An old friend is being "redesigned"...

So today was a little different for us as our normal spot in the park has been destroyed and looks more like a war zone than our normal Sunday gathering spot. Seems the city of Omaha has begun the process of removing the trees from and redesigning that corner. They moved pretty quickly to get this going. My guess is they moved so swiftly so as to avoid any kind of obstruction to the project. I mean, anyone who knows how a city government operates knows that this kind of thing doesn’t happen overnight. Yet in this case, they did almost that. The funny thing about it is they did it under the guise of allowing downtown business people the opportunity of having "lunch alfresco" in the park. Now I work downtown. Not sure I remember the last time anyone in my office mentioned the phrase "lunch alfresco". In fact, I’ve never heard that phrase. The fact of the matter is that our homeless friends are unsightly to some and they’d probably just as soon push them to another part of the city. Now maybe that’s not the case and maybe it is. I don’t know. I do know that one of the other reasons mentioned was the colossal amount of bird poop in the park and on the sidewalks from the starlings in the park. And it was a lot. But I’m not sure that’s the best reason to hack down 20 or 30 mature trees and kick ‘em to the curb. Maybe a good power washing would be more cost effective? Those trees provided so much shelter from the sweltering summer sun. So often during the summer, Id comment to anyone who’d listen as to how much shade they provided. At any rate, we had to shift our whole operation today about a half a block south and do His thing a little differently. The main thing for us though was to remember that we have a distinct reason for being there. One of the things that got us down to that corner in the first place was the fact that doing something like this would get us out of our comfort zone. Well guess what’s kind of happened for us over the past couple of years? We’d perhaps fallen into a bit of a comfort zone on that very corner. How bizarre is that? And now we had to remove ourselves from that comfort zone, that place that we’ve been able to call home for a few hours each week for the past couple of years and rethink how we were going to do it. Funny, that. So today I made a point of not over thinking it. Oh we had lots of different opinions on what we should do. How we should set things up. Where we should set things up. One individual was fairly persistent in voicing his opinion. I’ll leave that for another day. Anyway, we got going right about our normal time and things went very well. Funny how that happens when we don’t try to over think things. I mean, it’s not like we have any control over this stuff. We simply need to be the hands and feet. Definitely not the brain. Not my strong suit for sure.

So it was a pretty normal Sunday. If anything associated with this thing qualifies as normal. I mean, what is normal? Pretty ambiguous term really. Here’s the thing. I’ve gotten to know about a couple hundred or more people over the past couple of years. People I definitely would not have become acquainted with otherwise. And it all happened under a stand of trees in a park in downtown Omaha. Right across the street from the office I where I work. And in the same vicinity where literally tens of millions of dollars are being spent tearing down existing buildings so tens and sometimes hundreds of millions of dollars can be spent erecting brand new condo and office towers. Yet each and every Sunday I have people, adults mind you, asking me for help acquiring new shoes. Needing a winter coat. Winter boots. Socks. And there are probably tons of things we haven’t even thought of yet. The dichotomy is bizarre to me. I mean this thing we do can be so simple. I used a young lady’s report a few weeks ago to display what others see in this thing we do every week. She came today with the most amazing poster board presentation. And on the outside, around the edges of the tri-fold poster that she’d constructed were the following lyrics to a popular song…"If everyone cared and nobody cried, If everyone loved and nobody lied, If everyone shared and swallowed their pride, Then we'd see the day when nobody died…". I guess I look around and wonder what this crazy world would look like if everyone maybe cared just a little more. Even back to the doggone trees. As I read her presentation, and I have to tell you she did an amazing job on this thing, I was amazed at what she was able to capture with just a few well placed pictures and a few well written words. And the fact that we’ve gathered under those trees weekly for almost two years without fail had me feeling a little sad about the fact that our weekly gatherings were now going to be different. No more shade in the summer when the sun is beating us down. And more importantly, no more shade for our friends. Now I’ve seen artist renderings of what the corner will look like when it’s completed and I’m actually mildly excited about the prospects. But do we really need to spend a truckload of money on something that was fine to begin with when there is so much need right here in our city? I simply hope that they don’t attempt to move us to a different part of the city like they do our homeless friends. Because I don’t think we’re going anywhere. And I pray that they don’t ask us to leave. We’ll cross that bridge when and if necessary, but needless to say, we are in for the long haul. I had to make sure our friends knew that today. Seems that someone told them last week we wouldn’t be there. So I made sure to reiterate that unless they hear it directly from Robin or myself, or they happen to catch Gabriel steppin’ out on a cloud blowin’ that sweet, sweet sound, then they should be there. Because, the Lord willing, we’ll be there.

So it feels almost like an old friend is gone today. Not to be overly dramatic, but it just seemed odd as I looked at Mickaela’s presentation and looked at the pictures and just thought back to all the crazy things that have happened on that corner. And that is strictly from a selfish standpoint. That doesn’t even take into account the feelings I get when thinking about how our friends have now lost yet another place to escape from the heat and whatever other weather is thrown at them. I guess what it boils down to for me is I really don’t like change. Especially change that I have no say in. As if I have any say so in anything anyway. I’m sure this will turn out well. I even said as much to several people today. In fact I can’t wait to see what changes they have in store for us on that corner. But since it was the place where we made our first attempt at this sort of thing, the place where we first felt led to do His work and the place where we now have so many memories, I’ll always have a soft spot for it. Thankfully, we have lots of pictures. And now we’ll have to make new memories. With our friends and family. On 14 and Douglas. Every Sunday at noon.

And my friend Eric asked me a strange question today. The question went something like this…"Dave, you know how when someone thanks you for something and you point upward? What do people in Australia do in that case?" And I think he was mildly serious. I had no answer…I just laughed.

Peace and have a great and blessed week.

Make a difference.

…it matters to that one… :)

Just gotta do something?

So today was another spectacular day to be downtown in the park. Hanging out with our friends. Weather was great. Food was great. A couple hundred services or more of enchiladas, Spanish rice, and all the fixings that go along with a meal like that. And the Youth Group from St. Vincent DePaul Church came down and brought enough deserts to choke a stable of horses! Amazing how that works. They were great to have down there too. Something about young kids and a desire to help and their desire to be on fire for His causes. I talked to one young lady who expressed her amazement at what was going on down there. She mentioned that her youth group was going to try to do something monthly. I’m not sure if she meant they were going to come and serve with us monthly or not. But she was so convinced that she needed to come down more often. It’s so cool to see younger folks who get it. There is a huge problem in our city and I don’t k now how to address the issue as it relates to solving the problem. But I know that we can all do a little something to show we care. If everyone did a little something…

There was another couple who came down today and I believe they were with the youth group. I believe the lady works at Creighton University here in Omaha. Her words, and I have to paraphrase, were that she simply could not believe something like this could be happening in our own city. That there was a homelessness problem of this proportion right here in our city. Creighton is in the middle of spending millions of dollars purchasing buildings in the area north of downtown and east of their campus. She said she couldn’t believe that they were spending all that money and what are we doing for the people of our city? Now this conversation was relayed to me, but I have to believe that’s not an uncommon perception. I just don’t think people realize the extent of the problem in this city as it relates to homelessness and poverty. Again, if everyone just did a little something…

Last Thursday, Robin and I had a change to share the story of what God is doing in His ministry work, through us, in the downtown community. We had the opportunity to share with a group called Metro Marketplace Ministry. It’s a group who works to connect others in the business community to share Christ in the workplace. So we were able to share what God is doing in our lives and in the downtown community as we see it. One of the more interesting things that came of this meeting, at least to me, was the following story that was shared with us. After we spoke, a younger fellow shared a story with us. He mentioned that he knew one of the fellows that was in our video. Has known him for a few years now. And I wrote of this guy, unknowingly, a few weeks ago. Seems this guy comes over into Omaha from Council Bluffs every Sunday morning and gives our friend John a small donation. 5 bucks. 10 bucks. 20 bucks. Whatever he can spare I suppose. A few weeks ago, he had to navigate a field to find John. Seems John had overslept. I wrote about this already, so I’ll spare the details. The point of it all? Well, first of all, John is agnostic. So he doesn’t quite share our views on Christianity. Yet his friend that comes over every week is Christian. As are we. And John knows that. Not because we beat him up with the Gospel every week. Not because we hold our friends captive each week as we preach a message. That just doesn’t happen. We pray together. And even our agnostic friends respect that. At least outwardly. Now I like John a lot and we’ve had a couple of conversations around this whole thing. But even though our views are different when it comes to what we believe, John definitely knows what we believe. And he respects it. So at our meeting last week, this fellow speaks of John and we now know who John’s Sunday friend is. This is the guy that John has told us about. The guy that shows up each week with a bit of help for John. And John has told him about us. And said that we needed to hook up. This just struck me because Robin and I both knew who he was talking about without a name being mentioned. So in all of it, some things become a little clearer to me. The simple fact that His Word never goes out void. I know that might be the pat answer from a Christian perspective, but I believe it with all I know. And when our actions are His actions, that speaks pretty loudly also. So even though we preach no message to our friends on Sundays, they know where it all comes from, and it certainly ain’t from us. So it was interesting to say the least, that this guy would relate this story to us and confirm what God is always impressing upon us. If we will simply go out and attempt to be a bit of His light in a dark spot, He will indeed shine through us to the point that people will maybe see a glimpse of Him. Now don’t get me wrong. I could screw up a one man funeral if given the right opportunity. But that’s the great thing about working for the Big Guy Himself. We don’t have to worry about the small stuff. He takes care of it. And give us confirmation if we are only willing to listen. We just have to do something. It doesn’t have to be this huge "outreach" project. It simply has to be something from the heart and something that is done to glorify and honor God. We know if our hearts are right, He’ll lead it and in a way that will constantly and consistently blow our doors in. That’s just how He works. Just gotta do a little something…

Finally, I met a couple fellows from the University of Nebraska at Omaha today. They are from Campus Crusade for Christ. I think they just happened upon us today. But they were amazed at what they saw. They were talking to a few of our friends and they told them to come over and introduce themselves to me. We had a great conversation and of course I asked them to do a coat drive for us. Or a sock drive. Or a whatever drive. Just do something. I think they will. Because this isn’t our thing. It’s His thing. And everyone can get involved and help out in someway. It’s not about the socks or the coats or the meal. I know I’ve mentioned that on several occasions, but I mean it. It’s not about that stuff. It’s about His stuff. And it’s about us taking ownership of a problem in our city that isn’t going away anytime soon if we don’t all chip in a do a little something. For instance we learned this week that the city is considering removing all the trees from the park to alleviate a growing problem. I know I’m going off on a tangent here, but hang with me. So they are trying to rid this park of a growing problem. You want to know what the problem is? Bird poop. Yep, bird poop. That’s the official explanation. But you know what those trees provide? Cover from the heat in the summer for our friends. But they are also a nesting place for starlings. Lots of them. So instead of addressing that problem, let’s just remove the trees from the park. Wouldn’t want "trees" in a "park" now would we? Or maybe they don’t want our friends to have a place to go to get out of the summer heat. Look, I know it’s a problem. But how about addressing the real problem here? So we remove the trees and the homeless guys are just going to disappear? Probably not. So I’m talking to the guys from Campus Crusade and they are in. They want to help in some tangible way. They say they’ll contact us at some point. I wonder if they know any tree huggers? :) We might need to enlist a group to help. I don’t think Robin is going to go down without a fight on this one. We both kind of laughed at the description in the paper the other day. Seems with all the bird poop, the local business community can’t enjoy a "lunch alfresco" in the park because of the stench. I don’t know. We enjoy a "lunch alfresco" (whatever that is) every Sunday at noon. Along with 150 or so of our friends. Doesn’t seem to bother any of us...

Peace and have a great and blessed week.

Go out and make a difference.

…it matters to that one… :)

Mickaela's Report

Occasionally I get the great opportunity to actually see or hear the perspective of another individual as to what they see when they experience this thing that happens for us each week. This thing that becomes a Sunday event for us and that is an absolute blessing to my family and many others. It’s easy to take it for granted, this weekly ordeal that we are blessed to be a small part of. I spend a few hours each Sunday morning in the garage getting stuff ready. Robin spends a few hours preparing her part of the meal, while others do the same in their own kitchen to prepare a meal for 200 or so of our friends. The kids all help out in various ways. We show up on a downtown street corner and spend a few hours doing what He leads us to do. It all works. And after doing this thing for almost two years now, you sort of get in a groove. Needs change as the seasons change. But one thing that will never change for me is the Reason. To serve and to offer the opportunity for others to do the same. That is and always has been one of the primary reasons we do this thing. We get the most amazing opportunity each and every week to show up and serve an amazing God and some pretty amazing people. One of the cool things that happens on occasion is the opportunity to hear from someone else. What does a person see and feel as they experience a Sunday at 14th and Douglas?

Recently a young lady and her family began serving with us each Sunday. She initially joined us as a requirement for service hours related to her upcoming confirmation. One of the requirements was a report on her service. One thing I’d like to state - she mentions that it was "by chance" that she came across Starfish Ministry. I’d like to think it was not "by chance" at all. :) This young lady was kind enough to allow me to use her report this week in my blog. Enough words from me. This is Mickaela's Report…

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I had been thinking about switching my community service hours to another organization. The one I started my hours at was really not that great. I didn’t feel like I was helping that much. Sure, I did the stocking and sorting they asked me to; but the people who worked there were not very friendly. It was by chance I came across Starfish Ministry. I read a post on a home school information board by a group that fed the homeless people in downtown Omaha and they needed some help. It has always made me sad that some people are homeless. I thought it would be a more hands-on way of helping so I decided to give it a try. And, I’m so glad I did!

Starfish Ministry’s mission is to "work to provide a hand-up for people in the Omaha area. By meeting some basic physical needs, building relationships, and imitating the love of Christ, we seek to provide hope in otherwise hopeless situations." The ministry basically runs out of founders, Dave and Robin Laney’s, Papillion home. They can be contacted at the website: starfishministry.com. The best way to get involved with Starfish Ministry would be to contact the Laney’s to see what is most needed that week. Perhaps you could donate food or help serve the meal downtown. If you only wanted to donate there is a list of items to donate on their website. Any help big or little is appreciated and goes directly to the homeless who need it most.

The Laney’s are fabulous people. Over the last month while I worked my Confirmation service hours it has been so interesting to watch them interact and help their Sunday Friends. They clearly are examples of people who live their faith. Their trust in God, no matter what their Sunday Friends throw at them is unyielding.

Two years ago, after moving to Omaha from Charlotte, North Carolina, The Laney’s were searching for a church or a faith community to belong to. They felt the call to do God’s work but not the right place to do it yet. They remembered back to their days in Charlotte where they were part of a group who fed the homeless in downtown Charlotte. They wondered if something like they did there would work here. So two years ago one cold November day the Laney’s took a pot of soup, a small table, and their warm hearts to the corner of 14th & Douglas to share a meal with those who needed one.

Inspired by God’s Will, the Laney’s truly believed this idea would work here. They could reach out to the homeless regardless of the person’s problems and provide them a home cooked meal, a caring ear to simply listen to them, and to share God’s grace and love in their life.

There were some struggles in the beginning. Keeping a meal warm- outside- in Nebraska’s cold winters is very challenging. Another struggle they faced in the beginning was getting the homeless, or "Sunday Friends," (as they call them) to trust them. It took time to get to know their new friends and their stories. The Laney’s knew this was so much bigger then themselves and God would provide for their needs to help these people.

Over the last two years of serving their Sunday Friends every weekend, the Laney’s had some good and bad memories to share. The saddest memories they deal with is death. The death of any of their Sunday Friends deeply affects them. I know they realize God has a plan for everyone and that even in death His Will will be done. But being human, one can’t help but second guess or wonder "What if…"

Mr. Laney shared with me one of his best memories. As he was preparing for the day and driving downtown, he kept praying to God that he needed a miracle today; he needed something really good to happen- he needed a miracle. When they arrived downtown the day went like they usually do. As they were packing up to go home, one of their Sunday Friends came up to him. This particular friend had just graduated from an alcohol rehabilitation program. He was hollering at Mr. Laney that he had to show him something. He came over and showed Mr. Laney a coin he received when he graduated from rehab. On the coin it said, "I’m a miracle!"

Serving the homeless with Starfish Ministry was a great experience for my confirmation service hours. This experience required me to get out of my "comfort zone" and learn to appreciate a group of people in our community who really just need a hand-up. I enjoyed serving the meals and drinks to all of them. They definitely are colorful characters. They are thankful for a warm, home cooked meal and a friendly face. I know they have all arrived on the corner of 14th & Douglas for different reasons. Whatever their choices are that have brought them there today is not really important. It’s the fact that they simply are there.

It was a little uncomfortable at first. I could not really relate to their situation. I have a home; I have food to eat whenever I want to; I have a family- but, I could listen to them. And often, that is all they need. I can serve them a good home-cooked meal. And, that always brightens their mood! I can learn to care for them. Because that, is what Jesus calls us to do.

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Thanks Mickaela. And I thank God for you and your family because without Him and families like yours, none of this is possible. It does indeed make a difference.

Matthew 25:37-40 Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Peace and have a great and blessed week.

Go out and make a difference.

…it matters to that one… :)

Don’t thank me…

"Thanks Dave". Seems like I hear those words about a hundred times or more every Sunday. Thanks Dave. Thanks for the socks. Thanks for the shoes. Thanks for the meal. Thanks for the…whatever. The thing is I try to emphasize that it isn’t me. It isn’t us. And the funnier thing is I’m starting to get the same responses from different people. "Thank both of you". Now that’s one I like. I don’t want, for one second, anyone giving me thanks for anything I do on Sunday or any other day for that matter. I certainly don’t deserve thanks. I most especially don’t want it. I simply wish for our friends to know from where it all comes. Whenever anyone thanks me for anything? I simply tell them to not. Please. I’m simply the one that does a little of the leg work. The tool as my friend Bill once said. Others have called me much worse. A tool? In some places that has a pretty negative connotation. In this case? I’ll take it. I’ll be an instrument of the Lord any day. Because there is no one I’d rather serve. And each time I get the opportunity to give someone a pair of socks or pray with someone on that corner I’m reminded just how blessed I really am.

Here’s yet another crazy story, to me anyway. I met a couple today. Richard and Miranda. Never seen them before. As it turns out, I’m guessing I’ll never see them again. They show up on our corner today. After sleeping in some bushes last night. Hey, they found some cardboard to make things a little more comfortable. For whatever reason, it’s getting cooler here a little early this year. We actually had long sleeves on yesterday at Nick’s football game. So I’m guessing sleeping under the bushes by the Omaha Children’s Museum last night was a little frosty. Now these guys don’t know this city. How they got there last night I have no idea. What happens when you get off a bus in a strange city? Do you go looking for the most comfortable bushes you can find? Not in this case. The came in from Sioux City yesterday. Seems a church there was able to help them get as far as Omaha. I guess it costs a little more to get to Austin than to Omaha? Obviously. But let me back up a bit. This couple was visiting family in South Dakota. They had driven up with friends from Austin, Texas. On the way back, the friends were arrested in Sioux City, Iowa. Now why the friends would even go through Sioux City when they had outstanding warrants in that city is for another time, but they did. So they get arrested, therefore stranding this couple there. So they get a little help and show up in Omaha yesterday. They try their luck at the shelter, but it seems they forgot to pack there marriage certificate for this trip. I do that all the time! Doggone marriage certificate. I wouldn’t know where ours is. And the shelter needs a marriage certificate to put them up together. Rules. So the shelter offers them separate quarters. Only thing is they can only give her an upper bunk. And it seems Miranda has a medical condition which causes her to have seizures. Not a good combination. Seizures and an upper bunk. Bad combo. Oh and someone from the shelter, who shall go unnamed, offered to help with bus tickets. Told them to wait out front and she’d get back to them. After about an hour and a half, said person left for the day out the back door. No explanation or anything. Seems she was going to try to get a local church to pay for the tickets. The church turned them down for some reason. So they weren’t having much luck. Somehow, they showed up on our corner today. I met them in the line. They asked if we could help. We? Oh, you mean the both of us? Well, get a bite to eat and we’ll chat after things settle down a little. That’s a pretty pat answer for me. Lots of people seem to need to talk. To both of us. :) So they mentioned their situation and I told them to give me some time and "we’d" see if we could do anything. So, after we got the trailer loaded up, I spent a bit of time talking to Richard and Miranda. I sometimes wonder, when people I’ve never met before, begin to tell me of their circumstances if they are really being square with me. It’s so hard not to be cynical sometimes. But if "we" have the money, and we’ve been blessed with various donations, how can we not help. But I have to admit, it’s a real struggle for me sometimes. So anyway we make arrangements to get the bus tickets for them and get them on their way. They leave Omaha at 7:45 tonight and get to Austin tomorrow afternoon. Now I wouldn’t wish that bus trip on anyone, but I’m guessing this couple will take it. Look, I can’t imagine being stranded in a strange city. Sleeping under a bush. On a piece of cardboard. And wondering if I’d ever get back and how? I cannot imagine.

I had a fellow come up to me today and tell me the funniest thing, yet it was pretty awesome at the same time. Robert is an older fellow who had started coming down in recent months. I’m really not sure how long he’s been coming down and I think he has an apartment nearby. He stopped me today to tell me some news. He pulls me close and tells me he joined the Lord today. Joined the Lord? That’s the first time I’ve heard it described quite like that. He said he had to. I told him he was absolutely right. He did have to. And I fully intend on joining up with him in coming weeks to hear how his "joining" is going! Joined the Lord! I like that one.

And finally, and this has absolutely nothing to do with anything, but it was a moment we’ll be talking about in our family for a while, no doubt. We leave the downtown area today and we’re heading south. We’d stopped at my Mom’s house for a few minutes on the way home and were leaving South Omaha. Heading down 13th Street. As we passed through an intersection, I noticed a flock of birds clearing the road and thought I might hit one of them. Guess I should have thought differently. As they flew close to the front of the van, I was very suddenly aware of the fact that something had come in through the window of the van and grazed the top of my rather large melon. A baby bird had flown right smack in the window, took a glancing blow off my head and landed inside on the back window of the van. Now it all happened rather quickly, and by the time I turned around to see exactly what the heck had just grazed me, the neighbor girl who made the trip with us downtown today was standing in her seat, screaming in a vain attempt to avoid this crazy bird. She was terrified! And the bird flies across to Christian’s side and bounces of his window. I’m looking back, trying to figure this all out and of course I’m driving the van. While looking back. And did I mention we are in the middle of a construction zone? One lane either direction. So I might have crossed a front, left tire into the oncoming lane for a second or two. I did get notice from the truck that was coming from the other direction that this game of chicken was going to end pretty quickly if one of us didn’t do something differently. So I get back into my lane and the bird finds a place in the back of the van. We are able to stop a ways up the road once we’d cleared all the pylons and construction cones and free this crazy bird. Don’t know the moral of this one, just a crazy moment and one we’ll be talking about for a while.

So, aside from the bird incident, it was a great day. Another opportunity to be the wall-less, door-less, roof-less open air "building" that this thing has become. And when I got a call from Richard and Miranda a few minutes ago thanking me for the chance to get home? Well, I simply told them not to thank me.

Thank God.

Peace and have a great and blessed week.

Go out and make a difference.

…it matters to that one… :)

Ramblings and Fried Chicken!!

What an amazing, freaking day! Can I say that? I think I just did. What a day. Today, we had probably the best meal that we’ve served to date. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, cole slaw, potato salad, watermelon, a barrel full of soda pop and lots of other good stuff. This was something Robin has wanted to do for a while, but, logistically, doing fried chicken for that many people was a bit daunting. That’s a lot of chicken. The bigger picture here is that God provides. He sent a great couple our way who ended up donating a large portion of the chicken. It’s unreal how He works in this thing to provide just what we need when we need it. 500 pieces of fried chicken?!! Are you kidding me?!! And the great people from River of Life Church were back in full force. What an amazing group of people. One of the guys from River of Life, Dan was talking to me as we were loading the trailer at the end of the day. A little while earlier, he was scooping potatoes. So he asks me if I think there would be a need for dressing open wounds. Are you kidding me? I’ve seen some pretty nasty wounds on some of our friends. So Dan, as he’s handing me the empty totes that were once full of clothing, asks if that is something that may be a need? So I ask Dan the obvious question. Are you a doctor? And of course I get the obvious answer. Yes. Amazing how God works in these situations. Because I’m telling you that I’ve seen some pretty messy wounds in that park and a doctor who may be able to clean them up right there would be amazing. He’s talking lidocaine and stuff like that and I’m thinking, yeah, this will work. Amazing. A doctor on staff. How cool would that be? Well, if we had a staff…

Something else really cool happened today. I wonder how many times I’ve written that in a blog? But seriously, something really cool happened. I’ve written about our friend Wade or referenced him several times over the past few weeks. If you’ve read any of these blogs recently, you know the story. Wade left us recently and it’s been on my mind a lot lately. Partly because of all the responses I’ve gotten to a few of the blogs from family members and friends, but also partly because of the situation. So today, we had the pleasure and honor of serving alongside Wade’s sister-in-law, her daughter and son, her father, and her mother. They made a 4 hour drive in this morning to be here by noon and to serve our friends lunch in the park. I won’t try to insert my feelings here, because I’m sure I wouldn’t do justice to what they experienced in the park today. This whole thing to me is so absolutely incredible. That a family would drive 4 hours and bring a van full of clothing and other things speaks volumes. I was just thrilled to see them today. Not necessarily under the circumstances that we met, but thrilled nonetheless. I know lots of people that have mentioned to me that they’d love to come down and help. And I know that intentions are always good. But for this family to come halfway across the state in memory of Wade is nothing short of amazing. The things that God has done in this ministry continue to blow my mind. This fits the bill. That Wade ended up in what would seem to be an avoidable situation is debatable. Maybe it’s all part of His plan. Of that I have no idea. But it was so cool to spend time with them today and see the genuine love they had for Wade. It was a very cool experience for me on lots of levels. A 4 hour drive to Omaha from Beaver City, Nebraska, 3 hours on the corner and another 4 hours home (that’s an 8 hour round trip for those of us who are math challenged)? Are you kidding me?

The day started a little inauspiciously. Seems our friend Brian had a bit too much to drink and was acting inappropriately or something. I saw nothing, but apparently something happened before we arrived in the park. So I hear a bit of commotion and Robin mentions that I may need to talk to Brian. So here I go in my peacemaker role. I see that Brian is barely functioning. And frankly, in spite of the many issues we have with Brian on Sundays, I’ve never seen him in this state. So I was a bit confused that he’d be so totally out of his mind at this early hour. At any rate, I get him seated on the wall, grab him a plate of food and try to help him get situated. Just as he’s getting ready to eat, 2 of Omaha’s finest show up. Someone has called a couple of police officers to report Brian’s activities. And within minutes, he’s cuffed and in the back of a cruiser. That all happened within about 10 minutes of us arriving. I’d be speculating by mentioning what he was charged with, so I won’t do that. He’s going to need some prayer though. He just might be in a little more trouble than he realizes.

After that, things went fairly smoothly. We had a huge crowd. We purposely kept the menu on the down low because we were afraid that word would get out. Isn’t that a little odd? Us worrying about what God might be able to provide? Yeah, as if we have any control over any of this. So, besides Brian’s incident, it was a spectacular day. Great weather, great friends, great food and great fellowship. And we didn’t get off that corner until probably 3:30 or so. I have to admit, at around that time when I saw Bradley approaching the van from the distance, I was in "bail" mode. I’ll write about Bradley sometime later, but let’s just say he’s a bit high maintenance and he tries my patience at times. Calls me Joe all the time also. Joe? I don’t know. But I’d already had a couple of encounters with him and it was time to hit the road. When he saw us pulling out, he sort of half-ran to the sidewalk but it was too late. We’d made a clean getaway and we’ll surely see him next week.

On a personal note, this has been the first Labor Day weekend in a long time that I won’t be able to call my Dad and talk college football. This is really one of my favorite weekends of the year. Fall is right around the corner. College football, which is definitely one of my favorites, is in full swing and it’s been a time that I’ve been able to share with my Dad. Well, Dad did a post pattern into the great beyond in May. He’s gone now. I watched a few highlights last night and realized that I couldn’t call him and talk about his team or my team this year. It seems surreal. But it’s reality. I’ll figure it out. Not on my own though. The nice thing is I’m guessing Dad had the best seats in the house last night and has all weekend. I'll sign off here how I used to end my weekly notes to Dad. "War Eagle Dad and Go Big Red!"

…as for my family and me, we will serve the Lord. - Joshua 24:15

Peace and have a great and blessed week.

Go out and make a difference.

…it matters to that one… :)

Write me in in pencil…

Today was a little different for us. Since I spent the weekend away camping with Nick, we decided to do Starfish Lite this week. What that looks like for us is simple bringing a meal and lots of fellowship. No trailer with buckets of clothing, no socks, no hygiene, no shoes. Just us. And in actuality, the great folks at Papio Creek Church cooked the meal this week, so we simply had to show up with plates, cups, etc., and a willingness to hang out with our friends. And that we did. It was one of the most stress free days I can remember. And after the night I had with my man Nick, that was a pretty welcome ordeal for me. Nick and I spent the weekend at Platter River State Park camping, fishing hanging out and just generally doing the guy thing. We also took advantage of our time to have a little talk about what it means to become a young man. Oh yeah. That talk. But it was an amazing weekend. Nick caught about 6 or so pretty good sized large mouth bass, a bunch of blue gill, a snapping turtle the size of a basketball and a catfish that stretched out about as long as him. It was a great weekend. Right up until about midnight Saturday night. That’s when it hit. And that’s when I remembered the pile of miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup wrappers I’d seen the night before. My man Nick plowed through a bag of ‘em in no time and they plowed through him in no time. Midnight. 2:30. 3:00. 7:00. Like clockwork. And we were staying in a cabin with no running water. It wasn’t a pretty sight. I’ll spare the details, but it was a long night for my buddy. So a Lite day was a welcome thing indeed. The nice thing about it? It allowed me so much more time in conversation with various folks. Normally I feel like my head is on a swivel making sure I take care of all the things that we do on a Sunday. Today? Not so much. It was actually like a relaxed Sunday meal in the park and it was indeed good.

I was talking to my friend John today. He had a story. Seems he "flies a sign" on a specific corner coming off an interstate ramp every Sunday morning. Now you have to understand a few things about John. I’ve mentioned him before. His place of residence is normally a bridge abutment. He moves around occasionally, but I’m pretty sure he doesn’t do the change of address thing with Uncle Sam. But he pretty much lays his head wherever most nights. Oh, and he’s an agnostic. So today he’s telling me the story of his Christian friend that comes by every Sunday morning and drops him a bit of cash. Every Sunday morning. And normally John is waiting on the same corner. This morning? Not there. John, for some reasons that shall go unmentioned, "fell asleep" in a field a little ways from his normal Sunday spot. His Christian friend, however, parked his van, traipsed through the muddy field and found John asleep. Guess John’s alarm clock failed him on this morning. So the guy finds him, wakes him and gives him the usual. So John, I’m guessing a bit surprised at the lengths his Christian friend has taken to find him, tells the guy something like this. He says "You know, I know a couple you need to meet. Dave and Robin are a Christian couple that come to the park every week. They don’t belong to any organized religion, they just love God." He also tells the guy the following, " Dave works at UP and one day he walked out of that building and God tapped him on the shoulder and said ‘Take care of those homeless people in that park Dave’. " So John is telling me this story and I’m taking it in man. I’m always curious what exactly our friends think about the crazy suburbanites that show up down here. John summed it up pretty good. We just love God. And John invited his Christian friend to come visit us some Sunday on the corner. I hope he makes it. Love to meet him.

I got the most amazing email last week. I was in the library one day last week looking for someone and ran into another friend. He is from Nigeria. Been here about 3 years or so. Came here to finish his studies. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s in his early 50s. He’s been staying at a local shelter ever since, as far as I know. And he is the most gentle, unassuming, and just nice guy that you’d ever want to meet. So I run into him in the library and we chat for all of 5 minutes. The next day, he sends me the following email, which I’m sharing with his permission. I was humbled to read his note. It is an amazing situation that I find myself in. It can be very trying at times, but God continually sends these kind of reminders to us. He is so extremely faithful to His ministry. I am so very blessed to be a small part of this thing.
----------
Dear Dave,

It was nice talking with you on Monday. As I said, you were CONSPICUOUSLY absent on Sunday. Your wife, Robin, as usual was at the helm of affairs. She did a very a good job. It is always wonderful when all of you are there. The absence of either of you is noticeable. This is only my personal opinion.

I find your presence soothing. You exude such warmth and radiate optimism. Your cheerfulness adds extra meaning to what you do. I am Catholic. St. Teresa of Avila said that a sad face Christian is the work of the devil. You may not realise how your (you and your family) cheerfulness adds to what you do. There are other people who come to park to deliver lunches but their attitude I find reprehensible that I do not even want to partake of their "kindness". So please, continue the good work you are doing. You are exemplary especially when the attitude and abuse of some of us who avail themselves of your benevolence is not encouraging. This shows the power of your conviction.

You may be wondering why I am saying this. Charity is not an option for a Christian. It is an obligation. Courtesy is an aspect of Christianity. Gratitude is another aspect. Giving praise to whom praise is due is the greatest praise to God and an aspect of a clean heart. You can see where i am coming from.

Please continue the good work you are doing and

May the God of Love and Peace be with you and your family,

Cordially and Fraternally Yours,
Magundat.
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And finally I had a great conversation with our friend Bill. I think we determined that we hadn’t seen each other since Memorial Day. Long time. You see, Bill had a few arrest warrants our and if he were to be seen in the park, he’d face the inevitable. So sometime during the last few weeks, the inevitable happened. He was arrested and sent to jail. I think this time it was for eight days. Now Bill is a guy I have a standing Thursday lunch deal with. I’ve mentioned this before. He rarely shows up. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of times we’ve actually met. Maybe even less than one hand. But it’s still a standing deal. And today he showed up for the first time in a couple of months. We talked about meeting this week. His response? I don’t make many plans Dave. I understand Bill. So he tells me to write him in in pencil. It’s the nature of the lifestyle I suppose. Goes with the territory. Doesn’t know if he’ll make it. I will. Have to. As my friend Magundat says, this thing is not an option. I don’t care if it were or not. I’m going. Every week. Every Sunday. Every Thursday. And any other day that anyone wants to meet. Have to. And ya know? I want to. So for Bill? I’ll go ahead and write him in in pen. Because whether Bill shows up or not, I’m going to be there. Because if he does show up, I’ll be there. Have to.

Peace and have a great and blessed week.

Go out and make a difference.

…it matters to that one… :)

Wade...Part II

I’ve been thinking about something for a few weeks now. Anyone who’s read this blog in the past few weeks knows we lost one of our friends a few weeks ago. Wade Sechtem was found in a lake in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Just a few miles across the Missouri River and only a few miles from where we meet on Sundays. I won’t go into a bunch of details as to how we knew Wade because I’ve already covered all that. Something really amazing has happened over the past couple of weeks, at least in my eyes. A simple blog has become a place for family members and friends to reminisce about Wade and to share memories. Not to be redundant because all the comments that have been left in Wade’s memory can be found on our wordpress.com blog, but I wanted to simply put them all together in one blog for several different reasons. For one, I’ll print them off and give them to Wade’s buddies. I think that is something he’d want. Number two, I put this blog on several different websites and I think it’s important for people to see just what kind of impact a guy can have. Wade was, in lots of people’s eyes, a homeless fellow with a pretty heavy addiction. To me? He was so much more. These comments from his friends and family prove that. He was everyman. Any guy. Could be any one of us. But he was Wade. This is who he was. From His mother, to his twin sister, to his kids, all the way to his little league baseball coach. You see, lots of times when we see a drunken, homeless fellow, we maybe see a guy who we want to steer clear of. Cross the street on the other side kind of guy so as to avoid contact. But these comments paint a different picture. One last thing before I copy them all in. I talked to a fellow last week that knew Wade. As I was standing on the small wall in the park before we prayed, I mentioned to all our friends that I did not know the conditions of Wade’s heart as it related to his relationship with Christ. After our prayer a fellow came up to me that knew Wade. He simply told me that Wade had indeed accepted Christ. Back in March. Not too sure what happened after that, but he had indeed.

Just a forewarning here – this is going to be a little more long winded that normal for me. But these are not from me. The following represents the impact a homeless fellow had on those he touched during his short 42 years here. Please read them and realize that that guy you see sitting or sleeping in the park is someone’s son…brother...father. That guy you see flying a sign? Same thing. Just something to keep in mind.

Here’s Wades story through the eyes of others…

From his Mother…
There are no words that can sufficiently express my appreciation
to all of you who contributed to this blog….most especially to
Dave who created it and had the most recent and last contact
with Wade. Through this and the many people who have talked
or written to me since Wade’s death, I have come to realize
and find comfort in the fact that Wade’s death is not “senseless”.
That this “drunk” may have positively touched more lives
than we who have been or have become “sober”!

His life was not in vain. He has left a legacy of four beautiful
children and one grandchild, as well as friends and acquaintances
who because of his struggles have stopped or paused in their lives
to think about what their role is in this earthly life.

Yes, he caused heartache to others because of his alcholism and
much turmoil, but isn’t the neediest of us often the greatest
teacher!

Thank you all for your comforting words and prayers.

Dave, heartfelt thanks for your work and please pass on my
thanks to his “buddies” in Omaha who care for each other, and
cared about Wade.

I am Wade’s mother who never faulter in her love for her
“baby” son.

And from his twin sister…
Hi and Thanks!! I am Wades twin sister Wendy. I have been searching for information about this crazy death and “why” it has to happen to so many. I found this blog and just wanted to say “Thank you so much” I always wondered what Wade was doing and where he was, was he hungry, cold or hurt, could we of done more, do we just go get him? All the questions I am sure a family has. My biggest fear was him being alone, and now reading this I am feeling comfort and peace knowing he had people who cared. Why should I of worried, because I knew as all his family and friends did… Wade made friends “wherever” he was, he touched lives in positive ways, through laughter was a big way. He could make you laugh at the smallest of things.
Wades funeral service was wonderful, friends from all stages of his life cane and they spent time with myself, his wife, his siblings, his mother and his brothers telling stories of the past and how he made impressions in there lives. Then to read the blog and see the caring, understanding, non-judgmental friends praying and celebrating their time with him is a comfort. Wade has taught myself a lesson in life, not to judge others but reach out and know everyone has a story, be non-judgmental. I pray that Wades death will touch others as well who suffer from addiction to reach out and ask for help, this death is the cross-road, which road will be taken?

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and words for my brother. You have helped in my grieving and answer some questions as to what he was doing the last days of his life. Again, who knows, we can all play the “what if” game and wonder what would of happened if we would of done this for Wade, what words could or should we of said to convince Wade to want to go to treatment. He wanted it bad I know, his pain was deep, but something always made him stay away from treatment, just one more drink and then I’ll go, or I’ll go next week… I am sure he said this many times and then never would go and then feel the pain and guilt of failing again. Sadly, for us, Wade did make it to treatment if I must find a way to help me in my pain of grieving, he made it to Heavens Treatment Center, the center of grace, peace, comfort and God’s everlasting love. He will no longer be a failure in his addiction, he has beaten it. I love you Wade and your legacy lives on and on in your 4 beautiful kids.

My prayers will be for Wade and our family and special prayers for all who suffer from addictions and trying to find the way back home, and for people who reach out to help in acts of non-judgmental kindness to help the suffering.

Thanks. from a twin sister who misses her little brother. You will never know what reading your story has done for my soul.

Wendy

And from his daughter…
My name is Lacey Sechtem I am 22 years old and am one of four siblings, Wade Sechtem was my father. This loss has been extremley hard and painfull for the entire family. We all had this little hope inside that he would find help and get better and come back home. In away he did go home maybe not the home we all wanted but he is at home with Jesus. He is no longer feeling pain, guilt, and shame.

I remember the day my Mother, Grandma, brother and sister went to drop him off in Omaha there at the homeless place. I couldnt even go, it was too painful for me and my other sister. I wanted him to get help and we all had did all we could do for him. We just couldnt help him anymore.

This last year i have missed my Dad so much, i have a 4 year old daughter who missed her Grandpa as well. But it was always so hard to hear his voice on the phone and hear him tell us where he was living and how he was living. It was so painfull, all I ever wanted to do was to go find him in Omaha and take him home and take care of him, but I knew I couldnt.

But to see what this man had written about my Dad was hard to read but nice to read at the same time. It was nice to see that there were people out there trying to help him, and wanting to help him. But what really made me and my family smile was to see that there were peoples lives Dad had touched, even being on the streets, that they did a memorial for him. He was such a good man, despite his struggles with alcohol.

My Dad was a great man, he was an Amazing Father and Grandpa. I remeber when I was in the hospital after I gave birth to my daughter Aza, my Dad was hogging her so much, he held her and rocked her almost the entire day. He was so proud to be a grandpa. I loved seeing how much he loved his grandaughter, but everyone kept giving him crap cuz he would barley let anyone else hold her. Growing up he was so much fun he always took us to the park, taught us how to play golf, basketball, softball, and so much more. We always had so much fun with Dad. He owned several restraunts growing up, and we were always at his side eager to learn. And he taught us so much. He was always there when we played high school sports, always the loudest parent cheering us on. He was always so proud of us, when me and my sister made it to state track several years in a row he was always there in the stands cheering so loud and proud it always made me smile so much.

He was so funny, as im sure if anyone knew him they would know that. He was always cracking jokes and playing practical jokes. I remember one time at my track meets him and some of the other Dads were all sitting by the track and my friends and I would come hang out there in between our events and Dad would tie a string to a pop bottle and then tie it to someones shoe so when they got up and jogged off it would hit there foot and drag behind them. He got so many people it was halarious. But that was his thing was to make people laugh and he was so good at it.

But I know that his last part of his life was sad and not really the way he wanted. But I want people to know that he was such a great man, he was so loving, caring and would do anything for anyone. He always made sure all of kids had everything we needed, he was so good at making amazing meals outta nothing..we would always say there was nothing in the house and he would whip up some big meal.

My Dad was an amazing Chef. Growing up he was head chef of several hotels, his presentations were breath taking, he was so good at making hospitality and food and bringing people together. He has so much of his life to be proud of.

I could go on and on, but wanted to thank the man for writting what he did. It has been a very tough several days knowing I never got to tell my Dad goodbye and tell him that I love him so much. But I am at peace knowing he is in Heaven with no more pain, my family had looked up the meaning of the Lake and it means peace and comfort, very ironic, but I think God answered all our prayers and even Dads prayers by taking him home. I think God knew Dad could never beat this addiction,this horrible diease. So God took Dad home, and as much as I miss him and how much it was so hard to tell him good bye and leave the cemetary yeasterday with his casket on the hill all alone, I was at peace in my heart knowing he is home.

I know my pain in my heart will go away very slowly, but missing my wounderful Dad wont. But we will keep him alive in our hearts with all his beautiful meomories and the beautiful memories that always ended up with us crying with laughter.

We also had memorials go towards the Siena Francis House in Omaha. We want to help out others like Dad that are suffering.

Thank you agian to the man that wrote that blog. It was beautiful to see a man trying to help my father. Thank you for helping my Dad and for trying to help him in his struggles. God Bless you and all his friends there in Omaha.

And from his son…
Hi, this is Isaac Sechtem….Wade’s son. I just want to thank you for writing this. It is nice to know that he had friends that were trying to help him. He was a great father but unfortunatley for his family and friends, he couldn’t break the addiction. All we ever wanted was for him to get better and come back home. I wish he never would have found alcohol. It ruined his life. But it makes me happy to know he had friends in Omaha that cared for him and listened to him. I’m going to miss him so much, but I know he is in a better place now. And I just thank everybody for trying to help him. And for keeping him company. Whenever I talked to him on the phone he would always talk about his buddies in Omaha. Even though some of the things I didn’t like to hear what he was doing but that was my dad. Always pulling jokes, or doing something stupid just to make people laugh. That was his gift. He got it from his dad and I get it from him. Everybody loved him. And it’s gonna be a hard loss for everybody that knew him. And I thank all of his buddies that they had the memorial service for him. I know he would have liked that. It broke my heart to say goodbye but one of the Indian meanings for Lake Manawa was “Peace and Comfort.” And that is what he got from his passing away. The life he was living on the streets was hard on him, and his body showed that. So now he can rest in peace and be with his dad again in Heaven. Because I don’t think he could have taken much more of the life he was living. He hated what he did, but Alcohol is a disease. It tore him away from his family, and he hated that. He loved his family, and I know all he wanted was to be back in their arms. So now he can finally be with them again. Watching over them and helping them through life. And i’m sure he’ll be with his friends too. Because the other meaning for Lake Manawa was “Heart.” And my dad had the biggest one I knew. He loved his friends and family and they loved him right back. It is hard not to like my dad because of his personality. He would help anybody if he had anything to give. And he loved his friends in Omaha and I think they gave him a good couple of years. And I appreciate them trying to help him and get him in to rehab. But like I said. Alcohol is a disease and it controlled his life. Unfortunatley, I believe it played a big part in his death. Like the blog said, what if he would have gotten better. Would what happened, happen? But he didn’t get better, so I believe what happened was what needed to happen. Becuase now he can finally live in peace with himself in Heaven, and watch over his family and friends. He loved them all, and they loved him right back. So thank you to all of his friends, he loved you guys and always talked about you. I wanted you to know that. You guys helped him stay alive for as long as he did. Thank YOU.

I love you dad and will always miss you.

Again, thanks for writing this blog,
Wade’s son….Isaac Sechtem

And from his youngest daughter…
This is Heather Sechtem, Wade’s youngest daughter and I’m 17 well 18 in 4 days. I’ve read and reread this page many times and I cry every single time. Just know how my dad touched people’s life. I thank everyone who has comment on this which yes most of it is family but I so thank you Dave for writhing this Blog! I can’t thank you enought!

I love my dad very much and i’ve missed him every single day. I know my dad hated who he became and i knew that wasn’t my dad. I’ve had countless amazing memories with my dad some good soome bad but now that He’s gone all my bad memories went away and I can remember my dad for who he truly was!

My Dad was the best cook! He could have done great things! My dad was an amazing father to all us kids. He was an amazing friend and husband. My dad taught me so many things throughout my life and I wouldn’t be who i am today with out my Daddyo! My dad thought he was the best singer, thought being the keyword! haha… I loved going fishing with my dad or playing sports with my dad. Going to The Huddle after hours and playing pool til one in the morning! I loved every single moment i was with My dad! I love when we spent like 4 hours looking for some outfirts for my mom and Dad was trying on all these white and red leather coats I’ve never laughed so hard. We’d listhen to Bob Segar’s song “the Answer’s in the Question” countless times on our way back and forht from Kearney to Grand Island! He sure did love his music as do I. I am alot like my dad and I have never ever once regreted it. I’m proud to be like my Father, the one that everyone looks up to the one that you could count on and the one that everyone loved dearly!

After we dropped my dad off in Omaha I knew that was it. I knew we tried everything and that it was up to him. We all thought that when dad met up with Bobby that it was it. It was the thing that was going to turn it around. Even though that didn’t happen we are so grateful that Bobby took care of him and did what he could, so Thanks Bobby!

Last time I saw my dad was thanksgivng of 2007 and I knew that was the last time I was going to seem him. I cried nights and nights and prayed and prayed that, that wasn’t true but I knew deep down it was. I haven’t talked to my dad since April of 2008 and it drove me absolutely crazy not talking to him, not being able to get ahold of him. at the same time It just got harder and harder to talk to him. I know that now my Dad has finally beat his addiction and he is at peace now. I miss my daddyo every day and I feel lost without him. I do know he’s watching me and my family everyday I just wish he was here.

I could go on and on and on of stories of my Dad and memories and how much I love him but this will sum it up. (and I’ll probably repeat myself)
I love My Daddyo very much and I know he was a very loved person. He touched so many peoples life and I know that i am one of those people! My dad is gone but his legacy is still here amongst My sisters, my brother and I! I’m so thanksful to be like my Daddyo!

And from his brother…
your comment that no one could reach him to make a difference is the lynchpin of trying to understand (and ultimately accept) what happens to an addict or an alcoholic. no one can reach the addict except those who he will reach out to and, unfortunately, humans, no matter how good their intentions may be, will not suffice to carry an addict to healing. only God can do that. an addiction is just like a cancer and once you get it only a miricle can flush it out of your system. so no matter how hard wade tried or thought about “kicking” the habbit there was no way it was going to happen absent a humbling cry to God and even then it must be within His will to give you the power to get rid of the...

And from his little league baseball coach…
After talking with Fay on Sunday and reading about wade the past few days I knew I had to share my time with Wade throughout his LL career. It started out as a fun-loving 10 year-old with the red baseball glove. The first week or so of practice Wade had a couple of accidents at the conclusion of practice on 2 consecutive days. As practice was wrapping up the first day, Wade was at third base and I was hitting pop-ups to everyone and they were to come in after the catch. Well Mom (Fay) pulled up across the street and Wade missed his pop-up and it hit him in the eye. The next day (again Wade at third) I was hitting grounders to everyone and they were again to follow it in. Well Mom shows up again and guess what? The ball takes a bad hop and hits Wade in the mouth chipping one of his front teeth. The poor kid. The next day Wade asks if I could take him home after practice everyday and of course I said I could and he never again got hurt at practice. I guess Mom made him nervous when she pulled up and he would lose his concentration

What a great kid he was! Backing up some when Larry and I went around to tell everyone they were on our the Rotary baseball team is when we found out that Wade had a twin sister Wendy. After getting to know her I found out what a great fun-loving kid she was also. I grew to love the Sechtem family as I would pick Wade and Jerry Sanders up each night after practice and we would go to either Harmon or Collins to watch their friends play or to scout out our next opponent. What a great bunch of friends I got to know of Wades’ in doing this those summers not so long ago.

One time as a 12-year old we were practicing at Central and was having batting practice when after throwing ball after ball after ball to Wade upon looking back he jokingly took a stance on the left side of the plate. My first thought was Sechtem get on the right side but then decided after too many pitches and my arm about to fall off to see what he could do from that side of the plate. Well to everyone’s astonishment Wade was hitting the ball pretty well so had him hit from that side of the plate the rest of the season.

I again coached Wade as a 14 and 15 year-old. Wade was still the fun-loving, joking around kid that he had been in his younger years. I almost forgot about his LOVE of the Kansas City Royals and his beloved George Brett. Boy as a die-hard Yankee fan you can bet that we had our share of smack-talk to each other all those years.

The season of Wades’ 14 year-old season was winding down and we found ourselves in the playoffs with the worst record of the 4 teams. The first round we had to play Kuhns’ UCT team who had only 1 or 2 losses for the year. Well as everyone knows we took care of them and had to face Max and his Elks teammates. We were getting beat like 8-1 in the third inning when I finally decided it was time to bring Wade in and see what might happen. Well we started chipping away into the lead and with Wade pitching spectacularly we ended up coming from behind and winning the championship with Wade throwing 7 1/3 innings of no-hit ball. What a game!

The one thing Wade could always talk about though was his brother Wes and what he did in the finals when he played for the Elks. As the story from wade went was Wes caught a home-run ball in the finals and put a dent in the top pole of the fence at Dryden. This was by far the coolest thing Wade had ever seen done. Well as our season went (even his giving up a home-run to Stacy Imming) we again made a run for the playoffs and again had to face the same teams. Well in the finals against the Elks Troy Crawford hit a shot to center and who was playing in center? Of course it was Wade and he went back and robbed Troy of a home-run and guess what? Wade made his own mark on the top railing at Dryden. Was he ever on cloud nine! Wade was a great pleasure to coach those 5 years I had him and I could play him anywhere (I think he played every position except the outfield corners) and could count on him to get the job done.

I am truly honored to have known Wade and wish that could of kept a little better contact with him when I was done coaching him. Wade was always so fun-loving, caring and joking individual.
I truly wish Gods’ blessing on Fay and her family and also to Cheri and her family as they each deal with this tragic loss of a truly great individual. Wade, buddy I only pray that you are watching over each of us and will keep all close as we each keep you close to each of our hearts. You are truly missed by all!

Ed

And from a friend…
I don’t even know where to begin. I am extremely greatful that there is a public forum for folks to share about Wade’s infusion in their lives. THANK YOU!

I grew up with Wade. I am a few years younger than him and he was best friends with my older brother. They had a posse of a few other great dudes and I was the “Little brother that tagged along”. There were times when they would do whatever they could to shake free of me…but since Wade was always nice to me my hunger to hangout with these guys drove me to endure the nipple twisters, noogies, arm burns, or the craziest stunts they made me do in order to stay around - looking back, all of those guys were hilarious in what they put me through…but it was worth it!

As I kept passing “the tests” I was allowed to hangout more. But then there was a break point when they got into high school - the little brother was put into exile…..but not from Wade.

He ALWAYS hungout with me. The list of thing we did together is incredibly long, but our favorites was fishing, playing the Atari 2600, and dunk hoops (basketball on 8ft rims). I don’t think we ever had a bad time together. And I cannot remember too many times he was ever mean to “the little brother tag-a-long”.

Wade stayed at my house for a couple days a few months ago. When I picked him up I was utterly baffled, and very sad. For the first few miles on the way to my house, I kept lookng at him in disbelief. The thought was, “This can happen to anyone - but not my childhood hero. And certainly not Wade.” Before we got to my house I was ready to cry. That night he had supper with me and my family. My family had heard hundreds of stories about him over the years…but they were also in disbeleif that this was the person that influenced me. I kept bringing up events we had as kids and Wade’s response was, “Uh yeah, I think I remember that.” My heart was in great pain looking and listening to him. By the end of the meal I came to this conclusion: The “Wade” I loved was dead, adn this guy in front of me was an imposter.” I greived his death that evening. I can confirm everything his family has shared in this blog: He hated what his life had become…and he wanted rehab, but would not do it. The saddest thing is that he hated himself, which in turn fueled his hopelessness that he felt. It makes me sad and sick even as I write this. I have ministered to folks in the same situation as Wade found himself - ALL of them hated the way their lives were turning out. ALL of them were in great inner pain.

I talked to Wade on the second nght asking him “How in the workld did you get to this place in life?” He knew, but didn’t know. I peppered him constantly with how much of a great person he is, and reflecting back, I imagine that caused him more pain. He could see in my eyes that I was very sad, and I could see in his eyes that he THOUGHT he let down his favorite fan. for the record, he did NOT let me down. He couldn’t. He just made me very sad. When i dropped him off at his new apartment I prayed with him and told him that I loved him. He said he loved me too - and I KNOW he did/does. As tears are welling up in my eyes as I write this - I know he does/did.

The family statements in there posts here are correct - NO ONE EVER disliked Wade. There is no possible chance of that. Not even remotely. There was zero opportunity for that possibilty. And his influence on folks is deep. Deep to the core of the people’s soul that he touched. When I got the first of many emails telling me about Wade’s situation in Omaha a few months ago - I prayed I would find him. As said in paragraphs above I got my opportunity to love him and be loved by him before he passed away…and a revelation smoked me like getting hit by a train: A major aspect of my life of who I am today was grafted into me by being around Wade growing up. Soem of the things I knew were from him as I got older, but many were a delightful surprise that I have seen in the last few months. Here’s a quick list:

Doing a “gainer” off of the diving board ending it with a massiive explosion of water. I am trying to teach my boys how to do it. Like me, they think it is the coolest thing in the world. And by the way - it is! Night fishing. Enjoying looking at the stars late at night. Loving the baseball great George Brett. (I have lost interest in Major League baseball ever since Brett retired). Loving the rock band The Cars. BTW, my boys 100% love the cars too. Delivering the perfect one liner, especially in tense situations to put people at ease. Being laid back and calm in any situation and dealing with smoothly. A light blue VW bug - he drove one growing up and we had countless times of joy in it…i owned one when I lived in Southern California and knew I owned it because of Wade’s - he would have busted out one of those huge wade smiles had he seen it loaded with surfboards and me standing proudly next to it. The number 26. He wore it in high school baseball…and so did I. I have worn it on my baseball uniforms since high school, and in college baseball, and every softball team i have played on, and now in the Over 30 League Baseball team i play on. I intentionally have worn it as a tribute to my childhood idol. If a team I played on didn’t have the number i schemed for them to get it - they did. This list could go on for so long that this website would melt down…

I love Wade. Wade loved me. My heart hurts deeply for his family. They lost a living priceless masterpiece work of art. and so did everyone else.

Bobby B
Omaha, NE

From yet another friend…
Hi, my name is Chad and I knew Wade for about 35 years. First of all, I’d like to thank the author of ‘another friend is gone…’ for sharing his thoughts and feelings about Wade and opening doors of conversation for all of us to share. Its nice to know that Wade touched others in his last days as he was such a giving person and loved by so many people.
Like his son Isaac said, making people laugh was his gift and he brought tears to my eyes more times than I can count. He just had to be himself.
I was in Kearney for his funeral service on monday and obviously quite sad. In the back of my mind, I kept hoping to meet someone who knew Wade these last years to share our times and memories together, but it never happened. Then, I found this blog. So again… to the author of the “another friend gone…” THANK YOU!!! It is very comforting to know that his buddies cared enough to give Wade an impromptu memorial service in Council Bluffs to say their goodbyes, pray, and say their peace.
As I sat in Wades mom’s house on monday afternoon, talking to some family and friends,Wades love for music was mentioned quite often. Bob Seger’s “Turn the page” was one tune that was repeatedely mentioned. My anger and frustration about Wade’s passing is difficult to deal with,and as we were reflecting on Wades life, ‘turning the page’ was exactly what we were doing.
While facing such a “senseless and avoidable situation”, I was singing the lyrics in my head, and the opening line,”on a long and lonesome highway ,east of Omaha” hit me like a ton of bricks. It seems as though Wader has found a place he has always been looking for, and finally found some peace. I’m sure he is in a better place.
Wade, you are a special friend, and I will carry fond memories of you with me forever. Your family will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for giving me the ability to laugh. I just have to be myself. I love you bud. Kuhn

From another friend…
Even in death, Wade brought old friends together. Hi, my name is Cindy Sherman (aka Broekemeier). I spent my most influencial teenage years with Wendy and Wade. Sneaking out to meet up with the brat pack to “hang out”, experimenting in just about every aspect of life. All the while growing up and expanding the friends circle- we were always connected to the brat pack somehow, forging a bond that feels strong even today.

I received a text from Gokie to call her. She told me the version of the story she heard second hand regarding Wade. Absolutely devastating, time ceasing, dreadful reality. How could this happen to Wade? How and where is Wendy? Kim figures out how to conference call JoLyn, and we all reminisce (after telling ourselves how cool we are to be able to do this without the aid of our children!). Remember that time when… laughing. crying, just catching up. Old friends with opposite lives are completely in synch again. That is what Wade did, even in death. He could calibrate a crowd of people and find the common ground amongst all. He was always teasing. Always laughing. I never saw him treat Wendy badly in front of any of us- they were always laughing. I look at my twins, and I see that connection and how special it is, and how hard this must be for you, Wendy.

I just had to find Wendy when I heard the news. I found her information randomly on line thanks to her website. I called and woke her up. She couldn’t place me at first (gotta love our 40’s) and then the ah-hah clicked, and it was like old times. We talked, cried, laughed (sometimes in the same breath). We were both- WOW- Wade really touched a lot of lives. I haven’t stopped thinking about you, Wendy, or praying for your family or Wade’s family. I only knew you two, not your spouses or kids, but I imagine they are the most genuine people, because that is who you both are.

Wade, without even knowing it, you have left your mark on us, and we will all carry part of you in our hearts. I am sorry you had to hurt so much on earth. I am sorry I had no idea, or I would’ve been praying for you also. You were never alone, as is obvious from this blog. You had so many people pulling for you. Your family takes comfort in that, as do your old friends. God called you to him, to ease your suffering and show you endless love and acceptance that you struggled to find in yourself.

I had not seen Wade since high school. Thanks for this blog to fill in the blanks and give us all some sense of peace in this madness.

Wade- you went through all this for a reason. Whether it was to pull us all together again, help someone else in need, or maybe it is personal for each of us that knew you to help us battle our own private pain… but I just know in my heart that your time on earth was well spent.

Brock

And finally, from a friend of Wade…a guy that is also a friend of ours that we met downtown sometime ago who has an opinion to share about Wade’s life, death and the wicked web that is homelessness.
“I’m just really wrestling with the fact that he’s gone.”

Praised be Jesus Christ ! Now and forever !

You know, what you express above is what family and friends express as grief and thank God, Wade is really grieved by someone. Frankly though, I am glad that he is “out of it.” yes, it can be said that somehow, he should’ve pulled himself with by his own bootstraps if he really wanted “help.” He shoulda, woulda, coulda a lot of things, but you know what? I ain’t buyin’ it.

Wade’s death, for those of us that knew him and gave a rat’s patootie (like Mikey — by the way, for panhandlers, lake Manawa is very lucrative and the cops don’t hassle as much as they do in Omaha.), his death is a treagedy, but it is an ongoing and gtrowing tragedy.

We lose people every year, but usually to winter’s elements or old age. This is changing now and the numbers are increasing…exponentially.

Someone at sometime is going to have to address and care about the “chronic” homeless: we know who they are. The guys (and gals) who have been in and out of the ’system’ (after all, “treatment” is just “the system” in another manifestation) for a long long time and who, as a result, areore than reluctant to TRUST it in any form again.

“Treatment”? You gotta be joking. “Help”? There is none, not for anyone, not now and not later. The deal is this: Agencies are making big big money from homelessness and people who administer “programs” and “treatment centers’ are lining their pockets and living the good life on the ever-decreasing fat of homeless men and women. It is in No one’s best interests to end homelessness, here or anywhere else. Homelssness provides jobs (for those who administer “programs” and “services” and beyond that no one really cares.

the article was interesting to me in that it hinted that perhaps there was some “assault” involved. A-ha. OK I”ll say the word: HATECRIME> You gotta ask yourself the question: what is it about a guy asking for spare change that is so abhorrent that someone might resort to violence?

No one has mentioned the murders of the campers-out-by-the-river. There are many every year. Personally, I notice that not only do people not give a rat’s patootie, they are becoming hateful and abusive.

C’mon. Let’s talk evil Officer H**ns*n at the park and the new rookies and their (I’m sure that they are just following orders…like the Nazis’s) continual and increasing harrassment of “homeless” people.

yuo! I am pretty angry that a life is wasted. Lest anyone think that it was wasted as a result of alcoholism, forget it. It is much deeper than that. let’s face it: If we take the alcoholism position we can “tsk-tsk”, but ultimately we are blaming the victim.

Let’s call a spade a spade, shall we? The environment that we ALL live in is becoming increasingly hostile and unable to support LIFE, of any kind.

I am sure that whatever happiness most of us can have is either drunk, stoned or high or hanging out with you and Robin on Sunday. least with you, we know that FOR SURE, someone cares. Why do you think so many opf us are turning to Christ?

Our life is a daily Golgotha.

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled. This is our lot. It isn’t pretty, is it?

So, while grief is appropriate, there is also anger. Anger at the senseless loss of life that needen’t have happened. Not in a million years.

Personally, I aam glad that Wade went to home to God “where there is no pain, no sorrow, no anger and no grief” but most of all, where is is welcomed

in Christ,
Joe Mounsey
Christian Homeless Person
and not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
~ Matthew 6:30, NLT

Peace and have a great and blessed week.

Go out and make a difference.

…it matters to that one… :)