½ Tank #8

This ½ tank went by really fast. We thought we were getting horrible gas mileage at first, but the tachometer (that could be the wrong word...) said we had gone the usual number of miles. We got from Billings to Bowman, ND. It wasn’t a very exciting trip, so in this post I want to share very brief stories about some of the people we’ve met recently, because we’ve met some really cool people, and their stories are what make this trip more interesting.

Jo: She is living with the Hagstroms right now since she just got out of a holistic medical center where she learned how her eating habits had been affecting her bad health. I was amazed to hear about how she could barely walk or open her hands not long ago, and how now, since changing her diet, she walks with only a slight limp and can fully open and close her hands. I didn’t get to talk to her too much, but it sounded like she had traveled all over the world, mostly to help others. She did tell me about how she had worked as a cook, but had so many other responsibilities she kept taking on just because she wanted to help her bosses. It sounded like she just had a heart for serving and was not willing to let her medical conditions hold her back and that is what caused her health to deteriorate so rapidly. But now she seems to be back winning again.

Jesse: At first I though he was one of Dave’s sons who I hadn’t met last time, but I quickly realized the math didn’t add up to that. When he rode around town with us our first day in Billings, Jesse told us that he was actually a foster child who the Hagstroms had taken in because they were moved by his story. We didn’t really hear that story, but I got the impression he had moved around more than he probably would have liked. He was pretty quiet at first, but it was easy to tell that he had a good sense of humor and that he’s very active. He and Hannah talked about skiing a lot (something I know nothing about) and we found out that he’s actually a really good skier. Correction: he seems to be all around good at athletic type stuff. He was constantly doing random flips on the pull-up bar at the house. The day before we left we found out that Jesse was going to be taken to Bozeman on the same day we were leaving. He would go to a group home that sounded less than appealing. Hannah and I decided that we should just “kidnap” him since he turns 18 in less than a month and then he could go where ever he wanted. We also mentioned this (in a joking manner) to Dave and he said it wasn’t a bad idea. Jesse either didn’t think we were serious about, though, or he just didn’t want to take off, because ended up having to say goodbye Wednesday morning. I’m actually really impressed that he did see it through. If it were me, I probably would have run away.

Charlie: He was “working” with us on the second house we visited. Charlie was cracking jokes from the moment we met him and was just all around nice. I’m not exactly sure what he was supposed to be doing at the house, but he seemed to be there as an encouraging overseer. He spent most of the day at the school a couple blocks away, though, helping as a crossing guard, reading tutor, and recess attendant. He has an obvious passion for trying to reach out to the kids in that neighborhood (and it was a lower end, rough-on-kids place). He really wants to move to the area, but his wife wants to stay where they are until their two oldest graduate from high school, which Charlie understands and respects. When he gave us a ride home, Charlie stopped and talked to a bunch of kids from the area and their parents. He cares so much about the youth there and I really hope that home (for single moms primarily) helps Charlie accomplish his goals and dreams.

Dale: This guy was hilarious. He was making jokes a lot while we worked with him, but he was also very open about his testimony and how he came to know God. He told us that he had been preached at a lot by people throughout his life, but that when he looked at those doing the preaching, none of them were walking their own talk. Until he met Dave. He said that he didn’t even know that Dave was a Christian for a long time, and that he actually asked him if he was gay because he thought he was so weird. Apparently Dave responded that the reason he was so weird is that he “loves Jesus.” And now Dale is working with him and seems to be having a great time growing in his faith with others.

Shawn/Sean/Shon: We didn’t get to talk to him too much, but we found out that he had graduated from Dartmuth with a degree in chemistry. I think he said he is planning on going to medical school. It was just strange to meet someone on a construction site with a background like that.

Gary: We met him during ½ tank #9, but I’m gonna talk about him now. We walked down to a saloon where there were no other patrons (probably because of all the snow) and he was very friendly while he was serving us. The way he acted and talked made him seem like he was probably one of those guys who never planned on growing up. Yet we found out that he’s actually in the process of getting his masters degree in counseling. Who woulda thought?? He was originally from California but had somehow made his way to South Dakota five years ago, and he was sad that he would probably have to move to find a good job. As we were leaving he let us know about karaoke happening down the road, but we had to decline.

Amanda: She was staying in the room the room next to ours at the cute little hostel in Lead, SD. We chatted with her a bit in the common room when we returned from dinner and found out that she’s actually a musician on tour right now. She lives in New York City but was traveling around with just her guitar (which apparently she is not good at playing). That day had been her vacation so she was treating herself to a nice room, but otherwise had been couch surfing. She also told us that she typically plays in bars, and doesn’t like playing in coffee houses because she “swears a lot” and feels bad if there are kids around. While we were talking she was waiting for the new episode of South Park to come on, but was growing impatient.

God bless, over and out.
~Marissa