Father’s Day on Skidrow

Father’s Daywas a great night in the heart of Los Angeles with

John & Eric

Jackets for Jesus.  The phone was busy, but unlike Mother’s Day, with “kids” calling to touch base with mom, it was dads, calling home to make sure “everyone’s alright.” “Alright’s” a relative term on skidrow… a mom, 8 year old in tow, gleaned our corner for remnants of trash to recycle.  Couldn’t help but wonder where his father was and what it must be like to grow up in urban poverty? 

Our son John and his wife joined the team for my Father’s Day.  John was much younger than eight when we began our work on the streets.  Thankful for God’s protection over us across the years.  Pray that we can help the little boy and his mom find a future and a hope away from poverty.  No one in America should have to stand in line for a free meal in the middle of the night… especially a child.

 Bart left the street without his jacket… again… he’s been driving us safely to the city for nearly a decade.  Once there, he heads up the front of the line and likes to make sure everything’s ready for prayer and a great beginning.  Don’t know how many jackets and shirts I’ve seen him shed for someone who’s cold and without… he’s a big guy with a big heart.  It’s why we go to the streets, remembering The Words of Jesus in Matthew 25:40, “as you did it to one of the least of these my bretheren, you did it to me!” and God’s Word in Luke 3:11, “If you have two coats, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”  It’s really one of the best parts of serving on Sunday nights; the reminder that there’s something we can do.  God has a part for us to play in His Plan that’s just as important as if we were serving Jesus Himself.  The second best part might be getting to serve with such cool people, quick to give off their own back, after so many years of sharing the struggle… so many thousands of men and women… so many Sunday nights… God is too Good!

 Speaking of God’s Goodness: Jodi’s back at 100%!  Badly injured last October, Jodi, our lead cook for over 15 years, has gone through a nightmare of surgeries,  rehabilitation and time off that would have tested Job.  Evelyn stepped in to head up the kitchen, (Jodi still doing all she could), finally, after 8 long months, the kitchen team’s reunited and Jodi’s well enough to join us on the streets.  Preparing 200 meals, week in and week, out is no small task.  Thanks for praying for Jodi and her husband Chuck.  Special thanks to Evelyn, Beatrice and the entire kitchen crew.  They stepped up big time to make sure dinner was always cooked, loaded in the trailer, served with a smile on the streets and then that pots and pans were washed, in the middle of the night, ready for a new week.  You’re all amazing and it inspires me to serve with you.  Nowhere I’d rather be or people I’d rather share Sunday evenings with then the Jackets for Jesus team.

 Reconnecting… Jackets for Jesus is on facebook, where the homeless can “friend” us.  You can be our friend.  Each week we share pictures and video online.  This letter is the next step to touch base with the many of you who don’t receive email updates.  Looking at that Father’s Day shot with John, I was reminded that he doesn’t remember a time without Jackets for Jesus.  God has blessed and protected our simple work for Him.  My prayer today is that you’ll share the blessing.  God is doing great things in dark places and you’re invited… to join us, to clean out a closet and send jackets, to add us to your prayer life, to come to the streets this Sunday night… you’re needed, now, more than ever.  Thanks so much for your faithful and loving support.

 for changing lives,

 Eric M. Denton