Friday was a grace-filled day. For the first time, Mike was home to help load up the SUV with supplies for the homeless — and what a blessing that was. The older one gets, the more laborious the task becomes. Mike made sure everything was in order: all the carts loaded and Melchizedek (the SUV’s name) gassed up and ready to go.
At Nohl Canyon Elementary School, where the sandwiches are made, the students were lined up and eager to help. With more than 30 volunteers, what normally takes two to three hours to produce 300 sandwiches was accomplished in just one hour. My friend Sarah was there as well, alongside all three of her daughters.
Saturday was not such a good day, as I was in an unusual mood. As the morning progressed my spirit was filled with dissension. I was upset because we had to pick up one of members of our team, going 20 minutes out of the way. I started complaining what a hardship this was and that this person needed to make other arrangements. Why was I allowing myself to behave this way? It was as if I had no control over my negative thoughts. The more I tried to show any type of remorse, the more this angry spirit prevailed. I have been picking up this person for years, I am often irritated about this, but this time it was bad.
Once we arrived at Skid Row, the anointing fell the moment the rear door of the SUV swung open. And yet, the conflict from earlier in the morning lingered — the poor behavior, the anger, the sense of unworthiness. How could anyone in that condition pray for another? That is precisely how the enemy works. The spirit had been out of alignment, and Satan was quick to whisper that God could not use someone who had just behaved that way.
But that is a lie.
God does not wait for perfect vessels. The moment that lie was recognized and rejected, the ministry opened up — and what a privilege it was to stand with brothers and sisters on Skid Row and pray.
As soon as we parked, two women approached to share some exciting news — “Refresh Spot” had recently opened on Skid Row. This remarkable ministry offers free showers and clean towels to the homeless, along with charging stations for cell phones and access to clean restrooms, all at no cost. Evans, the project manager, shared that within a few weeks, free washers and dryers would also be available for the displaced. It is the most significant and tangible improvement seen on Skid Row in years.
Nearby, a group of people had set up to feed the homeless for the very first time — though they had positioned themselves in one of the most isolated spots on the block, where foot traffic was nearly nonexistent. When asked what church they were from, the answer was surprising: no church affiliation, just a group of generous hearts standing and waiting for people to come to them. In a spirit of charity, a gentle suggestion was offered — walk to the people, hand the meals directly to them, and take the time to know them by name. There was a beautiful irony in the moment: many of the sandwiches were packed inside large Gucci shopping bags, the kind that come with luxury purchases. But God sees the heart, not the packaging — and the Lord will surely bless what was offered with such sincerity.
What a blessing it was to meet so many loving souls — among them Esperanza and her four children: Jocelyn, Jazmine, Richard, and little Alexa, who was nestled in her stroller. Esperanza and her family are currently living in a shelter, and she is expecting another child. Please keep her in prayer. We also met Amber, whose heart was broken over the separation from her children. She could not hold back her tears. Please pray that Amber finds freedom from drug dependency, so that she may be reunited with the children she so clearly loves.
Rosaries were distributed throughout the morning, and the response was deeply moving — so many people received them with genuine tenderness and gratitude. For those unfamiliar with the Rosary, every prayer within it is rooted in Scripture. The Hail Mary draws directly from the Angel Gabriel’s greeting to Mary and her own Magnificat (Luke 1:28, 46–55), while the Our Father comes from the very words of Jesus Himself, taught to His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:9–13; Luke 11:2–4). These are not man-made devotions — they are the words of God, prayed in rhythm and love.
One moment stood out above the rest. Selene, a homeless woman, pressed her Rosary against her heart and offered her thanks with quiet sincerity. Please pray for Selene — she is in need of stable housing.
When such profound peace is experienced on Skid Row, one conclusion becomes almost inevitable: those who ministered will soon come under attack. And that is exactly what happened. That ugly spirit returned on the drive home. Instead of praying, the mood turned unpleasant — again. Gary, a faithful member of the team, gently offered counsel about extending love to everyone, but the heart was not ready to receive it. A call to an old friend, Cindy, brought some relief — she listened, understood, and promised her prayers. Within a couple of hours, the dark cloud began to lift. Repentance followed, and with it, the return of peace and a cheerful spirit.
This is how the enemy operates — attacking the mind, the body, or those we love most. But the victory always belongs to the Lord.
This behavior was out of character, and apologies were offered to all who witnessed that unfortunate display. By God’s mercy, Mike was not home — because in that state, a fight would have been inevitable. After lunch, a large serving of humble pie was ordered and consumed in solitude, with prayer as the only company.
“Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of a man does not accomplish the righteousness of God.” — James 1:19–20
Finally, please pray for Robert, a beloved member of the team. Shortly after serving the homeless, Robert’s appendix ruptured, requiring emergency surgery. He will be hospitalized for six days and will most likely be unable to make the pilgrimage to the Holy Land this year. Robert needs our prayers — for healing, for peace, and for the grace to trust God’s plan even in this painful detour.