Fifteen Years In
In fifteen years of serving the homeless, nothing has prepared the eyes for conditions this atrocious. The streets usually navigated with ease were impassable — tents consuming most of the sidewalks, the population swelling, and with it the anger, and with the anger, the contention. One woman was beside herself when a man, clearly under the influence, ran off with her obese Chihuahua. She nearly took a swing at the person who brought her the news. Her volcanic mouth unleashed five expletives in a single sentence, her green-hazel eyes glazed with fury — and then, just as suddenly, she cradled the dog like a newborn. Well-trained soldiers do not intervene in disputes like this unless a life is at stake, and even then, eyes are always on each other’s backs.
The Man with the Patchwork Quilt
A Caribbean man offered far more information than was requested. He opened his shirt to reveal a torso covered in skin grafting — it truly resembled a patchwork quilt. It was the moment he mentioned that a large portion of his buttocks had also been grafted that a politely raised hand and a firm “Okay, okay — understood” brought the presentation to a close. The poor man is still suffering from an open wound ripe for infection, made all the more dangerous by the conditions surrounding him. When asked why he was homeless, he said simply that he had no papers. His chubby companion cheerfully added that he was just visiting — and at that, the two of them burst out laughing at the whopper.
A Miracle on Wheels
With only Robert, John, and one other set of hands, keeping watch over two carts and a supply of sandwiches while praying with the homeless is no small feat — turn away for a moment and something disappears. It is a quiet miracle that the vehicles have never been vandalized. God assigns special angels to guard them.
Carlos
A parking spot opened up in front of the area where longtime homeless friend Carlos makes his home — a man known for years, and as it turned out, a natural behind the camera. At first, Carlos wanted nothing to do with the phone. After a short lesson, he did a fine job. Carlos is a peaceful soul who has earned the respect of those around him — no small thing on these streets.
The Master of the Block
At every city block, there is a territory — and every territory has what can only be called a “master.” That person controls who is welcome and who had better move along. The homeless have their own pecking order, and the one who carries the most anger tends to carry the most authority. The women here are largely captive to their addictions — wherever the drug can be obtained on a regular basis, that is where they plant themselves and call home.
A Miracle on Wheels
With only Robert, John, and one other set of hands, keeping watch over two carts and a supply of sandwiches while praying with the homeless is no small feat — turn away for a moment and something disappears. It is a quiet miracle that the vehicles have never been vandalized. God assigns special angels to guard them.
Carlos
A parking spot opened up in front of the area where longtime homeless friend Carlos makes his home — a man known for years, and as it turned out, a natural behind the camera. At first, Carlos wanted nothing to do with the phone. After a short lesson, he did a fine job. Carlos is a peaceful soul who has earned the respect of those around him — no small thing on these streets.
The Master of the Block
At every city block, there is a territory — and every territory has what can only be called a “master.” That person controls who is welcome and who had better move along. The homeless have their own pecking order, and the one who carries the most anger tends to carry the most authority. The women here are largely captive to their addictions — wherever the drug can be obtained on a regular basis, that is where they plant themselves and call home.
The Unlikely Companions
The homeless are lonely — and this is precisely where the Chihuahua earns its place. It is a low-maintenance dog, surviving on small scraps, its mess proportionally modest compared to, say, a Pit Bull. A search of any online animal shelter will confirm the irony: the Chihuahua consistently ranks among the least adopted breeds. No one wants them. Yet here, on these streets, they are wanted — perhaps needed. The homeless may be doing the world a quiet service by keeping the yappy little dog out of the shelter system.
The Holy Spirit Knows His Name
Darell and his companion Tanisha were not looking for prayer. They received it anyway. As the prayer unfolded, something was being revealed about Darell — and though he stood there skeptical, arms crossed against the whole exercise, he reacted the moment singing was mentioned. His voice would be used again. He let out a short chuckle and asked, “How did you know I could sing?” The answer was simple: “The Holy Spirit revealed it to you.” Darell and Tanisha will not make these streets their permanent home. Through the grace of God, they will find their way out.
Joseph
A prayer was offered for Joseph — a precious man in a wheelchair, completely open to whatever God had for him. Joseph’s sweet disposition, and the spirit of so many others like him, is what makes this ministry move in the love of God. For the more than 2,500 people in this 40-block area classified as chronically homeless, the prayer is simple: that God will protect them through this transition. They are a small fraction of the staggering total — over 82,000 homeless souls across greater Los Angeles.
The Promise That Holds
If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:10–11)
God Bless you!