DEC 12, 18 .. A PREMONITION CAME TO ME IN MY SLEEP

The issue that I am going to share with you hinges on several key principles of mine.

1. “There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance — that principle is contempt prior to investigation.  .. HERBERT SPENCER

2. God’s will is, with discernment, for us to do what is in front of us to be done and leave the results up to God.

3. Never ever say no to a request to speak.

4. No one can be all things, to all people, at all times, in all places.

5. When any widespread health epidemic (such as an outbreak of the flu) occurs, senior citizens are cautioned to stay home and avoid crowds.

As I wrote just yesterday, last Sunday (the 9th of December) the meeting that Mike and I spoke at was very acrimonious and contentious. I’d actually title it as : One of the Meetings-From-Hell.

Sunday evening Mike said to me : “They want us to talk at 8am tomorrow morning at the shelter for the homeless here in Kyzyl.”

This rang no bells for me.

IF I thought any thoughts they were of the ilk : “Sigh. Another early morning meeting. Out in the pitch black dark of a -20°F Siberian winter morning.”

Over the years, I have been to many meetings in shelters for the homeless. Back in the summer of 1956, I, myself, had the actual experience of spending a night (or two) in one of them in New Orleans, Louisiana. As recently as the week before I left last October on this trip, Patti and I were at a homeless shelter in Anchorage.

In general, members of the homeless population are not in good health. In general, in my own opinion, the homeless shelters can be cesspools of health risks.

During the night, a thought in the form of a premonition came to me :

“Is it a good idea to risk your health, and perhaps your very life, and to end this trip by possibly being exposed to Tuberculosis / Pneumonia / Consumption / The Flu / etc et al from a group of homeless street people who are most likely way-beyond-getting-any-help from you?”

Upon awakening Monday morning, I talked this over at great length with Mike, himself a senior citizen, and then told Mike : “Tell them that, for health reasons, we will be unable to meet with the residents of the homeless shelter.”

Word quickly got back to me (from Mike) how very disappointed the administrator of the homeless shelter was that we would not be visiting their facility.

1. “There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance — that principle is contempt prior to investigation.  .. HERBERT SPENCER

2. God’s will is, with discernment, for us to do what is in front of us to be done and leave the results up to God.

3. Never ever say no to a request to speak.

4. No one can be all things, to all people, at all times, in all places.

5. When any widespread health epidemic (such as an outbreak of the flu) occurs, senior citizens are cautioned to stay home and avoid crowds.

I went over my feelings again with Mike and I did not change my position. I certainly re-visited the above five principles.

Word got back to me yesterday that they have a health clinic at the homeless shelter. Upon entry to the homeless shelter, all clothing is incinerated and the new resident bathes and is given clean clothing. Each and every single new resident is carefully examined for health issues and immediately sent to the hospital if there are problems found. Mike was told to tell me that there would be no risks to my health at the homeless shelter.

I again carefully went over my position with regard to the above five principles and remained steadfast that I was not going to the homeless shelter.

“God? You there? When does this get easy? Do I go?”

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 

Wednesday, December the 12th.

Mike and I both ‘slept in’. My feet lightly touched the floor about 9:40am. Mike continued to sleep.

At 9:49am there was a tap-tap-tap on the door of our room. Mike heard it, jumped up, pulled on a pair of trousers, opened the door and in walked a very pleasant looking lady with our driver!

Mike was told that the two of them had been waiting for us to come out for our 10am meeting.

“Mike? Did you know about a 10 o’clock meeting this morning?”

“No Cap.”

I said, “Tell them we’ll be ready by 11am at the earliest.”

I did the morning deal. Washed up. Shaved. Ate a full breakfast. Slowly dressed. Did my teeth.

At 10:50am we two were ready to go. To where I had no clue.

“Mike? Do you recognize this place?”

“No I don’t Cap.”

“What’s it say Mike?”

“Cap it’s The Homeless Shelter.”

I speak from my own actual experience up in the interior of Alaska.

When there is ice inside the room, it is seriously cold outside.

“Captain! We’re in Russian Siberia and it’s winter Captain.”

My heart began to melt.

My heart then melted.

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas in the homeless shelter for the down-and-out.

So Mike and I ‘did the deal’.

I asked them how I could be of help to them.

“Just .. talk .. to .. us.”

Mike and I got a tad ‘teary’ at that moment.

One of the down-and-out homeless men spoke five (count them) languages (including excellent English) and was an official translator for the government at one time. Had a family and etc et al at one time. I slipped him a 1,000 Russian Ruble note as we left. I got his name and gave him my e-mail address.

There was a husband and his wife in attendance.

I don’t know what good we did. I don’t even know what I said to them. Suddenly it was 12 o’clock noon lunchtime.

Mike and I got the tour.

They .. The down-and-out homeless .. Are making clothing for the poor of Kyzyl.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 

“Cap?”

“Yes Mike?”

“I don’t feel well! It’s my heart Cap.”

What it looks like, my view, sitting in the Emergency Room, in a hospital, here in Kyzyl, Russian Siberia.

She got cold. It’s cold outside. It’s cool inside. Hard to see (look at her arms above and below) but the staff wrestled her fur coat onto her. I wanted to go and hold her hand but did not do so. Her hands were visibly shaking.

Lot’s of action in the E.R.

They wheeled the lady away.

Another gurney joined the fleet. Three above and four below. One wheel chair rolled away.

Time to swab-down the floor of the E.R.

Mike survived the day. He got some new medicine for his blood pressure and a new medicine for heart arrhythmia.

I said .. “Mike you’ve got to go home after we pickup your meds at a pharmacy!”

Mike said ..” We’ve a meeting.” ..

I said .. “Mike IF the Doctors say take-it-easy for the rest of the day will you do so?”

“Yes IF the Doctors tell me to do that.”

The Doctors did.

Mike did.

Oh!

By The Way!

Mike and I DID NOT MAKE OUR scheduled 2pm meeting.

At 8:30am tomorrow morning, Thursday the 13th of December, we head for a morning meeting at the big clinic.

Holy Schmoley! What a Day!

Patti .. Thanks for cleaning this up.

Smiles .. Cap

Post Script : I hope that it goes without saying that I am very happy and very deeply touched that we went to the homeless shelter for the down-and-out of Kyzyl, Russian Siberia.

Below is a link to my blogspot Post published today :

http://bobbacaps.blogspot.com/2018/12/dec-12-18-kyzyl-republic-of-tuva-moi.html

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