The Mission

Last night was the last night I had at Oliver Gospel Mission. I had stayed there 6 months, which was the maximum time allowed in the program that I was in, which is called "Hand Up". It was all of that. It is designed to allow you to have a bed and look for a job during the day. Due to the economy and my age, I haven't been able to find a job, but at least they fed me twice a day for free and let me sleep in an upper bunk bed. Most of the time, I didn't have any trouble getting in and out of bed, except for the time when my chest hurt from coughing, and it hurt to raise myself up. I coughed a lot for two reasons. First, there was no air circulation and it was usually hot up there. Second, I have had recurring pneumonia from living in a petri dish. Germs run rampant through there. So, I am on a new round of antibiotics. The hospital told me that they would admit me if it came back again. So, where do I go from here?

I am staying for two weeks at the Winter Shelter, which is sponsored by USC and the Salvation Army. When that closes in April, maybe I can find something else. I must say that my time at the Mission has not been all bad. Most of the people I have met there have been good and decent people. Many of the residents don't practice their Christianity. But, at least they get a dose of it at chapel every night, if they aren't sleeping. Chapel features a different preacher each night, and quite frankly some contradict others, but the message is basically the same. I won't have that at the Winter Shelter, as it is secular in nature, but I am involved in my church now, so I will continue to be blessed by the Word. The staff at the Mission are also good people, and I think they truly care about others, although some have become hardened by what they have seen come through there.

So, another chapter starts tonight. It will be brief, but hopefully another learning experience. God bless us all.