Awake

Cross-Cultural Extermination Ministry?

Our tutoring session last Thursday was cut short by Ruth's increasing bug anxiety. In her apartment, strange, creepy bugs take residence on the walls, ceiling, and floor. (Yes, it is gross. Nothing like cockroaches, thank God, but still very eww-gross-eww.) Decorative sheets that had been hung from the walls had been stripped away as had the multiple layers of woven rugs in her bedroom. Apparently the manager had come by (understandably dismayed) and sprayed something in a few areas but was unwilling to make any further effort. I don't blame him.

What did I do about it? Nothing, at that moment except reassure Ruth that I would try and think of a solution. Usually I don't shy away from minor bug extermination. But there are too many symptoms here. Layers of rugs on the floor provide myriad bug havens. Sheets on the wall do the same. A lack of a vacuum makes it very difficult to keep the floors clean (a broom can only do so much on a carpet).

I want to figure out a short-term solution for the bugs as well as a maintainable cleaning/debugging system (complete with supplies) for Ruth and her roommate. You know how the cleaning supply aisle is one of the most convoluted confusing aisles at the supermarket? Well try navigating it by only looking at the pictures and colors--don't read any of the words. (Of course when it comes to cleaning supplies, sometimes reading the label doesn't clarify the product at all!)

So the apartment cleaning part sounds like a ministry opportunity to me and I've got a potential offer of help, which is great: my plate runneth over. (Isn't my cup supposed to be runneth-ing over? Hmmmm.)

Another ministry opp for a graphic designer (or a good Internet researcher) is to create clear, cross-cultural, graphical stickers to place on household products. They could have simple one or two word English labels as well as a picture. Speaking of stickers, anyone remember Mr. Yuk stickers from the Oregon Poison Control center? I wonder if they're still around. I worry about those curious kids and the pretty bright colors on typical cleaning supply containers. "Yuk."