The smiling guy pretty well sums up the feelings of everyone in line last night- it's been a GREAT 19 years. People like Reuben and Stephanie, in the big photo had nothing but great things to say about their backpacks. One guy told me he had a $20- bill and a Starbucks gift card- another that he had a down comforter in his that's kept him warm all week and the stories went on and on. Thanks so much for your part in impacting the lives of so many who feel forgotten all too often. This week they had questions about our Christmas's- telling us that we could not have made their's any better... kind of hard to imagine. God uses love to do so much. Most weeks people dodge my little phone/camera like the plague... this week... everyone wanted their picture taken... everyone wanted to say thanks. Thanks so much for your part in Jackets for Jesus. Thanks for filling over 800 backpacks in love. We gave a few more out last night and will continue to as people dribble in that missed the big party. God is too good.

I've been sick all December, hoping for a healthier January. I've had to kick myself in the rear end just to make it through the month. Robert showed up on his bike last night and I asked him where he was for the party. He said he's been sick for two weeks and that the Sunday night of the party he couldn't pick himself up off the ground to get going. I teased him and said I'd made it out- he could have made it out... he then kindly reminded me that it's not easy to be sick on skid row... said he'd barely survived it. I've had my big house, good chair, warm bed, nice tv, good job, loving family... the list goes on and on... Robert's got his yellow bike, a pack that holds his belongings and a will to survive poverty... being sick with the flu on the streets in poverty... I would have died, guaranteed. After we talked, he flashed that big trademark smile of his and asked: "So, did you save me a backpack?" Not sure if he got one Sunday night but I'm pretty sure there's one in his future. If you've been fighting a cold or the flu... consider those sick and injured in poverty... and thank God for all you've got... and pray they're able to survive tonight... it's been cold. The average life span for men and women on skid row is 48 years. That's almost 30 years less than people who fight colds, flu and everything else life throws our way in our warm, well fed life styles. With a new year ahead we've got so much to be thankful for and so many to lift up in prayer.

"When are you going back to Africa?" It's a question that comes up every week in the line. So many of our people have learned to look forward to our trips to Kenya and the reports I bring home. Each week someone will ask me how they could join me on one of our trips... some tell me that they're working on getting their lives in order so they can apply for a passport and share the joy. I encourage them. I can think of few things that would make me happier than to take a group of people out of poverty in America to serve a people who don't believe we have poverty in the US. What an amazing bridge that would be to build. One of my goals for 2008. The picture of the nice looking guy in a jacket, wearing a backpack pretty well sums up success for Jackets for Jesus. It's how we share God's love in the darkness. Simple steps. I wish it were as easy for our work in Kenya. If you've been watching the news you know that following their presidential elections, Kenya's fallen into a state of violence and chaos. I don't pretend to understand all the reasons for the bloodshed... but I know we've been on the phone with friends across Kenya - heard and read stories of heartbreak, fear, narrow escapes and loss of life... enough stories to know we need to cancel our January trip. But our work is so very insignificant in light of Kenya's need for peace today. Please join me in praying for the peace of God to move in Kenya. That leaders will stand up and bring those who look to them to reconciliation and that neighbors... now at each others throats with hate... will find it in their hearts to find a better way. The one request I'm getting from my friends across Kenya is "Please Pray." Please pray. When hatred and violence springs like a weed that refuses to die we realize there are fates far worse than poverty. To my friends in Kenya who receive this- know that you're in our prayers. I don't begin to judge those who feel wronged by their political system. It's a young nation. We're just praying for a peaceful solution. Please join me in a prayer for Kenya. If it were only as easy as a jacket and a backpack.

Happy New Year! I'm praying that you "Start Great in 2008!" Thanks so much for all you've done throughout 2007. Know that we'd love to have you join us some Sunday night- we'll do our best to make room in the van... we had to take an extra car last week! You're needed, now, more than ever.

for changing lives,

Eric M. Denton

email: eric@centralcommunity.com

phone: 1-951-689-5806

web: http://www.centralcommunity.com