Patients were waiting for Dr. Ricks when we pulled up Wednesday afternoon. Siempre's little medical clinic is reaching further into the community each month as well as meeting the needs of each of our children. George headed straight to work... while I jumped on my bike and headed out into the hills with a few of the older boys for an afternoon ride and a cruise by the local market for a coke. Brenda and Bianca say our new worker, Consuelos, is fantastic and the kids seem to love her. She was raised in an orphanage from the age of 6, until she was 18, now, abandoned by her husband, left with 3 children and no other family, Siempre's become her new home and workplace. God's Good. Can't wait for you to meet her. Vanessa was cooking dinner while we were there: fried cauliflower patty's, covered with fresh tomatoes and salsa... almost like Big Macs! Apparently it's a favorite in the household and what I tasted was amazing! With a funeral Monday and a rehearsal and wedding in Mexico, Friday and Saturday, no weekly update got out- forgive me. We did get to visit Siempre a couple of times while in Mexico for the wedding and it was good to see all God's doing all through the week. Siempre: I hope you can take the time, now that the weather's warming up, to visit and share in the joy of their little community. You have so much to add.

A failing economy may not help our financial support but it sure builds our weekly attendance in the line. Normally, when daylight savings time hits, the line's pretty sparse and only the most hard core are there. Last night the line filled up fast and there were new comers and folks who only show up when things are getting desperate. An elderly white woman- early 80's -wandered into our line last night and wanted to shop through the jackets while waiting for a meal. I didn't remember seeing her before so I asked her story: said she'd been in our line once before, was hesitant to leave her downtown apartment at night, both out of fear and because the cold weather causes her arthritis to flare up... but hunger and need for warm clothes pushed her out last night. The guy on the bike was new to me- couldn't get him to talk about a thing... except his bike... which was really well cared for... watching him silently wade into the deep end of our work- reaching out for a jacket, gratefully accepting a sandwich, embracing a warm plate of dinner with both hands, even getting a cold coke (we had 5 or 6 cases of soda in our ice chest last night along with the 15 gallons of cocoa, hot tea and water we always bring), soon, he had to find a place to rest his bike, sit and eat. The stories of poverty in the heart of our cities go well beyond the stereotypes we find so easy to ignore. Good people are fighting to survive financially and too many of them are losing the battle. We stand as one of the final outposts of hope on the streets. Not doing anywhere near enough to help someone survive, but doing all we can to keep hope alive. Dozens and dozens were fed and clothed last night: these two, an elderly woman, so near the end with a lifetime of stories behind her... and a guy on a bike... stand out in my mind... they could be our family members... we should treat them as if they are. I'm thankful to be surrounded by great people like you who love and support us in our work. I don't see our line shrinking anytime soon. Serving the poor seems to be a growth industry these days.

That's Jodi and Evelyn clowning around for the phone/camera on the ride home in the van. When the evening's done, food served, jackets out, all of us safely back in the van and on our way home, depending on the night- it can be a pretty rowdy ride -last night- our bodies were all still set an hour earlier, or it can be a snorefest with a silent prayer as we slip into sleep that Bart stays awake as he drives. Service, in it's best form, is a celebration. The Bible says that when Jesus wanted to show His disciples the "full extent of His Love" He served them- wrapped a towel around His soon to be crucified body and washed their feet. Needless to say it sparked a conversation among His followers and started a conversation that's still alive among those who choose to follow Him today. It's an old saying, but always worth remembering: "You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving." The people I serve along side have given a large part of their lives to loving and serving the poor in the heart of darkness on skidrow and I'm humbled and honored to share this simple work with them. We enjoy our time together because we love what we're doing. In the days to come we'll celebrate Easter on the streets. Pray that we can be all God wants us to be. Know that we pray for you and all those who lift up Jackets for Jesus every week. There's a community living in poverty who's lives are made just a little easier, because you care. Keep them in your prayers. Together, we can serve, celebrate and shine Light in dark places. At the end of the day, can't imagine too many better ways to have spent our lives. The ride home is not so long... I was reminded again with the passing of a friend and the wedding of nephew that it all happens so fast... hope you're making the most of it. When you're ready, you're always invited to join us on the streets. We're going this Sunday night. You're invited, you're needed, now, more than ever.

for changing lives,

Eric M. Denton

PS

Debi and I will be in the Portland area this week. I'm speaking at chapel for Warner Pacific College about Jackets for Jesus Thursday morning. I assume it's open to the public... would love to see you.