My Dear Friends of RCS, Past and Present

A Little History

Riding my bicycle from Virginia, I arrived in New Bern on October 10, 2022. Ringing the bell at the George Street office door, Ms.Judy cheerfully greeted me and kindly explained about the daily meals and the Crisis Shelter. I had my first meal at RCS on that day and 2 days later entered the Crisis Shelter.

"A Worker is Worthy of His Food"

Daily I began volunteering in the warehouse. On December 3rd I moved from the shelter to a tent erected in a woodlot about 3 miles from here. Again, daily I would ride my bike to RCS to volunteer in the warehouse and have a meal in the dining hall. In January of 2023, Mr.King aasked if I would be open to working in the shelter rather than the warehouse. I was, and by the end of the month began voulunteering as the night-shift Resident Assistant, three or four nights a week.

Back in the Shelter

On the morning of March 24, 2023 I left my tent and rode my bike to RCS for a meal. Upon returning to my tent in the afternoon I was surprised to find that the tent and all its contents were gone. I was left with just what I was wearing. Strange as it may seem, this loss somehow felt liberating. I then moved back into the shelter and continued working as an RA at night and in the warehouse. About a month later, on April 27th, the opportunity to clean the Shelter, wash the used towels, sheets, etc. became available and I took up that job in preference to the warehouse work.

Aspirations Fulfilled

Here I must mention how Mr.King, who served all the residents with love and insight picked up on my inner aspirations soon after I arrived, and because of him, Ms.Katrina and Ms.Krishanda I was able to continue to pursue my life of service and contemplation here in RCS. On June 1st, 2023, a room in the Veteran's wing was kindly offered to me. This provided me with the most convenient and comfortable accommodation since I began a life of homelessness and service so many years ago. During these past two and a half years at RCS I have been blessed and privileged to continue living with the poor and homeless, serving the poor and homeless while remaining poor and homeless. And how my spirits soared, how more fully I now experience the Divine Presence in all beings, in all faces, at all times, everywhere since you have given me this golden opportunity to serve God in man.

I Apologize

Please forgive me for not informing you of my departure earlier. Of course, that would have been the most sensible and proper thing to do. Realizing how good and kind you all are, I knew I would not be able to satisfactorily answer any practical questions regarding my new destination or present resources, so I depart in this manner. I am sorry.

I truly wish you all a most happy and fulfilled life, serving the needs of the good people of eastern North Carolina.

Dennis