He was always a pain in the neck... and then Bart started to love him. I don't even know his name- for good reason -he's cussed me out more times than taken the time to say hello. Every week he "crashed" our line, caused problems and was just grief in general. Week in and week out he'd ask Bart about pins on the lapel of his shirt... usually some European soccer teams logo... then Bart started giving the guy his pins. Every week he came expecting another- I told Bart he was just feeding the fire giving him anything -boy was I wrong. They started talking about the pins, their collections, acknowledging each other as people instead of problems to deal with and soon... sooner than I'd ever thought... they were friends. The guy in the cap, covered with pins from Bart, from around the world, now helps us start our line each week. He's quick to hand out the Jackets for Jesus bags and always a little shy around me. He still remembers... I just act like he's always been part of the team. God's used Bart's love to spread His Amazing Grace. If you've got a pin collection on an old cap- send it down -Bart will use it to make disciples! Got to love the bright orange hunting vest Bart's wearing. It came in a HUGE collection of jackets donated last week by the Homeland Church of God - thanks you guys -you're always so good with the poor. Handing out jackets on the street, the vest seemed like a good safety tool for Bart... as long as he doesn't start carrying shotgun shells in it!

No big party... just the family together at the house Sunday afternoon for my father- in-law, Wil Sommer's, 78th birthday. That's him on the streets Sunday night, getting a birthday hug from one of his buddies on skidrow, a guy he calls Curly... I'm guessing it's because he has no hair. Dad's been serving with us on the streets for years now. It's not something I ever would have expected when I first met him almost 30 years ago. He spent his life driving a big rig- not a lot of time for God or church -today he's faithful in church and faithful in service to the poor at an age many would have already used as an excuse to quit. Skidrow's a long way from the green fields that surrounded their home in Jackson Township, in NE Ohio, but he's still making friends, still telling stories, still talking about trucks, even on the streets, anytime someone will listen. I was proud of Dad spending his birthday on the streets. Life's not exactly been easy the last few years and he's had every reason to throw in the towel- but he hasn't. Serving together is a blessing and last night we were all blessed to wish dad another year of joy in service with Jackets for Jesus.

It's how you reach a guy like Curly, Bart's "pin" pal, or even Jaimie, pictured here... time and love. I use to want everything to happen right now, but life doesn't happen right now. Even Jesus spent 33 years giving Himself on earth along with three full years of intensive, round the clock training to His disciples... read His stories... most of them were filled with time spent together, love given generously... time and love. It's the only way we've been able to make an impact of any kind on the streets over the years. We're only on our corner for an hour or so- that's just 52 hours a years, not quite 1,000 hours on the street in 19 years... anyone who's lived on skid row more than a couple of months has more time on the streets than we do. But men like Jaimie trust us because they know we'll be back- we may not be there all week long... but we'll be back: ready to serve a meal, share a jacket, a conversation, a birthday, a pin, time in prayer... we'll be back. We've discovered God uses time and love to heal broken hearts and to turn the feet of prodigal children home. He uses time and love to change us, heal us... to make us better, more honest people. If you could use a little time and love- you can come share it for an evening... or for the rest of your life... we're going this Sunday night, we'll do our best to make sure you've got a place in the van. We've got the time and the love for you as well. You're needed, now, more than ever.

for changing lives,

Eric