Lynn and I open the cafe yesterday and work together like two pro, tag team wrestlers. She faces off with a student at a Disney trivia game, attempting to outwit him with a mental pile drive. Then Lynn slaps my hand and steps through the ropes, taking over making sandwiches and pouring drinks.

I jump over the ropes, land in the ring, and then adjust my Speedo's to take on an exit interview with a Community Service Worker (CSW). (I can’t tackle this ministry without the help of some talented and amazing volunteers…and vice versa.)

The Exit Interview

Me: What did you like most about Cups Cafe?

Him (CSW): Kids.

Me: What did you like least?

CSW: Hyper kids.

Me: Were you treated with dignity and respect by staff and volunteers?

CSW: Yes.

Me: Was Cups Cafe helpful to you in any way?

CSW: Yes. It kept me outta’ trouble after school.

Me: Did a particular volunteer have a significant impact on you during your service at Cups Cafe?

CSW: You (he draws two hand pistols and points them at me). You were nice to everybody and how you respected everybody.

Me: Is there anything you would like to say to the staff and volunteers?

CSW: God bless them all and the shop.

Me: What do you believe is the sole reason for committing your offense? What motivated you to do what you did? What was really going on in your heart and mind?

CSW: Revenge. Someone made racist comments about my family.

Me: Would you recommend Cups Cafe as a positive place to fulfill community service?

CSW: Yes.

Me: Did you receive any encouragement from the spiritual aspects of the work of Cups Cafe?

CSW: Yes. When you asked the question, “If I died today, what would I say to God when he asks why should I let you into my Heaven?” I never thought about that before. I have thought about what happens when you die and what people left here might talk about. I always thought the answer was because I was a good person instead of believing Him. I now know that you should never stop believing.

Me: I talked about how salvation is like a donut that you have to receive. Have you received it?

CSW: Yes.

Me: Do you own a Bible?

CSW: There are some in my house but no. I don’t own one.

Me: Would like a brand new 2010 Bible?

CSW: Yes.

Me: (I get up and grab a bag of brand new Bible’s that a dear supporter donates for this very purpose. I tear into the shrink wrap, toss the wrapper on the floor, open it and write Presented to: CSW By: Tim Van Arsdale Cups Cafe On: September 28, 2010. Then I flip to Ephesians 2:8-9, mark it with a pen and bookmark the page with my business card and hand the Bible to him.) This is one of my favorite verses. One of my favorite books. I hope you read it sometime. Maybe later tonight when you’re laying in bed you can open it up and read it.

CSW: Thanks.

Me: How can we pray for you? I meet every Monday night with a group of people to pray for the needs of our families and churches and the cafe.

CSW: He shares a very personal request.

Me: I will pray for you.

This is why we do what we do and we couldn’t do it without your financial support and prayers. Please keep more of both coming our way.

I reach for a jar of Peter Pan. Ron opens the fridge to get the grape jelly. We’re partners on Wednesday’s and we move quickly to serve the gang of kids lined up along the bar. Watching us make sandwiches is beautiful. It’s like synchronized swimming. Our sandwich making is art.

The Cups Cafe kitchen is a very narrow space (especially for two heavy weights like us) so I suck in my gut to slide past Ron while he raises the glass jar of jelly in the air with his left hand and balances a plate in his right. I spin open the container of Peter Pan and cut into it with a stainless steel knife.

Then Ron sets down the jelly and the plate and slaps two slices of bread on it. Our timing is perfect. I’m ready to spread just after he lays down the bread and together…we create…the greatly anticipated…highly beloved…Cups Cafe P. B. & J. We get a lot of requests for P B & J. It’s an afterschool hit!

I mention to Ron and the kids how I just read through the armor of God from Ephesians and he begins to quote it from memory! AND the kids get to hear it!! (So sweet).

I want you to know that I thank God for all of you every time I think of you. You make this ministry possible. In my prayers for all of you, I pray with joy and thanksgiving because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now (Philippians 1:3-5). I hope there will be many days to come.

Yes…your partnership.

You are with me because you have loved me and my family and have cared greatly for us in our work. Please continue to pray for us and also give as we make sandwiches and witness to our neighbors.