You may have seen it on TV last night or in the news this morning... hard to tell what it is in the photo because of all the lights, but that's the red carpet entry into the after Grammy Party at St. Vibiana's... formerly the arch bishop seat of the RC church in LA... now a party rental house for the rich and famous. The steps and sidewalk in front... right where all the Grammy winners are being interviewed and photographed... that's our old work area. We labored for The Lord in that exact spot for over 17 years... it's been odd to watch the transition from harbor for the homeless to home for celebrations of the newly anointed award winners after every big show. It may be more envy than being starstruck as we work in their shadows... hope not... but last night a homeless woman said to me as a HUGE limo rolled by filled with the young and beautiful: "Eric, get out that little phone with a camera on it and catch a picture quick! You'll never be able to show the contrast of what's happening here in America better than with one picture tonight." Wish one of the professional photographers would have taken the time to work at a photo essay... but they know where the money is and it's certainly not in taking pictures of "huddled masses yearning to breathe free." It never ceases to amaze me that there's so little resentment expressed by the people in our line. God's too good. It still kind of bugs me that they're partying in our old spot... but our new place is so much better... who's to complain!?

but some pretty amazing workers... trusting their rewards to God... and having a good time every Sunday night. That's Phil, doing his best "blue steel" kind of pose, in between serving up dinner for the night. Jodi's got an amazing team of workers that serves up every meal as if it's for a star... even better... each of them serve the homeless and hungry as if they're serving Jesus: it's why we're called Jackets for Jesus. Phil is one of the faithful- rarely misses a Sunday night -is always quick to pitch in and is a team leader with a great spirit. If we had an awards ceremony, he'd definitely be honored. College students have always played an important part in our work on the streets and we've appreciated their participation- if it's at Christmas, during semester break, whatever... but Phil's made it part of his life and as semesters and seasons come and go, Phil sticks with it. If he's not careful he'll quickly become the next generation of leadership for Jackets for Jesus when the rest of us get too old to drive! Last night he definitely was the most interested in the stars, the party, the crowds... but with bright lights glaring, his focus remained firmly on the task at hand, serving those who humble us with their presence in line, week in and week out. Thanks Phil. God knows and God sees... even if the world totally overlooks the real stars serving in the darkness. We've got an amazing team of workers... they've not lost heart or hope... or their continued willingness to share a meal, a jacket, a conversation in the night is at the heart of who we are on the streets and continues to encourage people living in poverty in the heart of LA.

I get it... the award winners produce incredible amounts of money for the corporations they serve and some bring joy, art and talent to the community at large with their gifts... not against anyone being honored for good things. But looking through the phone photos of last night- hard to find a few good ones to use... and almost impossible to find one without a limo, a driver, a star... (not that I would recognize them!), something or someone in the background of our work. That's Walter, waiting patiently, for seconds. He'd brought a Tupperware container and each time he was served he kept the biscuits on top... dry and within quick and easy reach. I've known Walter for years. He's a very good man with a story painful enough to melt the coldest heart. He's tried rehab... he's tried church... he loves God... stuff just hasn't come together for him. Sitting in comfort it's easy to blame him. Heard on the news this morning that the winner of the Grammy's is a young woman in rehab, who's hit They Tried to Make Me Go to Rehab, (check the link if you're curious), won the awards. I'm guessing with the money, the support, the stardom... she'll have a chance to get clean if she wants to... or she may just spend the rest of her life in spiritual poverty, singing "no, no, no..." In the background of every hit, a bunch of junkies bounce to the beat and see no way out. Last night, the impoverished took center stage while "the industry" rolled by in the background, no one stopped, no one visited, no one asked to help out... "no, no, no..." this morning it was in every photo. God knows. God sees. The people we choose to honor, to exalt, to make wealthy beyond their own ability to control may be more than a telling statement about who we are as a people, it may be an indictment on our souls and the continuing roadblock to our spiritual development. I hear Amy Winehouse is getting the help she needs, hope she makes the most of it. This morning, no one's going to watch out after Walter. He'll take the left over turkey and pasta casserole from last night and probably share it with a friend. Then, like 75,000 other men, women and children living in homelessness in Los Angeles he'll try to find his way into the week to come- last week it was wet and cold... this week it's like summer... don't think anyone will try to make him go to rehab... my prayer is that he knows we care... that in a world that is dangerously upside down that he's the star in our work and the glamour is nothing more than the glitzy background of our community. This coming Sunday night the limo's will be gone, party's over, awards all given out... Walter will still be waiting... we'll do our best to make a place for you to join us... you're invited, you're needed, now, more than ever.

for changing lives,

Eric M. Denton