Minh 66 Vietnamese landscaper and construction worker has been homeless for 15 years. It's no excuse he wants to help himself working. He lives outside the Shelly Kensington Park in a garden.No phone yet, i think he needs a bike. He was a former Marine from Vietnam,unfortunately his van full of tools was towed since he is a handy man.Everything was taken and he had two bicycles stolen while he was sleeping.Basically living under a tree,people offered him leftovers that was subsequently whisked away by unknown men.His friend who passed away was his job seeker,they would split equally the proceeds though he did all the work. He'd make 300 to 500 a day doing masonry and landscaping along with two Mexicans. He doesn't have jobs and no tools since his van got towed. He wants me to find jobs for him.Landscaping,carpentry and anything like construction.He's willing to work as labor but he has no job prospects.My friend is a healer and heal lots of people with his Buddhist training in Vietnam through calligraphy.People under severe health issues,he was able to heal with just a cigarette,writing calligraphy and Buddhist chant. The landscaper has been on the street for a while,15 years living under a tree, moving around various places and gets kicked out but the police leave him alone.He often gets lonely, used to harbour six boys under one roof. None of his own children visits him but two of his stepsons still come to see him every two months or so.My friend has housing but he chooses to live among the rodents and birds.He moves about incase anyone was to rent him a garage,while housing will pay for him until he finds work.He is a very skilled labour and healer.In the neighborhood,many Vietnamese and Mexicans brought him comestibles and whatever as gratitude for their healing.It's quite amazing how he heals them from Buddhist chant.Their necks swollen and legs inflamed, he heals them all through Buddhist Chant and Calligraphy. According to war stories from Long Khan his favourite,i was told already,they set up mines which resulted in a huge explosion.So they thought it was the Viet Cong but it was a huge python,its head blown off. They were so excited and grateful that the python meal saved the whole platoon.Everyone had curry,lemongrass,spices and special herbs they could find in the small village.It was the most fulfilling meal he ever had.Everyone had their full share of the python. In a garage heat he can live and prefers to settle alone. He is eligible for housing but they will pay for the living garage conversion to living quarters all 20ft container in the backyard.2000 low earned necessary vehicle looks presentable enough for him to do business.It's reliable and cost two grand for him to get a van and tools.Usually the best deals are at the swap meet. Minh hope is to find a garage he can rent and live in and run his business,only in Little Saigon County. Or a big yard he can build a tiny home or park in a 40ft container,pay rent to live in and run his landscaping business.He's a real nice guy with a liberal heart but gets a bit emotional when visited.He gets really weary rather than lonely living the way he has for the last 15 years on the street and his cronies best buddies from the military had all passed away and some live in North Dakota.Nevertheless,he is contented and there are other many options for him but he doesn't want them being Buddhist.
Minh is Buddhist so he loves to tell Buddhist stories though I listen to him as Catholic Christian. Tough to relate but I do since I have a lot of familiarity, my maternal side are Buddhist monks.I give them bad advice according to romantic dramas.When the couples break up they usually shave their hair, take their vows and become monks rather than move on to find someone else to love.Buddha sabbats, Esther disciples too support them since they are not rich like the Vaticans.No retirement plan,a hundred bucks a month which is a lot of money.He is not a hypocrite,he is The Real McCoy living under a tree meditating and he doesn't bathe or ask anyone for any money. He told me he had explored all the Buddhist Pagodas and temples in Little Saigon. They love his cooking and everytime he cooks there are no leftovers. He has no problem a monk or shaving his head but it's all from the inside.He doesn't have to wear a yellow robe and ask people for money or bow in the temple.That's the easy way out and he told me other things that I can't share right now.Eventually,he lost all working tools because his tax expired.He married twice but twice both ended badly. His last wife had mental issues that were suicidal leading to her commiting suicide as the two never get along.They only started a relationship after meeting in a week.She has three kids and he owns the other three.Traditional Baby boomers understand his predicaments and render him due respect rather than giving him names as a homeless bum.Recently,he moved into the curb since he felt embarrassed with the children in the park and him drinking beer and smoking I guess.I will do a fundraiser for him when I have the time.
-story by Daie Agape Art
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