Marsha's been missing and we've missed her for months. That's Bart and Marsha in a welcome back embrace... seeing her made the night and was an answer to prayer. She's been a friend in line for years but it's been nearly a year since we've seen her. We knew that she'd been sick and we began to fear the worse. Driving into the city, Bart said it would really make his night if she showed up during Christmas. We pulled up and she was waiting... moving slowly, forced to use a walker, but smiling from ear to ear as we each greeted her in love. She's spent a good deal of time in the hospital and physical rehab and now she's "home" back on skid row, for Christmas, She was hoping she'd made it back in time for the Christmas party. Asking her about the past year, speaking solemnly, yet with a smile, she shared that she recently celebrated her 64th birthday... as in: "Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64?" It was fantastic to have the opportunity to not only serve Marsha last night but to tell her that we still need her, we'll still feed her, even at 64. Lord help us... this will be our 19th Christmas celebrating on the streets... people in their 50's when we first came to the streets are now in their 70's... most no longer living. It was a wonderful gift to see Marsha, now humbled and quieted by age, injury and illness, make an effort to see us. Hopefully she made it back to her skidrow room safely.

Felix has lived on skid row for years and we've had the opportunity to build a lasting friendship. To say that Felix is a large man is understatement at it's best: he's a mountain of a man. His large size presents special needs most can't begin to relate to and very few show sympathy for. He's dieted off and on across the years, even took healthy cooking classes at one of the missions and tried preparing everything he ate over his little hot plate in his room and still roller coastered in weight. At his largest, he had to walk fire hydrant to fire hydrant to meet us on Sunday nights, using each hydrant as a seat to rest on until he could push on to the next, his knees barely able to carry him and his heart fighting to keep him going. Now he's able to walk with relative ease and stand in line without resting. Even still, our clothes never fit him. Instead of getting angry, he smiles and returns jackets, shirts and pants, or hands them off to a smaller man nearby. While sorting donations, our workers look for the biggest they can find, setting anything close aside for Felix. He's a big man who's easy to love. Week in and week out he'll ask about someone who use to work with us... perhaps you... and then, smiling, say: "I think about you guys during the week. Was thinking about them. Good folks," A family's adopted Felix and his special needs for their backpack this Christmas. Thought about the notes of kindness and encouragement... the donations that come in... and the good people putting together a BIG backpack for Felix and I realized how right he is: Jackets for Jesus has been blessed with some pretty good folks and I'm proud to serve with each of you... humbled to serve a great guy like Felix. He loves the little knit hat he's wearing- think it's been on his head every time I've seen him since the night we handed them out -thanks Steve. I don't know all of his story... over the years I've heard enough to break my heart... but I know he deserves our love and friendship. With Felix it's easy... he's one of the many in the heart of the city we're all proud to call a friend. After I took this picture, I showed it to him on my phone- smiling -he said, "That captures me pretty well." It does. That's the big man in our line.

Merry Christmas! Hope things are coming together for you and your family and that Christmas will be home and together... that Christ will be in the middle of it all... that whether you have "special" needs, like Felix or 2007 just wasn't your best year yet, like Marsha, that you're ready to come to the manger in love and celebrate his invitation to a life of giving, of knowing, of serving, of loving... of Christmas. This week we received a gift of $30- that touched each of us. It was from one of our regulars in line who slipped Jodi an envelope to make a donation as he took his meal. In the middle of the darkness of skidrow- life has been looking up for him over the last couple of years and whenever he can, he donates. This time it was a $20- and a $10-. He doesn't make a big deal of it, just a quiet thankful gift to support our work. We've been blessed beyond measure. God is better than we deserve. The poor, waiting to be fed, giving back to feed another brother or sister. Fish and loaves. God's in charge and we get to share the miracle. I'm so thankful for your part in Jackets for Jesus. Your prayers, your gifts, your notes of encouragement, your love, your donations... your boxes of socks from across the country... keep The Light shining brightly in the heart of skid row. Thanks so much.

Over 850 backpacks are out being filled. We have a couple dozen left. If you need some- call me. Sunday night we meet at McDonald's at the Peck Rd. offramp on the 60 fwy just west of the 605/60 interchange. We'll be there by 9pm- you can come as early as you like -we leave for skid row at 9:30pm after prayer together in the parking lot. We'll have printed instructions for every driver. If you're bringing your backpacks with you that night- take them to the truck - it'll be the HUGE truck filled with 8 tons of Christmas backpacks! Everyone on the streets anxious for the party. Our entire team's excited and ready as we'll ever be. We look forward to a wonderful celebration together with you. If you have any questions before Sunday, don't hesitate to call. ALSO, if you'd like to join us for Siempre Para Los Ninos's Christmas Party in TJ, it's Wednesday and you're invited. It's a busy time of the year... but a wonderful time of the year... if you're going to be alone Christmas morning, don't be. Our family would love to have you in- after 9am- not much later than 11am... but there's definitely a two hour window of love and warmth... then we head to Mexico to celebrate Christmas with the kids. Don't spend the morning alone- I'll cook breakfast! Looking forward to seeing you Sunday night- if not - hope this is your best Christmas Ever! Merry Christmas!

for changing lives,

Eric M. Denton

email: eric@centralcommunity.com

phone: 1-951-689-5806

web: http://www.centralcommunity.com