Everyone in line seems to be wearing headphones... that's Newton and I'm sure he's following one of his favorite Christian speakers on the radio. The homeless know their late night radio. Many listen to those long, rambling talk shows that cover the mundane to the bizarre... stuff like "Is the government seeding our skies and using us as guinea pigs for secret medical testing?" and "lectures on how mushrooms (not the kind one eats on their salad) can improve spiritual insight." So many odd discussions come out of late night radio that never touch our realities... but if you're sleeping on the street- fighting cold in winter and heat in summer - getting older on concrete... it's an easy, inexpensive escape from the darkness as one waits for dawn. The headphones always remind me of your generosity- of Christmas. It's what we talked about in the van last night- 5 months from now Christmas will have come and gone and we'll have had the opportunity to serve those living on skid row in poverty with another huge Christmas party. So many of you fill your backpacks with items we take for granted- inexpensive headphones, a pocket radio, an mp3 player or cd player. Last year we handed out over 800 backpacks stuffed with gifts... all year long men and women have had the headphones on- listening in to life beyond their every day battle to survive. Thanks so much. One more reason to pray for good radio ministries in the heart of our cities.

Stuff we didn't want our mom to know about... most of us have done a few things we'd just as soon not have everyone see, especially not our family, our mom. It's one reason some people living on the streets don't welcome the little camera in my phone. Love this picture- took it Sunday night as one of my old friends, long time resident of skid row protested. He hates it when I take his picture- but I still do it -show it to him on the phone's screen, then delete it. Do my best to respect people's privacy. Last night I took this shot of him as he pushed his hand out- we laughed loudly when we looked at the result. He said: "Eric, feel free to use that picture for anything you want." Here's the deal: he's the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet but he lives in the largest community of homeless in our nation- not exactly bragging rights. So he stands just a little further off than other people might... even sticks out his hand and pushes them away. If he does it with me in a friendly setting, imagine how much more extreme his behavior might seem when he's surrounded by strangers in the middle of downtown LA's business week... None of us want to reflect badly on our family, our mom... our God and so we isolate ourselves hoping no one will notice our condition. People are normally more than happy to oblige us- we ignore them and they ignore us right back. Soon there's no way out of the deep hole we're in and it seems the world doesn't even notice there's a hole. Our candidates for president have both been to LA plenty... not a visit to skid row. I'm not expecting one soon. Praise God for good people like you who when people hold out their hands to push us away, you're still willing to step into their darkness in love. Keep my friend... people fighting poverty nation wide... around the world... in your prayers. Everyone want's to make their mom proud. We can help them.

Like an island... our corner sets up and hundreds of meals, sandwiches and drinks are served, friends hang out and shoot the breeze and Light comes to dark places. Traffic flies by... music from the bars across the street fills the air... prostitutes- both male and female -"work" the opposite corner hoping for a "customer" to stumble into their arms out of the bar or cruise up in a car and open the door. It's how we spend Sunday nights... and most of it just blends into the evening as we focus on individuals. Those serving dinners each have their part to play- the main dish, bread, vegetables, plates, plastic ware, dessert, donuts, drinks... each one smiling, greeting, getting to know someone better... focused, on task, friendly... making friends... we "work" the line in love. Some are just more gregarious than others. That's Bart and one of his buddies on the street in a death lock. The guy helps Bart occasionally and mostly just cuts in the line at the table. Sunday night he kept yelling my name- looking up, he said: "Come here and take my picture with Bart!" One of the pictures you would send home to mom. I went over and took a picture or two... and boys being boys... pretty soon they were posing for shots strangling each other with wild looks on their faces. Thinking about it this morning, can't help but laugh. Bart, a successful small business owner who today is at work keeping things moving and this homeless guy- who's name I don't even know -who today is dodging in and out of the crowds that rule downtown LA on Monday mornings... just last night were playing like kids... barriers broken... only smiles. No wonder our crowds grow... no wonder our workers love what we do... God created us to live together, to serve each other, to celebrate life: to be salt and light. Poverty's serious stuff when someone can't find a meal, a safe place to sleep, even guys with beds in missions downtown are being put out because of a new bed bug infestation. Friendship can help carry a person through a tough week. Jodi and her team work hard to make sure everyone has a reason to come back: the great food they serve... but we've all learned the meal opens the door for friendship... for God to do what only He can do in the night. Blessings are waiting- new friends are waiting on skid row. We're going this Sunday night. You're invited. You're needed, now, more than ever.

for changing lives,

Eric