Homeless, Without A Mission

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Finally, after months of silence, a post and then another.
Sorry. Ben Been Busy. Here you go…
If you’ve read my book, you know that at one point in my life I was broke, homeless, without a phone and Sleepless in Seattle. It was not a good time. Luckily, I was able to avoid freezing to death, broke the downward cycle and returned to my home. It made me much more emphatic for those who are down on their luck and without a casa.
So this morning, having been released several months ago from being the Ward Mission Leader in my local ward, I decided I would write up a short account of what happened over the past year. I didn’t do this on my own. I keep getting emails from the powers that be requesting this info.
First off, I needed the names of the young missionaries who have served in our ward. The young Elders live with us and yet I can barely keep up with their names, let alone remember the guys who were here six months ago. And after just yesterday having forgotten where I had left my primo pickup for the last 2 weeks, I knew there was no way I could remember all the names.
I decided I would go right to the source and contact the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Mission office. I looked for their phone number and noticed that there were some Google Reviews attached to the Kennewick Mission website.
I decided to check out the reviews. I saw they were all 5 stars except for a 1 star review. I wondered about the one star so I clicked on the disgruntled reviewer. Here’s what I found…
Washington Kennewick Mission
8202 W Quinault Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336 
Not an overnight mission
 
I chuckled, realizing that the guy had probably found the “mission” in the phone book, walked or drove at least a few miles and then couldn’t find a bed in the place and for sure no coffee on the stove. From his point of view, they deserved just one star.
I feel for the guy as I can tell he struggles. In fact, I helped out a homeless guy for several months one winter by providing room and board for him. He was happy for a roof over his head and I was happy I owned a roof.
And even though the LDS “mission” couldn’t help him, they do have avenues of assisting folks like him.  The LDS Church gives tens of millions each year in helping people and communities down on their luck.
It’s just that their idea of a mission and this homeless guy’s idea of a mission are not in the same ballpark.
I then decided to check out his other reviews and comments. They show a tale of sadness and humor, telling his story from his point of view via the stars and comments.
Chiawana Park
2020 Rd 88, Pasco, WA 99301 
Restrooms are locked
 
Smoke City For Less
1057A George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352 
Response from the owner a year ago
I think you are talking about the koko nuggz which are chocolate jars (a gag gift item that looks like weed). We do not sell weed at any of our locations. The chocolate on the other hand is very tasty 🙂
McCurley Integrity Chevrolet Parts
1325 N Autoplex Way, Pasco, WA 99301 
Paid for a part I didn’t want and didn’t get my refund
 
Metro by T-Mobile
3600 W Clearwater Ave Ste D, Kennewick, WA 99336 
Unlimited data for $50 a month
 
Zintel Canyon
Kennewick, WA 99336 
Can’t sleep there
 
Rodeway Inn
1520 N Oregon Ave, Pasco, WA 99301 
Applied for a job. Didn’t get hired and got moved to a room with a broken bed
 
Washington Kennewick Mission
8202 W Quinault Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336 
Not an overnight mission
 
Safeway
2825 W Kennewick Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336 
High prices and a security guard that makes you leave at night
 
Albertsons
5204 W Clearwater Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336 
Poor selection
 
REACH Museum
1943 Columbia Park Trail, Richland, WA 99352 
Heated restroom. No soap on the dispenser
 
Chipotle Mexican Grill
1102 N Columbia Center Blvd, Kennewick, WA 99336 
Good food. High prices
 
McDonald’s
1409 N Kellogg St, Kennewick, WA 99336 
Can’t even get a burger for $1
 
Tri-City Union Gospel Mission
112 N 2nd Ave, Pasco, WA 99301 
Spat out the undercooked chicken and walked out so I didn’t have to kill a man
 
Gold’s Gym
151 N Ely St, Kennewick, WA 99336 
The water stinks just like all the water in the city and I couldn’t even get a hot shower
 
A-Z Auto Repair LLC
1401 W Kennewick Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336 
Paid $800 to fix my coolant system when I only paid $450 for the car. Now I’m burning oil
 
Yoke’s Fresh Market – Kennewick
1410 W 27th Ave, Kennewick, WA 99337 
Smelled like a toilet
 
Columbia Point Marina Park
Riverfront Trail, Richland, WA 99352 
The restrooms are locked
 
Perfect Circle Construction
6320 W Clearwater Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336 
Minimum wage
 
McCurley Integrity Mazda
1230 North Autoplex Way, Pasco, WA 99301 
I paid for a part I didn’t want and never got a refund after returning it
 
Keewaydin Park
204 W Keewaydin Dr, Kennewick, WA 99336 
The restrooms we’re locked just like every other restroom in the city parks
 
Unemployment Tax Services
4310 W 24th Ave, Kennewick, WA 99338 
You can’t apply for unemployment in the office and the website kicks you out too soon. When you call you can’t get through to talk to anybody
 
Vintner Square
Richland, WA 99352 
Wildhorse Resort & Casino
46510 Wildhorse Blvd, Pendleton, OR 97801 
It’s nice when you can win. Other than that I wasn’t impressed
 
Green2Go Recreational 21+
214307 E SR 397, Kennewick, WA 99337 
Got weed that tasted like piss and they wouldn’t take it back
 
Santiago Estates Cherry Hill
2917 W 19th Ave, Kennewick, WA 99337 
Fiesta Foods
115 S 10th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301 
A-1 Automotive & Repair
620 E 3rd Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336 
$800 to fix my coolant system when I paid $450 for the car. They better live up to their lifetime warranty
 
Yachats State Recreation Area
Yachats State Park, Yachats, OR 97498 
Atomic Foods
1212 N 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301 
Smells like meth
 
Finders Insurance
3400 W Clearwater Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336 
Safeway
1616 W Northwest Blvd, Spokane, WA 99205 
Motel 6 Tumwater – Olympia
400 Lee St SW, Tumwater, WA 98501 
McDonald’s
2721 W Kennewick Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336 
The food was good and the children survived so it was a good day
 

 

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