cold, windy, even a little rain… and wonderful

Our Line was a Windy Walk

Huge group of workers on the street last night… amazing people each one… we filled the van, Lara drove and I drove… we even sent a few folks home before we left Riverside.  Fitting that on a weekend celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, that so many would choose to share themselves in service.  When people ask why we keep going back, week in and week out, so often I wish I could just introduce them to some of the amazing workers we serve with.  We’re blessed to have the opportunity to share so many lives.  God is too good.

Jodi and her team made chili dogs with all the trimmings and cooked potatoes.  Perfect carbo loading food against the cold evening.  We escaped the rain- for the most part -while on the streets and there was so much food Jodi was serving bowls of chili nearly to the point of saturation!  We had jackets, new socks and a collection of great clothes to help protect against elements as they closed in on us.

My day had started well before 5am when a headache woke me… read some, had a bowl of oatmeal and then church… turned into a 20+ hour day… God filled it with 2 wonderful services at Central Community.  Unexpected lunch with David and Connie Shrout- who preceded us in our work in Riverside -a really nice time together.  Football and Olympic Trial Marathon replay on tv… then, it seemed as if it happened so suddenly, I was sitting on a skidrow sidewalk, as a couple living in a tent explained in great detail their employment in the “medical” marijuana industry.

Both of them younger than my adult children- their story began with lost jobs followed by a lost home in another state.  They’d always heard the California Dream- so they headed west -they have a tent, backpacks, more clothes than will last on the streets and do their best to sleep in a different area each night.  A night in a public park, last night- skidrow -so they could be near us for dinner.  They ate with gusto- as if hot dogs, smothered in chili, were prime rib and baked potatoes.

On the sidewalk, in the threshold of their simple tent, I listened with interest as they explained their weekly schedules.  I was enthralled to hear the details of hydroponic, indoor farming of dope, to be sold legally around the city for those with prescriptions. (at least that was their story… and I’m sticking to it!) Making no apologies, he said it was much harder work than it sounded, still, not anywhere enough money to get them off the streets.

Caught up in their plight– I was oblivious to our “circle of prayer” gathering on the corner until I heard my name being called repeatedly.  Making my apologies, I hurried over to the circle, we prayed, wandered down to Vibiana to snap a group photo, started the long drive home… all the while the faces, the stories of two kids in their 20’s, who’s lives had been radically changed by the loss of jobs, the loss of a home were written across my heart.

This wasn’t the life they had planned.  Bad things happened.  They made decisions that only directed them into a deeper dilemma… they realize not many people would cut them much slack.  Then there’s the part of the story they didn’t tell me… it’s there in every conversation- the stuff we leave out- we’d give anything to leave it behind… but it’s played a part… too often the secrets follow us for a lifetime.  Praying for this young couple, I’ve wondered how they’ll incorporate their time on skidrow, their current “occupations,” their evenings with us into a family history?  If they’ll live long enough to celebrate the joy of children, “real” work, a house they can make a home?

Sunday Night's Team

Cold, windy, even a little rain… but still so very wonderful.  A group of college students from the Greek Orthodox church in San Bernardino joined us and worked hard, made friends and were blessed.  (Watch a few of them help Jodi and Beatrice cleaning the kitchen in the middle of the night!) One was a foreign exchange student from the nation of Cyprus.  Wondered what it must have looked like through his eyes.  A dad and daughter team who’ve shared our work across the years, she’s a student at California Baptist University, were with us… hugging old friends… making contact… Maybe it’s what we do best: let people know that in the middle of their nightmare- people remember, people care, God’s not forgotten them and neither have we.  Pretty wonderful to have the opportunity to open our hearts in the darkness in love.  Unbelievably, you’re invited.  Amazingly, most won’t accept the invitation.

Snapping our final photo on the steps of Vibiana– partiers, dressed to the nines, made their way through the scene.  One man- nice looking guy in his 40’s -appeared to be very affluent, surrounded by friends or family of his own- decided to clown around in front of me -taunting me, begging me to get him in the picture… Doubt he remembers it today… I’m certain his friends will remind him!  Reminded me that no one wants to be forgotten.  And when people find themselves on skidrow, hitting rock bottom, they’ll do nearly anything to survive, to make sure someone still “see’s” them… God does.  God knows.  God sees.  Incredibly He’s invited you and me to make sure they know they’re not forgotten.  We’re going this Sunday night.  Who knows what new stories will be told, who might need to share… it’s supposed rain all weekend… come out and get wet with us.  You’re needed.  Now, more than ever.

for changing lives,

Eric M. Denton

Eric M. Denton