Have you ever done your laundry at a laundromat? For my husband and I, we hadn't experienced the amenities of the local laundromat since our undergrad years of dorm living. But, when our washing machine stopped working after we were already a week behind on laundry, we thought a trip to the laundromat may be in our near future. We had our fingers crossed that the repair man would show up and and be able to fix it on the spot, but we were sorely disappointed. We had another week's wait before the washing machine in our little 3 bedroom campus apartment might be fixed. We thought we may be able to make it with the clothes we had left for another week, but by the time the weekend had come around, with still no working washing machine, we both knew the laundromat was inevitable. Having two kids, we made a deal. Jason (my wonderful hubs) would load, transport, wash, dry, and unload the clothes. I would stay home with the kids, fold, and put away the clothes. Needless to say, it was a LONG day.
As we were just reflecting on that day, I asked Jason if his time at the laundromat was pleasant. He replied with a look that said, "Are you kidding?" So, I asked what made it so miserable. He went on to explain that the place itself was bland and boring, the seating was uncomfortable, and when the dryers were going it got muggy and hot quickly. Also, if there were people there, interaction did not seem to be desired. He remembered a constant desire to leave and be done, but was continuously forced to wait as the dryers would finish but the clothes would still be wet. This was really irritating because the machines cost different amounts from washing to drying and he had to keep getting more coins. Then when it was all over, $40 was gone but there was lots of heavy lifting still to be done and lots of work left before the laundry would be behind us. All in all, it was cumbersome and annoying.
The laundromat isn't a place we often have to spend time in, but there are many people in our communities that have no other option. Clean clothes, like food and shelter, are considered a necessity of life, especially with the demands of today's cultural "norms," and coin laundries provide a basic health service for millions of Americans. The self-service laundry market expands as more people are unable to afford to repair, replace or purchase new washers and dryers, or as they move to apartment housing with inadequate or nonexistent laundry facilities. The public will always need this basic health service – people always need to wash clothes!
I’d like to believe that the neighborhood Laundromats are places Jesus might choose to frequent if today was the time of his ministry on Earth. Doesn’t that sound like Him? Hanging out in the less desirable places where the under-resourced find themselves meeting some of their most basic needs. I imagine the laundromat is in some ways the modern day well. In North America we don't find ourselves drawing water and transporting it home to wash ourselves or our possessions as many do around the world in lesser developed countries. However, we do have our places, like the laundromat, where people of our community are going to meet their basic needs. And think of the sermon illustrations!!!
The Young Adult group at Centenary UMC, Emerge, wants to change the landscape of the laundromat. For one day, until our money runs out, we want to bless as many as possible with some free coin laundry service, some snacks and beverages, and maybe even some games or conversation. So that’s what we are going to do and we'd love for you to join us. We are collecting as much spare change as possible until March 30th. So clean out your couch cushions and cup-holders and let your coins love your community. Just deposit as many coins as possible into our fun receptacles placed at both main entrances of Centenary UMC. You can also donate homemade snacks and door prizes and/or volunteer to join us on this fun day. For more info, contact Michelle Harris here. Be Super! Donate your spare change and help us share God's love, one laundromat at a time.
