Good Friends getting together to serve is always a great part of summer nights, serving with Jackets for Jesus. Susan and her dauhter Hilary joined our team Sunday evening as well as Robbie and her daughter ChrisAnn. They went right to work and within minutes were in the heart of our work. Bart putting two with Carl at the head of the line and Jodi giving the others work in the heart of our food tables. Each of them greeted the line warmly and quickly learned their task. Much of what we do on the streets is simple- loving people isn't nearly as difficult as it sometimes seems -however- it's the consistent application of that love, week in and week out, that builds the bridge into the community, allowing our work to grow. Every first time worker is an encouragement and each of us enjoy sharing the vision and work as we stand along side them in the line. It was great to have both old and new friends with us to share the party Sunday night.

Diversity doesn't begin to define the good people we serve each week. This guys name is Sunbolla - I'm certain I'm misspelling it - and he was recently visiting skid row from his "home" on the streets of San Francisco. He's an artisan and proudly shared his work with me- hand crafted bamboo flutes. In my high school days, when I had long hair, ate whole wheat and never imagined "selling out to the man," I made, played and even sold bamboo flutes: we connected instantly. Sunbolla proudly displayed his favorite flutes- shared the secrets of how he made his... almost the same way I'd made mine, 36 years earlier, and he even played for me. Sometimes, God has a familiar face, One we relate to, even in the heart break and anguish of poverty. Hanging out was like being with an old friend... no, better... almost like a visitation. Friendships are discovered and nurtured in the midst of serving and sometimes it's much more than a friendship; it's a life moment. I had one on the streets the other night. The kind that reminds me to thank God for loving me enough to allow me to serve each Sunday night and to meet so many amazing people. He's too good.

I invited everyone in line last week to bring Jodi a birthday card this past Sunday night. (you could send her one too if you wanted!) Jodi's been in charge of all our meals for over a decade. Because of her and those who work with her, tens of thousands of hungry, hurting people have been fed. This week, so many brought not just well wishes, cards and even gifts but everyone in line wanted to sing for Jodi. She deserves all that and more. God's used her to lift the broken hearted and hungry in ways we'll never know. But last week, when I invited everyone to bring Jodi a card, one woman stopped, and placing her hand on Jodi's shoulder, told her she wouldn't be able to be with us for Jodi's birthday. Jodi told me the story as tears filled her eyes. Reaching into her personal belongings, the homeless woman pulled out three filthy, crumpled one dollar bills... the end of all she had, and pushed them into Jodi's hands. Later, Jodi unfolded the bills for me... she had done her best to refuse them and was rebuffed- it was a gift from the heart. Looking at the filthy bills, I wondered how many people I knew who'd ever received the gift of a persons entire fortune? We don't even know the woman's name. But a meal, a friend, time together on Sunday nights with Jackets for Jesus had changed her life and she didn't hesitate for a minute to put everything on the line in thanksgiving. Money: often hoarded, the source of so much pain, wars have been fought for it, millions have died over it, Jesus was sad when the rich young ruler walked away because of his wealth- and turned down the greatest invitation anyone could ever receive, the scripture teaches that our love of it is the root of all evil... all evil... God can make all things good... last week he turned $3- into a priceless birthday gift, never to be forgotten. We each have the opportunity to give. We choose how great the gift. Jesus said it this way: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Every Sunday night as we end the evening in prayer, hugging each other, I remind myself that these people have put their treasure in His Hands and He allows me to serve side by side with them in the midst of the darkness and I'm humbled. God makes all things good. Where's your treasure? Your heart? What would you lay it all out for? It rarely happens in a moment... it's almost always an accumulation of our days... of thousands of decisions... one great decision you can make is to join us this Sunday night, to search your closets and pack some jackets, to pray for our team... your love, your support, your presence are needed now, more than ever.

for changing lives,

Eric

email: eric@centralcommunity.com

phone: 1-951-689-5806

web: http://www.centralcommunity.com