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A Christmas Miracle |
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| Jesus on the Streets |
December 23, 2008 |
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Dear Friend,
McDonald's, just outside the city, was
packed as one car or van after the other pulled in to
join the party. So many good friends getting together...
too many that we see just a few times a year... some
that we only see for our Christmas party on the
streets... hugs, laughter, catching up and making new
friends made the wait pretty wonderful. Gathering in
the parking lot for prayer, before heading to skid row,
going over a few instructions, everyone was pumped...
we knew people were waiting, we had nearly 800
backpacks- the last empties being filled with jackets
right before going into the truck -we were ready... we
prayed a prayer of joy, a prayer for those waiting in
line, a prayer for each of you who filled backpacks and
then headed off into the night. We may go to the
streets every Sunday night but we only get to do the
Christmas party once a year.
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pulling up |
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There's a short video of the night if you
click the picture of the block long line waiting for us.
Or follow this link to this year's Jackets for Jesus Christmas on the Streets.
We found parking without a problem- even still -after
seeing that long line, over 700 people waiting, a full
city block, the adreniline was flowing fast as we
walked up to greet our guests. Before we could get
started the police turned on their lights- blocked 3rd
Street and stopped inner city traffic - I was certain we
were about to be shut down. Then the incredible night
began as the police gave our truck room to make a U-
turn into our working spot. They called for backup and
soon 4 members of the LAPD stood back and offered
support... "to protect and to serve..." they lived up to it
last Sunday night. Asking if there was a problem, the
lead officer said they just wanted to make sure things
got a safe start. They never intruded... just kind of
stood in the background until the line was running
smoothly... then told me to feel free to dial 911 if
anything came up, they'd be in the area if we needed
them. Watching them leave... couldn't help but think of
how many prayers were being answered... the officers
weren't needed... but with such a huge crowd every bit
of support was greatly appreciated.
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lining the line |
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With over 200 volunteers there has to
be more to do than hand out backpacks and serve
chili for Christmas. Jodi set up a double food line that
could handle the crowd with ease, using our core
workers along with first timers. Bart set up the front of
the line- just outside the truck -where every backpack
was passed from the strong young men pushing
them out to the workers who made sure every person
received a hug- Christmas greetings and a beautifully
full pack. Everyone else- the other two hundred or so
of us -lined the entire line -standing shoulder to
shoulder, facing waiting men and women. Some
groups sang together, other's chatted casually, many
reached out shaking hundreds of hands, smiling and
loving folks. A pretty amazing experience. I walked
through the line with my little camera on video- it was
such fun I almost took a backpack! Thanks to each of
you who gave your evening to greet and love
strangers... to share your peace in the midst of such
desperate poverty. One guy walking through the line
laughed and said: "I feel like I stumbled into the OC!"
Another said: "It's like walking the God gauntlet!"
Didn't hear one unhappy word spoken as we ended
the evening with several dozen backpacks remaining
after handing out hundreds and hundreds... God is too
good. The evening went so well it was a little like
sharing a bit of Heaven on skid row.
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Families on Skid Row |
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Mother's, grandparents, uncles and
aunts brought children to our line in hopes of
a meal and their very own backpack. Kids walk
through the line looking sleepy, small and frightened
by the crowds of adults. This year, their night out was
rewarded with a visit from Santa Claus! Dr. George
Ricks, dressed up as Santa and along with his wife
Mary and their friends - you can see them all in the
video -handed out gifts to every child, greeting them in
love and taking a little fear out of the late night
encounter. I had the chance to walk the line with
Santa as he searched out children - finding families
way back in line with sleepy headed kids in tow. It
was fun to watch grown men brighten up at the site of
old St. Nick, guys high fiving him, fist bumping and
calling out their Christmas wishes. It's been so very
cold and wet- yet we were blessed with a nice dry
evening -to celebrate together... but the rain's returning
and children remain on the streets. Men, women,
children... families... will discover Christmas as they
go through each pocket of their backpack in the days
to come... as they wrap themselves in a new blanket,
sleeping bag or wear a new jacket... as a child holds a
new toy and remembers meeting Santa- in their
neighborhood... on skid row... and they play with a new
toy. God's blessed us beyond measure. Our
Thanksgiving Dinner was an incredible success and
we fed thousands... Christmas at Siempre was a
blessing beyond compare- even in the rain and mud -
as kids cast aside by their own families were
reminded that they're still loved -you can see the Siempre Christmas Video
here. Then having everything go so perfectly on
the streets... it's just been an incredible season of
serving... beyond anything we could have imagined. A
few families we met when they volunteered to work
our
Thanksgiving Dinner joined us for their first time ever
on the streets Sunday night. We closed the night in
prayer- dozens of people hugging each other good
night and wishing one another "Merry Christmas!"
When one of the "new" families approached me and
with incredible enthusiasm thanked me for another
chance to serve. They said: "We love this! We're
getting hooked on your events! What's next? We can't
wait!" I confess when they said: "What's next?" I was
thinking: "sleeping in Monday morning... doing nothing
all day long..." It's a luxury I can still afford... the people
we left on the streets, especially those who sleep in
the allies, on the sidewalks and along our freeways in
the landscaping... wake up cold and wet... waiting for
Sunday nights. What's next? This coming Sunday
night. We go to the streets every week. This weekend
marks our 20th anniversary serving in the heart of LA.
Through riots, earthquakes, storms, 9-11, through it
all... Lord willing, we're going again this Sunday night.
You're Invited. It's not just the families on the street
that need Jackets for Jesus- many of our families
need the chance to continue to serve. Each of us
does. You're needed. Now, more than ever.
for changing lives... and Merry Christmas!
Eric M. Denton
PS
Don't be alone this Christmas. Central
Community has 3 Christmas Eve services
and you're invited. Also, we have a Christmas tradition
of opening our home for breakfast- be warned... I
cook! If you're doing Christmas morning alone- don't.
Email me for details.
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