"Now the tax collectors and 'sinners' were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.' Then Jesus told them this parable..." Luke 15:1-3a
So at the end of yesterday's trip I stopped at the Jack in the Box off the I-10 at Alameda. This used to be the center of the homeless universe for me back when I first started going downtown. There used to be a recycling place next door. Recently, they built a Starbucks there. It was now about 7:30-8:00 pm, dark and a line of cars in the drive-thru at Starbucks. A homeless man was offering to clean windows for the people in line (he hit me up too even though I was on the other side of the fence). When I got inside the Jack in the Box I ordered and went to use the bathroom. Just then another homeless man stepped right in front of me blocking my way and asking if I'd buy him some food. I asked him if I could at least get to the bathroom (I'd been holding it for quite a while by this point). He moved aside letting me go. He was about 30 years old, wearing black shorts and shoes and some kind of a shear net halter top. It was a strange look. His eyes were quite piercing and I could tell he was going to be waiting for me when I came out of the bathroom. I guess that tells you how hungry he was and what people are willing to do when they're that hungry. Now he didn't know me and I had never seen him before. While in the bathroom I got some cash to give him and when I walked passed him I gave it to him and told him not to tell anyone. I went and sat down and waited for my order. He ordered something and left right away. This experience with the two homeless men reminded me of how it used to be there at the Jack in the Box. I guess not much has changed really in ten years. Due to the way this guy was dressed and looked reminded me of the verses above which set the stage for Jesus telling the 3 parables of the lost coin, the lost sheep and the prodigal son. Yes, God values these men's souls too as well as the other dozen homeless folks I'd seen and helped in the last hour and a half. Most all of them were loners in need of hope. I gave them food and water and a big smile and hopefully enough hope to make it through another night.
I had a break-through of sorts with a woman on a small street off Olive around 12th (just south of Pico). I've seen her on this street usually standing/leaning up against a building on one side of the street or the other for several months now. I've asked before if she was hungry, but I kept getting no for an answer, instead she said she wanted money. By the way she is dressed I wasn't sure she understood English. She wears middle-eastern attire (but not black--more of a green color) with a scarf that looks almost like a turban on her head. Last week I asked again if she was hungry. I'm thinking that with persistence I may get through to her eventually. Last week I was shut down again. This week I asked if she was hungry and she again said no. I asked if she was thirsty. I even held up a bottle of water so she could see it. She said no, but said she wanted a beer. I told her I didn't have any beer that I only had water. To my surprise, she said OK and got up and came over to the car got the water then immediately turned and went back to the curb and sat down. Well, that was OK with me. Perhaps she's very distrusting of people/men and she keeps her distance. I don't see that she has any possessions beyond what she's wearing..... not even a purse. And at this point no name either. I'll keep trying.
A couple of weeks ago I helped a woman on Peluma St a couple of blocks away from the burned-out church. Last week I was able to talk with her. Her name is Keisha and she's been homeless off an on for a few years now. She struggles with some substance issues, but she is trying to stay clean and she keeps her make-shift home very clean and tidy. I had hoped to get to talk to her yesterday, but she wasn't there. I left some food and water inside. I hope it was still there when she got back.
Well, there was some good news yesterday with Gregory. He has found some part-time work in a warehouse type place. When I pulled up he told me he had been praying I'd come by. I didn't see him there last week. He asked if I had any T-shirts so I let him look through the trunk for clothes. He found a couple of things he could use. He told me he hoped to earn enough money to rent a locker down near skid row so he could store some things in it. He's trying very hard and I'm proud of him.
Well, until next time. --John
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Downtown Labor Day Monday, 9/2/2019
The Parable of the the Talents in the book of Matt:25:14-30. This parable is about a man who went on a journey and entrusted his wealth to his servants: "To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability." When the Master returned the two servants with 5 and 2 bags of gold both doubled the Master's investment in them, but the one given one bag did nothing with it and received just condemnation and punishment for it.
A few days ago, I was listening to a man on the radio preaching on this passage. I've heard and read studies on this parable many many times. This time was different. I felt the Lord pointing out to me how I was like the unfaithful servant who buried his gold (talent). Ouch! Why hadn't I seen this sooner? Am I going downtown less? No, but I've been blogging about it less and less as the years have gone by. The reality is I don't get very many hits on this blog and very few comments. The last blog which was a highlight reel for the ten years I've been going only got 10 hits. The one before that, 10 hits too. It takes almost as much time to write one of these blogs as it does to actually go downtown. I came to the conclusion that "What's the point if no one reads them." Then I look at the places in the world that look at the blog. Yes the largest audience is in America with over 9,600 hits, but France (yeah France) has almost 4,000 hits and China with almost 1100 and even Russian with over 750 hits. Go figure, because I can't figure out why anyone in another country might be looking at this. And no, they never leave comments. You have to be logged into Google to leave a comment. So I'm forced to come to the conclusion that however and wherever people are reading this, God is using it for His glory. When I'm consistent in writing these, those countries are watching. Yes, it is totally amazing to me too. So from now on, I'm going to try to be more consistent. I still will probably wait until I've done two or three trips to have enough 'material' to write anything important.
The last blog was from four months ago in May. I've really only missed a handful of Sunday's like last weekend when my daughter came home for a couple of days and next weekend when I will try and visit my son. I will be switching back to working nights in two more weekends, so that will have a big impact on getting down there. But here are some of the highlights from the last four months.
A couple of weeks ago, I posted on face book a very brief encounter with a man who told me he hadn't had any water in two days. His name is Gregory and he's been living down in this same area for about twenty years. I saw him again yesterday and he was really happy to see me especially since he didn't expect so see me there on a Monday and I had told him I wouldn't be coming for a couple of weeks. I had forgotten ( a couple weeks ago) that Monday was a holiday and there wouldn't be much traffic. Sunday I knew I'd be pretty worn out from the extra long work week and I planned to not go down, but then if Monday's a holiday, we're back on. He told me that there used to be a guy like me who came down with sandwiches and water and fruit up until about 10 years ago. Interestingly, that's when I started coming. Coincidence? Here's Gregory's photo. This week he told me he hadn't eaten in a couple of days and didn't know what he was going to do......Yeah, he was happy I came down on a Monday.
Now every once in a while I'll get an idea in my head about doing something completely different and I get blindsided by something I didn't see coming. I've talked before about the two homeless women who I try to see each week (Maria and Carmen). Carmen is the one in the wheelchair and the local girl, Maria is the one from Mexico who speaks almost no English and lives in a van parked in a residential neighborhood. I thought it might be a good idea to invite both of them to eat together at a restaurant there locally (fast food place), so the week before I asked Maria and she was agreeable, but I couldn't find Carmen. I saw her tent, but didn't see her. I thought, 'no problem', I see her next week and I'm sure she'll want to join us. It was crucial that Carmen goes with us so she can translate for us.
Well, when the time arrived I still couldn't find Carmen. So Maria and I went to a Burger King there off 25th and San Pedro anyway. There was a large man yelling by the doorway when we walked in, I had to google/translate the word angry on my phone for Maria, but we got inside safely. As soon as we're inside Maria turns to me and says, "You, order 2...one for you one for me. " and walked to a booth and sat down. One of the reasons for taking her there was I thought she would thoroughly enjoy being able to order whatever she wanted off the menu. What I didn't even think about was that the menu is in English and she couldn't read it! I was devastated for her. Well, we spent about an hour together "talking". We used my phone to translate English to Spanish. It is a long process to "talk" this way. I began to suspect that Maria may not read Spanish all that well either, but we managed and she at least got to spend an hour in an air conditioned place and use the bathroom. As of yesterday, I still haven't seen Carmen. I heard she got "picked-up", but by whom I do not know. I don't know if it was the police or emergency services. Her tent and wheel chair are gone and no one has seen her. I'm quite concerned about her.
Maria enjoying the air conditioning
Me...happy to see Maria enjoying herself. It was a very hot day out side.
So about two months ago, when I was actually looking for Carmen again (she wasn't where her tent was again), there were two men on the sidewalk near where she stays. I asked them where she was and they didn't know, but they asked if I had some food that day. I told them, "Of course" and they came over to the car. I gave them sandwiches and water and they asked if I had some socks. I told them I did, but they were used socks and I'd have to sort through them to find a couple of pairs. While sorting through the bags I finally found a couple of stretched-out saggy socks. When I handed them to one of the guys I said, "Here are some Pete Maravich socks" They knew exactly who I was referring to as both of them, though younger than me were old enough to remember Pete. One of the guys said he was 60 years old. Pete Maravich played professional basketball from 1970-80, but is best known for his college career when he scored 44 pts a game for LSU. He somehow always seemed to wear saggy, droopy socks and eventually when he was inducted into the college basketball hall of fame a pair of those socks went on display there too. Well, that comment led to a fifteen or twenty minute conversation about all our favorite players from the 80's (Magic, Bird, Reggie Miller etc). It was just a regular conversation between 3 guys just talkin' basketball. Well, when it was time for me to leave I prayed for them and then just before driving away I said, "Remember, I love ya." One of the guys stunned me when he said, "You don't have to say it, you show it." Perhaps the greatest complement I've ever received downtown.
OK, one final story from yesterday before I close. I have continued to pray for a burned-out church on the corner of 27th and Peloma for about 3-4 years now. I have prayer-walked the neighborhood, but that is becoming more difficult for me to do, yet always drive by there sometime during every trip I make and pray by that church asking God for that church's resurrection in the neighborhood and God's presence to go forth in the neighborhood. So far, nothing has changed. I've been praying mostly for that church's pastor and his wife and it's impact on the neighborhood. Well, yesterday I decided it was time to turn up the pressure. I asked God if I was wasting my time praying for this church. "Lord, what do you want me to do? I offer myself to you to reach this neighborhood." I drove around the block and parked in front of Maria's van. I got out and knocked on the door, but she wasn't there (or didn't answer). I finally left but turned the car around and drove south on Peloma because one time I saw Maria sitting on a corner a couple of blocks away. Well, I didn't see her there either, but as I drove by I did see a homeless woman sitting in her little make-shift home washing her hair. I had never seen anyone living on the sidewalk there before. I had two sandwiches left. I drove around the block to come by her again and when I did there was another man there talking to her. I had may window down and asked if they were hungry as I had these two sandwiches left. They both said yes and I gave them up along with some of the chilled bottled water I had left. They thanked me and as I drove away there was another man sitting in a parked car a couple of cars down who gave me a thumbs up as I drove away. Moments later, I'm remembering my prayer about "reaching the neighborhood" and how I said, "Lord, I'm available." That prayer was only about 20 minutes prior. Sometimes, the Lord moves quickly. I'm in the neighborhood and I'm definitely going back there on my next trip. --Until next time. John
This guy was sleeping on the sidewalk at about Pico and Olive. These are the people I love helping.
The last blog was from four months ago in May. I've really only missed a handful of Sunday's like last weekend when my daughter came home for a couple of days and next weekend when I will try and visit my son. I will be switching back to working nights in two more weekends, so that will have a big impact on getting down there. But here are some of the highlights from the last four months.
A couple of weeks ago, I posted on face book a very brief encounter with a man who told me he hadn't had any water in two days. His name is Gregory and he's been living down in this same area for about twenty years. I saw him again yesterday and he was really happy to see me especially since he didn't expect so see me there on a Monday and I had told him I wouldn't be coming for a couple of weeks. I had forgotten ( a couple weeks ago) that Monday was a holiday and there wouldn't be much traffic. Sunday I knew I'd be pretty worn out from the extra long work week and I planned to not go down, but then if Monday's a holiday, we're back on. He told me that there used to be a guy like me who came down with sandwiches and water and fruit up until about 10 years ago. Interestingly, that's when I started coming. Coincidence? Here's Gregory's photo. This week he told me he hadn't eaten in a couple of days and didn't know what he was going to do......Yeah, he was happy I came down on a Monday.
Now every once in a while I'll get an idea in my head about doing something completely different and I get blindsided by something I didn't see coming. I've talked before about the two homeless women who I try to see each week (Maria and Carmen). Carmen is the one in the wheelchair and the local girl, Maria is the one from Mexico who speaks almost no English and lives in a van parked in a residential neighborhood. I thought it might be a good idea to invite both of them to eat together at a restaurant there locally (fast food place), so the week before I asked Maria and she was agreeable, but I couldn't find Carmen. I saw her tent, but didn't see her. I thought, 'no problem', I see her next week and I'm sure she'll want to join us. It was crucial that Carmen goes with us so she can translate for us.
Well, when the time arrived I still couldn't find Carmen. So Maria and I went to a Burger King there off 25th and San Pedro anyway. There was a large man yelling by the doorway when we walked in, I had to google/translate the word angry on my phone for Maria, but we got inside safely. As soon as we're inside Maria turns to me and says, "You, order 2...one for you one for me. " and walked to a booth and sat down. One of the reasons for taking her there was I thought she would thoroughly enjoy being able to order whatever she wanted off the menu. What I didn't even think about was that the menu is in English and she couldn't read it! I was devastated for her. Well, we spent about an hour together "talking". We used my phone to translate English to Spanish. It is a long process to "talk" this way. I began to suspect that Maria may not read Spanish all that well either, but we managed and she at least got to spend an hour in an air conditioned place and use the bathroom. As of yesterday, I still haven't seen Carmen. I heard she got "picked-up", but by whom I do not know. I don't know if it was the police or emergency services. Her tent and wheel chair are gone and no one has seen her. I'm quite concerned about her.
So about two months ago, when I was actually looking for Carmen again (she wasn't where her tent was again), there were two men on the sidewalk near where she stays. I asked them where she was and they didn't know, but they asked if I had some food that day. I told them, "Of course" and they came over to the car. I gave them sandwiches and water and they asked if I had some socks. I told them I did, but they were used socks and I'd have to sort through them to find a couple of pairs. While sorting through the bags I finally found a couple of stretched-out saggy socks. When I handed them to one of the guys I said, "Here are some Pete Maravich socks" They knew exactly who I was referring to as both of them, though younger than me were old enough to remember Pete. One of the guys said he was 60 years old. Pete Maravich played professional basketball from 1970-80, but is best known for his college career when he scored 44 pts a game for LSU. He somehow always seemed to wear saggy, droopy socks and eventually when he was inducted into the college basketball hall of fame a pair of those socks went on display there too. Well, that comment led to a fifteen or twenty minute conversation about all our favorite players from the 80's (Magic, Bird, Reggie Miller etc). It was just a regular conversation between 3 guys just talkin' basketball. Well, when it was time for me to leave I prayed for them and then just before driving away I said, "Remember, I love ya." One of the guys stunned me when he said, "You don't have to say it, you show it." Perhaps the greatest complement I've ever received downtown.
OK, one final story from yesterday before I close. I have continued to pray for a burned-out church on the corner of 27th and Peloma for about 3-4 years now. I have prayer-walked the neighborhood, but that is becoming more difficult for me to do, yet always drive by there sometime during every trip I make and pray by that church asking God for that church's resurrection in the neighborhood and God's presence to go forth in the neighborhood. So far, nothing has changed. I've been praying mostly for that church's pastor and his wife and it's impact on the neighborhood. Well, yesterday I decided it was time to turn up the pressure. I asked God if I was wasting my time praying for this church. "Lord, what do you want me to do? I offer myself to you to reach this neighborhood." I drove around the block and parked in front of Maria's van. I got out and knocked on the door, but she wasn't there (or didn't answer). I finally left but turned the car around and drove south on Peloma because one time I saw Maria sitting on a corner a couple of blocks away. Well, I didn't see her there either, but as I drove by I did see a homeless woman sitting in her little make-shift home washing her hair. I had never seen anyone living on the sidewalk there before. I had two sandwiches left. I drove around the block to come by her again and when I did there was another man there talking to her. I had may window down and asked if they were hungry as I had these two sandwiches left. They both said yes and I gave them up along with some of the chilled bottled water I had left. They thanked me and as I drove away there was another man sitting in a parked car a couple of cars down who gave me a thumbs up as I drove away. Moments later, I'm remembering my prayer about "reaching the neighborhood" and how I said, "Lord, I'm available." That prayer was only about 20 minutes prior. Sometimes, the Lord moves quickly. I'm in the neighborhood and I'm definitely going back there on my next trip. --Until next time. John
Sunday, May 12, 2019
After 10 years of Downtown-Mother's Day, 2019
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
So Sunday's trip, though somewhat uneventful, was quite a milestone for me. It was the first Monday in May back in 2009 when I made the very first trip. I was pretty clueless as to what I was going to do, but I felt called and I was going. I figured that when I got to where I was going I'd know what to do. Well sort of.... I just felt called to go to the least likely group of people I knew of and be a part of God working in their lives. Little did I know or think about what God would be doing in my life too. Somehow I totally underestimated that part of this adventure. And what an adventure these past ten years have been.
Early on someone encouraged me to write about these trips. So I obliged and began writing sort of a running diary of each trip. They were pretty bland and bare (translate that--lame). I made sure to try and get people's names and where they were from, but mostly the accounts went something like this, "I saw Fred from Louisiana on 5th St and Joe from Texas on 10th St." Soon I started seeing some people repeatedly and got to know them. Some would be living in an alley with 2-4 people and that got to be kind of cool to see them more often. Eventually, that led to doing BBQs during the summer for these groups. I loved it and so did they. People started donating clothing as word got around about what I was doing. That part has always been amazing. Answers to prayer started happening that were truly unbelievable. Early on I felt the need to provide blankets for people as winter was approaching. I prayed about it one morning because I didn't know what to do and these people needed help. A childhood friend, whom I hadn't seen in years, had been trying to get a hold of me because he had a gift for me. He didn't tell me what it was, but he said I had to come and get it. Needless to say, two and a half hours after I prayed for blankets I had twelve new ones in the back seat of my car. I was stunned and overjoyed. I would have to say answered prayer has been the most amazing thing that just continues to astonish and impact this ministry week after week. And it's not just the answer to prayers for provision that surprise me either. The impact that prayer has on the homeless people themselves is sometimes surprising too. I have had people months and years later tell me, "Oh, I remember you. You gave me some burgers and prayed for me." One guy told me he remembered me from a year and half earlier! I didn't remember him. I always feel like just giving someone food and water is good, but praying with them adds an eternal value to the encounter that lasts long after the food and/or clothing I give them are gone. I imagine this person at night, when they are lonely and perhaps hungry and cold; they will think back to that 'crazy old white dude from the suburbs' that prayed for me right here." Maybe it will lead to that ultimate question in their heart, "God, if you're there, will you help me?"
Often times an image of something I saw will stick in my mind or be a burden on my heart and will cause me to eventually pray about it when it won't go away, "Lord, what do you want me to do with this?" Once this happened when a guy I saw had passed out by a curb and had thrown-up into the gutter. There were too many cars parked to get close to him and a while later when I drove by he was gone. I just couldn't shake the image though in my mind. That's when it was revealed to me the Father's heart for even people like that. Every human has intrinsic worth to the Father. I am not the one to judge who "deserves" help and who doesn't. We start by helping the one in front of us. Another time I witnessed a street fight with about twenty guys fighting in the street at 7th and Alvarado. The image haunted me for a week. I just couldn't shake it and I still remember it vividly. A week later in church during a beautiful song sung by a young woman I finally pleaded with God, "What do you want me to do?" The answer came quickly at that point, "Go back to 7th and Alvarado." No additional instructions, just go! So I went. Now I have to say, "Old white dudes" from the suburbs kind of stick out there to say the least. English isn't even the primary language there either. I would later learn that in the 80's immigrants from Central America landed in this area. The park, McArthur Park, was the border to three different street gangs there. That's who was fighting in the street the week before. What was I supposed to do here? Well, I started prayer-walking in the park with a fairly large hard-bound bible. I felt kind of invisible because no one wanted to talk to me. There were some homeless people living in the park too. I started praying-walking in front of stores in the surrounding area too. One store I noticed had obvious occult references (names and symbols) written on the door. It took five months of prayer walking when one night something unbelievable happened. I had noticed a group of Pentecostals preaching in Spanish with microphones every week by the corner of 7th and Alvarado. There was actually a church that met on the other end of the park every week at 4 pm. But on this weekend I saw a man reading from a big black book near the corner by where the Pentecostals were preaching. Some other unexpected stuff had happened just before I saw this guy, but I walked up to him and asked if the book he was reading was better than the book I had (my blue Bible). He said it was better. He then showed me it was a Hebrew and Greek transliteration of the Bible. I had to agree he was probably right about that. We talked for a while and I asked about the group of people preaching there by the corner. He told me they were Pentecostals and asked if I wanted to preach too. It was totally unexpected, but I said "OK" and a few minutes later this group of folks turned and handed me the microphone! That began a 5 or 6 month period of preaching in the park (in English) and praying behind these others preaching in Spanish. I think those months were probably the most alive I've ever felt. I never saw that man with the big black book again after that one night. There were some other really strange things that happened connected with this time in the ministry that you probably wouldn't believe if I told you, you'll have to trust me on this one.
Another part that has really stood out for me are biblical principles and stories re-enacted right before my eyes. Since I'm passionate about reading the bible, when something happens that is 'just like' a story I've read it becomes so much more real. Early on in my first few months of going I met a man living in an alley just off Alameda. He was dirty looking and had a bike with a 'mountain of stuff'' that he would carry with him. But at night he would park it right there in this alley. The buildings surrounding him were owned by one man. One day the owner had driven down the alley on Easter with his wife in their Cadillac Escalade and given the homeless man a chewing out for being in 'his'
alley. Now the homeless man is one of the few people (I could count on one hand) who have not wanted me to pray for them. So instead of praying with him I told him the story Jesus told of a poor beggar named Lazarus living outside the compound of a rich man. When both mdn died Lazarus (the poor beggar) went to where Abraham was and the rich man ended up in hell. The story being a powerful reminder that not only will we pay for our sins, but that we are to be loving and caring for those in need. The sin in this case was being uncaring of the neighbor's (poor man's) needs.
During the ten years of this ministry I've been thanked by grateful people in many different ways. Sometimes even rejected, yes it does happen sometimes, but it's rare. Usually though, people will say "God bless you and thank you so much." I've had people kiss my hand they were so grateful and I've had people say "Whoo Hoo" they were so happy for their good fortune in running into me. Some people are so hungry that they immediately begin eating the food I've given them. I always feel so blessed and happy to reach people when their situation is that critical or to give someone a jacket or pair of socks when there's a cold night ahead. A few times I've had the privilege of giving a blanket or two to a tearful husband and wife, fresh on the street after being forced to move out of their apartment. Experiences like this change you. You know there are others doing what you do, but they aren't there right now and what would these folks do if you hadn't shown up when you did? You learn the lesson of Romans 1:21 through people's responses when the Apostle Paul, in indicting the whole human race of its sinfulness says, "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him...." Yes it's great to give someone a "Whoo Hoo" day, yet there is a difference between being happy for the blessing of the good fortune of receiving something needed and being thankful to the person who brought it. We teach our kids when they are young to say "thank you" to a person who has given them something or done them a favor. It's always said to someone. This is what the Father desires, to thank Him. Now I'm not looking for praise, I am the sent one. Praise the one who sent me. James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father". It is to Him our thanks and praises are to go. One brief story of an encounter I had with a man several years ago. He spoke no English and I speak limited Spanish. At that time I was giving out bags with a loaf of bread, cookies, a can of Chunky soup and a gallon of water. I showed him what was in the bag and how to open the soup can. He opened it and took a couple of spoonfuls and then offered me some. I couldn't believe it. In his abject poverty he was willing to share the food. It was a very humbling experience.
Well, one last thing to cover before I close. One day I pulled up to one of my 'regulars' at the time and before I even talked to him I could tell he was drunk. Instantly, my mind was flooded with a series of thoughts. Does this man even deserve help today in his condition? Does God really forgive sin....repeated sin? What about my sin issues and my own repeated sin issues? Does God really forgive me too? Seeing your own flaws as being just as manifest to God as we see other's flaws is one of the 'benefits' of being in this ministry. Your theology is tested. Does God really forgive us "seven times seventy"? What if in your weakness you purposefully sin just because you rebelliously want to? Well, you soon realize the 'sanctification' process is a lifelong deal. You also realize quickly that despite outward appearances you are no better than the person your serving. You just have greater resources. I do believe God's favor generally rests on those who are obedient, yet there may be a testing in your life with a purpose beyond the temporary circumstances. Remain faithful, abstain from sin and learn the value of perseverance.
Since it's now Mother's Day, I'll leave you with one humorous story from a Mother's Day several years ago. For a brief time one spring/summer I went downtown in the morning. The morning of Mother's Day I was reminding people what day it was and would ask them what their mother's name was. One guy, named Robert, was quite elderly. When I asked him his mother's name he said, "Why? She's been dead for years." Well......his mother's name was Mary. Until next time.
PS. Nine years ago, May 4th, 2010, I wrote a blog after going downtown for one year. It tells about how this ministry started. You can access that blog by clicking on the year 2010 then May and then "After one year of going downtown." That blog concluded with the question of how long will I do this. My response at the time was, "As long as I'm able." That still holds true. It is becoming more of a physical challenge, but I still love doing this. Please pray for the folks I serve. Thanks John
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
2/24/2019-Oscar Sunday downtown
"God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven!
God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!
God blesses those people who are humble. The earth will belong to them!
God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy!
God blesses those people whose hearts are pure. They will see Him!
God blesses those people who make peace. They will be called his children!
God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing right. They belong to the kingdom of heaven." --Matthew 5:3-10 From the sermon on the mount discourse.
On my last blog I showed some pictures of two women I have been helping the last several times I've gone downtown. I saw both of them last week and again this week. Last week the weather in Southern California was very much below normal for here. Maria, who had been in her van when I pulled up, put her hands around my hand so I could feel how cold she was, and they were ice cold. We talked for a while and I gave her a couple of pairs of socks along with some food. Although we struggle with the language barrier, we enjoy talking together. When I started to drive away and she was getting back into her van I could hear her gently crying. It was tough to leave.
I drove over to San Pedro St and helped a couple of other folks and then found Carmen on the corner of 24th. She was in her tent already, but I noticed her wheelchair next to the tent so I called out her name. She got up and hobbled over to the car. Guess what the first thing she said was? "It is so cold!" I gave her a couple of sandwiches and she asked for a third sandwich for someone else. She told me a man named Mario comes over in the mornings and helps push her around in her wheelchair. She told me that Mario digs in the trash for food ("Well, we all dig in the trash sometimes." she said) and she wanted to be able to give him something special the next morning. I gave her a couple of pairs of socks too. She was so thankful to receive them. Because it was so cold she asked me to pray that she would find a place to stay. As she walked back to her tent I could hear her gently crying too. It was tough to leave once again.
So that week when I got down to the last two sandwiches, I was driving down Olympic between Central and Alameda and low and behold there was Alan pulling his two shopping carts with great difficulty. I called out to him as it was just beginning to sprinkle a little bit. He quickly came over to get the food. So in one trip I saw all three of them, that never happens.
So this last Sunday I saw both ladies again. Across from where Maria stays (this is a residential area) there was a birthday party going on. The music was very loud and Maria wasn't too happy about it. She said it will go on far into the night with lots of drinking. Carmen was already in her tent again and struggled to get over to the car. She said she may not be there next week because she is hoping to see a spinal cord specialist sometime this week. I certainly pray they can help her. Her future is going to be pretty bleak if she stays on the street with her handicap.
So the last people I saw this last Sunday were on 10th Pl and 9th St just off San Pedro St. Last week Red was on 10th Pl, but this week he wasn't. There was another man on the side-walk both weeks. I don't know his name, but he told me that he and Red had been beaten up by some people and so had the people on 9th St too. When I drove around the block to 9th I saw Chris by himself in his wheel-chair. I asked him about the thugs who were coming around beating people up. He told me the police had just left when I pulled up. He said they even kicked Debbie around. I was astonished at this because Debbie only weighs 80-lbs, if that. So here you have a defenseless woman and a man with a leg brace in a wheelchair suffering from kidney and liver failure. Sometimes the degree of evil is just disgusting. Chris asked if I had a blanket and I just happened to have one left when I loaded up the car. I had it on the floor of the front seat so I was able to just grab it and hand it to him. He was greatly relieved at getting the blanket, because the thugs keep stealing their stuff from them too. Well, I have to say these weren't really 'happy' trips, but they were important none the less because it helped the morale for these folks for me to be there if nothing else. What a privilege it is. --Until next time. John
PS. I guess I should say something about it being Oscar Sunday. The Academy Awards show was starting up nearby at the Staples Center about the time I was finishing my trip. I have nothing against the movies or even this awards show. The extravagance of it all and the arrogance of the rich kind of gets to me at times as I'm sure it does you. The lifestyles of the rich and the people I see regularly downtown are so vastly different I suppose neither side will ever understand the other.
God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!
God blesses those people who are humble. The earth will belong to them!
God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy!
God blesses those people whose hearts are pure. They will see Him!
God blesses those people who make peace. They will be called his children!
God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing right. They belong to the kingdom of heaven." --Matthew 5:3-10 From the sermon on the mount discourse.
On my last blog I showed some pictures of two women I have been helping the last several times I've gone downtown. I saw both of them last week and again this week. Last week the weather in Southern California was very much below normal for here. Maria, who had been in her van when I pulled up, put her hands around my hand so I could feel how cold she was, and they were ice cold. We talked for a while and I gave her a couple of pairs of socks along with some food. Although we struggle with the language barrier, we enjoy talking together. When I started to drive away and she was getting back into her van I could hear her gently crying. It was tough to leave.
I drove over to San Pedro St and helped a couple of other folks and then found Carmen on the corner of 24th. She was in her tent already, but I noticed her wheelchair next to the tent so I called out her name. She got up and hobbled over to the car. Guess what the first thing she said was? "It is so cold!" I gave her a couple of sandwiches and she asked for a third sandwich for someone else. She told me a man named Mario comes over in the mornings and helps push her around in her wheelchair. She told me that Mario digs in the trash for food ("Well, we all dig in the trash sometimes." she said) and she wanted to be able to give him something special the next morning. I gave her a couple of pairs of socks too. She was so thankful to receive them. Because it was so cold she asked me to pray that she would find a place to stay. As she walked back to her tent I could hear her gently crying too. It was tough to leave once again.
So that week when I got down to the last two sandwiches, I was driving down Olympic between Central and Alameda and low and behold there was Alan pulling his two shopping carts with great difficulty. I called out to him as it was just beginning to sprinkle a little bit. He quickly came over to get the food. So in one trip I saw all three of them, that never happens.
So this last Sunday I saw both ladies again. Across from where Maria stays (this is a residential area) there was a birthday party going on. The music was very loud and Maria wasn't too happy about it. She said it will go on far into the night with lots of drinking. Carmen was already in her tent again and struggled to get over to the car. She said she may not be there next week because she is hoping to see a spinal cord specialist sometime this week. I certainly pray they can help her. Her future is going to be pretty bleak if she stays on the street with her handicap.
So the last people I saw this last Sunday were on 10th Pl and 9th St just off San Pedro St. Last week Red was on 10th Pl, but this week he wasn't. There was another man on the side-walk both weeks. I don't know his name, but he told me that he and Red had been beaten up by some people and so had the people on 9th St too. When I drove around the block to 9th I saw Chris by himself in his wheel-chair. I asked him about the thugs who were coming around beating people up. He told me the police had just left when I pulled up. He said they even kicked Debbie around. I was astonished at this because Debbie only weighs 80-lbs, if that. So here you have a defenseless woman and a man with a leg brace in a wheelchair suffering from kidney and liver failure. Sometimes the degree of evil is just disgusting. Chris asked if I had a blanket and I just happened to have one left when I loaded up the car. I had it on the floor of the front seat so I was able to just grab it and hand it to him. He was greatly relieved at getting the blanket, because the thugs keep stealing their stuff from them too. Well, I have to say these weren't really 'happy' trips, but they were important none the less because it helped the morale for these folks for me to be there if nothing else. What a privilege it is. --Until next time. John
PS. I guess I should say something about it being Oscar Sunday. The Academy Awards show was starting up nearby at the Staples Center about the time I was finishing my trip. I have nothing against the movies or even this awards show. The extravagance of it all and the arrogance of the rich kind of gets to me at times as I'm sure it does you. The lifestyles of the rich and the people I see regularly downtown are so vastly different I suppose neither side will ever understand the other.
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Downtown on a rainy Super Sunday--2/3/2019
"I hope you're proud of yourself for the times you've said 'yes', when all it meant was extra work for you and was seemingly helpful only to somebody else."
"As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has--or ever will have--something inside that is unique to all time. It's our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression."
Fred Rogers...aka Mr. Rogers
For those who do not live here in Southern California it has been raining a lot the last few days. On Friday the forecast, while it was raining heavily, was rain pretty much continually for the next 4 days. I began to wonder if I would be able to make a trip downtown at all this weekend. When it's raining, people find places to hide to get out of the rain. Not only are your clothes wet, but unless you have a waterproof tent or tarp, all your stuff gets wet too. You're then colder than you would be and even more miserable for days afterwards until you dry out. The next day, Saturday, (it was still raining) while at work I decided I would go no matter what. I came to the conclusion that those people I did find would be really glad and thankful I found them despite the rain. So after work, I stopped by the store and got the stuff I'd need to make sandwiches and Sunday afternoon I drove on down. It was raining a little bit when I left and I hit a downpour in Alhambra, but slowed to very light drizzle by the time I got to Los Angeles.
The first guy I helped was sitting on the sidewalk under the freeway trying to sleep. Apparently, not very soundly because when I asked him if he was hungry he practically bolted over to the car. I had gotten off the freeway at the Santa Fe/Mateo exit because I wanted to see if I could find Alan as I drove through that part of town. Sure enough, along the way I found him resting and sitting on a small pillow on the sidewalk (the sidewalk was wet). I had to turn around and drive back to get to him. I've known Alan for several years now and have shared with you before that he doesn't talk much. I called out to him as I was positioning my car near where he was and he came over. I immediately noticed that he didn't have a shirt on under the sport coat he had on. I gave him a couple of sandwiches and a couple bottles of water and asked him if he wanted a shirt. He nodded yes and I got one out of the trunk for him. I had some socks and asked him if he needed a pair. He actually said "Yes" to that. During my visit with him I put my arm around his shoulders and told him I loved him. As I drove away I wondered how many years its been since anyone has said those words to him. I'm sure it's been a very long time. Here's his picture from today.
Alan
I went over to 10th and San Pedro St and saw my friends who live there. Last week I didn't stop there because I was all out of food before I could get to them. These folks have suffered greatly in the rain. There is a small awning that they live under and it leaks. It seems the tarps and blankets I give them get stolen repeatedly and now I'm pretty much out of both of those items. They are looking forward to warmer and dryer weather....and soon.
On the last trip that I wrote a blog about (January 1st) I told about two women I have tried to help each time I come downtown the last 2-3 months. One was Carmen who told me she was abducted at 12 years old and forced to work on the street. I saw her last week and again today. I learned a few more details about her ordeal which lasted seven years. The other woman was Maria. I didn't see her today, but spent twenty minutes or so with her last week. I showed her pictures of my family that were on my phone. She seemed very grateful to me spending time with her and sharing the pictures and conversation (such as it is with her limited English and my limited Spanish). I have a couple of pictures of these ladies, Carmen from today and Maria from a couple weeks ago. Now you have a face to put with the names and stories. Please pray for each of these women: First is Maria and then Carmen.
So after I found Carmen today I was about a block or so away from where Maria lives in her van. But when I got there, Maria was nowhere to be found. There is a church on a corner near there that I spend time praying for when I'm down there and while I was parked there it started to rain heavily. At that point, it became nearly impossible to find people needing help as they were all someplace out of the rain. I drove around for about another 20-25 minutes until the rain let up and finally found Becky. She is another homeless woman I've now known for at least 6-7 years. I had two sandwiches left and I gave them both to her. I was glad she got them and she was happy to receive them. She told me she was very hungry. Although the rain had let up and barely drizzled at all on the way home, the traffic was a mess and it took twice as long as normal to get home. But I got home safely and just as the coin toss for the football game was about to start. After all, it is Super Sunday and it's Super to do God's work any day of the week. Next week my work week switches back to nights for the next four months. I won't get off work until 7 am Sunday mornings and will have to sleep when I get home. It will make these trips very difficult for me until we switch back to daylight savings time in another month. Please pray for my health and energy levels. --Until next time. John
PS. I began this blog with a quote from Mr. Rogers about saying yes. Initially, I was only thinking about how difficult it would be for me to find people to help in the rain. Then I started thinking about those I would find and how they would feel to be found! What a privilege it is to help those in need and let them know someone cares about them when things are at there worst.
"As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has--or ever will have--something inside that is unique to all time. It's our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression."
Fred Rogers...aka Mr. Rogers
For those who do not live here in Southern California it has been raining a lot the last few days. On Friday the forecast, while it was raining heavily, was rain pretty much continually for the next 4 days. I began to wonder if I would be able to make a trip downtown at all this weekend. When it's raining, people find places to hide to get out of the rain. Not only are your clothes wet, but unless you have a waterproof tent or tarp, all your stuff gets wet too. You're then colder than you would be and even more miserable for days afterwards until you dry out. The next day, Saturday, (it was still raining) while at work I decided I would go no matter what. I came to the conclusion that those people I did find would be really glad and thankful I found them despite the rain. So after work, I stopped by the store and got the stuff I'd need to make sandwiches and Sunday afternoon I drove on down. It was raining a little bit when I left and I hit a downpour in Alhambra, but slowed to very light drizzle by the time I got to Los Angeles.
The first guy I helped was sitting on the sidewalk under the freeway trying to sleep. Apparently, not very soundly because when I asked him if he was hungry he practically bolted over to the car. I had gotten off the freeway at the Santa Fe/Mateo exit because I wanted to see if I could find Alan as I drove through that part of town. Sure enough, along the way I found him resting and sitting on a small pillow on the sidewalk (the sidewalk was wet). I had to turn around and drive back to get to him. I've known Alan for several years now and have shared with you before that he doesn't talk much. I called out to him as I was positioning my car near where he was and he came over. I immediately noticed that he didn't have a shirt on under the sport coat he had on. I gave him a couple of sandwiches and a couple bottles of water and asked him if he wanted a shirt. He nodded yes and I got one out of the trunk for him. I had some socks and asked him if he needed a pair. He actually said "Yes" to that. During my visit with him I put my arm around his shoulders and told him I loved him. As I drove away I wondered how many years its been since anyone has said those words to him. I'm sure it's been a very long time. Here's his picture from today.
Alan
I went over to 10th and San Pedro St and saw my friends who live there. Last week I didn't stop there because I was all out of food before I could get to them. These folks have suffered greatly in the rain. There is a small awning that they live under and it leaks. It seems the tarps and blankets I give them get stolen repeatedly and now I'm pretty much out of both of those items. They are looking forward to warmer and dryer weather....and soon.
On the last trip that I wrote a blog about (January 1st) I told about two women I have tried to help each time I come downtown the last 2-3 months. One was Carmen who told me she was abducted at 12 years old and forced to work on the street. I saw her last week and again today. I learned a few more details about her ordeal which lasted seven years. The other woman was Maria. I didn't see her today, but spent twenty minutes or so with her last week. I showed her pictures of my family that were on my phone. She seemed very grateful to me spending time with her and sharing the pictures and conversation (such as it is with her limited English and my limited Spanish). I have a couple of pictures of these ladies, Carmen from today and Maria from a couple weeks ago. Now you have a face to put with the names and stories. Please pray for each of these women: First is Maria and then Carmen.
So after I found Carmen today I was about a block or so away from where Maria lives in her van. But when I got there, Maria was nowhere to be found. There is a church on a corner near there that I spend time praying for when I'm down there and while I was parked there it started to rain heavily. At that point, it became nearly impossible to find people needing help as they were all someplace out of the rain. I drove around for about another 20-25 minutes until the rain let up and finally found Becky. She is another homeless woman I've now known for at least 6-7 years. I had two sandwiches left and I gave them both to her. I was glad she got them and she was happy to receive them. She told me she was very hungry. Although the rain had let up and barely drizzled at all on the way home, the traffic was a mess and it took twice as long as normal to get home. But I got home safely and just as the coin toss for the football game was about to start. After all, it is Super Sunday and it's Super to do God's work any day of the week. Next week my work week switches back to nights for the next four months. I won't get off work until 7 am Sunday mornings and will have to sleep when I get home. It will make these trips very difficult for me until we switch back to daylight savings time in another month. Please pray for my health and energy levels. --Until next time. John
PS. I began this blog with a quote from Mr. Rogers about saying yes. Initially, I was only thinking about how difficult it would be for me to find people to help in the rain. Then I started thinking about those I would find and how they would feel to be found! What a privilege it is to help those in need and let them know someone cares about them when things are at there worst.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Downtown on New Year's Day-2019
"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat." Mother Teresa
Yesterday someone posted this on facebook, "Show love in places where no one else will show up." I'll always raise my hand at that opportunity. As for the Mother Teresa quote above, most of the people I see fall into both categories, poor and lonely. There's something irresistible to me about the man or woman who is all alone either wearing all their stuff or having it sitting next to them ready to pick up and move when they have to move on. The last couple of trips have been filled with these types of people.
A week ago I went downtown on Christmas Eve in the early afternoon. On one of the allies that I go down (where I usually see several folks) I only saw one woman, probably in her fifties. She was in a wheelchair. When I drove up I asked if she was hungry and she told me she was. She asked if I was the guy that brings the sandwiches. I told her I was and she told me she was hoping I would come by! How's that for a welcome? I told her I didn't have sandwiches that day, but I had made some pasta and it was hot. She was my first person of the trip and her name was Carmen. She was so grateful. We talked for a while, I didn't want to pry too much, but she told me she had been kidnapped at twelve years old and forced to work in the streets. I don't know what country she was from, someplace south of here no doubt. Since it was Christmas Eve, I told her this was the day we celebrate God sending the hope of Jesus into the world. She told me people often ask her why she isn't angry with God and she told me God has blessed her very much and she has a great family, but they live a ways away. I had hoped to see her yesterday, New Years Day, when I made the trip, but she wasn't to be found. I'll keep looking for her next week. Remember the guy a couple months back who kissed my hand repeatedly after I had given him a sandwich and prayed with him. This woman was in the same spot he had been!
Another woman, perhaps a little older than Carmen, I had hoped to see last week, but didn't. Yet yesterday, I did see her. She lives in a van that I don't think runs anymore on a street off Central and 27th. Her name is Maria. She is all alone too, with no family anywhere to help her. She speaks little English and is from Mexico. Two years ago she was in a serious auto accident where she received some major injuries. She has no money and no family. I am committed to finding some agency to help her. She accepted the food and water and I gave her a blanket too and got to pray for her. She was very happy when I left.
I don't know why, but lately, I've been helping a lot more women than I have in the past. Coincidentally, I've had more women's clothes lately too.
I'll leave this as a short one. Yes, there are many others I see on these trips, but these have stuck in my heart so much. We all have so much to be thankful for and these two women had so little, yet they were so thankful and happy to be talked to and to be helped. I'll always consider it a privilege to go to these places, where no one else seems to want to go. Thank you Lord for this blessing. --Until next time. John
Yesterday someone posted this on facebook, "Show love in places where no one else will show up." I'll always raise my hand at that opportunity. As for the Mother Teresa quote above, most of the people I see fall into both categories, poor and lonely. There's something irresistible to me about the man or woman who is all alone either wearing all their stuff or having it sitting next to them ready to pick up and move when they have to move on. The last couple of trips have been filled with these types of people.
A week ago I went downtown on Christmas Eve in the early afternoon. On one of the allies that I go down (where I usually see several folks) I only saw one woman, probably in her fifties. She was in a wheelchair. When I drove up I asked if she was hungry and she told me she was. She asked if I was the guy that brings the sandwiches. I told her I was and she told me she was hoping I would come by! How's that for a welcome? I told her I didn't have sandwiches that day, but I had made some pasta and it was hot. She was my first person of the trip and her name was Carmen. She was so grateful. We talked for a while, I didn't want to pry too much, but she told me she had been kidnapped at twelve years old and forced to work in the streets. I don't know what country she was from, someplace south of here no doubt. Since it was Christmas Eve, I told her this was the day we celebrate God sending the hope of Jesus into the world. She told me people often ask her why she isn't angry with God and she told me God has blessed her very much and she has a great family, but they live a ways away. I had hoped to see her yesterday, New Years Day, when I made the trip, but she wasn't to be found. I'll keep looking for her next week. Remember the guy a couple months back who kissed my hand repeatedly after I had given him a sandwich and prayed with him. This woman was in the same spot he had been!
Another woman, perhaps a little older than Carmen, I had hoped to see last week, but didn't. Yet yesterday, I did see her. She lives in a van that I don't think runs anymore on a street off Central and 27th. Her name is Maria. She is all alone too, with no family anywhere to help her. She speaks little English and is from Mexico. Two years ago she was in a serious auto accident where she received some major injuries. She has no money and no family. I am committed to finding some agency to help her. She accepted the food and water and I gave her a blanket too and got to pray for her. She was very happy when I left.
I don't know why, but lately, I've been helping a lot more women than I have in the past. Coincidentally, I've had more women's clothes lately too.
I'll leave this as a short one. Yes, there are many others I see on these trips, but these have stuck in my heart so much. We all have so much to be thankful for and these two women had so little, yet they were so thankful and happy to be talked to and to be helped. I'll always consider it a privilege to go to these places, where no one else seems to want to go. Thank you Lord for this blessing. --Until next time. John
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Downtown 12/2/2018
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." 2 Corrinthians 5:20
It has been six months since my last blog. I had a month and a half where I was unable to go due to my work schedule, but I have made trips most of the rest of the time. I have personally gone through some difficult times, a lot having to do with my health. None the less, I have had many encounters that were very important and memorable for me. I'll try and recap some of the high points here.
The last blog was on June 4th and we have now transitioned from the heat of summer to the nightly cold of fall and now almost winter time. Two months ago in the alley near San Pedro and 25th St. there were maybe 5 or 6 people the day I went down there. Sometimes you don't have a clear understanding of what went down until you process the event later. This was definitely one of those times. When I first pulled up the first man I saw was sitting on the ground with his back against one of the walls of the buildings there. I think his name was David. I asked if he was hungry and he indicated he was. I held out the sandwich I had for him and he got up and came over to the car with obvious difficulty. When he reached the car he took the sandwich and I held out my hand to squeeze his. He took my hand and held it up to his cheek and thanked God for me and asked God to bless me and my family (repeatedly). He kissed my hand. I have been thanked by hundreds of people over the years in many different ways. I have had my hand kissed before. It is always very humbling. I told him I love to come down there and help people and thanked him for his "blessing". I slowly pulled forward to the rest of the folks living in that alley and gave out the rest of the food that day. This was back in September. It wasn't until later that I realized that David probably hadn't eaten anything in a day or two and probably wouldn't have eaten anything at all unless I had come down there. If I had realized that at the time, I would have given him more food, but since he was the first contact in the alley I didn't think about that, instead it was, "Would I have enough for everyone there." I have been back to that alley several times since then, but he hasn't been there. In fact, last Sunday no one was there.... I remember reading a book many years ago by a man who wrote about his journey from being a successful businessman to a VP (at a drastically reduced salary) for World Vision. He made a comment that has stuck with me and that is, "I'd hate for someone to suffer because I refused the call of God on my life to be a servant."
This photo is of Hiram and Lawrence. It was taken in September, the day I saw David, and was the first time I'd seen Hiram in about 3 or 4 years. I was so happy to see him.
So I made a trip on Thanksgiving morning. I had taken the week off from work and the day before had spent a considerable amount of time loading the car up with clothes and blankets. I had a friend from work and a couple of his friends joining me for this trip. We traveled in separate cars. I had wanted to keep some of the blankets in their car out of sight so they wouldn't be snatched up at the first stop. That usually is what happens when homeless people see blankets. Even if they have some already they'll always want another one or two. I had two places where I wanted to go. The first was the alley I spoke about above and the second was 10th St off San Pedro (near Olympic Blvd downtown). I had made pasta and had thirteen sandwiches ready to go. My friend from work brought some snacks that they could keep for later. The problem????? It rained the night before and it was all wet on Thanksgiving morning. Why is this a big deal? Well, people who are not sleeping under something go someplace where they are out of the rainfall. So the alley off 25th St. is not where they would spend the night. When I got there, there were only two people and one of them was leaving. That left one guy! I was hoping there would be at least 5-6 people with a few people walking through while I was there. Two guys did walk through, but they, apparently, weren't homeless and didn't want any of the food. The next stop off 10th St only two women were there. They started cheering when I pulled up! Both these women I've seen and written about many times. One was Debbie and the other was Chris's niece, Veloma. Chris was in the hospital with kidney and liver failure. Debbie wanted me to take her to the hospital where he was and marry them! Now they refer to me as Pastor John, but I had to tell Debbie that I am not an ordained pastor and couldn't legally marry them and that day (Thanksgiving) was probably not the best day for this since I was down there to serve as many as I could with all the food and clothes I brought. This seemed to placate her. She also insisted that my being ordained or not didn't matter to her/them because this was "in the heart" and would be a great comfort to them. I really think she felt Chris wouldn't last too much longer and she wanted this to happen before he died. More about this later....
This is Debbie on the right and Keloma on the left on Thanksgiving Day. The sun was finally out and temperatures were not too bad.
I had to do some driving to find people. This guy was in an alley off Trinity St just south of Washington Blvd.
Well as I mentioned I had twice the food that I normally take with me and the first two stops hardly anyone was there. I was expecting by this point to have all the pasta given out and half the sandwiches. Instead, only 3-4 bowls of pasta were given out and none of the sandwiches. It was going to be a slow go from here on out. Since I've been doing this for many years now I knew of many places to go to find one or two people to serve and normally that wouldn't bother me, but I had people specifically coming with me that day to be a part of this and it wasn't going smoothly. Eventually, we gave all the food out and I got to pray with many folks. One of the people I "happened" to find was Alan. He is never in the same place twice and pushes two shopping carts around. He is essentially a mute. About all he ever says is grunts in the affirmative like, "Alan, do you want a sandwich?" And then a "Uh huh." Years ago I sat down on the sidewalk with him for a while and he told me his name. I'm probably one of the few people that knows his name. I was so happy to see him on Thanksgiving. I found him on the corner of Olympic and Alameda. I gave him two sandwiches on that day. I'm sure it made his day.
Last Sunday I went back to 10th St and saw Debbie. Chris was out of the hospital and there too, but his niece wasn't. Red was there, but he left after he woke up. It was almost 5 pm and was getting colder by the minute. Here was Chris in his wheelchair with a jacket on and a shirt over his legs. He asked if I had a pair of pants. Luckily, I had a pair of jogging pants (one size fits all). Debbie told me that while she went to visit him in the hospital, someone stole everything she had on the street. So I came just in the nick of time with blankets, sweaters, towels and other warm clothing (not to mention the food). Debbie must have commented a couple of times how cold it was the night before. I stayed with them for 20 or 25 minutes talking with them. Finally, Debbie asked me, "Pastor John, could you do what we talked about the last time?" I said "Sure". Although, I never used the term 'marriage', I joined these to together and asked God to bless the 'union' and provide for them. I find it hard to believe that the hospital let Chris out in his condition. I'm not sure I'm spelling it correctly, but here he is on the street with a 'coloscopy' bag and in a wheelchair. I'm not sure how much time he has left, but he told me he was so thankful for me and all the times I've come by to help them. All I can say is its a privilege to do God's work loving people. We are called to be ambassadors for God wherever we go. --Until next time "Pastor John"
That's Debbie in the background getting things ready for the night.
Chris and Debbie back in September with a friend during less stressful times.
It has been six months since my last blog. I had a month and a half where I was unable to go due to my work schedule, but I have made trips most of the rest of the time. I have personally gone through some difficult times, a lot having to do with my health. None the less, I have had many encounters that were very important and memorable for me. I'll try and recap some of the high points here.
The last blog was on June 4th and we have now transitioned from the heat of summer to the nightly cold of fall and now almost winter time. Two months ago in the alley near San Pedro and 25th St. there were maybe 5 or 6 people the day I went down there. Sometimes you don't have a clear understanding of what went down until you process the event later. This was definitely one of those times. When I first pulled up the first man I saw was sitting on the ground with his back against one of the walls of the buildings there. I think his name was David. I asked if he was hungry and he indicated he was. I held out the sandwich I had for him and he got up and came over to the car with obvious difficulty. When he reached the car he took the sandwich and I held out my hand to squeeze his. He took my hand and held it up to his cheek and thanked God for me and asked God to bless me and my family (repeatedly). He kissed my hand. I have been thanked by hundreds of people over the years in many different ways. I have had my hand kissed before. It is always very humbling. I told him I love to come down there and help people and thanked him for his "blessing". I slowly pulled forward to the rest of the folks living in that alley and gave out the rest of the food that day. This was back in September. It wasn't until later that I realized that David probably hadn't eaten anything in a day or two and probably wouldn't have eaten anything at all unless I had come down there. If I had realized that at the time, I would have given him more food, but since he was the first contact in the alley I didn't think about that, instead it was, "Would I have enough for everyone there." I have been back to that alley several times since then, but he hasn't been there. In fact, last Sunday no one was there.... I remember reading a book many years ago by a man who wrote about his journey from being a successful businessman to a VP (at a drastically reduced salary) for World Vision. He made a comment that has stuck with me and that is, "I'd hate for someone to suffer because I refused the call of God on my life to be a servant."
So I made a trip on Thanksgiving morning. I had taken the week off from work and the day before had spent a considerable amount of time loading the car up with clothes and blankets. I had a friend from work and a couple of his friends joining me for this trip. We traveled in separate cars. I had wanted to keep some of the blankets in their car out of sight so they wouldn't be snatched up at the first stop. That usually is what happens when homeless people see blankets. Even if they have some already they'll always want another one or two. I had two places where I wanted to go. The first was the alley I spoke about above and the second was 10th St off San Pedro (near Olympic Blvd downtown). I had made pasta and had thirteen sandwiches ready to go. My friend from work brought some snacks that they could keep for later. The problem????? It rained the night before and it was all wet on Thanksgiving morning. Why is this a big deal? Well, people who are not sleeping under something go someplace where they are out of the rainfall. So the alley off 25th St. is not where they would spend the night. When I got there, there were only two people and one of them was leaving. That left one guy! I was hoping there would be at least 5-6 people with a few people walking through while I was there. Two guys did walk through, but they, apparently, weren't homeless and didn't want any of the food. The next stop off 10th St only two women were there. They started cheering when I pulled up! Both these women I've seen and written about many times. One was Debbie and the other was Chris's niece, Veloma. Chris was in the hospital with kidney and liver failure. Debbie wanted me to take her to the hospital where he was and marry them! Now they refer to me as Pastor John, but I had to tell Debbie that I am not an ordained pastor and couldn't legally marry them and that day (Thanksgiving) was probably not the best day for this since I was down there to serve as many as I could with all the food and clothes I brought. This seemed to placate her. She also insisted that my being ordained or not didn't matter to her/them because this was "in the heart" and would be a great comfort to them. I really think she felt Chris wouldn't last too much longer and she wanted this to happen before he died. More about this later....
Well as I mentioned I had twice the food that I normally take with me and the first two stops hardly anyone was there. I was expecting by this point to have all the pasta given out and half the sandwiches. Instead, only 3-4 bowls of pasta were given out and none of the sandwiches. It was going to be a slow go from here on out. Since I've been doing this for many years now I knew of many places to go to find one or two people to serve and normally that wouldn't bother me, but I had people specifically coming with me that day to be a part of this and it wasn't going smoothly. Eventually, we gave all the food out and I got to pray with many folks. One of the people I "happened" to find was Alan. He is never in the same place twice and pushes two shopping carts around. He is essentially a mute. About all he ever says is grunts in the affirmative like, "Alan, do you want a sandwich?" And then a "Uh huh." Years ago I sat down on the sidewalk with him for a while and he told me his name. I'm probably one of the few people that knows his name. I was so happy to see him on Thanksgiving. I found him on the corner of Olympic and Alameda. I gave him two sandwiches on that day. I'm sure it made his day.
Last Sunday I went back to 10th St and saw Debbie. Chris was out of the hospital and there too, but his niece wasn't. Red was there, but he left after he woke up. It was almost 5 pm and was getting colder by the minute. Here was Chris in his wheelchair with a jacket on and a shirt over his legs. He asked if I had a pair of pants. Luckily, I had a pair of jogging pants (one size fits all). Debbie told me that while she went to visit him in the hospital, someone stole everything she had on the street. So I came just in the nick of time with blankets, sweaters, towels and other warm clothing (not to mention the food). Debbie must have commented a couple of times how cold it was the night before. I stayed with them for 20 or 25 minutes talking with them. Finally, Debbie asked me, "Pastor John, could you do what we talked about the last time?" I said "Sure". Although, I never used the term 'marriage', I joined these to together and asked God to bless the 'union' and provide for them. I find it hard to believe that the hospital let Chris out in his condition. I'm not sure I'm spelling it correctly, but here he is on the street with a 'coloscopy' bag and in a wheelchair. I'm not sure how much time he has left, but he told me he was so thankful for me and all the times I've come by to help them. All I can say is its a privilege to do God's work loving people. We are called to be ambassadors for God wherever we go. --Until next time "Pastor John"
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