Leaving for skidrow Sunday evening, having survived our big Thanksgivings - both the service and celebrations - we were convinced that after a weekend of tons of free turkey dinners on the streets from every mission and ministry in LA, our crowd would be tiny, or non-existent. So much for the wisdom of experience. A huge crowd was waiting, somehow still hungry, still hoping for a jacket, everyone quick with their story of Thanksgiving. Jodi and her team were ready with fried chicken, cole slaw and baked beans- oh buddy! You'd had thought it was a 4th of July bbq as men and women waited patiently to celebrate the feast. Somehow, Jodi and her team always know just what to prepare and God stretches it just far enough. Getting out of the van, I heard Jodi give instructions to servers about portion sizes... at the end of the night I overheard Bart and Jodi talk about a couple of women who showed up after all was gone- but two meals had been set aside... and they were the last to be blessed... and knew they'd been blessed. It was a great night on the streets, even with the unexpected crowd.

The highlights of my Thanksgiving, of most of our Thanksgivings, are much different than the stories we heard on the streets Sunday night. Some told tales of bouncing from one dinner to the next- this mission served smoked turkey, another had just the right spices in their stuffing... food... incredible the spots it touches in our spirits when poverty's feeding on our soul. It was the story of food most told, it's the story most of us tell of our Thanksgivings- hopefully food shared with family, friends, those we love, those who love us... on the streets it's just food... sort of the baseline of the holiday. A smile from a stranger, a handshake from someone who cared enough to share part of our day, hopefully it can turn someone's steps toward home. So many no longer have a memory of safe or whole moments of Thanksgiving. An angry man wandered the back of the line- food hadn't been enough -he taunted me about my Thanksgiving... shouted threats, hounded me, jumped away when I reached out and hugged him... he was right, my Thanksgiving had been blessed, my home, my life is filled with love I certainly don't deserve. So easily it could have been me, angry, heartbroken and crying out for attention. Men and women in line did their best to apologize for his actions- but his threats rang hollow - "hurting people hurt people." Going to skid row at the holidays and expecting only joy would be an unrealistic expedition. Most everyone in line came to us because we were the people they knew- the one's who knew them- there are bigger missions and ministries and I'm thankful for their work in the heart of poverty. God's blessed us with our own special part to play and last night part of it was listening to the stories of Thanksgiving that cry out from the darkness.

An image to warm the hearts of those living on skidrow- that's one wall of my office, lined with boxes of backpacks. Everyone's been asking about the Christmas party on the streets- "Will you guys be handing out backpacks again?" One man proudly showed me his from last year- that he still wears everyday. Another guy said: "Is it true that every backpack has $40- in it somewhere? That's the word on the streets... but I've come the last two years and still haven't found the $40-" (urban legend - no truth). Christmas on the streets- Jackets for Jesus brings it and you're invited. This year we have 700 backpacks to fill- 100 are already out to friends who share them with friends at work- that leaves 600 to be filled in love with everything you think the homeless my want or need at Christmas. Our Christmas Party on the streets will be Sunday night- December 23rd -we meet at "our" McDonald's in S. El Monte at the intersection of the 605/60 fwys at 9pm. If you want to get food or have time to hang out- get there earlier -we'll leave for the streets by 9:30pm. That's all the info- now we need YOU, your loved ones, small groups, church, business, neighborhood watch group, Girl Scout Troop, dorm room, whatever... to fill some backpacks! The packs are free- fill them in love and return them by Sunday afternoon, Dec. 23, or if you're joining us for the party on the streets- bring them with you to McDonald's and we'll consolidate in the parking lot. The backpack's are kept all year long and each empty pack comes with a list of suggested items to get the creative juices flowing. It's time to start Christmas shopping and the sooner you commit to some packs- the sooner I'll get my office back! Jackets for Jesus spends every last cent in the account at Christmas... and you only have to share the insanity of one Christmas Party on the Streets to know that it's worth it. The stat was on the news and in print until you almost couldn't miss it last week- 1 in every 4 of the homeless in the US is a veteran. A more important stat is this- every one is someone's kid - each one part of the common family of humanity. We have the opportunity to brighten Christmas for hundreds in the month to come. Call or email me for your backpacks. It's a great personal or family project. Mark your calendar and join us for the party. My prayer for you this morning is that you can experience a portion of the joy, love and hope we share in serving on the streets each week... and that you fill 20 or 30 backpacks!

for changing lives,

Eric M. Denton

email: eric@centralcommunity.com

phone: 1-714-907-4263

web: http://www.centralcommunity.com