Learning Curve

I met with some folks today at Southside Community Center after learning that there is not a shelter for men in San Marcos. Southside runs a shelter for families and a thrift store. They serve dinner each night to any and all who show up but don't have the facilities to house everyone, so the men have to head back out for the night. There's nowhere for them to go except the park bench and the overpass bridge. In short, there is a great need for something like Perry's Place in San Marcos.

After my meeting this afternoon, I realized what a huge thing we've stepped into. And how much we have to learn about before Perry's Place can be a success. God has really accelerated us in this thing, so we're going to grab tight and hang on for what's sure to be a wild ride.

One thing I've learned in this classroom called life is that the best training is had on the job. So, rather than be discouraged, I'm going to jump in head first by volunteering at Southside, attending their weekly church service called Railroad Ministry (Thursday nights), and getting to know people already in the "business." Stay tuned for updates as I progress on this learning curve.

For more information on Southside Community Center, visit their webpage.

Doesn't Have to be a Motel

I recently became aware of a building that currently sits empty in San Marcos that would make a great place for Perry: an old nursing home. Hmm... All kinds of ideas here!

Acceleration

God is moving us to take another step. People at our church and at my job have been phenomenally supportive of our dream. We are starting to get to know some people in "the business" here in San Marcos and things are moving along quickly.

I've been made aware of some things that lead me to believe God wants us up and running MUCH sooner than we first thought. There is a great need for a men's shelter in San Marcos and Perry's Place would be a great way to meet that need.

Please pray for us as God nudges us closer to the edge of the nest. I'm ready to fly, but in all honesty, it's a bit scary from this vantage point; however, the Holy Spirit continues to remind me that we have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

3 New Ideas

This week, I've had three new ideas regarding Perry's Place:

1. Transportation: Sometimes people just need a ride to ____. And heck, I'm a bus driver. This one's as easy as opening my car door and saying, "Where to?"
   
2. Prayer Board: Some sort of map with photos of people we've met that we can pray over as we walk past. I was thinking of something for our church but why not our home? Or this website? Originally, I thought of one of those old Sunday school felt boards, but I can use HTML for much less!
3. Under-A-Bridge Chili Cook-Off: Made chili for the family last night and was thinking what a great meal it is for a cold night. Why not have an annual event where several cooks bring their recipes to share with the city's less fortunate? We could even have a panel of judges made up of homeless men and women. I think it would be fun as well as a way to give back to the community.
   

Update: Emma and Drew

This morning, with only a little hiccup in motel wake-up calls, I saw Emma and Drew safely on their way. I gave them care kits with some basic necessities and shared the Gospel with them on the short drive to the bus station. I also made some nifty, free business cards with this website's address and our email address so they could stay in touch. They said they'd even let other travelers know about Perry's Place.

We're up and running! Well, maybe a slow jog for now, but whatever. Praise God!

Blog and Email active

Perry's Place now has a home on the internet. You're looking at it! Email us at place4perry@gmail.com.

God bless you!

Network?

After Emma and Drew boarded my bus, God gave me the idea to make contacts with people, churches, and other shelters all over the country to develop a network of places people can go for food and lodging on a moment's notice. Thinking of an email address or 800 number that people can use to contact a central "dispatcher" who can hook them up with someone near their location. I'll have to give this more thought before implementation.

Emma and Drew

//Austin and San Marcos, TX

I picked up two road-weary travelers on my bus route this evening. They're headed to San Antonio to catch a train to Tucson but won't be able to catch another bus until tomorrow. Fare on my bus was already free, but God wanted me to bless them.

Ended up buying them dinner and getting a room for them at a motel. I'm going to pick them up tomorrow and take them to the bus station for the next leg in their journey. Pray for guidance in my conversation with them tomorrow morning and for the Holy Spirit to tug on their hearts and point them to Jesus.