Pink Handout

Some of the recipients saw me singing along with "Gimme Dat" and dancing on the corner as I waved the Free Bibles sign. 

I wore pink today.  Someone sent me a pink safety vest, and I had a hot pink sign.  I took them both. 

I had a case with a little over 60 Bibles.  I had a feeling it would be a *better* day. 

I was right. 

For one, we had a great ride.  The driver was wonderful and enjoyed eating his ice cream as he drove. 

He also took Antoine.  I have been wanting a "new" spot in Acres Homes.  Gulf Bank @ Antoine was suggested, but I saw for myself it was a horrible median.  Victory, or West Tidwell, are much better.  I always hear of people getting shot over by Tidwell. 

When the driver realized my plan, he slowed down so I could investigate each option.  Once I saw Tidwell, though, I was very happy. 

We got out and I got Ron locked and loaded.  I had a little trouble pushing him - I kept bumping into jagged parts of the sidewalk.  The impacts nearly caused Ron to drop the case! 

I saw a lot of people begging in the vicinity.  When they saw us they realized we were competition of some sort, and began glaring. 

Welcome to Fondren. 

I got over to our median, happily empty, and setup.  The drivers began gaping as I donned my pink safety vest and unrolled my hot pink Free Bibles sign. 

I handed out my first Bible within a few minutes.  We worked for over an hour (we arrived early).  I handed out 40, but 50 total (more on that). 

I had a cheerleading section this time.  At one point, an older black lady rolled down her window to gape at me.  I headed over and she waved me off, nicely.  I backed up and headed over to a latino lady who wanted 2.  As I handed them over, the older lady began yelling encouragement.  I thought it was very sweet - she even pumped her fist at me and waved as she drove off! 

She had an interesting story to tell at church! 

I heard a car honking to my left as I worked.  I waved in the general direction and went back to work.   They began honking again, and shouting.  I looked back and 3-4 young asians were hanging out of the car windows, waving and grinning! 

I had a couple other cars, clearly Christians, wave and grin as they saw me. 

This is what they saw:

I had some recipients who were a lot of fun: one Nigerian guy had his window down (poor people never have power windows, or air conditioning, making them easy to serve).  I had just found a FOE/BIC mixtape (Gospel Rap made with artist's permission) CD.  I asked if he liked rap, he said yes.  I asked how many Bibles he'd like, he said one.  I handed the CD over along with the New Testament. 

He took it, but looked at me reluctantly.  "But I don't have any money" he said apologetically. 

"Good!" I replied briskly!  "I wouldn't take it!"  I grinned at him, told him I'd be praying daily, and headed off as he thanked me. 

Another lady really wanted 2 Bibles.  Her car was in such bad condition she had to open her car door to receieve them, but said she didn't have any money.  I told her the same thing as she gaped at me. 

Southwest has a rather aggressive panhandler population.  I have discovered I have to stand back about 10 feet from the curb so the cars feel "safe" approaching. 

Of course I had people who said no.  One said he didn't want a Bible because he wasn't a Christian.  I said he could always read it and make his own decision.  He made a blunt refusal and drove off. 

A panhandler stopped working his corner and came to watch us for a while.  After about 15 minutes, I felt led to go over to him.  "I don't want no Bible" he said. 

As I turned to go back to Ron, I saw a man get out of his car and head over to Ron (whom I'd left alone), attempting to give him money!  I started yelling no repeatedly and got over there. 

I told him "We don't want money, we want to give you this!" as I handed over the last whole Spanish Bible. 

Ron's talking book machine acts as a boom box if you have a flash drive containing music.  I brought my music. 

One of my favorite Bible Handout songs is Gimme Dat by Ambassador.  Ron laughed as I sang and danced the first time. 

About 45 minutes later, I'm tired.  I'm hot.  My brains are cooked.  Everyone's waving me off like a gnat.  He cued it up again and all the people who'd just said no got treated to a little show! 

http://youtu.be/rytwGHd3iDw



I think people are getting used to me now.  Instead of gaping in alarm, they're chuckling at me and grinning at the crazy Bible lady. 

Good.  Like I told Ron, nearly everyone who laughs at me will also take a Bible! 

I was about run out.  I decided to hand out two more Bibles and then wrap it up. 

I handed out one. 

Then a guy from church came running up.  He saw me as he rode past on the bus.  He got off and came over, wanting to help. 

"I'll set you up!" I told him.  I gave him a plastic bag with a sack of Bibles, Ron's sign, and my extra "Garment of praise"  (safety vest) 

Isaiah 61:3

To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

 

He ran off to another corner.  I restocked my own Bibles and watched him work for a minute.  "He's a natural" I told Ron. 

 

I started getting dizzy - almost out of Bibles, I decided to wrap it up.  In the meantime, our church friend had distributed 10 Bibles of his own.   That's what I meant 40 + 10. 

 

"I had a lot of fun" he told me.  "I'd love to do it again".  I could tell he meant it. 

 

I went to the gas station and got a couple of large Diet sodas (I had drunk a quart of powerade on the way to the handout spot).  As I pushed Ron back to the church, someone honked and pulled in.  I got out a Bible, figuring someone had doubled back for a Bible after all. 

 

Nope, it was my aunt and uncle.  She took the photo.  We talked for a while, figured the wheelchair would fit in their trunk, and agreed to meet for lunch after church. 

 

We had fun.