"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me [Jesus], because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." --Luke 4:18-19
Believe me, I hesitated quoting this verse. I wouldn't want anyone thinking I have an unrealistic view of myself. Yet the part above that is in bold and italics has always been a special phrase to me. Jesus' announcement and promise to set people free from their bondage, whatever that bondage may be is so visable when I'm downtown among the homeless. If I was really in tune with reality I would see the bondage that is rampant all around us, but Sunday night it went and slapped me upside the head and caused me to take notice of the private hell so many people live in. It happened at the end of the trip.
I had planned on arriving a little later than last week. As I was driving down to the Jack in the Box it was about 6:15 pm the sun was still out and it was probably about an hour before it would set. I thought this would be perfect timing. I had been praying for God to lead me to "His" people that he wanted me to minister to. Yet in the first hour plus, no one was at the regular locations and I hadn't hooked up with anyone so far! I was getting a little nervous, yet I knew God would come through in His timing, not mine. I headed to Wall St because by now the sun had set and it was actually getting dark. People would be starting to collect at the doorways of the closed up shops down there. Sure enough, there they were. I started handing out burgers, blankets and praying with people. I prayed with just about everyone I met. First there was Vincent, then Trisha (actually it's Triesha-from last week) who was with Charles. When they saw me give Vincent a blanket, they asked me for one too. It was getting very cold and breezy at this point. Kirk and Edward and David were on the other side of the block. I had enough burgers for about three or four people left, so I went back to the area near the Jack in the Box to see if any of my 'regulars' were around there.
I ended up under the I-10 freeway at Hooper St. This is where Richard Brown lives. I usually don't look in on Richard too much because as far as homeless people go, he's doing pretty well. But I hadn't talked to him since about Christmas, so I figured it was time and I could also find out some news about the surrounding area. Well Richard had gone "to bed" at this point and his "house" was all closed up to keep the cold air out. I had gotten out of the car and was standing next to his place and called out to him. It was about 8:15 pm. He answered me and started to get up and climb out. He told me Dave was in the spot about 20 feet down and that someone else was asleep with him. Well in a minute or so everyone was up and standing out on the sidewalk with me. A woman named Debra had been inside Richard's "house". Everyone was hungry and glad to get some burgers to eat and then Richard asked me to pray for all of them. After that Dave asked if I had any clothes to give out. He specifically wanted some socks which I had. It turned out Debra didn't have any and needed some too. Pants, a jacket, some t-shirts and a blanket were given out too. While the four of us were standing there, Solo came by and was hungry. Well, I was out of burgers, but I did have some cans of chunky soup, so I gave him a couple of cans. While I was digging around for a spoon to give him and a bag to put the cans in, he had opened one of them and started eating. By the way, the burgers were eaten as soon as I gave them to the others. I love it when I give out food and it's consumed immediatedly, that's when you know you've filled a need. During this encounter, Richard and Debra and I were standing together and talking just the three of us. Richard had commented that he likes to keep this area under the freeway cleaned up because it keeps the police from bothering him. He said that those homeless folks that do drugs invariably trash the area and then the police come by and move everyone out. When he said this, Debra blurted out, "I still do drugs." Then she looked at me and asked, "Would you pray for me to get off drugs?" This is the second time a homeless woman has asked for me to intercede on her behalf. I said "Yes, of course." and put my arms around the two of them and began to pray. I asked for God to help her in making good decisions each day, as each day is filled with opportunities that can go either way. Debra obviously feels like a prisoner and trapped in the lifestyle she's in. The starting point is recognizing our need for help. As with all of us, the One who walked on water, is the One who will walk with us out of our season of trouble. I was privileged to be at this point for Debra. Until next week. --John
Monday, April 2, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Downtown 3/26/2012
"...know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:3-4
Due to weather issues, I couldn't get downtown this week until Monday evening. I arrived at the Jack in the Box a little too early to get started. I had wanted to start down near the skid row area and pick up where I left off last week. So I waited in my car for a little while in the parking lot. There had been a man standing by the front door of the restaurant and I figured he was hitting people up for help as they came in or went out. After a short time he came over to the car and talked to me. I guess it was time to get started regardless of what my plan was or not. I had some crackers and bananas in my car and gave him some of them along with a bottle of water as I walked in, promising him something better when I came out. While I waited inside, he eventually came inside to use the restroom, just about the time the burgers were ready. I gave him a couple of them. His name was Larry and he was originally from New Orleans, but had been out here for thirty years by now. He was diabetic. I prayed with him inside the Jack in the Box by the door before leaving him.
Most of the next hour and a half was spent driving to some of the regular spots where I usually see homeless folks, but like last week they were hard to find. I drove over to Lincoln Park and was wondering what happened to Cesar, who I hadn't seen in a long time and there he was at the corner of N. Main and Mission Rd begging from the people stopped at the signal. He still doesn't speak much English, so there has never been much conversation between us. Back in the downtown area, I saw Willie close to the skid row area. I've never seen him that close to that area. He didn't recognise me at first in the car I'm in now. He was wanting to know when we would be having a barbecue again (Aren't we all?).
Well I pretty much stayed in the area just south of skid row for the rest of the trip. Last fall when I was focusing on this area, there was a couple staying on Wall St every time I would go down there. Their names were Deena and Edward. Well, Monday I saw Edward but not Deena. I asked where she was and he mumbled something about her "having to take care of some stuff". I didn't see her there last week when I drove by either. Just down the block a ways from Edward I met Charles. He was much more welcoming and appreciated the food even though he only had one tooth. He said he could recognize a real christian by the warmth generated in his heart when he spoke to them. He also wanted to know if I was from the South. Shortly before leaving I was stopped at a signal and an emergency vehicle was approaching from behind me with it's siren blaring. I decided to just turn right and avoid it. As I drove around the block, I found a man named Bobby pushing his cart. I asked him if he needed some food and when he said yes I said, "Well let me give you some before they come and take us away" (in reference to the siren's blaring). We both giggled over that one. Bobby was more than welcoming of the prayer too. Well, with one burger left, (I think they gave me an extra one at the Jack in the Box) I gave it away to a woman named Tisha who was just down the street from Bobby. She looked and sounded very hardened from spending a long time on the street.
Life on the street there where I was finishing up, was beginning to shape up about the way I expected it to. That's kind of why I was waiting in the parking lot of the Jack in the Box before getting started. As night begins to fall, people are staking out their 'spot' for the night. People are easier to find and help. If they are going to bed hungry, as many are, they are very receptive to help at this time as well as being open to being prayed for. I had been able to help several others between Willie and Edward at this time. It's a great opportunity to show God's kindness and love to them.
So you may be wondering why I quoted the verse at the beginning. Not every trip and certainly not every encounter is memorable. In fact, this trip was about as non-descript as they come. However, I have learned that through the 'average' trips, you built up a relationship with some of these people, that enables you to have some credibility later. That credibility as a person who cares about them, becomes the opportunity to share the deeper issues of faith that really have the lasting impact that we're looking and praying for. For now, it may be just a chance meeting. Next time or the next time after that the relationship may begin. --Until that week. John
Due to weather issues, I couldn't get downtown this week until Monday evening. I arrived at the Jack in the Box a little too early to get started. I had wanted to start down near the skid row area and pick up where I left off last week. So I waited in my car for a little while in the parking lot. There had been a man standing by the front door of the restaurant and I figured he was hitting people up for help as they came in or went out. After a short time he came over to the car and talked to me. I guess it was time to get started regardless of what my plan was or not. I had some crackers and bananas in my car and gave him some of them along with a bottle of water as I walked in, promising him something better when I came out. While I waited inside, he eventually came inside to use the restroom, just about the time the burgers were ready. I gave him a couple of them. His name was Larry and he was originally from New Orleans, but had been out here for thirty years by now. He was diabetic. I prayed with him inside the Jack in the Box by the door before leaving him.
Most of the next hour and a half was spent driving to some of the regular spots where I usually see homeless folks, but like last week they were hard to find. I drove over to Lincoln Park and was wondering what happened to Cesar, who I hadn't seen in a long time and there he was at the corner of N. Main and Mission Rd begging from the people stopped at the signal. He still doesn't speak much English, so there has never been much conversation between us. Back in the downtown area, I saw Willie close to the skid row area. I've never seen him that close to that area. He didn't recognise me at first in the car I'm in now. He was wanting to know when we would be having a barbecue again (Aren't we all?).
Well I pretty much stayed in the area just south of skid row for the rest of the trip. Last fall when I was focusing on this area, there was a couple staying on Wall St every time I would go down there. Their names were Deena and Edward. Well, Monday I saw Edward but not Deena. I asked where she was and he mumbled something about her "having to take care of some stuff". I didn't see her there last week when I drove by either. Just down the block a ways from Edward I met Charles. He was much more welcoming and appreciated the food even though he only had one tooth. He said he could recognize a real christian by the warmth generated in his heart when he spoke to them. He also wanted to know if I was from the South. Shortly before leaving I was stopped at a signal and an emergency vehicle was approaching from behind me with it's siren blaring. I decided to just turn right and avoid it. As I drove around the block, I found a man named Bobby pushing his cart. I asked him if he needed some food and when he said yes I said, "Well let me give you some before they come and take us away" (in reference to the siren's blaring). We both giggled over that one. Bobby was more than welcoming of the prayer too. Well, with one burger left, (I think they gave me an extra one at the Jack in the Box) I gave it away to a woman named Tisha who was just down the street from Bobby. She looked and sounded very hardened from spending a long time on the street.
Life on the street there where I was finishing up, was beginning to shape up about the way I expected it to. That's kind of why I was waiting in the parking lot of the Jack in the Box before getting started. As night begins to fall, people are staking out their 'spot' for the night. People are easier to find and help. If they are going to bed hungry, as many are, they are very receptive to help at this time as well as being open to being prayed for. I had been able to help several others between Willie and Edward at this time. It's a great opportunity to show God's kindness and love to them.
So you may be wondering why I quoted the verse at the beginning. Not every trip and certainly not every encounter is memorable. In fact, this trip was about as non-descript as they come. However, I have learned that through the 'average' trips, you built up a relationship with some of these people, that enables you to have some credibility later. That credibility as a person who cares about them, becomes the opportunity to share the deeper issues of faith that really have the lasting impact that we're looking and praying for. For now, it may be just a chance meeting. Next time or the next time after that the relationship may begin. --Until that week. John
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Downtown 3/18/2012-Last trip of winter
But this will be your chance to tell about your faith. --Luke 21:13
This was a verse I heard two messages on in about 24 hours since Sunday morning. Although, both men speaking on it had a slightly different perspective and intent, both views were stunning in the application to what happened on this trip. I was really looking forward to this trip when I woke up (I'm back to working nights). Since it is daylight savings time again, I can go late on Sunday afternoon and still get some quality daytime hours in before it gets dark. Also, it had been very cold the last few days and I was sure the need downtown would be great. However, because it was so cold many of the homeless had found shelter somewhere other than the normal places where I find them (at least that was my guess). I had bought some burgers when I got down there, but struggled the first hour and a half finding people. I did end up tracking down a few 'regulars', one was Allan. He actually put two words together in response to the question of whether he wanted some water or not. "Water, yeah." That's a long conversation for him. But overall, the trip was pretty uneventful until the last 10 or 15 minutes or so. It was getting kind of late. The sun had gone down, but it was still light out. I decided to try going down to the area where I went last fall where I met people living in the doorways of shops on Wall St near 7th. I was driving up to a corner to go around the block when I saw a man walking up to the corner right where I was. I had the window down on the passenger side and called out to him asking if he needed some food. He immediately came over to the car and said, "Yes, thank you. God bless you." His name was Pablo and while I reached over to give him some bottled water another man came up behind him, asking if I had some food for him too. His name was Juan. Well, they both received food and water and then the first man, Pablo, seeing some blankets in the back of my car asked if I had one for him. I answered "Sure, but let me pull around the corner and park." I was still stopped at the corner and I needed to get out of the way of traffic. So I pulled around the corner and got out and gave him a blanket. I was still in a red zone, so I couldn't stay there for long either. Well Pablo, received his blanket, he had one but it had gotten wet in all the rain we had over the last couple of days. He left and I had to pull the car up the street about 20 feet to get out of the red zone. After doing that, I was looking through my remaining bags to see how many burgers I had left to give out. As I was counting up the last of them (I had four left), I noticed a man under a blanket on the sidewalk just opposite from where I was parked. He had pulled the blanket back and was looking at me. I still had the window down. Now when I had first pulled up to this spot I noticed the blanket and could see that someone was under it. I even felt a small quiet prompting that said, "Help that person." Part of the etiquette of the street is that you typically don't roust people who are totally covered up under their blanket. But now this guy had pulled back the blanket and was looking at me. "Hey, do you need some food?" I called out. He quickly answered, yes and came over to the car. When he got up, I noticed that someone else was under the blanket too. I gave him the four remaining burgers and asked if he needed some water too. He told me I was a 'lifesaver'. I asked him if he needed any socks or clothes and he said yes to that too. I told him to go ahead and take the food back to his spot and come on back and we'd look through the clothes I had in the back. It turned out his name was Ralph and he was 'living' there with his wife and mother on the street. I gave him two more blankets, a couple of pairs of shoes, sweaters and some caps too. Whatever he needed I gave. Before leaving him I asked if I could pray for him and he was obviously moved at the offer. When I put my arm around his shoulders he laid his head on my shoulder. I told him, "The One who carried the cross, is the One who will carry you through these difficult times." It was as though Jesus was standing right there with us.
So what does the verse above have to do with this. Well, the two perspectives pointed out, first how a testimony can be about what you once were and how you are now transformed, but also what you are believing God for now. I had been looking forward to this trip so much and was just about to give up at it being fruitful when I felt led to go down by the skid row area. I was looking for God to come through and turn this trip into a memorable one and here in about 15 minutes an unbelievable turn of events occurred. Secondly, the 'testimony' happens when you're out among nonbelievers and you are there as a witness for Jesus. The 'Great Commission' of Matthew 28 states that "I will be with you always" and is in the context of taking His message out into the world. That's when His power is on display. What a lesson. What an incredible 15 minutes it was. --Until next week. --John
This was a verse I heard two messages on in about 24 hours since Sunday morning. Although, both men speaking on it had a slightly different perspective and intent, both views were stunning in the application to what happened on this trip. I was really looking forward to this trip when I woke up (I'm back to working nights). Since it is daylight savings time again, I can go late on Sunday afternoon and still get some quality daytime hours in before it gets dark. Also, it had been very cold the last few days and I was sure the need downtown would be great. However, because it was so cold many of the homeless had found shelter somewhere other than the normal places where I find them (at least that was my guess). I had bought some burgers when I got down there, but struggled the first hour and a half finding people. I did end up tracking down a few 'regulars', one was Allan. He actually put two words together in response to the question of whether he wanted some water or not. "Water, yeah." That's a long conversation for him. But overall, the trip was pretty uneventful until the last 10 or 15 minutes or so. It was getting kind of late. The sun had gone down, but it was still light out. I decided to try going down to the area where I went last fall where I met people living in the doorways of shops on Wall St near 7th. I was driving up to a corner to go around the block when I saw a man walking up to the corner right where I was. I had the window down on the passenger side and called out to him asking if he needed some food. He immediately came over to the car and said, "Yes, thank you. God bless you." His name was Pablo and while I reached over to give him some bottled water another man came up behind him, asking if I had some food for him too. His name was Juan. Well, they both received food and water and then the first man, Pablo, seeing some blankets in the back of my car asked if I had one for him. I answered "Sure, but let me pull around the corner and park." I was still stopped at the corner and I needed to get out of the way of traffic. So I pulled around the corner and got out and gave him a blanket. I was still in a red zone, so I couldn't stay there for long either. Well Pablo, received his blanket, he had one but it had gotten wet in all the rain we had over the last couple of days. He left and I had to pull the car up the street about 20 feet to get out of the red zone. After doing that, I was looking through my remaining bags to see how many burgers I had left to give out. As I was counting up the last of them (I had four left), I noticed a man under a blanket on the sidewalk just opposite from where I was parked. He had pulled the blanket back and was looking at me. I still had the window down. Now when I had first pulled up to this spot I noticed the blanket and could see that someone was under it. I even felt a small quiet prompting that said, "Help that person." Part of the etiquette of the street is that you typically don't roust people who are totally covered up under their blanket. But now this guy had pulled back the blanket and was looking at me. "Hey, do you need some food?" I called out. He quickly answered, yes and came over to the car. When he got up, I noticed that someone else was under the blanket too. I gave him the four remaining burgers and asked if he needed some water too. He told me I was a 'lifesaver'. I asked him if he needed any socks or clothes and he said yes to that too. I told him to go ahead and take the food back to his spot and come on back and we'd look through the clothes I had in the back. It turned out his name was Ralph and he was 'living' there with his wife and mother on the street. I gave him two more blankets, a couple of pairs of shoes, sweaters and some caps too. Whatever he needed I gave. Before leaving him I asked if I could pray for him and he was obviously moved at the offer. When I put my arm around his shoulders he laid his head on my shoulder. I told him, "The One who carried the cross, is the One who will carry you through these difficult times." It was as though Jesus was standing right there with us.
So what does the verse above have to do with this. Well, the two perspectives pointed out, first how a testimony can be about what you once were and how you are now transformed, but also what you are believing God for now. I had been looking forward to this trip so much and was just about to give up at it being fruitful when I felt led to go down by the skid row area. I was looking for God to come through and turn this trip into a memorable one and here in about 15 minutes an unbelievable turn of events occurred. Secondly, the 'testimony' happens when you're out among nonbelievers and you are there as a witness for Jesus. The 'Great Commission' of Matthew 28 states that "I will be with you always" and is in the context of taking His message out into the world. That's when His power is on display. What a lesson. What an incredible 15 minutes it was. --Until next week. --John
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Downtown 3/6/2012
[Sometimes] we forget that there is no victory without a battle, no testimony without a test and no miracle without an impossible circumstance. God leads us in triumph by leading us into battles, tests and impossibilities!" ---Kris Vallotton from his book "Spirit Wars"
We often are looking for the easy way out, the level road and the path of least resistance. Yet life had a habit of throwing us curves and pot holes. When I arrived downtown at the Jack in the Box yesterday, John Stokes was greeting people at the door (that's his normal 'mo' for obtaining food). He told me he was so glad to see me because he had lost everything again to the city workers who came by where he lived and took everything away. Starting over again is a fairly regular occurrance to most homeless folks. Losing your stuff to other homeless people or city workers/law enforcement is simply the way life is on the street. When John told me this my immediate reaction was "not again" as if it was his fault. He told me they had even taken the last gallon jug of water I gave him and he hadn't even opened it up yet. As soon as I felt this irritation about his situation I immediately felt like Peter after he denied knowing Jesus. How could I be so heartless. What if God dealt out mercy and forgiveness to me, the way I wanted John Stokes to somehow "earn" the next batch of stuff I was about to give him. If I am to be the 'ambassador' of God to these people, I'd better change my attitude in a hurry. The bible, particularly in the Old Testament, continually reminds us not to abuse the poor. It doesn't give any reasons or conditions for being poor, it just says to help the poor period. After giving John some clothes and a blanket, he asked me to pray for him before I left. I looked at John and saw the frail poor elderly man that he is and was thankful for the privilege of being asked to pray for him. How often do I ask God for forgiveness over the same issues time after time.
I started driving over to a spot under the I-10 freeway by San Pedro St. and saw a man named David begging on the street corner. That corner is also the freeway offramp. He limped over to me when I offered him some burgers. He was from Florida. He was dirty and unshaven and grateful for the help. So just across the street and under the freeway from David I was hoping to find Mark. When I pulled up there was someone all bundled up and lying on the ground under the freeway, but it wasn't Mark. It turned out to be a woman by the name of Gail. I wasn't really clear on where she was from, but she had only been in this spot since the night before. She was very appreciative of the help. I parked and opened the trunk because she indicated she could use some socks. While going through the trunk a man pushing a shopping cart passed by and without speaking motioned to me that he could use some help to. Now I had already prayed with Gail before this man, whose name was Gijermo, came by. He saw the clothes in the car and was looking for some help with that. I asked if he needed some food. When he said yes, Gail offered to give him one of her burgers. She didn't know that I had more in the car. I told her to keep hers and gave Gijermo two more and some water too. He ended up receiving a blanket, jeans and socks too. Now he spoke Spanish (he was from Cuba) and understood very little English. However, he knew when I started praying for him and bowed his head. I've learned to begin prayers for Spanish speaking people with the words "El Senor" which means "The Lord". After he left, Gail was still standing with me by the trunk. It was as though she didn't want me to leave, she seemed very lonely. I asked if there was anything special that I could pray for her about. She said, "A pot of gold." I was a little surprised by that and asked her to repeat it. When I prayed for her again, I asked for God's presence in leading her through this difficult time in her life. I acknowledged that God's presence is more valuable that gold because gold only takes care of a few problems this life has, but not the loneliness and despair that she was feeling now. It was a very moving moment and I hated to have to leave her alone. I told her over the next few days to look for Mark. He would be a good companion for her in the area.
Just a few streets down from where Gail was, I saw a man with a shopping cart picking up stuff in the middle of a small street off Washington Blvd. It was Wall St. and it runs all the way downtown to the skid row area and by the police station where I try to park when I'm down there. Anyway, where this man was, was between 16th and Washington Blvd. When I pulled up by him I offered him some food which he accepted quickly and then he asked me if I noticed how clean the street was. I told him I did and then he wanted to know, "Do you know who cleaned it up?" I told him, "Well, I think you did, didn't you?" I complimented him on how well it looked. He was proud of the job he had done. It shows just how much these folks want to be valued as people of worth. Yes, many live their lives in despair and hopelessness, but not all of them. His name was Masio, and he was walking with a spring in his step when I left him.
After prayer-walking down Cloud Nine Alley I drove towards the skid row area. I found two men, one on 14th St and the other on 14th Pl who were very hungry and couldn't believe their good fortune when I offered them some food and water. Their names were Bill and Steve. I drove back up a couple of streets to the alley where I met Willie and Lee a couple of weeks ago. I had driven past there earlier, but some trucks were in the alley making it impossible to get through. The alley was clear now and I saw Willie and James and gave away the last two burgers I had. Two weeks ago, when I saw Lee in this alley he told me something that has stuck with me. He told me that this area (the one where I primarily worked in this morning) seems to have a 'hold' on the homeless people living there and it won't let them out. What he was saying was that the forces of darkness (the New Testament calls them powers and principalities) keep these people locked in to the area. It was a stunning statement to me. I'm committed to bring light and hope to this dark place. --Until next week. John
We often are looking for the easy way out, the level road and the path of least resistance. Yet life had a habit of throwing us curves and pot holes. When I arrived downtown at the Jack in the Box yesterday, John Stokes was greeting people at the door (that's his normal 'mo' for obtaining food). He told me he was so glad to see me because he had lost everything again to the city workers who came by where he lived and took everything away. Starting over again is a fairly regular occurrance to most homeless folks. Losing your stuff to other homeless people or city workers/law enforcement is simply the way life is on the street. When John told me this my immediate reaction was "not again" as if it was his fault. He told me they had even taken the last gallon jug of water I gave him and he hadn't even opened it up yet. As soon as I felt this irritation about his situation I immediately felt like Peter after he denied knowing Jesus. How could I be so heartless. What if God dealt out mercy and forgiveness to me, the way I wanted John Stokes to somehow "earn" the next batch of stuff I was about to give him. If I am to be the 'ambassador' of God to these people, I'd better change my attitude in a hurry. The bible, particularly in the Old Testament, continually reminds us not to abuse the poor. It doesn't give any reasons or conditions for being poor, it just says to help the poor period. After giving John some clothes and a blanket, he asked me to pray for him before I left. I looked at John and saw the frail poor elderly man that he is and was thankful for the privilege of being asked to pray for him. How often do I ask God for forgiveness over the same issues time after time.
I started driving over to a spot under the I-10 freeway by San Pedro St. and saw a man named David begging on the street corner. That corner is also the freeway offramp. He limped over to me when I offered him some burgers. He was from Florida. He was dirty and unshaven and grateful for the help. So just across the street and under the freeway from David I was hoping to find Mark. When I pulled up there was someone all bundled up and lying on the ground under the freeway, but it wasn't Mark. It turned out to be a woman by the name of Gail. I wasn't really clear on where she was from, but she had only been in this spot since the night before. She was very appreciative of the help. I parked and opened the trunk because she indicated she could use some socks. While going through the trunk a man pushing a shopping cart passed by and without speaking motioned to me that he could use some help to. Now I had already prayed with Gail before this man, whose name was Gijermo, came by. He saw the clothes in the car and was looking for some help with that. I asked if he needed some food. When he said yes, Gail offered to give him one of her burgers. She didn't know that I had more in the car. I told her to keep hers and gave Gijermo two more and some water too. He ended up receiving a blanket, jeans and socks too. Now he spoke Spanish (he was from Cuba) and understood very little English. However, he knew when I started praying for him and bowed his head. I've learned to begin prayers for Spanish speaking people with the words "El Senor" which means "The Lord". After he left, Gail was still standing with me by the trunk. It was as though she didn't want me to leave, she seemed very lonely. I asked if there was anything special that I could pray for her about. She said, "A pot of gold." I was a little surprised by that and asked her to repeat it. When I prayed for her again, I asked for God's presence in leading her through this difficult time in her life. I acknowledged that God's presence is more valuable that gold because gold only takes care of a few problems this life has, but not the loneliness and despair that she was feeling now. It was a very moving moment and I hated to have to leave her alone. I told her over the next few days to look for Mark. He would be a good companion for her in the area.
Just a few streets down from where Gail was, I saw a man with a shopping cart picking up stuff in the middle of a small street off Washington Blvd. It was Wall St. and it runs all the way downtown to the skid row area and by the police station where I try to park when I'm down there. Anyway, where this man was, was between 16th and Washington Blvd. When I pulled up by him I offered him some food which he accepted quickly and then he asked me if I noticed how clean the street was. I told him I did and then he wanted to know, "Do you know who cleaned it up?" I told him, "Well, I think you did, didn't you?" I complimented him on how well it looked. He was proud of the job he had done. It shows just how much these folks want to be valued as people of worth. Yes, many live their lives in despair and hopelessness, but not all of them. His name was Masio, and he was walking with a spring in his step when I left him.
After prayer-walking down Cloud Nine Alley I drove towards the skid row area. I found two men, one on 14th St and the other on 14th Pl who were very hungry and couldn't believe their good fortune when I offered them some food and water. Their names were Bill and Steve. I drove back up a couple of streets to the alley where I met Willie and Lee a couple of weeks ago. I had driven past there earlier, but some trucks were in the alley making it impossible to get through. The alley was clear now and I saw Willie and James and gave away the last two burgers I had. Two weeks ago, when I saw Lee in this alley he told me something that has stuck with me. He told me that this area (the one where I primarily worked in this morning) seems to have a 'hold' on the homeless people living there and it won't let them out. What he was saying was that the forces of darkness (the New Testament calls them powers and principalities) keep these people locked in to the area. It was a stunning statement to me. I'm committed to bring light and hope to this dark place. --Until next week. John
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Downtown 2/20/2012
"...Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but it was not burning up. 'This is strange!' he said to himself. ' I'll go over and see why the bush isn't burning up.' " Exodus 3:2b-3 -- Moses and his encounter with God at the burning bush.
Recently I was asked why I make these trips downtown. Of course, there are many others who care for the homeless, but what was it that was different about me that compelled me to go where others don't go. Over the weekend, I heard the above scripture verse from Exodus quoted. The speaker was a filmaker who has filmed God moving in miraculous ways all around the world. He said he identified with this verse and wondered how many others may have also seen the burning bush that Moses saw, but didn't walk over and check it out. In this filmaker's world, others have told him that they too felt the urge to make the same movies he has made, but for one reason or another didn't. Two and a half years ago, when I started making these trips, I just wanted to be where God was working. I'm glad I chose to go (and check out the burning bush) and haven't regretted it since.
Yesterday's trip was an experience I won't soon forget. After purchasing a bunch of burgers at the Jack in the Box I headed over to an alley off Hooper St. I gave a couple of burgers away to Sam on the way there and when I got to the alley I saw Willie who I hadn't seen since Christmas day. While talking with him, another man by the name of Lee came around from the other side of the wall where we were. He had heard us talking. I gave him some burgers. A couple of minutes later another man named James came walking by and at this point I got out of the car and opened the trunk and started giving out clothes to all three. During this time I was telling Willie (who has been to the barbecues I've done down there) about my hopes for the next barbecue. I hope to be able to have one with a bunch of people from the area and take the opportunity to talk about some of the things that grieve these people, in particular those who have passed away. All three of these people knew the woman who passed away on the street a couple of months back. Lee seemed particularly tuned in to what I was talking about. When I prayed with the three of them, I somehow felt the deep presence of God in our midst. I had put my hand on James' shoulder, but Willie was standing a little ways away and I couldn't reach him with my other hand. While praying I felt another hand reach up to mine. It was Lee's and not Willie's hand. Anyway, I finished praying with them and said goodbye and drove over to the next alley down.
In this alley I found John Mellon sleeping. When I woke him up, he told me he had been hit by a car last Thursday and was seeing a physical therapist down by Wilshire and Alvarado. His knee was still badly swollen and he had been prescribed some pain medication, but because he didn't have any ID, he couldn't get the prescription filled. He needed to go to the DMV and get an ID and asked if I'd give him a ride. While talking with John, Lee from the other alley walked up. He was looking for a ride also, and in the same area where John wanted to go. Now I've talked before about one of the difficulties of being homeless is what do you do with your stuff when you have to go somewhere distant like these guys had to. Without getting into the details of what happened, I ended up taking Lee to a place in East LA where he could get some government relief funds. He wanted to get checked into a rehab program immediately. While we rode in the car together he told me that he had $7 the day before and instead of buying a meal with it he bought drugs. He told me about many poor choices he had made in his life and how he was now sick and tired of the mess he had made of his life. He also told me he was HIV positive and his sister, who was a nurse, had essentially begged him to come stay with her. When he heard Willie and I talking he was starving from not having eaten in a couple of days. When he came around the fence to where we were I had immediately asked him if he needed something to eat. He couldn't believe it at the time and that I gave him water and socks too. Then the conversation that I was having with Willie about the homeless people who have died on the street really got to him because he knew the woman who had died. In fact, the last thing that woman said to Lee was, "Check in on me, because I don't want to die on the street." Lee's lifestyle and the circumstances of me coming by and helping them and praying with them finally got to him and he had had enough of the street life! He was ready to do whatever it took in one of these rehab programs to get cleaned-up and off the streets! Praise God. Can you believe it? Now when Lee got the relief money at the place we went to, he gave me $20. I told him I didn't want it and to keep it and use it towards his needs. He insisted I take it and basically dropped it on my lap (he was sitting in the back seat). I'm thinking if he was only interested in himself, he would have easily taken the money back if I refused it. But the fact that he insisted that I take it and told me how much he was blessed by our time together made me think he really was ready to make a lifestyle change. I'll be praying for his life.
Now back to John Mellon. John had put some things in my car (a backpack and some clothes) and we were going to meet at a recycling center a few blocks away from the alley. Somehow, we got our signals crossed and I couldn't find him for a couple of hours. I finally found him back at the alley. He was all upset and worried that I had lost his backpack and the clothes. Actually, he was worried that I had given them away and they had some of his 'valuables' in them. It took awhile, but he finally calmed down and I told him that I had driven by the DMV and due to the holiday on Monday it was closed. So I ended up taking him to his physical therapy session on Wilshire and Alvarado. It was only a fifteen or twenty minute car ride over there, but it took him about forty minutes to get ready and we had to take his bicycle in the trunk because he didn't have a place to leave it. The therapy was only suppose to take fifteen minutes too, but ended up taking an hour. Through it all, I kept my calm (even though I was anxious to leave) throughout this whole time. I kept wondering if God gets this frustrated with me and yet keeps His composure. If I am to bring the Kingdom down here, then I'd better be a good ambassador and represent God's Kingdom as best I can. Anyway, it all worked out. I got John back with his bicycle safely and left him in good spirits. It was now 6 p.m. and I was really ready to go home by now. Luckily, with the holiday, traffic wasn't too bad going home. In reflecting on the day and putting the scripture above into this picture, it became all the more meaningful to me that I chose to take the opportunity to 'go check out the burning bush' two years ago. If I hadn't have gotten started, I would have missed out in giving Lee the opportunity and the motivation to want to get off the streets. God is always looking for someone willing to be used by Him. We start by making ourselves available to Him. --Until next week. John
Recently I was asked why I make these trips downtown. Of course, there are many others who care for the homeless, but what was it that was different about me that compelled me to go where others don't go. Over the weekend, I heard the above scripture verse from Exodus quoted. The speaker was a filmaker who has filmed God moving in miraculous ways all around the world. He said he identified with this verse and wondered how many others may have also seen the burning bush that Moses saw, but didn't walk over and check it out. In this filmaker's world, others have told him that they too felt the urge to make the same movies he has made, but for one reason or another didn't. Two and a half years ago, when I started making these trips, I just wanted to be where God was working. I'm glad I chose to go (and check out the burning bush) and haven't regretted it since.
Yesterday's trip was an experience I won't soon forget. After purchasing a bunch of burgers at the Jack in the Box I headed over to an alley off Hooper St. I gave a couple of burgers away to Sam on the way there and when I got to the alley I saw Willie who I hadn't seen since Christmas day. While talking with him, another man by the name of Lee came around from the other side of the wall where we were. He had heard us talking. I gave him some burgers. A couple of minutes later another man named James came walking by and at this point I got out of the car and opened the trunk and started giving out clothes to all three. During this time I was telling Willie (who has been to the barbecues I've done down there) about my hopes for the next barbecue. I hope to be able to have one with a bunch of people from the area and take the opportunity to talk about some of the things that grieve these people, in particular those who have passed away. All three of these people knew the woman who passed away on the street a couple of months back. Lee seemed particularly tuned in to what I was talking about. When I prayed with the three of them, I somehow felt the deep presence of God in our midst. I had put my hand on James' shoulder, but Willie was standing a little ways away and I couldn't reach him with my other hand. While praying I felt another hand reach up to mine. It was Lee's and not Willie's hand. Anyway, I finished praying with them and said goodbye and drove over to the next alley down.
In this alley I found John Mellon sleeping. When I woke him up, he told me he had been hit by a car last Thursday and was seeing a physical therapist down by Wilshire and Alvarado. His knee was still badly swollen and he had been prescribed some pain medication, but because he didn't have any ID, he couldn't get the prescription filled. He needed to go to the DMV and get an ID and asked if I'd give him a ride. While talking with John, Lee from the other alley walked up. He was looking for a ride also, and in the same area where John wanted to go. Now I've talked before about one of the difficulties of being homeless is what do you do with your stuff when you have to go somewhere distant like these guys had to. Without getting into the details of what happened, I ended up taking Lee to a place in East LA where he could get some government relief funds. He wanted to get checked into a rehab program immediately. While we rode in the car together he told me that he had $7 the day before and instead of buying a meal with it he bought drugs. He told me about many poor choices he had made in his life and how he was now sick and tired of the mess he had made of his life. He also told me he was HIV positive and his sister, who was a nurse, had essentially begged him to come stay with her. When he heard Willie and I talking he was starving from not having eaten in a couple of days. When he came around the fence to where we were I had immediately asked him if he needed something to eat. He couldn't believe it at the time and that I gave him water and socks too. Then the conversation that I was having with Willie about the homeless people who have died on the street really got to him because he knew the woman who had died. In fact, the last thing that woman said to Lee was, "Check in on me, because I don't want to die on the street." Lee's lifestyle and the circumstances of me coming by and helping them and praying with them finally got to him and he had had enough of the street life! He was ready to do whatever it took in one of these rehab programs to get cleaned-up and off the streets! Praise God. Can you believe it? Now when Lee got the relief money at the place we went to, he gave me $20. I told him I didn't want it and to keep it and use it towards his needs. He insisted I take it and basically dropped it on my lap (he was sitting in the back seat). I'm thinking if he was only interested in himself, he would have easily taken the money back if I refused it. But the fact that he insisted that I take it and told me how much he was blessed by our time together made me think he really was ready to make a lifestyle change. I'll be praying for his life.
Now back to John Mellon. John had put some things in my car (a backpack and some clothes) and we were going to meet at a recycling center a few blocks away from the alley. Somehow, we got our signals crossed and I couldn't find him for a couple of hours. I finally found him back at the alley. He was all upset and worried that I had lost his backpack and the clothes. Actually, he was worried that I had given them away and they had some of his 'valuables' in them. It took awhile, but he finally calmed down and I told him that I had driven by the DMV and due to the holiday on Monday it was closed. So I ended up taking him to his physical therapy session on Wilshire and Alvarado. It was only a fifteen or twenty minute car ride over there, but it took him about forty minutes to get ready and we had to take his bicycle in the trunk because he didn't have a place to leave it. The therapy was only suppose to take fifteen minutes too, but ended up taking an hour. Through it all, I kept my calm (even though I was anxious to leave) throughout this whole time. I kept wondering if God gets this frustrated with me and yet keeps His composure. If I am to bring the Kingdom down here, then I'd better be a good ambassador and represent God's Kingdom as best I can. Anyway, it all worked out. I got John back with his bicycle safely and left him in good spirits. It was now 6 p.m. and I was really ready to go home by now. Luckily, with the holiday, traffic wasn't too bad going home. In reflecting on the day and putting the scripture above into this picture, it became all the more meaningful to me that I chose to take the opportunity to 'go check out the burning bush' two years ago. If I hadn't have gotten started, I would have missed out in giving Lee the opportunity and the motivation to want to get off the streets. God is always looking for someone willing to be used by Him. We start by making ourselves available to Him. --Until next week. John
Monday, February 13, 2012
Downtown 2/12/2012
"Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love, But the one to whom little is forgiven loves little." Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." --Luke 6:47-48
This response of Jesus was spoken to the Pharisees who who were chastising him over allowing a 'sinful' woman to touch him as she poured costly oil over his feet at a dinner party. The point Jesus makes to these religious leaders is over her overwhelming response of affection towards him as opposed to their lack of even the most basic respect towards him. I see this played out many times as I encounter folks downtown in various states of need. After all this time I've learned to notice certain things about people's condition that will indicate their need or receptiveness to my help. When I arrived downtown yesterday I drove straight to the Jack in the Box to buy a bunch of hamburgers. I parked in the parking lot and noticed one man standing by the entrance and another man sleeping in the corner of the parking lot next to his shopping cart. I walked over to the man sleeping to see if I recognized him. I actually didn't know he was sleeping until I got over there and then realized I didn't know who he was. If he was awake I would have told him to wait there until I came back out and I'd give him some food. However, since he appeared to be sound asleep I left him alone for the time being. I walked back to the entrance and noticed the other man had gone inside. He was a fairly young Latino man wearing simply a t-shirt and jeans. He was standing now, by the soda machine with a cup of water. I ordered the twenty burgers and while I waited he was given his 'order' of two tacos. Two tacos at Jack in the Box cost 99 cents. With the cup of water it was easy to see this man was on a limited budget. He ate his tacos and drank some more water. By this time my order was ready. It was about 1:15 in the afternoon and the place was fairly crowded. He had gotten a table by himself in the corner. Before leaving the counter I asked the person serving me to put two of the burgers in a separate bag and I walked over to this man and said, "These are for you." I didn't ask him his name or try to engage in any conversation. I wanted this to be as inconspicuous as possible and I turned and walked back to the counter, picked up the two bags and walked out without looking back. I doubt if anyone else noticed. When I got outside I was greeted by another man looking for some cash to get home to Whittier (I gave him $3). I walked over to the car and set the two bags of burgers down. Just as I did that a man named Kenny rode up on a bicycle with two large bags of recyclables. I had given him a pair of shoes a few weeks back. They were already looking pretty thrashed, but they were holding up so far. I gave him a couple of the burgers and commented about the guy sleeping on the other side of the parking lot. He said, "Yeah, he's been there since last night." When I mentioned that he's probably hungry by now, Kenny said, "Yeah, we're all hungry around here." We talked for another minute or so and he went on inside and I walked over to the man sleeping. His name is Antonio and yes he was hungry. He woke up right away when I started talking to him and was thankful for the food. I gave him some water as I drove out of the parking lot. Within about fifteen minutes of arriving downtown I was able to assist four men. The trip was off to a good start!
From that point on the trip slowed down considerably. I always go down a couple of the alleys nearby where I've had the barbecues. One of them had a man named Jose sleeping on the ground. He woke up immediately when I called to him. I asked him if "Necesita comida?" (Do you need food?) and he replied, "Tiene?" (You have some?). While we were having this exchange someone was driving down the alley behind me and they honked their horn at me to hurry up. I'm learning to ignore my immediate feelings to respond in anger because it blows my mood for awhile. I left Jose after giving him some food and water (he was very happy as I drove away). I've mentioned Mary a few times recently. She sits on a corner on 16th St. near Los Angeles St like she's waiting for someone to come by and pick her up (she's been there for several months now). She's always bundled up (because it's cold). She hasn't engaged in much conversation with me, but today she waved to me as I drove by and came over to the car quickly when I stopped. She still wasn't real talkative, but I think she's warming up to me nonetheless. I asked her if she needed anything special and she said "No", she was only looking for shelter. That, by the way, is what most homeless people are looking for.
I drove back over to Alameda St and down near 4th where Robert lives. He had on a new pair of jeans. Someone in the area must have given them to him and I commented how nice he looked in them. I asked if there was anything he needed and he replied in a voice barely above a whisper, "Naw, I'm OK." I told him I loved him and would see him again soon (yes I gave him some food and water too). Around the corner from Robert and a little ways down the street was a man named Deacon sitting on the steps of an industrial building. This is an industrial area and not much is going on there on the weekends. He had his shoes off and was rubbing his feet (probably has athlete's food). He was about to put his socks back on when I pulled up and since I had my window down I asked him if he needed some food. He responded "Oh yeah." to that question so I pulled over to where he was and parked. I gave him some burgers and some water and asked if he needed some new socks. Well, of course, he needed some new socks and as I was getting them out of the trunk he asked, "You don't by chance have some size 12 shoes do you?" I told him, "Yeah, I think I got a pair for you." By the time I left he ended up with new everything except jeans. I gave him shirts, a blanket and even a pillow. He put the new shoes and socks on immediately and talked about what a blessing it was that I came by. I asked him where he was from and he said Moreno Valley. I then asked what brought him out here. He told me that four months ago his wife did something that 'hurt him deeply'. He was devastated and was only now starting to get his mind back together again. We talked for quite awhile about his situation and I acknowledged how hurtful it is. It occurred to me that last summer directly across the street from where we were right then I met a man named Charles from Medford, Texas who told me exactly the same story. The only difference was that Charles' hurtful experience occurred fifteen years before and not four months. That was his response to why he was out in California. You may recall last week I talked about John Mellon and how his girlfriend had left him three months ago and he was still devastated. People can become homeless for a variety of reasons. Some for economic reasons and some for relational reasons. We are all flawed people. Sometimes our flaws manifest in more visible ways than others. Below the surface of peoples lives that we see are their own set of hurts and troubles. My guess is that Mary, whom I spoke of above, has something very similar going on inside her that these men are trying to cope with too. Please pray for their broken and troubled hearts.
The last two men I helped were Michael Wayne under the 4th St bridge (I've helped him many times before) and a man named Nelson from Pasadena. Michael Wayne was in a state of shock over Whitney Houston passing away the night before. While we don't know at this time what the cause of her death is, Michael was using it as a wake-up call to clean-up his act and stay away from the temptations and bad influences that seem to continually plague him. I've been telling him that for the last year and half that I've known him. We'll see if it really hits home this time. Nelson was sleeping on the dock of that cold storage warehouse that I first saw Melvin at a couple of months ago. After helping him with some food, water, socks and a blanket I warned him that Melvin had been arrested for sleeping there because it was private property. When I left him he had laid back down to go to sleep.
When I began this writing I started with the story of Jesus and his exchange with the Pharisees over the 'sinful' woman who poured the expensive oil over his feet. The Pharisees condemned Jesus for associating with the outcasts of society. They felt not only are the outcasts unfit for their attention they are also unworthy of God's care or concern. Jesus said just the opposite is true. These people know they are in desperate need of God's help and are worthy of His care and attention too. It is the same underlying point of the stories of the prodigal son, the woman at the well and Zacheus the tax collector who was up in a tree. God cares and is interested in reaching all of us. My passion and desire (and what I pray for all the time) is to be God's light in the darkest of places. Even on the streets and back alleys of downtown Los Angeles. Until next week. --John
This response of Jesus was spoken to the Pharisees who who were chastising him over allowing a 'sinful' woman to touch him as she poured costly oil over his feet at a dinner party. The point Jesus makes to these religious leaders is over her overwhelming response of affection towards him as opposed to their lack of even the most basic respect towards him. I see this played out many times as I encounter folks downtown in various states of need. After all this time I've learned to notice certain things about people's condition that will indicate their need or receptiveness to my help. When I arrived downtown yesterday I drove straight to the Jack in the Box to buy a bunch of hamburgers. I parked in the parking lot and noticed one man standing by the entrance and another man sleeping in the corner of the parking lot next to his shopping cart. I walked over to the man sleeping to see if I recognized him. I actually didn't know he was sleeping until I got over there and then realized I didn't know who he was. If he was awake I would have told him to wait there until I came back out and I'd give him some food. However, since he appeared to be sound asleep I left him alone for the time being. I walked back to the entrance and noticed the other man had gone inside. He was a fairly young Latino man wearing simply a t-shirt and jeans. He was standing now, by the soda machine with a cup of water. I ordered the twenty burgers and while I waited he was given his 'order' of two tacos. Two tacos at Jack in the Box cost 99 cents. With the cup of water it was easy to see this man was on a limited budget. He ate his tacos and drank some more water. By this time my order was ready. It was about 1:15 in the afternoon and the place was fairly crowded. He had gotten a table by himself in the corner. Before leaving the counter I asked the person serving me to put two of the burgers in a separate bag and I walked over to this man and said, "These are for you." I didn't ask him his name or try to engage in any conversation. I wanted this to be as inconspicuous as possible and I turned and walked back to the counter, picked up the two bags and walked out without looking back. I doubt if anyone else noticed. When I got outside I was greeted by another man looking for some cash to get home to Whittier (I gave him $3). I walked over to the car and set the two bags of burgers down. Just as I did that a man named Kenny rode up on a bicycle with two large bags of recyclables. I had given him a pair of shoes a few weeks back. They were already looking pretty thrashed, but they were holding up so far. I gave him a couple of the burgers and commented about the guy sleeping on the other side of the parking lot. He said, "Yeah, he's been there since last night." When I mentioned that he's probably hungry by now, Kenny said, "Yeah, we're all hungry around here." We talked for another minute or so and he went on inside and I walked over to the man sleeping. His name is Antonio and yes he was hungry. He woke up right away when I started talking to him and was thankful for the food. I gave him some water as I drove out of the parking lot. Within about fifteen minutes of arriving downtown I was able to assist four men. The trip was off to a good start!
From that point on the trip slowed down considerably. I always go down a couple of the alleys nearby where I've had the barbecues. One of them had a man named Jose sleeping on the ground. He woke up immediately when I called to him. I asked him if "Necesita comida?" (Do you need food?) and he replied, "Tiene?" (You have some?). While we were having this exchange someone was driving down the alley behind me and they honked their horn at me to hurry up. I'm learning to ignore my immediate feelings to respond in anger because it blows my mood for awhile. I left Jose after giving him some food and water (he was very happy as I drove away). I've mentioned Mary a few times recently. She sits on a corner on 16th St. near Los Angeles St like she's waiting for someone to come by and pick her up (she's been there for several months now). She's always bundled up (because it's cold). She hasn't engaged in much conversation with me, but today she waved to me as I drove by and came over to the car quickly when I stopped. She still wasn't real talkative, but I think she's warming up to me nonetheless. I asked her if she needed anything special and she said "No", she was only looking for shelter. That, by the way, is what most homeless people are looking for.
I drove back over to Alameda St and down near 4th where Robert lives. He had on a new pair of jeans. Someone in the area must have given them to him and I commented how nice he looked in them. I asked if there was anything he needed and he replied in a voice barely above a whisper, "Naw, I'm OK." I told him I loved him and would see him again soon (yes I gave him some food and water too). Around the corner from Robert and a little ways down the street was a man named Deacon sitting on the steps of an industrial building. This is an industrial area and not much is going on there on the weekends. He had his shoes off and was rubbing his feet (probably has athlete's food). He was about to put his socks back on when I pulled up and since I had my window down I asked him if he needed some food. He responded "Oh yeah." to that question so I pulled over to where he was and parked. I gave him some burgers and some water and asked if he needed some new socks. Well, of course, he needed some new socks and as I was getting them out of the trunk he asked, "You don't by chance have some size 12 shoes do you?" I told him, "Yeah, I think I got a pair for you." By the time I left he ended up with new everything except jeans. I gave him shirts, a blanket and even a pillow. He put the new shoes and socks on immediately and talked about what a blessing it was that I came by. I asked him where he was from and he said Moreno Valley. I then asked what brought him out here. He told me that four months ago his wife did something that 'hurt him deeply'. He was devastated and was only now starting to get his mind back together again. We talked for quite awhile about his situation and I acknowledged how hurtful it is. It occurred to me that last summer directly across the street from where we were right then I met a man named Charles from Medford, Texas who told me exactly the same story. The only difference was that Charles' hurtful experience occurred fifteen years before and not four months. That was his response to why he was out in California. You may recall last week I talked about John Mellon and how his girlfriend had left him three months ago and he was still devastated. People can become homeless for a variety of reasons. Some for economic reasons and some for relational reasons. We are all flawed people. Sometimes our flaws manifest in more visible ways than others. Below the surface of peoples lives that we see are their own set of hurts and troubles. My guess is that Mary, whom I spoke of above, has something very similar going on inside her that these men are trying to cope with too. Please pray for their broken and troubled hearts.
The last two men I helped were Michael Wayne under the 4th St bridge (I've helped him many times before) and a man named Nelson from Pasadena. Michael Wayne was in a state of shock over Whitney Houston passing away the night before. While we don't know at this time what the cause of her death is, Michael was using it as a wake-up call to clean-up his act and stay away from the temptations and bad influences that seem to continually plague him. I've been telling him that for the last year and half that I've known him. We'll see if it really hits home this time. Nelson was sleeping on the dock of that cold storage warehouse that I first saw Melvin at a couple of months ago. After helping him with some food, water, socks and a blanket I warned him that Melvin had been arrested for sleeping there because it was private property. When I left him he had laid back down to go to sleep.
When I began this writing I started with the story of Jesus and his exchange with the Pharisees over the 'sinful' woman who poured the expensive oil over his feet. The Pharisees condemned Jesus for associating with the outcasts of society. They felt not only are the outcasts unfit for their attention they are also unworthy of God's care or concern. Jesus said just the opposite is true. These people know they are in desperate need of God's help and are worthy of His care and attention too. It is the same underlying point of the stories of the prodigal son, the woman at the well and Zacheus the tax collector who was up in a tree. God cares and is interested in reaching all of us. My passion and desire (and what I pray for all the time) is to be God's light in the darkest of places. Even on the streets and back alleys of downtown Los Angeles. Until next week. --John
Monday, February 6, 2012
Downtown 2/6/2012
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." --Luke 6:20-21
This was part of the text used in Sunday morning's message at church. It is Luke's parallel version of Matthew's famous Sermon on the Mount passage (Matt 5:3-10). Whenever I read or hear these types of passages in the Bible, I see the faces and names and the alleys where people that I know who are poor and hungry live. Today, even the phrase above about those "who weep" came to mind as I saw one the people I first met downtown on these trips a couple of years ago. His name is John Mellon and for the last year or so he as been cohabitating with a woman named Dawn. When I asked about her today he said she had left him. It had been three months since she left and he was devastated. He told me he had been unable, so far, to get her off his mind. Everywhere he went people would ask about her (like I did) and so many places and things would remind him of her that life was one continual sad day. Well, we've all been there before and can identify with his hurt feelings. Part of the time I spent with him today was just letting him blow off steam with someone who was safe to talk to. Like I said, John was one of the first people I got to know downtown. He was also one of the very few people who originally refused my offer to pray for them. However, when he was with Dawn that changed and I was able to pray with both of them several times. Today, was the first time I prayed with just the two of us. Sometimes when we are in a situation like his our minds get 'stuck' and fixated on our loss and it is only with new experiences and acquaintances that get us moving forward again. This is what I asked God to do for John. I found John in a location that I'd never seen him in before. I'll watch for him in the weeks to come. I remember the first time I met up with him after he hooked up with Dawn. He was so excited and happy. Please pray now, for his broken heart.
Shortly before Christmas I met a man named Mark living under the freeway by Central Ave. I had seen him a couple of weeks in a row and then from Christmas Day on I haven't seen him....until today. He was just about in the same spot as before and sitting with a couple of young Latino men. Mark is African American, yet he knows enough Spanish to converse with these men and he was able to tell them about me and let them know that I am there to help people just like them. One of the men was Jaime Hernandez and the other I only got the last name of Lopez. Mark told me that he had given up ever seeing me again, although he admitted that he had just been thinking of me when I pulled up. Mark is a pretty good sized guy and wears size 13 shoes. He was ecstatic when I pulled out a brand new pair of size 13's. I was able to provide shoes and socks for all three men, and warm clothing and a couple of blankets for them too. I also had three caps with ear covers and some gloves for each of them too. When I prayed for them I just held out my hands towards them and started praying. All three of them reached up to hold my hands while I prayed. His Holy Presence was there and I was blessed.
The last couple of men I was able to help with food and water were Ron from Michigan and Jorge. I then headed over to Cloud Nine Alley and one of my old friends Ray was back there. He had been in jail for the last 90 days on a parole violation. I was out of hamburgers, but I did have some cheese crackers left and some water. All the stuff he had in his 'place' was gone. He had only been back since last Wednesday. I gave him some socks and a couple of t-shirts too. It was good to see him again. The Bible passage above talks about the 'poor' being blessed. These homeless people are people of worth. I am blessed to know them. Until next week. John
This was part of the text used in Sunday morning's message at church. It is Luke's parallel version of Matthew's famous Sermon on the Mount passage (Matt 5:3-10). Whenever I read or hear these types of passages in the Bible, I see the faces and names and the alleys where people that I know who are poor and hungry live. Today, even the phrase above about those "who weep" came to mind as I saw one the people I first met downtown on these trips a couple of years ago. His name is John Mellon and for the last year or so he as been cohabitating with a woman named Dawn. When I asked about her today he said she had left him. It had been three months since she left and he was devastated. He told me he had been unable, so far, to get her off his mind. Everywhere he went people would ask about her (like I did) and so many places and things would remind him of her that life was one continual sad day. Well, we've all been there before and can identify with his hurt feelings. Part of the time I spent with him today was just letting him blow off steam with someone who was safe to talk to. Like I said, John was one of the first people I got to know downtown. He was also one of the very few people who originally refused my offer to pray for them. However, when he was with Dawn that changed and I was able to pray with both of them several times. Today, was the first time I prayed with just the two of us. Sometimes when we are in a situation like his our minds get 'stuck' and fixated on our loss and it is only with new experiences and acquaintances that get us moving forward again. This is what I asked God to do for John. I found John in a location that I'd never seen him in before. I'll watch for him in the weeks to come. I remember the first time I met up with him after he hooked up with Dawn. He was so excited and happy. Please pray now, for his broken heart.
Shortly before Christmas I met a man named Mark living under the freeway by Central Ave. I had seen him a couple of weeks in a row and then from Christmas Day on I haven't seen him....until today. He was just about in the same spot as before and sitting with a couple of young Latino men. Mark is African American, yet he knows enough Spanish to converse with these men and he was able to tell them about me and let them know that I am there to help people just like them. One of the men was Jaime Hernandez and the other I only got the last name of Lopez. Mark told me that he had given up ever seeing me again, although he admitted that he had just been thinking of me when I pulled up. Mark is a pretty good sized guy and wears size 13 shoes. He was ecstatic when I pulled out a brand new pair of size 13's. I was able to provide shoes and socks for all three men, and warm clothing and a couple of blankets for them too. I also had three caps with ear covers and some gloves for each of them too. When I prayed for them I just held out my hands towards them and started praying. All three of them reached up to hold my hands while I prayed. His Holy Presence was there and I was blessed.
The last couple of men I was able to help with food and water were Ron from Michigan and Jorge. I then headed over to Cloud Nine Alley and one of my old friends Ray was back there. He had been in jail for the last 90 days on a parole violation. I was out of hamburgers, but I did have some cheese crackers left and some water. All the stuff he had in his 'place' was gone. He had only been back since last Wednesday. I gave him some socks and a couple of t-shirts too. It was good to see him again. The Bible passage above talks about the 'poor' being blessed. These homeless people are people of worth. I am blessed to know them. Until next week. John
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