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Labor Day on the Streets |
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| Working to Change Lives |
September 3, 2007 |
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Greetings!
A much larger crowd then anticipated was waiting as we pulled up Sunday night. Holidays will often fill our van with workers but occasionally shrink the line- not this week. The hot weather forces those who have skid row rooms, onto the streets hoping to find things a little cooler, side by side with those on the concrete and asphalt. Jodi was ready with fried chicken, pasta salad, baked beans, watermelon, sandwiches and a collection of donated pastries and bread. No wonder she's got so many friends waiting each week. Don't know how she does it.
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hot, hot, hot! |
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It usually reads about 3 to 4 degrees cooler than it should... last night at midnight- driving home after the streets- I had to click a shot of my cars thermometer as it registered 88 degrees... at midnight! Needless to say, Jodi and Beatrice roasted in the kitchen getting dinner ready and everyone in line was in full sweat mode when we pulled up. Bart had things up and running in no time- set ups become so efficient that I barely have time to make it to the end of the line. Everyone was in a mood to talk- men told stories of new jobs in the week to come - a few other's were fresh on the streets, either new to the line or back from extended absences... everyone made the most of the end summer heat wave... soon... weather will change, we'll not have enough jackets, blankets, shoes... people will grab a meal and hustle back to reclaim shelter from the cold. That wasn't the situation last night and we made the most of the sultry evening and big crowd, enjoying each other's company.
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An Old Friend Says Thanks |
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Just another face in the crowd... it's easy to let people slip by without ever taking the time to know even the little things, like their names, much less their dreams. The task of just getting people safely through line each week can be challenge enough, much less getting personal. Our workers make the personal a priority in the middle of all we do and their loving attention changes lives. It's changed Barbara's. We've known her for at least 15 years- she's been off the streets for the last 4 or 5 - now she's moving home, to Mississippi - "We're not getting any younger!" She said with a smile. Taking the time to hug friends, fill in bits and pieces of her story, ask about old friends who no longer serve on Sunday nights, we finally embraced before she got into her car to leave... turning, with tears in her eyes, she said: "Eric, I never would have made it without you guys. Knowing that I could come down every Sunday night to talk, to eat, to pray... kept me going." Then, sharing some of her current challenges, we stood on the sidewalk of skidrow holding hands and prayed together, just the two of us, one final time. I prayed that God would protect her move, keep her safe and surround her with His Love and those who love Him and that if we never saw one another again, that He would draw us closely to His Side in Heaven. Crying, she embraced me again and turned to go. God is too good and He's brought so many good people into our lives. Please keep Barbara in your prayers. She wants this to be the last move of her life.
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Labor of Love |
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Once everyone's fed- as workers break down tables and put away serving utensils -stragglers hang out at the corner to talk and enjoy the finishing touches of the evening. Some will help clean up, others try to get the last drink of tea or bit of food, and some just bask in the after glow of the evening: stomach's full, getting ready for the week ahead. Before our prayer circle a friend pulled me aside and told me a story- he'd escaped the heat by spending Sunday afternoon in the public library. He met a man who wasn't homeless but heartbroken and seeking healing. He'd lost his job after an injury, received a settlement, spent the money on stuff he thought would make him happy, only to discover a deeper void. Now he was pouring his heart out to a stranger in a public library. My friend said: "Eric, I had the chance to share my story. I could tell that he wanted to know God, that he was ready. We talked and he asked questions and I believe he's on the right path but I wanted to come here tonight and ask you to pray. I knew that you guys believed in prayer." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a little piece of paper on which he'd written these words:Julio- stroke victim. Loss of faith. He is positioned for God. PRAY Give Thanks! The scrap of paper sits beside my lap top just now like a remnant of a story from another life. I wonder where my prayer warrior friend is today? Never having met Julio, my heart goes out to him in prayer. He's been blessed by this brother. Last night, reading the little note, I embraced my friend and we prayed for Julio. Lifting him before The Lord in faith believing that God loves him in this moment of loss and heart break. Then, thanking me, broad smile breaking across his face he said: "I knew it was right to come to you!" And he asked me to pass his prayer request along to the rest of our group... and so I am... please lift up Julio today, God knows his need. When you do, give thanks for a quiet man of faith, living on the streets, who believed that God cares- that we care- pray for him as well. And while you're at it, pray for us, it's hot now, but winter's just around the corner, pray that we can be faithful- for Julio, his prayer warrior friend, for Barbara, for every face in the crowd... they need us, now, more than ever. We're going this Sunday night. You're invited.
for changing lives,
Eric
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Jackets for Jesus | 5623 Arlington Ave | Riverside | CA | 92504 |
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