Comments on: JD

By: Kristi

Kristi — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:03:21 +0000

I didn’t know where else to post this because I don’t think that I can leave a message on your tagboard for some reason.
Did you hear that another homeless man was found dead in Ventura? Well, I just now got on VC STar’s website but they have already erased the story! I guess it doesn’t matter to them.

What I remember about the story I read in the paper: they said a transient had been found dead of unknown causes near the riverbed. They didn’t give a name or anything.

By: ma ma j

ma ma j — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 14:36:59 +0000

That’s interesting. I didn’t know. Would be interesting to see what their policies are and how they implement them. I’m sure there are alot of places that do it better than others. I really don’t know what Venutura’s stated policy is. I know we are not at all welcoming. But then we aren’t welcoming to anyone really. I mean we don’t even try to tap the tourist trade here. I guess the “city” sees us as a bedroom community. I guess we’re just supposed to sleep. Anything that disturbs our sleep gets an ordinance.

By: JB

JB — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 22:59:27 +0000

I agree about the government issue; it’s just really frustrating to me that a governmental structure which claims to represent the people it governs, a vast majority of whom claim to be “Christians”, still behaves like this. And, like I said above, I’m not just talking about some generic feeling of apathy or neglect, but rather an outright policy against them. There are other nearby cities (Santa Barbara) who handle the situation much better.

By: ma ma j

ma ma j — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 22:44:40 +0000

I didn’t know JD but I do know this: His life and existence is just as precious to God as those others we have lost in recent years. I’m sorry for another loss of a priceless friendship at The Bridge.

I think, your observation about the City of Ventura is just another example of how the “justice” of the governments of this world, built on man’s self centeredness, cannot compare with God’s government, which is built on “Mercy and Grace”. In God’s government, JD is as valuable as the mayor.

By: Dave Z

Dave Z — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 15:11:07 +0000

10-4, I like your rememberances of JD. The guy went around and touched many of us in so many ways.

By: JB

JB — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 22:15:23 +0000

Thanks; good to hear from you.

By: Dave Z

Dave Z — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 22:00:47 +0000

In a rare appearance here by me, I would add that the last time I spoke with JD was in early Sept. and he actually remembered my name. It was incredible to me in that I hadn’t had any one on one interaction with him since a work day about 1 year ago. He worked very hard that day and was always willing to do something for the bridge.
That recent wednesday night he talked about how he always would give God some money when he had it, through the bridge.
It was great to have him interupt at the bridge gatherings also, being someone who fights against ritual, I welcomed it and Greg would introduce him and ask him to wait or address his issue or whatever. It was awesome.
I loved seeing him worship at the bridge and could see him pouring out his heart sincerely to God. It seemed as though his face became kinder and softer as time went by.
It sucks that he is gone, but I guess good as I believe he is in heaven.