What I’ve Learned in Seven Decades on Skid Row

I have learned many things in nearly 70 years on Skid Row. One of them is the necessity of living and working in constant prayer.

When you live and work in the midst of such enormous human misery such as we see here on Skid Row, you learn that only when you rely on God’s mercy, and His power, can you ever bring relief to hurting, hungry souls.

You see, life on Skid Row is almost beyond human description. And the winter’s cold weather and rains only make the suffering greater.

Driving the streets around the Mission, I see homeless men and women crowded into doorways, seeking protection from the cold, driving rain. The streets of Skid Row, and downtown Los Angeles look like a shanty town, with makeshift tents and lean-tos getting thoroughly soaked in the downpour.

During the rains, the Mission’s Chapel is a warm refuge, and our cold, wet and hungry guests from the streets find food and warmth, and the love of Jesus in the Mission’s dining room.

And yet, when I see the pain… the misery… and the hopelessness, I find myself crying out to God, “How can we do more?”

Friend, I’m more aware each day of how much I depend on your prayers for stamina and strength as we work amidst the poverty and despair of Skid Row, in our fight against sin and suffering, hunger and hopelessness on these streets.

That’s why I want to ask you to pray for me personally, and for my dedicated staff, that we will have God’s strength and power as we confront the forces of darkness in our fight against the evils on America’s streets, and the faith to trust Him to provide the necessary funds to feed and care for hungry little ones.

Blessings,
Willie L. Jordan