Monday, February 22, 2010

Downtown 2/22/10

On my way downtown today I had to make a stop in El Monte. After taking care of that business I drove down Rosemead Blvd back to the I-10. I was almost to the freeway waiting at a signal when a homeless man named Richard was pushing his cart on the sidewalk right by my car. I offered him some of the food I had which he gladly accepted. When I drove away I realized I hadn't gotten the bags ready to give out yet and Richard ended up with two loaves of bread instead of one. I hope he can barter it with someone for something else he might need! I got on the freeway there and went into town getting off at Soto St and the I-10. I used to deliver freight to a company up that street north of the USC Medical Center. I drove around in that area and then dropped into downtown LA from the north side. I passed by Olvera St. and Union Station and saw several people needing help that I just couldn't quite get to. Around First St and Alameda is an Office Depot store where I saw a homeless man sitting on the back steps of the building. I will tell you about him at the end.
I continued down Alameda St and turned east on 4th St. I don't remember the signal I had to stop at but while stopped I saw a homeless man in a wheelchair trying to cross the street. I was several cars back and figured this was going to take a little while. Then everyone started going again and the man in the wheelchair was now in between lanes/cars. When I got to where he was I asked him if he needed some food. He replied, "Sure". I handed him a bag of food and then heard the car behind me honking at me! This "exchange" with David in the wheelchair probably lasted a total of 5 seconds yet the person behind me couldn't wait to allow for a homeless man in a wheelchair to receive some help! It was pretty pathetic. Today, being a Monday morning, it was all business in the city.
At Central Blvd. between the I-10 and Washington Blvd I saw Henry laying on the sidewalk. I saw Henry once before about five months ago. I remember the encounter well. He was at the same spot and I had to park and walk back to him just like today. He was the one who when I asked him if I could pray for him he said, "Oh yes, please pray for me." You tend to remember people who ask for prayer so desperately. Today it was very busy there (it was noon at this time) and I had to park in a 10 minute zone in front of a small corner restaurant. Because of the parking issue I couldn't talk to Henry to find out what's been going on for the last few months. He needed the food and water and when I asked him if he needed a blanket he said yes to that too. I told him to watch for me because I would have to drive around the block and hand it to him through the window rather quickly. When I got back to him he was there waiting by the curb. He thanked me again for the help.
For the last couple of weeks I've been trying to find (shoeless) Marie. I didn't see her on the sidewalk on 7th so I drove over to the Jack in the Box where I've seen her a couple of times. Still no luck today either. I did see John Stokes there whom I've helped many times before. I get along very well with John. On one of my first trips downtown last year I sat down on the sidewalk with him and talked to him at length about being homeless. I was very new to this and I just point blank asked him, "So what do homeless people need?" He told me three things that are so obvious but when you don't know, you don't know! He told me water, socks and blankets. I remember that day I just happened to have a brand new pair of socks in my car that I hadn't put on yet. I said, "You want a new pair of socks? I've got a brand new pair in the car just for you!" That conversation is what got me started bringing more supplies besides just bread on these trips. On the way out of the city today I was able to help one more person. He was new to me. His name was Kennedy and I'm guessing he was in his late twenties. He was closer to the skid row area and was definitely thankful for the help.
Well I want to tell you now about the guy at the Office Depot. I couldn't park on the street next to where he was so I drove to the Office Depot parking lot and got a bag of food and some water and walked back to where he was. He was a very soft spoken man and with the busy traffic on Alameda it was kind of hard to hear him at first. I asked if he could use what I brought and he said, "Oh yes, thank you." I then asked if he could use any clothes or a blanket. He indicated he could use a new pair of pants so I invited him to walk back with me to the car and look through the trunk for items he could use. Before we started to the car he wanted to put the stuff I had given him in a small cardboard box he had. It was a small box maybe 24" x 24". His life's possession were in that box. He also had several pieces of cardboard that he undoubtedly used to sleep on at night and sit on during the day. While shuffling these pieces of cardboard around I noticed he had a "Daily Bread" devotional booklet. While walking to the car he told me his name was Louis Parks. He was from Philadelphia and was 63 years old. I have an older brother that same age. When we got to the car we found a pair of pants, a couple pairs of socks, a warm shirt and a blanket. I then said I have something else for you and mentioned that I had seen the devotional booklet that he had. I gave him a Gospel of John and a Guidepost magazine and asked if I could pray for him before he left. He said sure so I prayed for his protection on the streets and God's presence and blessing in his life and told him that God loved him. When I finished praying he looked me in the eye and thanked me again. That moment was priceless. I'll never forget it. I had to fight back the tears as he walked away. If he was the only man I helped today, then the trip was worth it beyond measure. Thank you Lord, for allowing me to meet Louis today. Until next week. --John

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Downtown 2/15/10

Now that my work schedule has changed back to nights for the next few months I'll be going downtown on Mondays or Tuesdays or at least until the daylight hours are longer ( I have to sleep during the daytime now). Today, due to the President's Day holiday, was very light in terms of traffic and the weather was actually warm when I got there (76 degrees). Most of the homeless folks were still bundled up from the cold air of the night before. Back in September I had a trip downtown where the first half an hour or so I couldn't give anything away. That's right, I'd offer to give stuff to homeless people and no one seemed to want anything. After awhile, I pulled the car over and prayed that God would open things up; after all He called me to this ministry. I was now running out of daylight hours to give stuff away. After praying the change was immediate in the response of the people I came into contact with. Within 30 or 40 minutes I had given everything out. In fact, at one point it got to be so ridiculously easy that while driving under a freeway a homeless woman was walking towards my car and yelled out, "I'm homeless can you help me?" Well, today was kind of like those 40 minutes. Everything just clicked and the first six or seven people I came into contact with were all in desperate need of help.
Lorezo was the first guy I met as I exited the freeway at Central Ave and the I-10. I saw him on the sidewalk with a sweatshirt on, leaning up against a building with just one bag at his feet. I'm sure that was all the possessions he had. I had to circle around the block and come back to him but he was very thankful that I came by. He had nothing to eat or drink and was so thankful for the help.
Robert and Hector were next. I found both of them on 18th St. about two blocks apart. I have seen Robert a couple of times but I had never seen Hector before. Hector was sitting by himself at the back corner of a building. He quickly came over to the car when I offered him some food. I could tell (smell) that he had had something to drink but he was very polite and very thankful for the help. I was happy to give him food, water, shirts and a blanket. I'm actually surprised that I don't see more people like Hector. Perhaps it's because I go there during the day, I don't know. I have learned that God loves these people no matter what condition they are in and I always continue to treat them with respect and as a friend. I know that in the New Testament Jesus was often criticized for associating with 'sinners'. They seemed to like being around him. I'm guessing Jesus treated them a lot better than the 'regular' people did and they appreciated it. I've noticed that the flaws of the homeless may be more noticeable than our flaws and we are simply better at hiding ours from others. Jesus knew people's hearts and probably didn't see a lot of difference between the town 'sinners' and the 'regular' town people. Therefore, he treated everyone the same no matter their position in life. I prayed with Hector and when I left him he was praising God.
Tyrone was just a little further down 18th St. at Main St. He had his shopping cart next to him and he appeared to be sleeping. My guess is he spent the night at that spot. I didn't get much reaction from him but he did accept the food and water. I asked if I could pray for him and he said, "Naw, that's OK." Maybe he thought I was going to preach a sermon to him, I don't know, so I stood on the other side of his shopping cart and prayed for him anyway.
I found Ron from Kentucky on Wall St. just off of Washington Blvd. He was sitting on the sidewalk eating out of a carton of ice cream of all things. He was quite happy to receive some 'real' food and some water. He told me he was going to stay out here in California until spring time and then go back to Kentucky. We talked for a little bit about country music when I told him my favorite country music artist was from there. I'm not sure why he came out here but he was looking forward to going back home. We prayed and he thanked me for stopping.
The last man was another Ron. This was the Ron who lives on the 4th St. Bridge at 'his ledge'. He was so happy to see me today. I don't think he gets a chance to talk to very many people and when he saw me he looked at me like a long lost friend. It had only been a couple of weeks since the first time I had seen him. He was grateful for the help today and one of the things he said was, "Water, it's always good." I'm glad I brought plenty. By the way, on the way to the 4th St Bridge I looked for (shoeless) Marie but didn't see her. I'll keep looking for her next week.
At the end of the gospel of John, after Jesus' resurrection, the story is told of a heart to heart talk between Peter and Jesus. He asked Peter, "Do you love me? Then feed my lambs. Peter, do you really love me? Then take care of my sheep. Peter, do you truly love me? Then feed my sheep." For Lorenzo, Robert, Hector, Tyrone, Ron and Ron these are the ones God put in front of me today. I truly love Him. Until next week. --John

Downtown 2-7-10

Yes, it was kind of weird to actually purposefully plan to do something today other than go watch the Super Bowl. I figured NOBODY would be on the streets downtown except the homeless. It turned out that was almost true. The garmet district was busy with people and traffic as well as skid row. Yet it did seem kind of slow everywhere else. I found two men on a side street sitting on the sidewalk near the freeway. When I asked them if they needed any food they both got up and came over to the car. One was named Abdul and the other said he was Reginald. He also told me, quite proudly, that Reginald means "Regal". They also both needed water and when Reginald saw the blankets in the back seat he asked if he could have one. I "proudly" gave him one. I told him the blankets I had today were lovingly hand made by friends who care about the homeless. I asked if I could take his picture with the blanket to show them.
A couple of months ago I had a day downtown where I was able to help several women. A rarity for me. One of them was near a freeway off-ramp holding a sign saying she was recently homeless. Her name was Mary. I have seen her living on a street a couple of blocks away from where I had first seen her that day. Today I drove by that street but there was no one living there anymore. I had a feeling that the folks living there wouldn't be there for long. Well, I saw her again today near that same freeway off-ramp. She accepted a bag of food and I pulled around the corner and parked. I walked back to where she was standing and asked her if she needed any water. She had already sat down on the sidewalk and started eating the food in the bag. She told me that the people living on that street (18th and San Pedro) were run-off a few days ago and were now living under the freeway in an alley a little ways away from where we were standing. We talked a little more while walking back to the car. She needed some water and I was able to help her with a blanket and some warm clothing. I'm guessing she is in her mid thirties and I haven't seen any children with her. I've seen about three or four other people living near her when she was on 18th. Other than those folks I guess she's all alone. You may remember she lost her job first and then her home and car.
One of the saddest of the people today was Richard. I have seen him a couple of times before, usually near Flower St around 16th and 17th streets. He is always by himself and he never has anything with him. I have offered to give him stuff but he never accepts anything. He just says in his nice high-pitched voice, "No thank you, I'm alright." Once, I saw him sitting by himself under a freeway on the sidewalk and walked over to him and offered him some food and water (which he declined). So I went ahead and prayed for him and just left the stuff there next to him thinking maybe if I left he would take the food. I drove around the block and he had walked away and left the bag of food and water on the sidewalk! Today I saw him walking down 17th St. I didn't recognize him until I started talking to him (his voice is kind of distinctive). After he declined the food and water I asked if he could use a blanket. He said, "No thank you, I have this." He was pointing to a thin piece of plastic (like pallet shrink-wrap that he had tucked in the waist band of his pants). I'll keep praying for him. Perhaps one day God will grant a break-through with this man and allow me to help him. He needs help desparately.
I found Lee in the corner of a parking lot next to the sidewalk of a McDonald's off 7th and Alameda. This is the fringe area of skid row. He was sitting down by himself on a parkway holding a cup. I had circled around the block after seeing him and drove through the parking lot to get to him. He quickly accepted the food but surprisingly said he was OK on water. We prayed and he thanked me for stopping. I hope to see him again. While circling the block I saw Marie. She is the shoeless woman. Remember Doug told me she sleeps on the sidewalk curled up in a fetal position all the time? Well, that's what I saw today. You have to see it to believe it. She has a little blanket that she covers herself with and that's about it. I had already passed her when I realized it was her and was trying to get to Lee. Now that I know where she is I'll start looking for her there. Maybe, she will accept a blanket next time. In this same area I found a man named Kerry. This was my first time seeing Kerry. He told me he is 55 years old (my age) and is a Vietnam Vet. He told me he is 'messed up' from a mortar round from the war (he didn't say exactly how). Those of you old enough may remember the city Da Nang, that's where he was. When I first saw him he was searching through his 'shopping cart'. I brought him a bag of food and when I asked if he needed any water he told me that's what he was searching in his cart for. I asked if he needed any of the other things I had with me and you would have thought he hit the lotto! I got a picture of him with the blanket, socks and shirts I gave him. We prayed. We talked for a while. He was much happier when I left. Surely, God was present too.
I saw Les and Michael from last week. They were 'living' in the same little indentations in the wall of the building off of 18th St like they were last week. I also saw Doug again. He is suffering a lot from Type 2 diabetes. He told me he was surprised he lived through Saturday, he was so sick. The last person I was able to help was just off of Washington Blvd around Naomi St. I saw him sitting on the sidewalk against a building and had circled around to get to him. His name was Oscar. After giving him food, water, a blanket and praying with him he graciously said, "Thank you so much." Well, to Oscar and all the others I saw today, "It's a privilege to help." Until next week. --John

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Downtown 1-31-10

After receiving some very disappointing news on Friday I was faced with the task of not only processing the bad news for myself, but how do I encourage the homeless who live in the land of disappointment everyday? Can I really be truthful in encouraging the homeless to pray and look to God for help if I too am disappointed? The Bible teaches us that Jesus will be with us always, even when life hurts. But what about the pain? Paul's great verse in his letter to the Romans teaches us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." In this verse Paul is saying there is purpose in the pain. We may not understand it at the time, but we need to trust in an all-powerful God to ultimately make it so. With this in mind I headed downtown today.
I decided to get off the freeway at Santa Fe Ave and head north. I wanted to start in places I normally don't go to and turned east on the 6th St bridge and went over into East Los Angeles. I remembered I had seen homeless people living on the sidewalks of these bridges over the LA River. Well there weren't any that I could see on the 6th St bridge but as I headed back across to downtown over the 4th St. bridge I saw a man sleeping on the sidewalk near the end of the bridge on the LA side of the river. I felt this would be a good person to try to help but I also saw a guy on a bicycle who is like a cop on a bike at the end of the bridge. I couldn't legally stop and park there so I parked on the street at the end of the bridge and watched what was about to unfold. As I suspected the cop on the bike went over to the man sleeping and woke him up. The man immediately started shouting obsenities. The cop remained calm but waited until the man got up and left the area. After the cop left the area I followed the man down the street and asked him if he needed any food. I pulled the car over and got out and talked with him. His name was Fernando and he was from Puerto Rico. He spoke very quietly with me. I offered him some clothes from the trunk which he accepted. I commented about his encounter with the cop while giving him some of the supplies I had for him. Then I said, "Let me pray for you before I leave" and started to pray. He then interrupted me wanting to know "What God are you praying to?" I told him I pray to Jesus. He said he prays to "The Almighty God". Knowing in the Old Testament the Jews prayed to Almighty God using the term "El Shaddai" I said, "I can pray to the Almighty God" and did so. I prayed for God's presence in his life and for the "Almighty" God to bless and protect him and as I somehow automatically ended the prayer "in Jesus' name, Amen" he again interrupted me and said, "protect me from the police!" At first I thought he said protect him from Jesus but I think he said police (he had quite an accent). Anyway, as he walked away he didn't know that in his bag of food was also a Gospel of John. Hopefully, "THE" Almighty God will blind him from his "almighty" long enough to read about the Son that was sent to die for his sins.
Well I went down to the next bridge (1st St. bridge I think) and didn't see anyone so I came back across over the same 4th St bridge again. When you get back to the LA side there is a little split in the road where you can take a side street to get off the bridge. That's what I had taken the first time. The second time I continued down the main street off the bridge and saw another homeless man sleeping a little further up this street but on the other side. I drove around and found a place to legally park as close as I could to where this man was sleeping. I took a bag of food and some water with me and walked over to him (and woke him up). His name was Ron and he was 43 years old. He gladly accepted the food and water and when I asked him if he needed any socks or anything he actually walked back to the car with me to get them. We started talking about his life and living where he is on the bridge. He referred to the place on the bridge were he stays as "his ledge". He told me if he isn't there I could leave stuff there for him. I asked him about the people living on the LA River and he told me how to get to where they are. I asked how he ended up on the streets and he said, "You want to know the truth?" I said, "Yes." He told me, "I finally just gave up." It was sad to see someone who had lost all hope. When we looked through the trunk we found a couple of shirts as well as the socks and one thing that made him very happy, a nice warm jacket. He said, "This is great, its been cold at night!" We prayed and I promised to see him again. Perhaps through prayer, patience and perserverance his hope can be restored.
In that same area I found Alfredo digging through dumpsters and Ronnie living under a bridge with about four shopping carts and a couple of those post office carts. I was able to help them both with supplies. Once again, socks were a big item with the homeless.
Before leaving I drove all the way across town to 18th near Flower St. Down 18th is where I saw Mama Kirby and Antwon last week. They weren't there but I noticed across from where I saw them last week was a small lot under a freeway off-ramp where three or four homeless people were. I didn't have much food or water left for all of them so I continued down to the next block and found two men sitting on the sidewalk in two little indentations of the wall of the building there. I had my windows down and pulled up and asked if they could use some food. Both men were older than me (probably in their late 60's). I noticed a "no stopping" sign, but since it was Sunday I was pretty sure I could get away with parking there for a couple of minutes so I got out and opened the trunk up. Their names were Michael and Les. They both needed socks and they also got some shirts. They were very thankful. Before leaving I prayed with them together. I felt it was most appropriate since we were right next to the building with the big "Jesus Saves" sign from last week. Sometimes the "signs" of God's presence are more noticeable than at other times. I don't know the stories of these two men and how they ended up on 18th street huddled in a small spot on a sidewalk at this stage in their lives. I do know that God's presence in our lives does make a difference. Fifteen years ago I was in a bad auto accident and ended up in the hospital. It was the culmination of alot of very bad things that had happened in my life at the time. As I struggled to deal with them from the hospital bed the Holy Spirit reminded me of the verse in Habakkuk that says, "The just shall live by faith." I guess it's an important verse because it's quoted three times in the New Testament. That verse gave me the courage to walk through those days then and have helped me time and again ever since. That is the "Presence" and "Hope" I seek to help these folks with each time I go down there. Until next week. --John