Jackets For Jesus Update 6.1.09

The Lakers are in the NBA finals and that's BIG news on the streets. Staples Center, home of the Lakers, and home court to the playoffs, is just blocks from where we set up and serve each week and folks who'll never get a ticket to one of the games, people who sleep on the sidewalks and skidrow hotel rooms surrounding the home of the Lakers are some of their biggest fans. Having missed the previous Sunday night everyone had two questions for me: "Did you get the job done in Mexico?" and "What about our Lakers?!?" It was fun pulling out my phone and showing pictures and video from this past weekend- giving everyone the full update on how the work's going. Over and over I heard the same things: "I was praying for you." or "Wish I could go and help sometime." Sadly, most of the homeless in our line have a much greater chance of crossing the border into Mexico and building at Siempre then they ever do of crossing the street and actually watching a Laker's game - much less a playoff game -in person. I'm a native, a Laker's fan, and I've only been to a couple of games in my entire life. But the big money that keeps them from going in to watch a game doesn't seem to keep the crowds on skidrow from rooting for the hometeam. Last night the general consensus was that King James had been quickly replaced by King Kobe... and there were no tears for the young man from Cleveland. Don't have a clue where the money comes from for Laker's caps and t-shirts this time of year when there's barely money for food... but everyone who could was wearing team spirit last night. Go Lakers!

"I was baptized today!" She'd come with a friend to the streets last night to share the good news. Passing through our line for years, we've seen her in pretty much every state a human can go through in urban poverty. Last night she had a smile of wealth that courtside seats at the playoffs could never replace- she'd been baptized and she'd come to our line- not for the food or a jacket, but to share the Good News of a life change. We hugged and she asked me to take her picture. Pretty fantastic stuff. I didn't ask what church she went to or who her pastor is... didn't matter... what matters is that God's given us a relationship in the middle of the night that she considers valuable enough to make the trek out just to tell her story. Think she told each of us as she went through line: "I was baptized today!" What a fantastic witness of love... what a great smile. God is great and He's doing great things in the lives of many who live in poverty in the heart of our city. One of the best parts of Jackets for Jesus is just having the opportunity to be there and listen when the changes take place. We're a unique little community that gathers for an hour each week to hang out together, share our stories, serve in love and eat... starting to sound a little too much like church! Without all the buildings and in the middle of the night... but still, God's moving. One of our long time regulars even started "tithing" a few months back. No clue where the sudden influx of money came from and when she started giving us checks- have to admit, kind of wondered if they would bounce... but they haven't and last night she stood in line for a dinner, then quietly pulled me aside and as she balanced her plate handed me her coin purse and said: "Eric, can you get my tithe out for me?" Unzipping the well worn little black leather purse - one check sat inside, no pictures of children or grandchildren, no cash for later... just one check. Unfolding it I recognized her handwriting and hugged her and thanked her for the gift of $200- She said: "Who else would I give it to Eric? Jackets for Jesus has always been here for me. I could never give enough." God is too good. Know that when you support our work, your support is joined with that of the residents of skidrow who's lives are being changed. It's all so very humbling.

His name is Percy. Think last night was his first time in our line... at least it was the first time we'd had a chance to talk. After shooting the breeze for a couple of minutes I asked if he wanted me to take his picture: "Why not?" he said. Looking at it together, I told him what I tell everyone after I get a good picture: "It's a shame your mom doesn't have email- we could send this to her!" Percy said: "You can email from your phone?" And soon we were sending his photo from the heart of darkness out across the interweb to a waiting world. I sent it to my email address as well and it came through perfectly. After I'd sent it he said something sweet... softened so much... "When I get that at my email, can I print it or share it with someone else?" I explained how easily he could do both and he looked at me as if I'd passed along the gift of new life. I couldn't help but wonder who he was hoping to send it to: a child, a brother or sister, maybe his mom. He said he grew up just outside the city, things just haven't come together for him. Out of high school for over 20 years, now standing in the darkness with a stranger... making friends... and reconnecting with part of his world by sending a photograph that says: "Look at me. I'm ok. I'm alive. Don't worry." Join me this morning in saying a prayer for Percy, for his family, his future. Pray that this snapshot in the dark can help him reconnect with home. As I hit the send button on my phone- I thought of my mom -how many nights I was on the road and she prayed and would have given anything to have seen my face... pray that Percy has half as much love waiting for him and that he's willing to return and find the healing that's out ahead. So many stories.

Thanks for your love and support of Jackets for Jesus. Good things continue to happen because you care, because you pray, because you give. Remember, you're always invited to join us on the streets. There's a summer of sharing out ahead and so many good friendships waiting to be built. Don't let poverty, or wealth, be a barrier. We're going this Sunday night. You're invited. You're needed, Now, more than ever.

for changing lives,

Eric M. Denton