That's little Danny. He's as cute as his photo. He and his older brother Brian live at Siempre, along with their mom, Consuellos, one of our workers. Consuellos grew up an orphan in one of Tijuana's larger orphanages. When she was old enough, she became an employee. She eventually married, had kids... was tragically abandoned by their father... and now they're all finding and giving healing as she shares in raising her own and Siempre's family. Her heart is in it... even still, looking in her eyes, all too often it's easy to see that she still carries a deep pain that I'm certain will only heal with God and time. She, along with Alejandro and Aracelys, Pastor Israel and Vanessa are all learning, day by day, how to balance raising their own children in the midst of the larger Siempre community. Somehow- as Christmas approaches and they sit at the bedsides of Siempre's kids and hear their prayers, along with their dreams of a great Christmas morning... they must find time for their own children... to consider those special moments they deserve as the family gather's together. And Consuello... doesn't have a memory of what it might have been like to have celebrated a holiday with a loving mom and dad... not too many memories of a family together... so as a working mom... working 24/7, she'll somehow need to find joy to bring to her children from a special spot that she never knew. Please keep her in your prayers. Thank God that when her family fell apart she didn't abandon the boys but chose to stick together. Reason enough for us to stick with her in the weeks to come. Each of our workers are so much more than babysitters. They're individuals who've committed themselves... their lives... to safely raising up Siempre's family. They've been called of God and I believe their service is celebrated by The Father.

So many good things... Siempre's been in the middle of more than we ever imagined when we began our work in Tijuana almost 10 years ago. We built our dental clinic over 16 months ago... after months of repeated efforts we finally managed to get the donated dental chairs, etc... across the border. This Wednesday, after so much waiting, it's all getting installed and will soon be ready to serve not just the children of Siempre but our extended outreach in the community as well. We've had a couple of dentist in Tijuana offer to give their time and a number of dentist here in California show interest as well. If your a dental care provider a great door of service is opening for you at Siempre. If you'd like to get in on the ground floor- let me know. Special thanks to Dr. George Ricks for sticking with this from day one. Wish I could be their Wednesday morning to watch it all go in.

Money for the fence is coming together. Now it's getting a team of workers to do the job. You can see the opening in the background behind Lupita. This week the problem was neighborhood dogs finding their way in. A good friend of Siempre, who lives in the community, had walked down to volunteer a little time- getting much needed work accomplished. Downside was, he takes his dogs with him everywhere he goes. Deeper downside, they attract dogs from all around and embolden them to wander onto our property and of course every child wants to pet them. Most are friendly and no problem... others... well other dogs were fighting, growling and appeared to be a genuine threat. The kids have all learned how to throw rocks to protect themselves... don't think that's PETA approved repellant, but effective none the less. I worry about just one of the kids getting bit. Our son John was bit on the face as a child and we know the pain, expense and long term healing that one dog bite can require. And that was a dog with shots. Don't know what happens when a kid's bit by a strange dog that runs off. Can't wait for the new wall to go in all around Siempre. Apparently, the dogs are still the least of our concerns. Tom and Ellen Buckingham drove down separately for the day. They're so good at getting around Baja now. Tom said on his return Thursday he read in the paper that there were 14 additional drug related killings in TJ... while we were there on Wednesday. Pray that peace is restored and that our Siempre family and all those who travel to serve at Siempre remain safe. Thanks so much to those of you who've given to provide for the safety of the wall. If you'd still like to give- don't hesitate. If you're an able worker and would like to join a team to build the wall- let us know.

Just 9 of us went to serve on the streets Sunday night. We've grown so use to having 14 or 15 on a regular basis that we all have to step it up a bit when we're missing a team member or two. Karl, one of our long time workers, recently moved to San Diego and we miss him dearly. Think we all thought as hard core as he is that he'd be driving back and forth every Sunday night! Karl- we miss you buddy. I really miss him. He always stayed with Jodi through the final lock up so I could head home... now I'm trying my best to cover his job and staying 'til everything's done in the kitchen. Didn't realize how spoiled I was. Jodi and her team had cooked all afternoon and the crowd was greatly appreciative of the incredible meal. The smell of Mexican casserole, Spanish rice and hot chocolate filled the urban corridors and a good time was had by all. Bart walked the line and handed out our bags- then quickly started giving everyone a jacket, sweater or sweatshirt against the cold night air. People received them with open arms and in thanksgiving. The guy in the photo- one of our regulars -stepped up and as the line doubled in size, started making sure that everyone had a bag. Very cool. In the heart of a city that's taken away the trash cans for the homeless... I'm sure there's some warped logic behind it... we again pack our own 40 gallon cans... it's humbling to watch men and women clean the streets before we leave the corner. One guy, long time friend of us all, says he hangs out for at least an hour after we leave each week just to make sure everything's in order. So many, who have lost so much, have come to feel a sense of pride and ownership in Jackets for Jesus. Our times together not only warm bodies and fill stomachs... they fill our spirits as God reminds us of the miracle He's creating in the heart of our city. Whether there are 9 or 90 of us- each week we do our best... it's an amazing opportunity to serve in the darkness.

The "combat zone." That's what the homeless called our line in the early years. The only line that sets up in the darkness- more than occasionally attracted it's fair share of dark moments as men and women fought over jackets, food... I've seen knives come out over a peanut butter sandwich... but it's been a long time since we've had any serious fighting... until last night. Instantly recognizable, the shouting, angry voices- well away from the line -men gathered up against a fence. Bart and I ran in that direction only to find a young man at the wrong end of 5 or 6 other guys fist and feet as he fell to the ground. Watching movies where a guy gets kicked in the ribs and face is one thing- standing next to it -yelling, trying your best to break it up as the sound of flesh is breaking is another all together. Everyone backed off as we stepped in and gave the young guy room to stand up- incredible what a human can tolerate. A good friend on the streets stepped in to help out and immediately the involved were headed away. A couple guys said the man they were beating had stolen something from them... another said he'd knocked over their plate of food. Trying to regain his balance- adjusting an apparently broken nose -the guy pulled a cell phone and started making calls, I grabbed his dinner plate for him. Not ten minutes later the fight broke out again in front of a bar across the street with a number of other people involved... they'd left, we didn't know them... no longer much we could do. We'd told them to "Take is somewhere else..." They did. Fortunately skid row bars have security that put the matter to rest in just a few minutes. When the weather turns cold, tempers can burn red hot. I imagine there's at least one young man with a very sore body today... so many others who left with their spirits filled. Quick to stand beside us in the middle of the anger, thankful for the time we share together. Love the photo above- found it Sunday amidst the street art on the sidewalk. The message is clear and simple: "Thank you God for the Jackets for Jesus." It's so easy to turn our backs on poverty, hunger, darkness in fear. Things can get a little crazy. It can be more than we bargained for, but the blessings... a simple prayer of thanksgiving scrawled onto the streets, speaks to us in the night. Pray for the continued peace of our work together. Pray for those involved in the fight last night. Pray for people across America living in poverty. We have the opportunity to be a healing force... pray for us.