Ready to serve, a young man brought out his boy scout troop, family and friends to complete his final Eagle Scout project through Jackets for Jesus. He spent weeks collecting and sorting over 200 jackets, then brought a team of nearly 20 people with him to serve on the streets while our workers stepped back and took on the role of mentors, showing them how to do each task while greeting each person in line. We had no clue how the guys on the street would respond to the scout troop- so I gave them a full run down on what was happening before we prayed and asked them to be on their very best... and they were. By the end of the evening we had a whole new group of people in love with our work on the streets and each one ready to do more than a project, with many asking how they could be involved in the future. God's Good and He's doing good things in the heart of poverty. An entirely new community was reached with a plea for jackets- they responded in love -and people in poverty left last night warm and celebrating like it was Christmas. Wish you could have been there.

Beatrice is as good as they get. She's now worked with us for over 8 years, spending every Sunday afternoon with Jodi: cutting, preparing, cooking, packing and anything else Jodi needs to get the meal ready for the week. Last night I left the church shortly before midnight, Bart and Phil putting the van and trailer away, Karl, quietly cleaning up and making sure chairs, tables and all else is ready for next Sunday night- while Jodi stood at one of the two sinks- scrubbing stainless steel pans with a vengeance- Beatrice quietly at her side -doing her best to keep pace. She's an amazing woman with an incredible story... much of it shrouded by sadness. In the middle of the line- there have been times over the past 8 years when she could have just have easily been standing in line... and yet she remains faithful to serve... her spirit sweetly touches all those who take the time to know her. Before leaving for the streets last night, Jodi brought her to my office with a simple request... but I could tell it was brutal for Beatrice to ask... she no longer has a winter coat and can't afford to buy one. She wondered if she could have one of the many women's jackets waiting to be handed out. Jumping from my chair- Jodi and I took her through a room filled with jackets until she found one that not only fit- but one she liked... she's the short little white spot in the middle of the photo. Just like Beatrice, to pick something that would shine brightly against the night. Over the years I've been humbled by the people serving around me. People who've stayed faithful to serve through heartbreak and hardships that would've knocked me off stride for years... and yet they continue to serve... they're a huge part of our success on the streets. Each of us has been wounded. We believe there's healing in service. We stand together in the darkness of skidrow in love... thankful for the chance to make it one more week... it's part of our prayer every Sunday night... thanking God that He's allowed us to serve again. Beatrice is the best. Her burdens are huge. Please keep her in your prayers this week. In her 70's and still loving the middle of the night on skidrow. My hero!

In a posture of prayer... I snuck up behind this guy in order to catch a picture of his sweatshirt before he saw me. The little flash on my phone gave me away. He snapped his head around to ask what I was up to and I saw his meal- sitting on the stoop around the tree -where he rested on his knees on the sidewalk to eat... looked painful. After telling him what I was up to he was quick to want to pose for several more pictures. He said one of his friends was stopped this week on the streets of LA, outside of skidrow, by a business man who said he was a part of Jackets for Jesus, that he liked his sweatshirt. Our sweatshirts are worn in pride... and that makes me incredibly happy. Poverty stinks. Little hope for each day and the prospect of a new horizon rapidly slipping away with each new downturn in the economy... and in the middle of it all a reminder that we belong... there's something bigger than our poverty... Jackets for Jesus. It may seem silly, sitting in the comfort and warmth of our homes, checking our email. but belonging is so important: even if it's just the friends we see on Sunday night for a meal. Our Christmas backpacks were such a success that a number of Jackets for Jesus sweatshirts remain. We give some out each week, but if you'd like one, email me your size and I'll send it out to you. I trust you'll make a donation that'll more than cover the cost of the sweatshirt and shipping. I'm wearing one right now... I wear them often enough to probably drive my family crazy... but occasionally someone will stop me and say they've heard of Jackets for Jesus. I smile and enjoy the moment, listening to their story, and realize that hearts are being changed. An Eagle Scout project just touched an entire troop in the darkness. God is still doing good things... you can join us this Sunday night... you're needed, now, more than ever. (or you can just wear one of our cool sweatshirts! very urban.)

for changing lives,

Eric M. Denton