall", but I don't think that's what God was referring to.)

I also remembered something one of "the guys" told me: "the city is spending $12,000 to do a study, counting human waste in the alley". "What do they need a study for?" was my reply. "We know it's there: give us the $12,000 and we'll help fix it."

I looked online and couldn't find a reference to such a study, but I did find a whole bunch of other references to the problem of human waste in the alleys, going back almost 10 years. The latest study could be a myth -- like the cadborosaurus or intelligent talk radio -- but there's no question that this situation has been discussed for years, with appropriate wailing and gnashing of teeth, that "somebody" has to provide a washroom for these people.

Often, the discussion will stall (pardon me) when someone says, "TransLink should put public washrooms in its stations!" Then there'll be a long and patient explanation (usually from your agent) as to why that idea is a non-starter (and Arlene can tell you that even though New York has restrooms in 25% of the subway stations, you don't want to use those!), and then someone will say, "see? It's all about money!"

And that's where it ends. Can you say, "paralysis through analysis," boys and girls?

As part of the Pigeon Park makeover, the City installed a public restroom. That was before the Olympics. I ran into an acquaintance from the Engineering department a couple of weeks ago. "The washroom will be working soon," he told me.

And this is why we do what we do at The Lord's Rain. Now, people do have a place to relieve themselves that's clean, sanitary and lets them wash their hands afterwards. They also have a place to shower and hang out. Amelia talks about the times she's heard someone say, "I feel human again".


The difference, of course, is in the level of responsibility. City governments are responsible to taxpayers, and even though people may wring their hands over how bad something is, if they have other spending priorities, those bad things get shoved down the list. Or studied in order to create a business case with a fully-funded implementation strategy.

As a Mission, we answer to a different Commander, who has unlimited resources and for whom empirical observation is the only "study" required. He'll draw our attention to something and say, "Go. Do." And He provides. Which is how The Lord's Rain got built and is operated.

Last week, Gospel Mission held its board meeting in The Lord's Rain (the Tuesday night service was going on upstairs) when a young couple walked in the door, saying they'd been told at one of the shelters they could get a shower. "They told us this place was open from 7 till 8:30," the woman said. "AM," I pointed out gently, and they left. There was a slight double-take around the table, and Barry said, "any of you [the board] mind if we invite them back?" No objection. I raced out and caught them at the corner.

They were from the Ottawa area. "Gatineau, really," the young man said, "but no one out here knows where that is, so we just say 'Ottawa'." (I know! I know! My step-daughter lives in Ottawa!) They came in and showered and used the hair dryer and got into clean clothes. And the Board -- who come in from North Van and Surrey -- got to see first-hand what we do.

Evidently, we were supposed to be in The Lord's Rain that night for reasons other than the Board meeting. As often happens, I'm torn between hoping we'll see them again -- maybe for a service upstairs -- and hoping that we don't -- which will mean that they were just passing through the Downtown East Side. I think you know what I mean.

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The styrofoam packaging I mentioned at the beginning was from the TV. In a previous email, you may recall, I mentioned that, when we were visiting The Oasis last month, Gerry and Brandon Wall stepped up and announced that they would cover the cost of a big-screen TV, so we could set up a closed circuit hookup and allow people with disabilities to take part in the service. Last week, we went to Best Buy and picked up a 50" plasma TV. On Tuesday, Barry mounted it on the wall, and now we just need to connect it and it will be in business.



I think we're already seeing signs that it will be appreciated. Debbie, one of our quasi-regulars at The Lord's Rain, noticeably perked up when we told her what we were doing. She's bent double from scoliosis, and has only been up to the Mission a couple of times in the 3-1/2 years I've been there. But she often brings a Bible into the Lord's Rain and reads it, or asks questions or shares things she's found, and being able to take part in the service will be a great comfort for her. Jim Ritchie, a brother who's paralyzed on one side after a stroke four years ago and who uses a walker to get around, is a faithful attendee at our services, but I can tell it's getting harder and harder for him to make it up the stairs now (he's 66 years old). I think he, too, will be happy to have an alternative.

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Cheers, Waves, and thank you!

For the past year, we have tremendously blessed to receive coffee donated by Waves Coffee. Thanks to that -- and Danilo's "formula" for making it and using just the right amount of sugar and creamer (for a number of reasons, we pre-mix the coffee) -- we've developed a reputation for the best coffee on the Downtown East Side. Truly, there are few things that make friends like a good cup of coffee. However, Waves has told us that they can no longer support us. I understand there are other causes that need their help, so we pray continued blessing on Waves and are truly grateful for the help they've given us.

Is this a "setback"? Not at all: it's an opportunity for someone else to step up. Gospel Mission is a ministry built on faith, and for the past 81 years, the Lord has found nifty ways to provide all our needs: I'm looking forward to seeing how He does it this time!