wrench

"What happened?" I ask crossing the back cafe parking lot. "Did you wipe out?"

"No," replies a sandy, blonde-haired teenager stomping his bike with his sneaker. "My handlebars came loose. I'm trying to straighten 'em."

"Oh...you needa' socket wrench?" I ask.

"No, it takes an Allen Wrench."

"I think I have a set in the cafe," I offer.

The teenager follows slowly behind me. He yells to his three friends, "No...wait up, guys. He has tools...come with me?!"

After unlocking the front door, I walk in, dig out the tool box, grab an Allen Wrench set and then walk outside. The teen takes the largest wrench and tightens the neck of his bike.

"Thank you," he says handing it back to me.

"You're welcome. You guys want to come in for some kool-aid or popsicles?"

"Sure," the sweating, sun-scorched teens answer.

They leave their bikes outside and follow me into the air conditioning.

"I have cherry kool-aid, lemonade, or popsicles?"

A machine-gun-like burst of "KOOL-AID!!" ricochets through the cafe.

"Kool-aids all around. Comin' right up!"

While they sip their drinks, I find out only one of them has been to the cafe. We really are meeting and serving new young people just as Janis mentioned in her last post. And we couldn't do it without your generous support and continual prayers.

It amazes me how a tiny, simple Allen Wrench can spark a friendship. Never underestimate the power of a wrench. It can be effectively used to tighten the loose things in our lives, and it can be a powerful tool for tightening relationships.

What a cool moment on a hot day!