Coincidence-Circumstance-God Instance

Sandy did not go with me to last Friday's Community Dinner at the Presbyterian Church. She stayed home to do laundry and eat a couple vine ripe tomato sandwiches. I tried to get residents from the Men's shelter to ride with me to dinner. I got no takers. I decided to walk for my health. It is about a 12 minute brisk walk and I set out at 11:47 A. M. I arrived at 12 noon and I got right into the line for food at the end of grace. Because I arrived at that time I got 1/2 of a chicken breast bar-b-cued over charcoal with brown sauce and fruit. Dinner was served by a Baptist Church with children and youth working with adults. Because I was alone, I decided to have an after dinner coffee. While I was sitting on a pew on the side of the dining room watching the people enjoying the great chicken dinner, a man walked up and asked me to help a young woman whom he had met in the county jail where both were inmates. Now released he wanted to help the young woman who was living on the streets. I introduced myself and talked with her for a moment and realized that she would do well at "On Our Own" which is a day program in the afternoon hours that serves people with drug and alcohol addictions and people with mental health problems. The center is run by paid staff with the help of the members. With education, speakers, group support and friendship the members become more independent and able to care for themselves and others. Many of the homeless in the area are members. I escorted the young woman there. As I talked of the place it was obvious that she had never heard of it before our walk. I brought her inside and introduced her to the people of "On Our Own." She was welcomed with open arms, a glass of water and cake.

By the time I walked back to work, I realized that none of this would have happened if it had been a regular Friday. Because I was there alone, I was available to help another human in need. It was not a coincidence or circumstance that I was there without Sandy. The providence of God was at work in my schedule. What a blessing is mine in this job.

God bless you all,
Ken and Sandy Bitler

August 2, 2009 Planted More Garden

I gave arugala from the garden to Sarah yesterday. Aaron and she came down to talk to us about the risks of what we are trying to do. I am plugging away trying to raise the money that we will need to survive this year. Our announcement about going into Individual Volunteer Service full time appeared in our conference newsletter, The iVoice. We've gotten some positive feedback via email and responses to the article. I am encouaged. We really need 53 individuals who can send us $25 per month for the 12 months of our stay to meet our budget. We work 40 hours per week at three programs for the homeless. In return meeting ground allows us to eat any meal being prepared at the houses where we work. We are living in a completely furnished two bedroom apartment with all utilities paid that is set aside for full time volunteers in mission. We also receive $100 per month stipend to help us with our expenses. We must provide ourselves with health insurance, truck maintenance, gas and truck insurance, property taxes and insurance on our home, food for evening snacks and weekends, copays for medical care and prescription copays, clothes, incidentals, and emergencies.

Planted a packet of green beans for fall harvest yesterday. Today in rained for an hour. Tomato plants are setting tomatoes and pepper plants are in blossom. Carrots came up and leaf lettuce is struggling. My neighbor's tomato plants are 50 inches tall and loaded with fruit. He gave me enough cucumbers to feed cucumber salad to 50 homeless people last Wednesday.

We worshiped at the chapel service at the Farm and ate dinner with a group of teenage volunteers from PA.

Sandy wants to blog next time.


The opinions in this blog are solely our own, not the opinions of Meeting Ground.