Rain in the city has it's own unique properties. No grass and trees to soak it up. It bounces off the highrises and comes from every direction as the wind fights through the manmade canyons. In the midst of it all you have people living in poverty. Sleeping on the concrete. Rain ruining their cardboard coverings and overpowering their makeshift mansions. I had neglected to bring a jacket and asked Max and Tracy to pull one out for me as they were sorting clothes to take to the streets. We're getting near the end again already. They found a fantastic Kaiser Permanente Jacket with the name Mark stitched on the front. Thanks Mark. When the rain road the wind sideways through our line, I was warm and ready to greet each person with a smile. All the while looking for the one guy walking in the rain with a t-shirt who would get my jacket before I left the street.

If attitude IS everything- then the homeless have got more than they need on a rainy night. People come through the line and thank us. Saying stuff like: "Can't believe you guys come out here in the rain." But in general the conversation was on the fact that it's barely rained all winter and when it does finally start- it's right when we're setting up the line. What are the odds? None of our workers complained- we all know we have a warm van to ride home in and homes and beds waiting for us- amazingly, none of the homeless complained either. Some were wrapped in plastic, others, completely unprepared, were getting soaked to the bone in t- shirts and sweatshirts, all were digging the hot meal- Jodi's famous "Italian Casserole." Don't know if we'd ever have a meal on the streets if there wasn't an ethnic name to go along with it! Either way, cold, wet people were warmed wonderfully, from the inside out. It's easy to feel really good about what we do on nights like this. It's hard to drive away, after we pray together and the corner empties, with people heading to whatever shelter they have against the storm. God is good and in a situation where it would be so easy for people to resent our wealth and easy retreat to the blessings of our van, home and families- instead, people ask how we're doing?, when are you leaving for Kenya?, and "hey, Eric, nice haircut!" It's impossible to drown the spirit of survival.

We didn't have to push too hard to get Bart and Marsha to pose for the lead in photo. They've both been great sports about all the good natured ribbing. Marsha's only concern was that she needed to push to the front of the line- what else is new -and then head home, she has a skid row room she rents, before she was soaked to the bone. Can't imagine how lonely her life must get. Glad that we've made friends over the years- even if we do tease Bart about it. The "kids" taking my picture with their phone have become friends. I always worry about young people on the streets. It's a time in their lives that could determine the rest of their lives. And so much of skid row and poverty in general exploits people til there's nothing left. These guys seem to care and watch out for one another as they fight their way back from whatever landed them in their current moment of desperation. We meet each other without judgement and are in the early stages of friendship. Keep them in your prayers. There's a way out of poverty for them and I'd like to help them find it.

Tomorrow morning early, Feb 20, I fly out to Kenya. It's the busiest schedule I've had for a trip and your prayers for the days to come are greatly appreciated. You can follow the trip at by blog, listed below. Thanks so much to each of you that have encouraged me, who first introduced me to, have trained me in, have prayed for and financially supported each our trips to Kenya. God continues to open doors we never imagined existed and allows us to work in communities of poverty that desperately need to know that people care, that God cares. Kenya has also expanded our work on the streets as men and women join in the prayer network and then wait in anticipation for stories and photos to return. Everybody needs to know that they're sharing in something great- and it's a great thing we're doing in the heart of Los Angeles. God's blessed us. We want to share the blessing. Please continue to pray for me in the days to come- pray for our team on the streets while I'm gone -know that in LA, in Riverside and in Kenya, we'll be praying for you. We need each other, now, more than ever.

for changing lives, Eric

email: eric@centralcommunity.com

phone: 1-951-689-5806

web: http://www.centralcommunity.com