Wearing only a thin sweatshirt against the cold and rain, John, that's the guy in the big picture above, wandered into our line for the first time since Christmas; cold, hungry and ready to eat. Pulling off my jacket for him, he started to argue, saying he could never take my jacket. After explaining that it was donated for him... or someone just like him... and that I was only getting it ready, he warmed to the idea and once he had it on his cold, lanky frame a smile quickly came to his face. It's so much fun putting jackets on people against the cold. Wish all of you could do it some time. Amazed that it fit so well, looked so good and was so incredibly warm, he was a changed man. Can't imagine a better way to share The Love of Christ on a dark, cold, rainy night... We weren't sure everything we brought would be received so well. The guy in the little picture is holding up a pair of neon green snowboarding pants. When he came back to thank me, I thought he was kidding and I quickly apologized for the bright color. He stopped me short when he said: "These are just what I need. I'll put these on- then I've got a big pair of slacks I'll wear over them -they'll keep me warm and dry through anything!" Normally a silent man in our line, it was a little embarrassing as he openly gave his heartfelt thanks for a gift I thought would be rejected. This morning, writing in the warmth of my big chair, rain and fog that would chill to the bone blowing by outside, can't help but think of John in his new jacket, of this friend secretly wearing weatherproof ski pants against the cold... people ask me why we stay up so late on Sunday nights... it's incredible when we know people will be warm on a wet, gray Monday morning. God is good.

when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you, falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in Heaven." Jesus said that... and it runs through my mind occasionally on Sunday nights when things go a little upside down. It's so hard for me to imagine what someone could do to make them angry enough to take it out on those serving them... but it happens... it happened again last night. Walking to the line, when we first arrived, a man moved in front of me for my attention, needing to move forward to start the night night, I told him we couldn't talk right then... that brief rejection brought down a hail of anger, frustration, threats and cursing that continued on the rest of the evening. The guys rather new to the line... says he's a preacher... last night he damned me to hell, threatened to take me down, and showered me with words that preacher's rarely use in the pulpit! Sadly, it didn't stop with me. He decided to abuse every person serving him: he didn't leave... just chose to give grief to those giving him a jacket, a bowl of chili, a cup of hot tea... After taking the first volley of foulness and apologizing for whatever had set him off... I watched him move through our line spewing his anger on each person who reached out in love... all I could think as our workers responded in grace was - "Blessed are you..." It's true. God has blessed us in the work. Food gone, workers cleaning up, I found myself talking with an old friend, newly returned to skid row... first Smokey last week, now Newton was back this week... we've been having weekly reunions! Food in hand, Jackets for Jesus back stuffed full in his hands, the angry man came an interrupted our conversation to give me one more tongue lashing. Listening, not turning away but looking right into his eyes, only pushed him closer to the edge. Apologizing for not having the time for him when he wanted it... for whatever wrong he felt he suffered, only pushed him closer to the edge of reckless and violent abandon. Men and women had apologized on his behalf all evening long. I already knew he'd have social grief to face from our crowd throughout the week, long after we were gone... Newton tried to keep his head down, staying out of it, as long as he could, until he spoke peace to the man, to no avail... finally he went angry into the night. It all brought back so many old memories of more violent times on the streets, when getting cussed out was a weekly occurrence and I never knew who's side the crowd would take. Now, I think all of us, our workers, the crowd, Newton, me... we just all felt sorry for him and wondered what might be going on in his life. There's a reason people live on skid row... almost every story is filled with heartbreak. Last night I couldn't help but be impressed with our workers. It's not many who venture out into the night, into the heart of poverty, cold, rain... choosing to serve those who feel rejected. God's blessed Jackets for Jesus with an amazing team. Please keep us in your prayers.

Robert told us his story... the Reader's Digest abbreviated version... no, more like the "let's get it done in 3 minutes" Eric version. Robert's been in and out of our line for years- always a smile, always quick to help out, always a friend to each of us. A friend asked the question just as we were getting ready to leave, it's the question all of us have about the homeless- especially once we grow close enough to them to care: "What's his story? Why's Robert on the streets?" Long time friends, hollering out his name, I asked if he'd come over and answer some quick questions... Robert likes to talk... had to make it quick or we'd still be there! It's a story worth hearing... it was just the end of our night. He told us how his wife and mother of his kids had been killed, of the trials of his now adult children, about his 13 years on skid row- "never a night on the streets- Thank God!" of his little skid row room, bathroom down the hall, but hotplate or microwave allowed. In just a few minutes we caught a snapshot into the life of a native of Los Angeles, who after dropping out of high school, found the American nightmare instead of the American dream. He shared his story without tears and when he was done looked each of us in the eyes and said: "I just want to thank all of you for coming each week... you keep me going. I look forward to this all week long." "Blessed are you..." The promise of Jesus is so right on- we are blessed -it's all too easy to focus on the single angry man in line but the world's filled with wonderful Robert's. Life's not been easy for them. They're not asking for much from us and behind every twist and turn in the quick version of his story last night there were years of personal anguish, heartbreak, loss and failure along with moments of great joy, love, hope and distinction... now boiled down to a man picking up trash in the darkness, waiting for his Sunday night friends. Our stories, together, his and ours... the angry man and the one with the servant heart... together bring the blessing. Ignoring one another, leading our isolated lives, it's far too easy to miss the blessing promised by Jesus. I don't want any of us to miss one of His promises. Good things are happening every Sunday night and you're invited... you're needed, you might even need us, now, more than ever.

for changing lives,

Eric M. Denton