this job is really nice in that it allows me to have a lot of
flexibility. i have been volunteering at a dropin two days a week here
in charlottetown. it is a very interesting place and i think it is
really helping me get a better understanding of the world. there are
some people who look so broken and lonely. or whose lives seem to
repeat like a broken record. or who hold onto secret hurts for long
periods of time. it can be very sad.

every morning that i'm there we do a bible reading. have a discussion
and read a short passage. those are among the most hopeful and hallowed
times of my week. people who need God crying out to him and wrestling
with what it means to follow him in the midst of a tempting and
tortuous world. i really appreciate the fellow who leads it as well -
for his ability to connect with them, really truly encourage them - and
his ability to make the words on the page of the bible so alive in that
context. so alive.

i like the people too. there is this one really big guy. i have not
really met him yet. but there is something about him, i don't know what
it is. but i can't help thinking this thought every time i see him - he
looks like a muppet. a particular muppet, one that i can't remember.
and he has this sort of gruff look on his face. it's impossible not to
grin inwardly every time he walks in or i see him. i also have some
good talks with some of the people there. today i watched a sleeping
baby for his dad for a little while, washed a few dishes, stood
outside in the cold and talked about sudbury, and learned how to play
crib (i suck. i was completely destroyed. the fellow i was playing felt
sorry for beating me so bad and decided to donate most of the points on
his last hand to me so that i'd get past the 'skunked' line).

dc out