The master of her domain. That's Jodi, making peanut butter sandwiches, Beatrice just behind her and out of sight, working at the center island, Evelyn. They're our lead workers in the kitchen and when I arrive on Sunday afternoons, they're quick to fill me in on our progress, what's for dinner and if they need anything, before we fall into the small talk that begins my evening. If you do anything long enough someone's going to encourage you to write a book about it- and with Jodi now past a decade in feeding hundreds of homeless people week in and week out, serving side by side with a large kitchen crew or just the faithful few, many have asked her to put together a recipe book on how to feed the masses. It's a great idea and her knowledge base could help countless others begin to reach the hurting in their communities without having to go through months, if not years of trial and error. Not to mention that our meals are tried and true, week in and week out people stand in long lines in the middle of the night just hoping to get a hot meal. Our kitchen team, led by Jodi, is amazing, I hope you'll keep them in your prayers. Last night they cooked enough Chicken Italiano for a small army. I even ate a plate of it- WOW! - fantastic - made me wonder why I ever missed the meat loaf.

Our workers are amazing- each with their own unique story and part to play. Sometimes, like last night, we have the chance to share the evening with someone new. That's Phil, mid photo, introducing his aunt to her first night on the streets serving with Jackets for Jesus. Bart, Phil's dad, has his sisters visiting from Holland and last night Elles tried her hand at serving the line. People coming through always enjoy someone new serving for a couple of reasons: 1. It's a new face, new smile, someone new to get to know, 2. New people are easier to take advantage of - simple little tricks like, "Could I have two of those?" I think Elles held her own and enjoyed the opportunity to see our side of Los Angeles- the side of the city most people who live here for a lifetime try to avoid. Each week, in our circle of prayer, we pray for our families- so it's always nice to have a family member stand with us for an evening. Each of us realize, as we serve men and women long alienated from hearth and home, just how fortunate we are to have the loving support of caring family members.

Staying positive in the midst of extreme poverty must be an overwhelming and daily challenge. Week in and week out I'm impressed by the people who are fighting the battle, not giving in and they're doing it with a positive attitude, they're still looking up. Sunday night a woman asked me to pray with her for her father who was celebrating his 73 birthday- we did. Another friend asked about "The older gentleman who works the end of the line," who wasn't there last night. That's my father in law, Will, who had to miss as he starts radiation treatment today. His friend on the street wanted me to say "Hi." That's my friend Newton, pictured. Not sure how long he's been on the streets but it's a long time. Last week we had talked about old friends from the native American community on the streets. Friend after friend is dead. Newton said that for a time the center that serves the nation was having a funeral every week. We share an old friend in a man named Fred. He grew up in Riverside, living at Sherman Indian School, a real place, I never knew existed until I lived here in Riverside. It's run by the government and kids are still brought off reservations to be educated here. Fred had graduated in 1952, worked in a dry cleaner not far from the school through the 50's and 60's, then ended up on the streets of LA, alcoholism killing him, he quickly picked up the name "Chief." Nice. Guess it could have been "Tonto." Even still, he had a place in his heart for me and we became friends. Now he's among the missing in the heart of our city. Newton said he was pretty sure he had been one of the many funerals at the center. And Newton, he spends his days leading and attending Bible studies in the missions and in a skid row church. In a community where he's quickly becoming one of the last of his people, instead of getting down on life, he's still looking up through it all. Trusting that God has a plan for his life. Newton was just reminding me last night, in the darkness at the heart of our city, that we were created to Glorify God. Made me want to look up.

With the insight of one looking in from the outside, Bart's sister lifted her eyes and was literally made dizzy by the heights of the skyscrapers. Leaving the city, she said, "So much poverty, right next to so much wealth." The solution to the great divide at the heart of our city- at the heart of our nation- the heart of humanity- is The Love of Christ that calls each of us to look up and then to reach out and bridge the gap that divides us. At our best- it's what we do each Sunday evening. You're always invited to join us. We're going this Sunday evening- we'll find a great place for you to make an impact- maybe you can sing! You're needed! Now, more than ever, Eric

email: eric@centralcommunity.com

phone: 1-951-689-5806

web: http://www.centralcommunity.com