Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Thoughts on Downtown-3/17/2013

"As he (Jesus) came near and saw the city (Jerusalem), he wept over it." --Luke 19:41  

This passage describes Jesus' emotions as he enters the city of Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday, also known as the 'triumphal entry'.  Luke is the only gospel writer who records this.  While the disciples and the crowd are rejoicing, Jesus weeps.  This is only the second time in scripture where it says that Jesus wept.  The other time was with Mary and Martha on the death of their brother Lazarus.

I started reading a book yesterday about a woman who decided to join the nunnery.  On her first day at the convent for 'aspirants' she passed by a crucifix that had the words "I thirst" posted by Jesus' head.  When I read that I thought of the scripture above where Jesus wept.  It was the topic of Sunday's message at church.  Somehow the two phrases collided in my mind.  I had made a trip downtown two Sunday's ago but didn't have the time to write about the trip.  This Sunday I didn't go.  I spent Sunday with my Mother.  One of my brothers passed away the week before and the memorial service was fresh in our minds.  I began thinking of the times I returned from a trip downtown and wept over the deperate situations I have found people in.  I can never forget Willie telling me in a barely audible whisper, "I'm hungry and thirsty."  On three different occasions I've had people kiss my hand because they were so thankful to receive the help I'd given them.  I won't forget the woman in a wheelchair who, along with her husband, were evicted from their apartment because they couldn't pay the rent after he lost his job.  To make matters worse, two weeks later I saw her again and she said her husband and left and she didn't know where he was.  Yes, I couldn't help but weep when I got home and thought about that one.  Such heartbreak and tragedy is difficult to witness and even more difficult for these people to endure.  All I can do, is bring comfort where I can.  I am unable to permanently change their situations, but I can alleviate the loneliness and physical discomfort at least temporarily.  And I can keep coming back! 

A couple of years ago my wife and I were returning home from San Fernando valley at night time.  We drove passed the downtown area on Hwy 101.  As I looked at the beautiful night skyline I realized that the city was barely recognizable from the view I usually have at ground level.  Here at night, the lights in the tall skyscrapers cast an amazing view.  I realized that every encounter I've had in the nearly four years of making these trips occurs in the daytime shadows of these buildings.  Down in the dirt and fowl air beneath these buildings the lives of too many people scratch out an existance each day.  Hopes have long ago vanished replaced by the most immediate of desires.  Pretty much the vices and habits of the world at large play out among men and women living on the turf beneath these buildings each day.  Yet, I have had the privilege to give smiles to so many.  I praise God that he gave me a heart for these people.  You can't imagine the joy on the face of someone who receives a warm blanket in the middle of winter, or food when they haven't eaten in a couple of days.  A bottle of cold water on a hot day is priceless to these people.  Even a simple, "Hi, my name is John, what's your name?" will generally evoke a warm response.  One man on a hot summer afternoon thanked me for just talking to him.  He appreciated the food and water, but he was most thankful for me just taking the time to talk with him and not being in a hurry to move on.  Incredible what simple acts of kindness can mean to someone.  Mother Theresa was right when she said, "Not all of us can do great things.  But we can to small things with great love." 

Years ago, I began praying for God to give me His heart for the lost.  It has been a remarkable journey and one I pray doesn't end anytime soon.  On my last trip I gave food to a couple sitting on the steps of a building about a half a block down from a burned-out church (yes, literally burned-out).  It was close to dark.  I don't know if they had eaten recently or not, they didn't speak English.  But I do know the man was happy to receive the food and water and his wife was smiling from the steps behind him when he came over to the car.  At least they knew they could keep going for another day.  Sometimes, that's all we need ask for, the grace to make it through one more day.  As I go through this season of grieving it's all I can ask for too. --Until next time.  John     

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Downtown 3/10/2013

"So I paid fifteen pieces of silver and about ten bushels of grain for such a woman.  Then I said, 'Now your are mine'."  Hosea 3:2-3a

As you've probably read before, I do a lot of praying before making these trips, asking God to lead me to people who really need help.  For some reason Sunday I was very earnest in praying to meet desperate people.  Someone so desperate that the glory of God would be evident and be on display.  I really didn't know what that would look like, but that's what I prayed for....

Sunday was the first day of daylight-savings time, so I knew it would be light out until around 7 p.m.  I arrived at about 5 p.m. and bought some food.  I drove by a few places hoping to find Gary, Jorge and Jose, but none of them were around.  Next, I drove over to the BBQ alleys.  No one was in the first one and the second one looked empty, but I went ahead and drove all the way down it anyway.  As I got to an area where there was a lot of trash and debris I recognized a woman sitting on a cushion that was laying on the ground.  We recognized each other right-away, although I hadn't seen her in several months.  Her name is Cindy and she is in her mid-forties.  She knew I came around this area to help people and asked me if I had any pants in the car.  In fact, it was more like begging for a pair than anything else.  That's when I noticed she only had on a T-shirt!  Luckily, the T-shirt was long enough to cover her up.  I didn't ask what happened, I knew she was embarrased to be in this situation so I just pulled over and started going through the clothes in the back of the car.  I found a couple of choices for her, one of which was a pair of jogging pants.  With jogging pants one size pretty much fits all.  I also gave her a sweat shirt with a hood and pockets and a blanket and a couple of pairs of socks.  She didn't have any shoes or socks on, but she did have a pair of men's slip-ons.  They looked more like slip-on slippers than anything, but they were also a couple of sizes too big.  She told me that her toes were swollen because small rocks would get in them and rub against her toes.  Well, I didn't have any womens shoes in the car that would fit her, but I told her I would go down to the Payless Shoe store and get her a pair (she wore size 9's).  Before leaving we talked for a bit.  Since she knew me and what I do there she asked me what church I go to (I get that a lot).  I told her it isn't the church that sends me here and let it go at that.  I did tell her that I heard someone on the radio a few days ago who told the story of Hosea (an Old Testament prophet) and that she might be interested in the story.  She commented that she loved the stories in the Old Testament and was familiar with Hosea!  I told her that often times God would have a prophet do something pretty strange so the people of Israel would take notice.  This strange thing would represent either what God was about to do or indicate what their relationship with God was looking like and it would then convey some sort of message.  In Hosea's case he was to find a prostitute and marry her!  Cindy even recognized the name that the prostitute Hosea married was Gomer.  Anyway, they had three kids and then she left Hosea and went back to being a prostitute and eventually ended up being a slave.  Then Hosea was instructed to go and buy her back, which he did for 15 pieces of silver.  The going rate for a slave was 30 pieces of silver (remember that's what Jesus' price was).  So Gomer wasn't even worth the full price of a slave.  So while I'm telling her this she's starting to "get it" that even though God knows everything that she's done in her life and everything that has landed her in the place where she is at this very moment, He still loves her and wants her back.   Cindy was overjoyed at hearing this.  I also found out she has been feeling very alone lately because the phone number she had for her Mother wasn't getting through anymore.  Her Mother lived at the same number for years in Salt Lake City and now the number isn't working anymore and she has no idea what has happened to her.  Well, by now she was eating one of the burgers I had given her and I told her to put on the clothes, finish eating and "Stay here!  I'll be back with some shoes."  The shoe store is about a mile or two down Washington Blvd and I found some grey tennis shoes that won't show dirt so much and brought them back to her.  She had put on the clothes by now and the shoes seemed to fit so she started lacing them up.  I glanced down the alley and another man was pushing his cart towards us.  Boy, I was sure glad Cindy was fully dressed by now.  The man turned out to be someone we both knew by the name of Chicago.  Cindy told him I had just bought her a pair of shoes, so he wanted to know if I had any size 12's.  I told him the only size 12's I had I was wearing, but if he wanted them I'd give them to him.  He declined the offer.  Well, I gave him some food and water and some socks and asked about our mutual friends.  He told me where Willie and Dave were staying and where Tara Lee was.  Cindy had told me where John Mellon was hanging out already.  I was sad to hear that Chris was in the hospital with some sort of internal organ problem.  Before leaving we all prayed together and I took their picture.  It was a great and fulfilling moment.  Cindy looked totally transformed from what she looked like when I first pulled up.  She even asked me for a bible.  I didn't have one to give her but I did give her a gospel of John.  I asked Chicago if he wanted one and he said he already had a bible!  Here are their pictures.




By now it was about 6 p.m. and I really needed to get going before all the daylight was gone. In the alley where I saw Shawn two weeks ago and Howard last week I found Kevin and Santa Barbara. I hadn't seen Santa Barbara since the last barbecue on Sept 30th. Shortly before then, he had told me that he had been in the hospital and they found a tumor on his kidney. Now he is getting treatment for it on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He is very weak and tired (and he's homeless). He asked for a blanket along with the food, water and socks I gave them. We talked for a while and then I prayed with them. When I finished Santa Barbara began praying, thanking God that He still had people willing to take the time to come down and help others out. It was a very warm and memorable moment with a very ill man.
 
 
Well there were others that I was able to help including three homeless Latinos on Pico near Olive St.  It always humbles me when they bow their heads and remove their caps when I pray for them.  It was totally dark when I gave out the last of the food and got on the freeway to head home.  All I can say is if that is the way God chooses to answer prayer.....I want more.... as long as He is glorified!  Until next time.  John   

Monday, March 4, 2013

Downtown 3/3/2013

"..everyone that the Father has given me will come to me, and I will not turn any of them away."  ..He sent me and he wants to make certain that none of the ones he has given me will be lost." --John 6:37,39


Last night in a church service I watched online I heard the line in a song, "He will embrace the broken ones."  I tried to find the song on youtube, but was unable to.  However, that line stood out for me and encapsulates the message I try to bring to the people I meet each week downtown.  I ran across this quote from the famous evangelist D.L. Moody this morning.  "No matter how low down you are; no matter what your disposition has been; you may be low in your thoughts, words, and actions; you may be selfish; your heart may be overflowing with corruption and wickedness; yet Jesus will have compassion upon you.  He will speak comforting words to you; not treat you coldly or spurn you, as perhaps those of earth would, but will speak tender words, and words of love and affection and kindness.  Just come at once.  He is a faithful friend-a friend that will stick closer than a brother."  And then I remembered the scripture verse quoted above from Jesus.  One of the most important things about that verse from Jesus is that it ends with a period.  There are no conditions added like, 'unless' or 'but' or anything else, just "I will not turn anyone away." Period! 

Most every man I encountered yesterday was alone (and broken).  The first man was Ricardo.  I met him last week, although I thought he said his name was Carlos last week (I've been having hearing problems lately).  Anyway, he speaks very little English, yet he was able to communicate that the police had run everyone who had lived in that alley away.  Ricardo was on a bicycle and moves around quite a bit.  I haven't been able to pin down exactly where he stays at night, but he is forced to keep a low profile with the police I'm sure.  One day he will probably just disappear from the area and someone will find and take his bicycle.  In another of the alleys near where Ricardo was I found Loren.  He was wearing a shirt, shorts and shoes.  He was hungry and accepted some food and then seeing the clothes in the back of the car asked if I had any pants.  I can not imagine how he was surviving at night with only those clothes.  I wondered, "Doesn't anyone else care about this man?"  I didn't realize until this morning that, indeed, God cares and that's why He sent me.  I could only find one pair of pants in the car at the time and he was about to try them on when I left.  I sure hope they fit.  I also gave him some socks and a heavy sweater with a hood.  There's supposed to be another storm coming our way in a couple of days,  I know I could smell the moisture in the air later Sunday night.

I had brief encounters with Octavio (I hadn't seen him in ages and he looked pretty ragged), TonCarlo (I think that's what he said) and Ronald.  They all needed a meal.  I had also driven down the alley where I saw Shawn last week.  He wasn't there at that point, but a woman and a man named Ed were there.  Ed was very suspicious of me and why I was there.  I asked if Shawn was around and the woman said he'd be by later.  I told them I'd try and come back a little later.  At the time I hadn't picked up any food yet, mainly because it was a lot earlier than I usually go.  I think it was about noon right then.  After prayer-walking on skid row and seeing the people above I pulled over to take a prayer break.  I hadn't "felt" anything special about any of the encounters so far and wanted to feel the Spirit's presence more.  I didn't realize until today my "feelings" are not what matters in these trips.  You know I pray every week that I reach people in need.  Every week I find them.  After the prayer break I realized I was just down the street from the alley where Ed was earlier.  I have to admit that I was a little uneasy about going back.  Nobody wants to go someplace where they aren't wanted, yet Ed wasn't the only one there and maybe Shawn would be back.  Well, when I drove up, neither Shawn nor Ed was there.  The woman may have been there, but she wasn't visible inside her 'house' she had set up.  However, a little ways down the alley I found Howard.  Howard was fifty five years old and originally from South Carolina.  He knew Shawn and had seen him a little while earlier in one of the other alleys around there.  We talked for quite a while, during the course of our conversation I told Howard the same story I told Shawn the week before about how God had spoken to me about forgiveness in such a specific way that I immediately was able to forgive a person I had been very angry with.  I explained that since God knows where we've come from and everything about us, he knows exactly how to speak to us through circumstances to reach our hearts.  I could actually see I reached Howard with this story by that look of "Ah ha, I get it" on his face.  I hope that understanding translates into seeking after God in a new way for him.

Before leaving town I looked for Gary behind the auto parts store, but his stuff was completely gone.  Ray still isn't around on Cloud Nine Alley either.  I found a guy on 18th St by the I-10 freeway sleeping on the sidewalk.  His name was Kevin.  He had one blanket to lay on, but nothing to cover himself with.  He was also pretty tall, and we had to dig around to find a sweater big enough to fit him.  I just love praying with people in this situation.  Think about it from their perspective.  You're laying down on the sidewalk.  You're hungry and trying to sleep so you don't feel the hunger.  Someone drives up and offers you a meal, gets out of their car and gives you some warm clothes, a blanket and some water, prays with you and drives away...asking nothing from you!  You lay back down thinking, "What just happened?  It must be my lucky day!"  And then you're hit with the realization, that God really hasn't forgotten about me!!!

I saw Mel and John Stokes as I left town.  In the world of the homeless, mistrust of others and out and out dislike is just as prevalent in their world and on this little street as it is in our world.  I gave out the last of the food to them and then dug around the back of the car for another pair of pants for John.  He had on jogging pants, which aren't very warm unless your jogging.  You may remember he had another man named Dave living next to him last summer and actually for about a year or so.  One day, Dave left to go to the recycler (with some copper I think) and never came back.  All his stuff was left behind.  John never found out what happened and it has troubled both of us.  I had already prayed with John, but when we got around to talking about Dave I said, "We need to pray for Dave."  John immediately said, "yes" and bowed his head, so I prayed again right then.  Where we were praying was next to a fenced yard with four small dogs in it.  I had mentioned the dogs while praying for Dave and then for John's protection, more for humor than anything else.  After all, two of the dogs were puppies anyway.  When I finished, the first thing John said was, "You know your right on about those dogs.  They have alerted me to danger and someone coming by in the middle of the night more than once."  What is it the bible says about the Spirit interceding for us when we don't know what to pray for?  God is awesome!  --Until next time.  John