Breakfast was great this morning. We went through 4 pounds of bacon, 4 pounds of sausages, 6 dozen eggs, many muffins, trays of fruit, several dozen pancakes. After breakfast I told a story, which was very welcome, I think. The consensus is that I should write another one for next breakfast, so we can find out what happened next. Kinda cool.
It's always a funny feeling driving onto the property a few days after having been banned, or a big blow up. Banishment has happened twice before, each time after we've been perceived as 'interfering' with the management's relationship with the residents.
Over scrambled eggs, I had a nice chat with a guy who's new to the motel. V. has just moved back into town after spending some time living with his parents. He used to have a nice apartment downtown, but like so many non-affluent people, he ran into significant dental trouble. He couldn't afford to pay the rent and have his teeth cared for, so he gave up the apartment and moved back in with Mom and Dad. Now he's almost finished that whole thing, so he's starting over. He's got a job, doing skilled work in a factory a 10 minute bike ride away, and he's got his eyes on a better future.
Life goes on after the big Kaboom. Our friend W. is keeping a low profile. He's been told off and yelled at by other tenants who are the subjects of significant disinformation coming from the management. When he tries to explain, they refuse to listen. He's been threatened with a beating if he persists. This has all affected his health, and July 2 is still a long way off.
But what he's fighting for is worth fighting for. The residents are denied tenants' rights (like privacy and freedom from harassment) because management says it's a 'vacation' property. But if it's a vacation property, the management is responsible for things like daily cleaning service and linens, among other stuff. But they don't provide that, because it clearly doesn't fall under the "innkeepers act" and day to day, they don't pretend it does. That only happens on paper and when it's convenient and depending on who they're talking to.
E. continues to be cold-shouldered. After having been yelled at and cursed loudly enough for everyone on the property to hear, she received a whispered private apology the other day. Which makes it meaningless.
In the last week, those of us who don't live there have been reminded graphically in ways that I can't discuss here, what it is that those of us who live there face day after day after day. I can't tell you how grateful we all are for your prayers and encouragement.
I'll close this post with a quote from an e-mail from a team member:
It's always a funny feeling driving onto the property a few days after having been banned, or a big blow up. Banishment has happened twice before, each time after we've been perceived as 'interfering' with the management's relationship with the residents.
Over scrambled eggs, I had a nice chat with a guy who's new to the motel. V. has just moved back into town after spending some time living with his parents. He used to have a nice apartment downtown, but like so many non-affluent people, he ran into significant dental trouble. He couldn't afford to pay the rent and have his teeth cared for, so he gave up the apartment and moved back in with Mom and Dad. Now he's almost finished that whole thing, so he's starting over. He's got a job, doing skilled work in a factory a 10 minute bike ride away, and he's got his eyes on a better future.
Life goes on after the big Kaboom. Our friend W. is keeping a low profile. He's been told off and yelled at by other tenants who are the subjects of significant disinformation coming from the management. When he tries to explain, they refuse to listen. He's been threatened with a beating if he persists. This has all affected his health, and July 2 is still a long way off.
But what he's fighting for is worth fighting for. The residents are denied tenants' rights (like privacy and freedom from harassment) because management says it's a 'vacation' property. But if it's a vacation property, the management is responsible for things like daily cleaning service and linens, among other stuff. But they don't provide that, because it clearly doesn't fall under the "innkeepers act" and day to day, they don't pretend it does. That only happens on paper and when it's convenient and depending on who they're talking to.
E. continues to be cold-shouldered. After having been yelled at and cursed loudly enough for everyone on the property to hear, she received a whispered private apology the other day. Which makes it meaningless.
In the last week, those of us who don't live there have been reminded graphically in ways that I can't discuss here, what it is that those of us who live there face day after day after day. I can't tell you how grateful we all are for your prayers and encouragement.
I'll close this post with a quote from an e-mail from a team member:
i really felt those prayers this week - didn't you.
i was very comforted by the scriptures too that folks sent to you.
i think we are doing god's work.
E. came to B.L.'s last night for supper
she's persona non grata still - feels blamed by all and sundry.
her good friend G. would not extend credit for her smokes.
so i bought her two packs.
and refused the bag as i walked down main street thinking i would see a line up of people from my old church seeing me with the small packages
feeling fluorescent and massive.
feeling fluorescent and massive.
but only saw fellow smokers who thot i'd picked up the habit.
god is very good to me.
T.B.
r
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