You obey the law of Christ when you offer each other a helping hand. Galatians 6:2
I had other plans for Sunday that didn't come about, so I was able to make a regular trip downtown instead of just driving through. I had planned to drive through there and remind my friends about next week's barbecue, but it turned out I had more time. In essence, it was still just a reminder about next week's barbecue (one guy referred to it as a 'party'). It was really a quiet visit, not everyone was there, but Tara and Dave were there, and I did see Santa Barbara. I also made a visit around the corner to Richard Brown. Richard turns 65 next month and is eagerly looking forward to collecting social security. His sister is helping him get things set-up to start receiving his checks. This means he will finally be able to get off the streets. I've known Richard since the first time I went downtown. I think he is planning on moving to Mississippi, I believe that is where he is from originally. I'll miss him, but I'm glad he has a place to finally go to.
There really wasn't much that happened on this trip, although when I walked inside the Jack in the Box, one of the girls behind the counter called out to me, "20 big cheesburgers?" They're catching on. Please continue to pray for next week, and a bit of a break in the heat would be nice too. --Until then. John
Monday, September 24, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Downtown 9/16/2012
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ---James 1:22
My own understanding of this verse is, "You don't know scripture (the word), until you are willing to be changed by it". I heard Bill Johnson, from the Bethel Church in Redding, California, speak on testimonies a couple of weeks ago. I was so taken by this message that I used some of the high points with just about everyone I met downtown yesterday. One of the points he made concerned the story in John's gospel in chapter 8. It is the story of the woman caught in adultery who is brought before Jesus as he is teaching in the temple. The people who brought her before Jesus did this, in reality, because they were only interested in testing him. This is where Jesus makes the famous statement, "He who is without sin, cast the first stone." Then Jesus bends over and he starts writing in the sand and suddenly all the woman's accusers leave. Much speculation over the years has been made over what Jesus wrote in the sand, but no one really knows. Whatever it was that he did write, created such an atmosphere of grace, that everyone bound by law had to leave. So in the end, Jesus is left alone with the woman. While Jesus did not condone what the woman had done, he didn't condemn her either. He finally told her, "Go and sin no more." What Bill Johnson pointed out, and what I had never heard said about this story before, was that this was, ultimately, a 'father/daughter moment'. Jesus told his disciples, "If you've seen me, you've seen the Father." I have a daughter. If she was ever in trouble, I wouldn't care what anyone had to say about her, no matter how negative and hurtful. She is my daughter and I love and care about her as only a father can. In a circumstance as dreadful as the real life episode that this woman and Jesus were confronted with was, I would hope my daughter would "run" to the throne of grace that only a father could provide. You can see how a story like this could reach the people I see downtown every week. They are the rejected ones. The ones who feel, "outside the camp." The last man I helped last night had his mouth wired shut. I'm guessing he had a broken jaw. He couldn't eat the burgers I had and asked if I could get him a milk shake. So we drove back to the Jack in the Box and went through the drive thru window. When I took him back to the alley, he said something I'll probably never forget. He said a lot of the homeless are the way they are, in part, because of their upbringing (no real surprise there). They were told at an early age that they were no good and will never amount to anything, and unfortunately, when things get difficult in life as an adult, they begin to believe it. The bridge they have with their family is, sadly, the first one burned to the ground.
The first man I met Sunday was a man named Doug. I had never met him before. When I pulled into the parking lot at the Jack in the Box I saw him pushing a shopping cart and I waved to him (I wasn't sure if I had seen him before or not). When I parked the car he came over and asked if he could wash my car windows for some change. I told him I had just hosed my car down a couple of hours before, but I did have some cold bottled water and was going to get some burgers inside in a few minutes if he wanted to wait. He took the water and said he would wait. While I waited inside, I suddenly felt like I was supposed to invite him in to join me while I waited which I did. We had a good time talking, and got to know each other. He was from St Louis and had been out here since 2003. He told me he had spent some time in prison and was out on parole until 2014. We seemed to have an instant connection. The burgers came and I gave him two and we continued to talk together at the table. I had ordered a cup of coffee that I had now finished. I asked Doug if he wanted me to get a refill on the coffee so he could have it. He was delighted about that. When we walked outside, wouldn't you know it, but about 3 or 4 other homeless men showed up. Most of them I knew, but Doug was waving them to come over. It is interesting how a place of grace, beckons to others to come and join in. It was a wonderful time and half the food was given out before I left the parking lot. When I got to the alley, where my 'regulars' are I quickly gave out the rest of them. Prayer, burgers, chilled water and laughter were enjoyed by everyone there. A vanilla milk shake was enjoyed by one, but the trip downtown, was anything but vanilla. Until next time. --John
PS. I reminded my friends in the alley that in two weeks (Sept 30th), we'll have the next barbecue. Please be praying for this day. Pray that an afternoon of God's grace will cover the alley and their hearts. That they will be receptive to God working in their lives and this day will be a testimony they will remember always.
My own understanding of this verse is, "You don't know scripture (the word), until you are willing to be changed by it". I heard Bill Johnson, from the Bethel Church in Redding, California, speak on testimonies a couple of weeks ago. I was so taken by this message that I used some of the high points with just about everyone I met downtown yesterday. One of the points he made concerned the story in John's gospel in chapter 8. It is the story of the woman caught in adultery who is brought before Jesus as he is teaching in the temple. The people who brought her before Jesus did this, in reality, because they were only interested in testing him. This is where Jesus makes the famous statement, "He who is without sin, cast the first stone." Then Jesus bends over and he starts writing in the sand and suddenly all the woman's accusers leave. Much speculation over the years has been made over what Jesus wrote in the sand, but no one really knows. Whatever it was that he did write, created such an atmosphere of grace, that everyone bound by law had to leave. So in the end, Jesus is left alone with the woman. While Jesus did not condone what the woman had done, he didn't condemn her either. He finally told her, "Go and sin no more." What Bill Johnson pointed out, and what I had never heard said about this story before, was that this was, ultimately, a 'father/daughter moment'. Jesus told his disciples, "If you've seen me, you've seen the Father." I have a daughter. If she was ever in trouble, I wouldn't care what anyone had to say about her, no matter how negative and hurtful. She is my daughter and I love and care about her as only a father can. In a circumstance as dreadful as the real life episode that this woman and Jesus were confronted with was, I would hope my daughter would "run" to the throne of grace that only a father could provide. You can see how a story like this could reach the people I see downtown every week. They are the rejected ones. The ones who feel, "outside the camp." The last man I helped last night had his mouth wired shut. I'm guessing he had a broken jaw. He couldn't eat the burgers I had and asked if I could get him a milk shake. So we drove back to the Jack in the Box and went through the drive thru window. When I took him back to the alley, he said something I'll probably never forget. He said a lot of the homeless are the way they are, in part, because of their upbringing (no real surprise there). They were told at an early age that they were no good and will never amount to anything, and unfortunately, when things get difficult in life as an adult, they begin to believe it. The bridge they have with their family is, sadly, the first one burned to the ground.
The first man I met Sunday was a man named Doug. I had never met him before. When I pulled into the parking lot at the Jack in the Box I saw him pushing a shopping cart and I waved to him (I wasn't sure if I had seen him before or not). When I parked the car he came over and asked if he could wash my car windows for some change. I told him I had just hosed my car down a couple of hours before, but I did have some cold bottled water and was going to get some burgers inside in a few minutes if he wanted to wait. He took the water and said he would wait. While I waited inside, I suddenly felt like I was supposed to invite him in to join me while I waited which I did. We had a good time talking, and got to know each other. He was from St Louis and had been out here since 2003. He told me he had spent some time in prison and was out on parole until 2014. We seemed to have an instant connection. The burgers came and I gave him two and we continued to talk together at the table. I had ordered a cup of coffee that I had now finished. I asked Doug if he wanted me to get a refill on the coffee so he could have it. He was delighted about that. When we walked outside, wouldn't you know it, but about 3 or 4 other homeless men showed up. Most of them I knew, but Doug was waving them to come over. It is interesting how a place of grace, beckons to others to come and join in. It was a wonderful time and half the food was given out before I left the parking lot. When I got to the alley, where my 'regulars' are I quickly gave out the rest of them. Prayer, burgers, chilled water and laughter were enjoyed by everyone there. A vanilla milk shake was enjoyed by one, but the trip downtown, was anything but vanilla. Until next time. --John
PS. I reminded my friends in the alley that in two weeks (Sept 30th), we'll have the next barbecue. Please be praying for this day. Pray that an afternoon of God's grace will cover the alley and their hearts. That they will be receptive to God working in their lives and this day will be a testimony they will remember always.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Downtown 9/10/2012
Because of your great mercy, I come to your house, Lord, and am filled with wonder as I bow down to worship at your holy temple. You do what is right and I ask you to guide me. Make your teaching clear...---Psalm 5:7-8a.
Sorry I was unable to get a blog out last week. I had to work Sunday the 2nd and ended up making the trip downtown on Monday the 3rd. With all the stuff I had to keep up with the next couple of days, I just couldn't get the blog out. Luckily, since Monday was the Labor Day holiday, it was pretty much like going down on a Sunday. Yesterday's trip (the 9th) was a good trip. I met with most of the people on the alley off Hooper St where I'll be doing the barbecue at the end of the month (the 30th). It appears as though I've hit a time or a season where my closest homeless friends have stayed in the one location and have looked forward to seeing me as much as I look forward to seeing them. Yesterday, when I showed up I ended up sitting on the hood of my car for probably 30-40 minutes just talking with everyone. I left the trunk of the car open and let them have access to whatever it was they needed; clothes, food and water. It has been so hot here lately that the cold water is one of their favorite things. So the usual gang of Tara, Willie, Dave, and Chris were there. Champagne showed up and a couple others came by but they didn't stay long. Still it was a very enjoyable and satisfying time. I told them I think I'm going to bring some potato salad to the next barbecue. I don't think any of them have had any in a long time. Willie wants me to bring the Jalapeno sausages that I brought to the one last October (he still talks about how he loved those). Please start praying for the barbecue. The plan is for it to be Sunday the 30th at 4:00pm.
Before seeing the barbecue group, I went down to skid row. As I prayer-walked the area, I was specifically looking for someone to pray with. I met Zachariah who was sitting in a wheelchair at sixth and San Julian. He was looking for a meal from me, I was looking for someone to pray with from him. Zach was a big man and said he had gout in his legs. They seemed swollen. He was wanting me to get him some fried chicken at the store he was parked in front of. We talked for a while about the recent changes there on skid row. The police don't let people camp out there on that side of the street until 6:30pm. By 7a.m. you have to be up and out of your tent or you will lose it and end up in jail. I told Zach I would come back and bring him a meal. When I returned after visiting my friends in the alley, I found Zach still waiting for me. He was thankful for the two burgers and the bottle of cold water. He got one meal, I got two opportunities to pray with him. He asked why it took me so long to come back, so I told him about some of the other places I go to to help people. I hadn't told him what I do down there when I first saw him. I'll start looking for him now, he shouldn't be too hard to spot, although he told me he was going to check into a hospital later.
Before leaving I drove by the small street off 9th and Wall St where I started the burgers and doorways ministry. I only had two burgers left and a few bottles of water. I gave them all out, but a couple of people who I had helped on previous trips on that street were a little bummed out that I was out of burgers. I gave out some cans of ravioli and spagetti, but they still seemed disappointed. I'll have to start there the next time when I have more food to give out. --Until next time. John
PS. I have been getting readers to this blog from all over the world. I would love to hear from you and how this blog is of interest. Please feel free to send a comment if you want to. Thanks John
Sorry I was unable to get a blog out last week. I had to work Sunday the 2nd and ended up making the trip downtown on Monday the 3rd. With all the stuff I had to keep up with the next couple of days, I just couldn't get the blog out. Luckily, since Monday was the Labor Day holiday, it was pretty much like going down on a Sunday. Yesterday's trip (the 9th) was a good trip. I met with most of the people on the alley off Hooper St where I'll be doing the barbecue at the end of the month (the 30th). It appears as though I've hit a time or a season where my closest homeless friends have stayed in the one location and have looked forward to seeing me as much as I look forward to seeing them. Yesterday, when I showed up I ended up sitting on the hood of my car for probably 30-40 minutes just talking with everyone. I left the trunk of the car open and let them have access to whatever it was they needed; clothes, food and water. It has been so hot here lately that the cold water is one of their favorite things. So the usual gang of Tara, Willie, Dave, and Chris were there. Champagne showed up and a couple others came by but they didn't stay long. Still it was a very enjoyable and satisfying time. I told them I think I'm going to bring some potato salad to the next barbecue. I don't think any of them have had any in a long time. Willie wants me to bring the Jalapeno sausages that I brought to the one last October (he still talks about how he loved those). Please start praying for the barbecue. The plan is for it to be Sunday the 30th at 4:00pm.
Before seeing the barbecue group, I went down to skid row. As I prayer-walked the area, I was specifically looking for someone to pray with. I met Zachariah who was sitting in a wheelchair at sixth and San Julian. He was looking for a meal from me, I was looking for someone to pray with from him. Zach was a big man and said he had gout in his legs. They seemed swollen. He was wanting me to get him some fried chicken at the store he was parked in front of. We talked for a while about the recent changes there on skid row. The police don't let people camp out there on that side of the street until 6:30pm. By 7a.m. you have to be up and out of your tent or you will lose it and end up in jail. I told Zach I would come back and bring him a meal. When I returned after visiting my friends in the alley, I found Zach still waiting for me. He was thankful for the two burgers and the bottle of cold water. He got one meal, I got two opportunities to pray with him. He asked why it took me so long to come back, so I told him about some of the other places I go to to help people. I hadn't told him what I do down there when I first saw him. I'll start looking for him now, he shouldn't be too hard to spot, although he told me he was going to check into a hospital later.
Before leaving I drove by the small street off 9th and Wall St where I started the burgers and doorways ministry. I only had two burgers left and a few bottles of water. I gave them all out, but a couple of people who I had helped on previous trips on that street were a little bummed out that I was out of burgers. I gave out some cans of ravioli and spagetti, but they still seemed disappointed. I'll have to start there the next time when I have more food to give out. --Until next time. John
PS. I have been getting readers to this blog from all over the world. I would love to hear from you and how this blog is of interest. Please feel free to send a comment if you want to. Thanks John
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