The Barber Shop

I have had some odd barber shop experiences in the past, but this one is truly unique! Upon arriving in St. Louis I began searching for an establishment I could make my every other week trimming trip to. I had been paying about $1.50 in the Philippines for a haircut, and so the $12-$13 prices seemed pretty high to me. After several bad haircuts, and even an attempt to learn to do it myself, I found a place that offered a $7 cut. I went there after a days visiting and there were several men waiting so I decided to come back the next day. The barber seemed friendly enough, and had some religious decorations around, and after the haircut, he refused to let me pay him, saying he hadn't really cut much. Great! The next time I went, I told him I was a preacher and invited him to church. He stopped what he was doing, and told me this "I thought you were a tax man! I stayed up at night trying to think of a way to tell you never to come back here! I hated you! You intimidated me!"

Whoa! Not the kind of effect I was hoping to have on people! He felt pretty bad and then began to share with me about some family members with some pretty serious medical problems. I told him I would pray for them. He asked me if I had any pamphlets I could leave at the barber shop for the patrons, I gladly went to the car and got a stack and laid them on the counter, he said "No! Go and give them to each person! Have some guts! and anytime you want to come in here and talk to any of the guys in the barber shop you can."

Having been duly scolded, I went to each person and invited them out, and spoke with one man at length, he came that Sunday night!

Anytime I go in, he usually calls someone over for me to talk to and I get to invite them out to church!

I think I found the right barber shop!

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