Our distribution numbers have dropped from over 1700 to a little over 1500 a week. I imagine that this is because the Mid-City neighborhood is becoming de-populated some; perhaps some “tourist industry” jobs have picked up with the spring. Apartment signs now have arisen in the neighborhood. Obviously people are moving to cheaper places, or doubling up more, or moving to the streets. Sadly we received notification that Feeding America food bank in San Diego is not able to keep up with rising demand for food. Beginning in a week and a half, they will no longer distribute on Mondays. I don’t know yet what this means for our Tuesday distribution. We have indications that the San Diego Food bank, from whom we receive a monthly distribution, is experiencing a similar lack. As supply is dropping, demand is growing. Of course, people who are hungry result. Whereas the government can subsidize investors willing to risk buying “toxic assets” of banks, direct supplies of food have not received attention. And this is in the United States; my understanding is that emerging countries are suffering more dealing with the increased commodity prices that never have gone down after their rise a few years ago. Now, however, less exports and trade and markets mean less jobs and income.

Downtown Tuesday night at the Salvation Army was profoundly moving. Early in the morning, blocks away from where many slept, three persons were shot and killed by a disgruntled public transport worker at 3 in the morning. Many were awakened by the shots and sirens. Houses and locks grant the illusion that we are safe from such stupid violence; when one lives on the streets, one recognizes that one has no real security while one sleeps. We read from Jeremiah 31:31-34 to read of the new covenant, written on hearts. There was a holy attentiveness as I preached. On the way in, I met three friends who I have come to know – they were turned away from the meal because capacity had been reached for the meal. New faces arrive now weekly. Some of the regulars are getting closed out. With the Major’s help, I smuggled some food out to the streets to give to those with whom we regularly eat.

The area around the Salvation Army is changing. The library and the post office provide well lit areas. Every evening a small “suburb” springs up in the area. I counted six tents popping up on the sidewalk. Sleeping bags and blankets come out, neatly laid in rows. The area is kept clean. Every morning at 5:30 am, the people must vacate and move on for the day. After business hours, around 6:00, the neighbors re-emerge and begin rebuilding their home and neighborhood. Conversations break out as person chat in their “front yard” on the side walk as they pass the evening away. It has a certain Midwestern village feel about it, kind of like when I’d sit on a porch on the main drag in Winamac, Indiana with Dorothy. I wonder what will happen in a few weeks when Padres games start, if the city will continue to permit the “instant village” to emerge. These are persons seemingly recently displaced. I met one man who had a MBA in marketing the other week -- John. He lost his job and then lost his house and didn’t have the extended family networks to support him. He had not been able to get a job. He spoke to me about applying to a 7/11 store, and getting turned down because he was “over qualified.”

The Samoan congregation within our multicongregation seems suffering most. Many have skilled construction trades; with construction drying up, it disproportionately affects the whole congregation. I pray that no one may lose their housing. It’s tough for everyone and the congregation as a whole.

By Steve Gilbert’s graciousness, the worst spots in the disintegrated parking lots now have concrete patches where the asphalt had been broken up in the entryway by truck use. We received the “left overs” or “dregs” from the concrete company jobs where he works and patched it. A truck full of concrete came to finish the “patch;” as it poured, those there became aware that the truck was sinking through the asphalt. We therefore had a new area to patch. It was suggested by someone that a truck comes through to different areas patch by patch so that we eventually can replace the 1 inch asphalt with 6 inch concrete with fiberglass binding. I just hope that we don’t ever have to dig that concrete out like others had had to dig out the asphalt! We have a coming PLNU health fair and concern for the parking lot and safety in walking over it had been a concern. One could not even roll bread racks over it. We are very, very thankful at God’s goodness for things like concrete in a parking lot so that we can distribute the food that we beg to the neighborhood.

It’s been a little disconcerting that we continue to unload the truck each day without the benefit of a lift. Though we’ve been trying for two months, we’ve only raised about $1500 of the some $9300 necessary for the lift. I’m afraid we’re really risking an accident moving 60 tons a month by hand off the truck. Those who do have developed the skills and the back strength to somehow do it; there are certain necessities that one would rather not have for which to compensate.

Chris Fuerstenau has down a magnificent job with the web site: http://www.midcitynazarene.org/ On it we have a “widget” to accept donations for the lift. Any little bit helps if readers of this blog could help. If congregations want to help, we still are an “approved Nazarene mission” site for your 10% world mission giving!!!! Sign up where you are and watch the wonderful slide shows.

My guess is that we will have to develop new, deeper commitments to remain faithful in sustaining the practices that God has given us, both in terms of the commitment of time, work, and finding wider networks of financial support. I thought this week of Jeff Kane’s one time idea about getting a city approved “vending truck” to feed soup from downtown – persons miss supper so that they can sustain their places on the sidewalk. Rent supplements for the multicongregation and neighbors come more to us. I’ve had three ask for help to move into apartments. The good news is that this is becoming (1) available and (2) cheaper.

The most amazing thing that I discover is that people remain thankful, whether in our lines, in setting up, watching concrete trucks sink into asphalt, even walking away after being turned away from a meal. There is an awareness that even among the trials of this life, God is love, and every good gift comes from God, and the sufferings of this age are not to be compared with the fullness of life in the resurrection in the age that is to come.

What will emerge economically? God knows. No matter what the economic situation, the poor have different challenges. Our task is simply to keep obedience to Jesus: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, overseeing the sick, clothing the naked – and allowing the Spirit to make us holy in the process, to teach us love of God and neighbor. And to this, we will continue.