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During the next several
months, Hartwell would do what Chainsaw would allow and just
keep loving and talking to him. Slowly as those spring and
summer months became winter, Chainsaw began to accept other
gifts from Hartwell and ADC. While Chainsaw still would not
come in he did accept a blanket and some clean and weather
appropriate clothing including a coat.
For almost one full year,
Hartwell and Chainsaw played this carefully crafted game of
give and take. Then one day during the hot meal program,
Chainsaw walked in ADC and received his meal with all the
others from the community. Hartwell sat down beside him and a
wonderful friendship began to blossom. Since that day,
Chainsaw has become a valued member of RPDC, not only
accepting the services offered but also volunteering to serve.
He would help Hartwell in and around RPDC doing various odd
jobs and giving back to help his friend. Chainsaw would not
move into RPDC because he wanted his own house, so he was
content to live in his tent without adequate facilities.
A few weeks ago that all
changed. Hartwell was telling the story of Chainsaw to a
businessman in another part of the country. At the conclusion
of their business, the man gave RPDC a small trailer to house
Chainsaw. When Hartwell brought the trailer back to RPDC and
told Chainsaw he had his own place to live, Chainsaw was
excited and thrilled.
Once the trailer was set up
behind RPDC, Chainsaw moved in with his few belongings.
Chainsaw has a place to live and care for his personal needs
while living close to his friend, Michael Hartwell. When
everyone else had given up, Michael Hartwell knew there was
value in this man. Today, Chainsaw is a changed man because
someone dared to care!
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