http://www.stjamesnewbradwell.org.uk/blog Thoughts of the Soup Runners Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:04:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://www.stjamesnewbradwell.org.uk/blog/?p=27&cpage=1#comment-2 John Webb Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:04:02 +0000 http://www.stjamesnewbradwell.org.uk/blog/?p=27#comment-2 Monday 9th Feb.2009 was the 3rd soup run for Christine & myself (St. Andrews Church, Linford). The weather on our other 2 runs was quite kind compared with last night's when everything was tested including our own clothing and car traction. Neverthless the regular clients appeared from nowhere once we had arrived at the Library. They did not seem unduly troubled by the cold and seemed to accept it as part of their existence.They were all grateful for the succour provided and on several occassions they commented ' We do appreciate this. You didn't have to come out tonight' One young man offered Chris his coat when she commented on how cold it was - and he only had a T-shirt underneath.(She has promised never to complain about the cold again!!) These people are grateful for what little we can offer them as that is sometimes all they have to eat/drink until the next visit. We were lucky to be able to go home afterwards and sit in a nice warm home with a nice hot cup of tea. I cannot imagine how it must feel to see us leave and for them to then try and find somewhere out of the elements, in order to settle down. There is also a camaraderie among them where they seem to look after each other and make sure that they all get some form of nourishment from us - no-one is left out. They all have their own problems with various causes, none of which we know, but the lads and lasses are always polite and grateful for what we can offer. One girl last night stopped two lads using swear words in their conversation when they were close to us - and they stopped and apologised. I am just grateful that I am not in these circumstances - I do not know how I would cope. Monday 9th Feb.2009 was the 3rd soup run for Christine & myself (St. Andrews Church, Linford). The weather on our other 2 runs was quite kind compared with last night’s when everything was tested including our own clothing and car traction. Neverthless the regular clients appeared from nowhere once we had arrived at the Library. They did not seem unduly troubled by the cold and seemed to accept it as part of their existence.They were all grateful for the succour provided and on several occassions they commented ‘ We do appreciate this. You didn’t have to come out tonight’ One young man offered Chris his coat when she commented on how cold it was – and he only had a T-shirt underneath.(She has promised never to complain about the cold again!!) These people are grateful for what little we can offer them as that is sometimes all they have to eat/drink until the next visit. We were lucky to be able to go home afterwards and sit in a nice warm home with a nice hot cup of tea. I cannot imagine how it must feel to see us leave and for them to then try and find somewhere out of the elements, in order to settle down. There is also a camaraderie among them where they seem to look after each other and make sure that they all get some form of nourishment from us – no-one is left out. They all have their own problems with various causes, none of which we know, but the lads and lasses are always polite and grateful for what we can offer. One girl last night stopped two lads using swear words in their conversation when they were close to us – and they stopped and apologised. I am just grateful that I am not in these circumstances – I do not know how I would cope.

]]>