Chicken Primavera was in abundance. With only 40-50 people coming through for a meal, there was plenty for seconds and even thirds. Guys like Phil, pictured with his first helping of the evening, count on our meals to get them through the week. When they get to eat more than one serving, it's a great night. Jodi knows this and always, even on the nights we're pretty certain it will be a small crowd; first of the month, Super Bowl, or like Sunday, both at once, still makes enough so that no one will go without. She's amazing and I don't begin to understand how she manages to work full time, run her family and plan and prepare a menu for hundreds week in and week out for years. I'm guessing one would have to search high and low to find anyone who's fed more homeless and displaced people then Jodi and her team have. God is great.

Thanks so much to those of you that have gone out of your way to forward the email to friends, family and coworkers asking for jackets. I filled my truck with a load of beautiful jackets from Orange County last Friday. There was also a HUGE box of brand new, name brand, really thick sweatshirts. Since the weather was not quite jacket weather, last night we handed out the sweatshirts, and they were a huge success. Guys came through line, got a sweatshirt, immediately put it on and then went forward to get their dinner. It's like an instant miracle. Cold and hungry one minute, warm and full the next. So cool. As everyone was doing their thing, I just sort of hung out with the guys in line and talked. I try my best to find out where people are coming from- how far they've had to walk- and I'm always impressed. It's not uncommon to have people in line that have walked from Hollywood or Santa Monica- both a long way by foot to the heart of LA. Lately, everyone's been interested in hearing about my upcoming Kenya trip. So each Sunday night I'll fill people in on the trip details, what I'll be doing, how things are shaping up and our conversations almost always end the same way, a friend who lives in poverty will reach out their hand, set it on my shoulder, while looking me square in the eyes and will say, "Eric, I'll be praying for you." The loving support of the people we serve is priceless to me. Wish we could take all of them with us on our next Kenya trip!

I wondered about his mom as this guy told me a long convoluted story Sunday night. His ramblings had nothing to do with his family or how he came to live on skid row - he was telling me how church would improve if the pastor was required to give sports updates and scores during the message. I couldn't help but think that he had a mom, maybe a sister someplace that probably love and miss him. Wondered if they still prayed for him each night or if the fear of his poverty kept them awake with worry. It's a simple truth I try my best not to forget, every man and woman in our line comes from a mother, a family, a story that's living through a chapter no one ever plans. My prayer is that it's not the end of the story. We chatted for awhile, then it was time to go. I walked away with our group- laughing, retelling the stories from our evening- he walked away into skid row. We drove the van into the heart of the city and looked up into the high rises before we headed home. I doubt if he looks up at the buildings that tower over him when he looks for a place to sleep. He's been in my thoughts and prayers. Will you keep him in yours as well? Pray for his mom. His sister. His family. I'm pretty sure he's at a spot where it's going to take God to make things right and God is good. So many need our love and compassion, now, more than ever. for changing lives, Eric

email: eric@centralcommunity.com

phone: 1-951-689-5806

web: http://www.centralcommunity.com