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Letters of Love to the Skid Row Team

12/28/2010

by Pia Hugo

Letter from Stephen Wilke (a former Skid Row leader, now a volunteer for a homeless ministry in Chicago): "Some of you may not know me but I feel compelled to write to you all because CA and this Skid Row ministry were truly a family to me for two years. I am so thankful for the work that God began in me with you all, and that He now continues here in Chicago. You all have given me such joy through our shared ministry to the poor, such encouragement in times of despair, and such challenges in times of complacency. And I am blessed that God used you all in my life."

Stephen Wilke and Po-ling Loh (another former Skid Row leader) were both original members of the ministry from Caltech University and they are both still involved in homeless ministries in their respective cities (Po-ling started her own ministry in Berkeley, CA).

Letter from Roxi Beisel (our faithful prayer partner and Christmas card writer in Ohio): "Redeem Team, thank you for sharing your ministry with me. I truly love each one of you and pray each day for blessings upon your lives and others that you reach."

Roxi and her friends continue to intercede for us daily and send us financial support from time to time. (Thank you again, Roxi, you are simply wonderful!)

Letter from Geossepi (Joe) Pisano (our beloved friend and ministry partner who lives on Skid Row): "To all the beautiful people at CA...I feel for a rare time in my life at a loss for words. The Skid Row chapter of your church is the closest thing to a real family that I have had or felt in many years. I love you all!"

By the way, Joe told us that his laptop got stolen from his apartment two Sundays ago while helping us during that very rainy morning. He found out who it was and said some choice words to the thief a few days later. He felt so sorry afterwards for his behavior that he made a promise to God to go back to church. So he said, after all these years, he is ready to join us at Christian Assembly! Now that's an answer to prayer!

Letter from Genaro L. and Sofia Garcia (Genaro got beaten up during our Harvest Weekend by a man who accused him of cutting in line--but was so blessed afterwards when we talked to him for an hour and prayed with him. Two weeks later, we gave him a tent which kept him and his wife safe and warm during the recent storms): "Al amor de Dios le sigue el amor al projimo; me refiero a ese amor que consuela, que es tierno de corazon y cortes para con todos por amor a Dios. Gracias por mostrarme el amor de Dios." (Translation: "After the love of God comes love of the neighbor; I speak of that loves that consoles, which is tender-hearted and courteous towards everyone for the love of God. Thank you for demonstrating to me the love of God." )

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Day Laborer's team reviews a year of gains and loss

12/25/2010

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Nora

by Nora Barton

Wow, I can't believe we are at the dawn of a New Year!

I just want to thank everyone that has contributed to our ministry this year with their prayers, food preparation, pictures and by showing up and loving these men and women as they struggle to survive and provide for their families against very difficult circumstances.

For the Day Laborer's team, this was a year of gains and losses. We lost our dear friend Carl in February and for me in particular, it was the loss of a brother and a friend. But Praise God, he won the battle and he is resting with Jesus.

We had some struggles along the way this year, with the number of laborers decreasing during the year so much that it made us doubt if this is what we should be doing on Sunday mornings, but Praise the Lord for the maturity of the volunteers. We were able to understand that it was not our Ministry but God's and we only had to be faithful to his calling. Now, not only the number of people has increased, but we have seen the Holy Spirit moving in an amazing way. The past couple of months we had 5 people come to the Lord, we see the men becoming more faithful and showing up in time to listen to the service, we have a number of men becoming regulars who really want to learn more about this faithful God ... a God who has not forgotten them.

I've seen my personal faith increased as I trust the Lord to provide for these men and their struggles with financial difficulties, loneliness, addiction, etc. I know I can't change their circumstances .... I have learned to trust as Peter and John trusted in their Lord when they offered the best they had to the lame beggar at the temple's gate.

I've marveled at the volunteers that come every week, Neil will come some Sundays after working all night Saturday to bring his guitar, sound system and his desire to praise God. Regina and Tom are diligent about learning new songs for us to offer as praise and worship to our Lord. what a gift these three guys have!

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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

12/14/2010

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by Pia Hugo

Tears flowed freely and grateful smiles were in full display as Christmas suddenly descended upon our unsuspecting friends on Skid Row yesterday.

For one thing, Roxi Biesel and her intercessory friends from Ohio once again sent their lovingly hand-written, personalized and prayed-up Christmas cards--numbering close to 200 (both in English and Spanish)--through the CA team which blessed and warmed so many hearts as they did in years past.

Our regulars beamed as they once again got cards with their names on it and I know reading the sweet greetings and personal prayers from the ladies of Ohio have become such a highlight of the season for many of them. Most of them will probably not get another personalized Christmas card like this all season.

Those whose names were not on the cards asked if they could have one too and thankfully, Roxi and her friends made enough "nameless" cards (still full of prayers and heartfelt greetings though) for all of them. The Spanish speakers were thrilled to get cards with "Feliz Navidad" on them and from what Peggy tells me, there is a story behind the 90 or so Spanish cards that we got (some of which we gave to our friends on Home Depot) but I'll let her tell it herself.

Genero

I need to share a quick story though about how I was driving down the street to visit my friend, Bill, at the Lamp Lodge to give him his Christmas card and present. I stopped to give a card to someone I recognized and before I knew it, I was being mobbed. I said, "I have cards to give to all of you but please know that that is all there is. No money, no presents inside...just words of love about how God cares about you and prayers." Someone said, "That's the best present of all!" Every single one of them took a card and opened it right there and then and read it. When I saw them again driving back to 6th and Gladys, they waved at me as if to say, "Thanks for the card--I really needed that!"

Another particularly touching story yesterday was that of Genero's. Some of you who were there during Harvest Sunday might remember him as the one who was getting beat up on the ground when someone accused him of cutting in line. He said he didn't but the man who was angrily punching him on the face didn't seem to hear. Peggy and some others were able to intervene and Albert, my husband, ending up talking to him most of the time (thankfully he speaks Spanish!). Genero had a very sad tale to share, as many of our friends do, and he said with longing in his voice, "I wish I could just afford a tent so my wife and I don't have to sleep on the cold sidewalk, all exposed, at nights. People also wouldn't bother us as much."

Yesterday, I presented Genero with a beautiful tent as a Christmas present from my husband and he couldn't stop beaming and crying. "No one has ever done anything like this for me before!" He looked like we had just handed him the keys to a mansion. It was wonderful to see this broken, desperate man of just a few weeks before completely transformed into this joyous human being!

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A Christmas Carol for the Castros

12/12/2010

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by Pia Hugo

This afternoon, we went out with some friends and watched "A Christmas Carol"--a local production being performed in Glendale. (It was excellent, by the way.) I was all set to just sit back, relax and just enjoy some good Christmas entertainment when, all of a sudden, God got my attention through the play.

I had seen different renditions of "A Christmas Carol" many times before but for some reason, the words really pierced my heart this time. Especially the part when the two men who were raising money for the poor showed up at Scrooge's office. Here's how that scene went:

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"At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge," said one gentleman, taking up a pen, "it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir."

"Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude," returned the gentleman, "a few of us are endeavoring to raise a fund to buy the poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?"

"Nothing!" Scrooge replied.

"You wish to be anonymous?"

"I wish to be left alone," said Scrooge. "Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned (the prisons, the government shelters, etc.)--they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there."

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Homeless Ministry Video from Berkley

12/07/2010

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Po-Ling Loh posted this video about her homeless ministry in Berkley, California recently. While Po-Ling was a Cal-Tech student she was one of the leaders of the CA Skid Row/Home Depot ministry. She graduated and moved to Cal for grad school but took her heart for the homeless with her. As you'll see she has a small but very dedicated group that are making an impact on the people of the neighborhood.

Peggy says: Po-Ling has a heart that cannot be stopped for the homeless. The Skid Row ministry from CA started about six years ago by a handful of people who took bags of food to the homeless of Skid Row; exactly like the ministry Po-Ling has started. Now, on any given Sunday there are from 30 to 90 volunteers who go to the streets of Skid Row to either set up tables and feed a hot meal to about 200 men and women while others take bags of food and water to those who are in too much despair to leave their things to pursue food and shelter. May the seeds planted by Po-Ling be blessed as well as those who deliver the good news to the homeless in Berkeley.

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MERRY CHRIST-mas ONE AND ALL!

12/07/2010

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by Pia Hugo
The sound of laughter filled the air as little children ran around and played amidst the lively chatter of the adults. Everyone enjoyed partaking of the scrumptious and bountiful Christmas spread on the table as Christmas carols gaily heralded the start of "the most wonderful time of the year" (as one popular song goes). Granted, it wasn't necessarily the best of times for some of our volunteers who were undergoing signficant losses, personal challenges and difficulties of all kinds--but for one evening, everyone was willing to put a "pause button" and focus on one thing: celebrating the birth of the One who made all things possible and the One who is driving force behind this homeless ministry!

The event last Dec. 2nd, 2010, will definitely be remembered by all who attended not only because it was the largest Christmas gathering of the CA Skid Row/Home Depot ministry to date (about 80 people were there)--but because the room was simply filled with love, love, love! My mom, who is visiting with my dad from the Philippines, kept telling me over and over how much she felt so welcomed and warmed by everyone. "No wonder you love this ministry so much! Everyone is just so nice!" she said. I laughed, knowing the truth. I mean, let's face it, we're not always so "nice," right? We are all still sinners after all. But somehow, for that one night, differences were set aside, problems faded into the background and it was--as Karen Nilson put it--just "perfect" from start to finish. People simply chose to bask in the glorious presence of the Lord and Nick, one of the chefs, said it right: "We're all here for one purpose...to experience Him...to feel His presence!"

During the program, all the leaders and several "outstanding volunteers" were honored and appreciated. Later, Christmas carols were played by Sam on the keyboard and sung by everyone (thanks Karen and Naomi for leading). And even a few of our Skid Row friends showed up to make the occassion even more memorable: Martin (our deaf friend), Chris Sykes, Joseph (the chef--who made us some yummy pastries), Ellesmere, Miriam and 6 of her lovely 10 children (Baby George, Kimberly, Rocio, Jose, Theresa and Martin). But the highlight, I think everyone would agree, was definitely the video presentation of 200+ friends and "family members" (volunteers) of this ministry. With Tommy Walker's song, "I'm So Glad," in the background, the faces of our beautiful friends at Skid Row and Home Depot--interrmingled with the faces of our many volunteers--flashed on the screen one after another.

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Friends and Family Video

12/04/2010

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by Bob & Tracy Palermini

We took our camera to Skid Row and Home Depot over a few weekends this fall to gather photos of the ministers and the ministered of this incredible ministry. We took over 210 photos of the beautiful faces of volunteers and our friends at both locations. We feel blessed that so many wanted to be a part of our photo album, another testimony to the relationships that we are building each week.

The music is by Tommy Walker, our worship leader at CA. It's a song called I'm So Glad. The words are so appropriate for everyone involved in the Skid Row & Home Depot ministry:

   I’m so glad I’ve been chosen, I‘m so glad I’ve been set apart
   I’m overwhelmed You’ve allowed me to come, And be part of Your army of love

   How I cherish Your calling, Your gracious gifts and anointing
   The chance to stand here and give You praise, So Your glory, it may be seen

   I don’t know why You would let me in, But for Your kingdom here I am

   Thank You, Lord I praise You, That I get to be a part, Of showing the world Your heart
   Thank You, Lord I praise You, That I get to be sent out, And proclaim Your salvation aloud
   Thank You

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Harvest Weekend Photo Album

12/04/2010

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Time for desert.

Under a blue skys filled with puffy white clouds - but no rain - and with big hearts and big smiles, our hard-working volunteers made plate after plate and passed out lots and lots of love! All in all, we gave away 11 turkeys, tons of dressing, gravy, mashed potato, green beans and cranberry sauce--absolutely delicious and piping hot! Not to mention all the yummy desserts and pies! The line went all around the block-- and close to 300 people were served--a new record!

Meanwhile, other volunteers through the different streets of downtown LA. They passed out hundreds of socks, blankets and coats to grateful homeless men and women--thanks to CA's generosity--just in time for winter!

About 30 high school students from Crescenta Valley HS and South Pasadena HS, both schools known for their academic excellence, were there to show that while studies are important, God comes first.

At the end of the morning, when the turkey meals, socks, blankets and coats were all gone--the "family" got together to pray and worship.

Remember Harvest Weekend with our latest photo album. Click HERE to take a look.

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Letters of Love to the Skid Row Team

Day Laborer's team reviews a year of gains and loss

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

A Christmas Carol for the Castros

Homeless Ministry Video from Berkley

MERRY CHRIST-mas ONE AND ALL!

Friends and Family Video

Harvest Weekend Photo Album

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