Mattresses!

Me: This is a FEEDING ministry, not a MATTRESS ministry! Got to keep my eye on the ball and not get distracted by mattresses. We're out of food!

God: Thanks for sharing, Judd. Now listen: there are these mattresses on a cruise ship that we've got to get under the kids you serve for me. You're going to be blessed, just trust me.

We were blessed with 210 mattresses last month - the Holland American Line ship Oosterdam is replacing all its mattresses, and the (not so) old mattresses are ours to pick up if we want them. The first 210 came off 3 Saturdays ago, and picking them up turned out to be somewhat of a hassle. As did storing them. Likewise, getting them across the border. But nearly all of them are now gone, and the last will be under our kids and others we serve before the week is out. So now, the second load of 210 will be ready this Saturday.

The first challenge: get a semi onto the cruise ship terminal property in San Diego. Passing security is a chore. Finding a 45-footer for Saturday is a challenge. Plan A - didn't work. Found out Monday our truck and driver wouldn't be available on Saturday. And it has to be Saturday. Go to Plan B - cartage from a past donor who has been a big help before. Found out Tuesday the decision-maker/underwriter is out of town and very likely not going to be able to help this time. In the meantime, the 'arranger' called to get my assurance we would pick them up - of course I said 'Absolutely!' But I'm really feeling uneasy about this whole exercise.

Wednesday morning found me in a funk. I have to get this whole thing turned off, and soon. People are depending on me to do things that clearly are not going to be done. Started an e-mail to let everyone know it was not going to happen, that the mattresses would go to a landfill, and maybe we'll get some at some future date. I give up. But God made these mattresses available; surely he doesn't want me to quit. Or does he? Maybe I'll send the e-mail Thursday - I'd rather just not think about it now.

Later on in the morning, I got a telephone call - someone I'd never met, nor even heard of. Wants to know if there's something he can do to help Hilarious Givers. Has a flatbed truck, does business with the cruise lines all the time, hauling stuff off the pier. Not only Holland American Line, but all the cruise lines. Mattresses, ping pong tables, televisions, video games, all the stuff they take off the ships when they upgrade - he would really like to hook us up to help the orphans. I ask - how 'bout Saturday? He responds - love to! I'll let you know for sure tomorrow. Thanks, God. Plan C with frosting and a cherry on top.

An acquaintance overhears my conversation. He has a large open trailer with a truck to pull it. Happy to loan it for the weekend - it might take a couple of round trips to get all 210 mattresses, but it will work. Wow! Plan D - just to make me feel more comfortable. God is great!

Now all we need is a small working party - sure 'nuff - volunteers are e-mailing me.

Oh. And the food? got a call Tuesday - we have a commitment for a full semi - 42,000 plus pounds of nutrition coming from Minnesota - Gain International, Feed My Starving Children, Campus Crusade for Christ, Strong Tower Ministries - all involved. We expect delivery next week.

Came home yesterday evening - e-mail from a ministry who is helping earthquake victims in Chile - do we have any mattresses? And a bible college in the Baja needs mattresses. And a nursing home in TJ needs 100. Can we help?

"Then you will call and the Lord will answer. You will cry for help, and he will say: 'Here am I.'" Isaiah 58:9