I cannot believe its been one month almost since we departed to go to the Dream Center. It was so short ago, yet it seems so long ago. Our story continues with our friend Al. He did get out of Santa Monica and Los Angeles; Instead of going to Boston he came here to Oregon. In the three weeks since we left him, he has come a long way. He still has a long way to go but we all do. He cannot wait to start afresh with everything.
As for me I have noticed a change also, maybe not perfect yet in everything; but we never will be. I tend to get more compassionate when i see the hungry on the street, and im not so quick to judge of how they got there. Im not so quick to judge those who are in line at the food box line.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
dream center trip
We learned that God is the God of the Impossible. It is HIM Not us.
My trip to LA and the Dream Center. Ill try to give day by day events but oy when you are there the days and what you do run together.
I will start with Monday we traveled to LA, went to INandOUT burgers (apparently its famous place in california, there is only a few things on their menue but everything is fresh. and Celebs eat there, though we didn't see any that day). WE checked into the Dream Center, got our ID tags, and then we went to Hollywood BLVD, (old Hollywood because its yucky and dirty, that is why when you see stars getting their walk of fame star they have curtains everywhere, and why they travel down the red carpet a ways to get to the theater.) Anyways a little trivia, the Kodak Theater, home of the Oscars, and Emmys, is actually inside a shopping mall. there is 45-57 steps to climb to go into it. (yes we counted) The walk of fame the little bit we saw, was Spencer Tracy's, Susan Lucci's, Brittany Spears, BILLY GRAHAM, Amy Grants, Whoopi's, Nathan Lane, George Lopez. shoot that's just in a short block. Right next door was the Chinese Theater where they get their prints in cement. Johnny Depp's feet and mine are the same size Ovey! So many stars of yesturyear, Shirley Temple, Dick Van Dyke, a lot of the old cowboys, a lot of the old greats, Marcho Grouch. I hope the kids that took pictures of it come out, because my camera was left behind in the room. LOL. So that was easy and light day.
Our days starts at 5am, to get in line for the showers, Breakfast in the Dream Center Cafeteria is always at 7am, and if you arent there by 730 you are out of luck. The Cafeteria is run by what they call the Dream Center Disciples,They wear black tshirts, that say Dream Center Disciples, and these are the guys and gals that are in the treatment program they have at the Dream Center. You are not allowed to talk to them, other then Hi, and maybe Hows it going when they ask you when you are gettimg your food, or throwing away your tray of food. Because you don't know where they are in the program or what they are struggling with. A lot of Carbs for each meal a lot of sugar, because of the treatment program. But its ok. Everything they eat there and make there is donated. They do not pay for any food whatsoever. (so sometimes its not that great, but because you are hungry you eat and take a gamble things are ok, though we learned soy yogurt that's been frozen is icky) The best meal really we had was a donated dinner from
The Olive Garden.
Tuesday--- after we toured the Dream Center facilities, we went out to Macgather Park to hand out Hispanic version flyers, that told of services provided by the Dream Center. This park before the dream center started had over 30 bodies being pulled out of the lake in it a week, drugs were rampant, and now its cleanerl crime rate isnt as much, and the cops say a lot of it is to do with the work of the Dream Center. The leader of the group his name was Richard, He is a living wonder. He used to have it all, a good job, a good life, but he never found where he fit, He did the homosexual thing, and then his friend introduced him to Meth, in two weeks he spiraled down, ended up in the streets, and then he found the Dream Center, went through the program, and now is in leadership. We cleaned up the park as we handed out the flyers, I got stopped by L.A.'s finest; and as soon as i said we were with the Dream Center they said ohh cool, just be careful of what you pick up. The mexicans in the park, were laughing at us, White ppl picking up their trash that they left behind. A couple of them were humbled. Most were drunk. And one older Man kept looking me up and down, and so i quickly ran to Richard, and hung by him for the duration. He said that was smart. So Tuesday was our light day sorta speak.
Wednesday--- We went to Skid Row in the morning, to spread the word about a meal at the homeless drop in center at the Volunteers of America Center. Now compared to Skid Row in Portland, and even Reno's; L.A.'s was wow. To see and smell it made me wonder how i was going to get to the next block without throwing up. You would see business owners bleaching the streets, and cleaning up what the homeless deposited on their driveways or doors. It was just awestriking to see ppl live this way. There was a couple of ladies that Ill never forget Iris, she has brain damaged because her dad used to beat her up when she was a child, then when she ran away to Hollywood, she got trapped into the prostitution, and her pimp would beat her if she didn't pay up or work enough he made her deaf. She kept asking for prayers, but she doesn't think God can heal her. It was very hard to listen to, and very hard to not get into a debate of yes he can or no he wont. We met this other lady Named Laday she saw our team leader Matt, and was like Dream Center that's my church that's my Pastor Matthew, ohhh I just love that church its my church. She said you know what God is never going to dissapoint you, he is never going to let you go, he is always going to be with you.
We Prayed for continued healing for Her, She inturned prayed over us, how we are not going to be the tail but the head, blessings over us. It was impactful i cried so much. Just amazing.
In the afternoon we went back to the drop in center for serving the meal. I was on the foodline, while in the food line our eyes had to be straight at ppl. but we didn't talk to them, because the other team members were back there doing that. Once the food line was done, we were able to go and talk to different ones, There was a man, who the team thought was bothering or causing trouble, when infact all Marco wanted to do was know what was being said. I got to use my sign and tell him where were from, what was being said, what was going on. He calmed down. I hope i did ok, because some signs in California are dilected different (used differently). But God knows and im sure gave me the power to do so. Because without him truly we wouldn't have done nothing we have done so far.
At night there was a couple of choices for outreaches, we went to Santa Monica Pier. (no not to have fun). Anways we went with their partner group (not officially of the dream center but only uses the dream center facilities) to minister or as they call it evangelize tot he homeless. Many in our group including me, had a problem with them carrying the cross to do this. It was also hard, to say here come listen to a message of hope at the cannon and then we will give you free meal. Come on the gospel is free. SO it was a little unsettleing. I couldn't tell if it was my flesh getting int he way or if it was God telling me to hang back and watch and pray. I did for the most part, I did get brave enough to talk to a couple of different homeless ppl. But mostly i prayed for the area, I prayed for our team members to make connections, and we did. We got to reconnect with a friend they made last year, who is trying to figure things out. and then we met Al. and let me tell you it was divine intervention when we met him. But ill go more into that later. And I got to learn that just because someone sounds sincere they are not. Cowboy, is a homeless man from Hurricane Katrina, He was telling me he lost everything in it, his family his house, everything. Came to Los Angeles for work, but ended up at Santa Monica and been on the streets ever since. He said God has used me so much on the streets he has seen me through, and got me cleaned. I don't have any tracks man look at this. He rooled up his arms and no no tracks. It was sad though the next day i saw him when we were down there again, and he was flying so high it wasn't funny. I pray for him.
Thursday---- was a really really light day. but yet in the morning it was difficult. We went to Care Home. And this is a program that they are trying to get up and running again. We go with one of the pastors, and go hang out with the patients of the care home, while he talks to them. It was very hard at first, none of us wanted to move. But as the morning went on, we were intermingling with the patients. This one little lady held onto me so tight i thought i was going to die. But she was so sweet, kept saying child never look to the left or right keep your eyes on Jesus, and he will never fail you. It was very hard to leave them. After that we went to the discipleship program to do a bible study, and got to learn the frustration the pastor has when not everyone shows up, or they show up late. But he taught, and though we were all trying hard not to fall asleep. it was a very easy morning. In the afternoon we teamed up with METROKIDS INTERNATIONAL, and went to a school location, and did mini kids church programs, and gave away lots of stuff to the moms and dads. It was a great program.
In the evening it was midweek service at the church, Angeles Temple. Now if you have ever watched Pastor Matthew from this church, you would think this place is huge. HA its small. So small infact that when our group moved up to the balcony to sit for service i had a HUGE panic attack because its small and tight up there and high. So i sat down below, and everytime i got up to stretch my seat would be gone, so i made it to the third row, as guest speaker was speaking. God is the God of HERE, and sometimes HERE isnt good, it aint pretty; for most its ugly. But can use your Here and work a miracle in your life. You just got to get out of the way. I went up to the altar call for healing, and other stuff, this lady prayed over me that "You are a pusher, you will push yourself to the very end even if it kills or hurts you. God is telling you to rest tomorrow when the team is out you need to rest. An d know that its ok to Rest even when you go back to your busy life its ok to rest." WOW. She didn't even know that i was planning on staying behind tomrrow morning when the group did the heavy labor stuff. Here the team was getting the divine appointments with who they needed to reach out too, and i was getting divine set ups (like God saying HELLLLOOOO SHARON ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME YET). it was cool. Case in point, the other night At INandOUT everyone on the bottom of their cup got common scriptures *inandout puts scripture references on their fryboats, and cups* like john 316 or psm 119 but ME??? out of 13 ppl i got Nahum 1:7. and i sat on it till Friday morning. but it bugged me until i read it.
Friday------ Food truck where you sort out the food that has arrived in the storage, for hand out. then you go and deliever to whatever area is on the schedule that day. I stayed behind to rest, (and i did get 4 hours of rest) and i read Nahum 1:7: The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, He knows them that trust in him. WOW. my day of trouble was here now, being in pain, ( i tweeked my back out at the airport twisting my luggage wrong on Monday and the stairs werent helping, course it was DUH sharon, you have only been off crutches a few weeks DOH) but God knew what he was doing.
In the afternoon, the team had another heavy job to do, so once again i stayed behind, only this time I plugged into some behind the scenes stuff. I got to have the great opportunity to call the donors who sponsor and support all we do at the dream center. and theres a chance to pray for the ppl. And there were a few of them that allowed me to pray. one couple even told me their story of how they got married 67 years ago in Angeles Temple. and how its a great great thing that is going on in los angeles. I got to talk to a young girl, who had done exacltly what i was doing, an STM (short term missions) so she was energetic, and shes like lets pray. She prayed over me for healing (she didn't know i needed it) she prayed for strength. and on and on. it was great. I loved it. That part of the trip was my divine appointment. I was in my element. and got to use what God has called me to be a prayer warrior.
In the evening a few of us went back to Santa Monica to go see Al the man that they had met a couple days ago. I didn't know him yet, but he was from Boston, been here for 17 days, looking for his actor brother. couldn't find him. And didn't know what to do. We found Al, and we took to him like family immediately. He kept calling us crazy, why would you help me. We just shared the love of God without preaching. One of the girls felt like she needed to get food for a guy she met the other day also, so as we were at mcdonalds i asked our pastor darrin if i could stay behind because the legs were numb, and he had kevin from our group stay with me. It took them a long time to get back. One of the homeless ppl started or tried to start trouble for the group, and Al started in on him to defend his family. We knew we couldn't let Al be on the streets that night, so we went looking for a hotel. the ones in Santa MOnica were like 100.00 a night we went into LA and found a hotel 3 blocks down from the dream center, and it was cheaper. we put him up and he slept like a baby. After our activities the next day we were on a huge search to find his brother. and we were determine to find him. One of our kids is a whiz kid and found an address for him. We went and some other ppl had moved into the home, but across the street, the neighbors were just getting back from camping, and they asked if we were looking for Sam. They had or used to have his new address, when they couldn't find it, the lady drove us to the new neighborhood he moved into, though was not sure which ones he lived in. We stopped at the first house we were going to go door to door. I looked up and it had a stained glass rose on it, and a squirrle eating in the yard. I looked up to heaven and said Lord, This is the house. Al knocked on the door, and sure enough it was his brother. He hasnt seen him in 40 years. So we got to go in, and he talked about his Theater life, his acting carreer, and how he works at the schools with the kids. He had been in Seinfield, vairous movies, and commercials. But he thanked us for bringing his baby brother to him. unfortunatly his wife was very ugly and didn't want nothing to do with it, so again we had to find a place for AL. He stayed in the car that night, but at least he was off the streets. He will unfortantly be on the streets till Thursday when his Bus goes back to Boston. But still God allowed us to help him. And we will continue to pray for him and be in touch with him as we have that info.
Saturday was what they call Adopt a Block, and we went to south central los angeles, the group leader isnt even supposed to be walking into that nieghborhood but Gods Grace is powerful and protective. I was one of the ones that was chosen to just love on the kids, and hang out with them. It broke my heart to hear the stories of how the oldest child is in charge of siblings when mom and dad are at work or in jail or sick. We don't have projects in Portland, so this was definatly a new experience for me. (as everything was but this was different) to see ppl crowed into a small apartment with many kids. its just WOW. This one kid alex wow he took the cake. he knew every Hannah Montana song, episode, and character. and for a little boy that's kinda weird and strange. and even at age 7 he holds himself to be very feminane, so I pray that the team leaders from the Dream Center would continue to build relationship with him to catch it. So he doesn't have to grow up confused. Ill also not forget him because He is the first kid i had to literally withstrain from hurting him, because he lifted my arms and said you are fat, you eat too much and that's why your got fatt arms. I think i was more stunned then upset, the other girls i was with was like Alex that's not nice. luckily it was time to go before i thought about it too much.
Saturday night was church or their youth service. It was loud, but good,. The guest speaker talked about love. and how everyone looks for it. I kinda tuned out because im not looking for love in a relationship.
Sunday was bus ministry going out to the projects picking up kids for church and then we headed home.
it was such a great time, and for the first time being there i was literally blown away and overwhelmed. Im sure my next trip next year I wont feel as much. But one never knows.
My trip to LA and the Dream Center. Ill try to give day by day events but oy when you are there the days and what you do run together.
I will start with Monday we traveled to LA, went to INandOUT burgers (apparently its famous place in california, there is only a few things on their menue but everything is fresh. and Celebs eat there, though we didn't see any that day). WE checked into the Dream Center, got our ID tags, and then we went to Hollywood BLVD, (old Hollywood because its yucky and dirty, that is why when you see stars getting their walk of fame star they have curtains everywhere, and why they travel down the red carpet a ways to get to the theater.) Anyways a little trivia, the Kodak Theater, home of the Oscars, and Emmys, is actually inside a shopping mall. there is 45-57 steps to climb to go into it. (yes we counted) The walk of fame the little bit we saw, was Spencer Tracy's, Susan Lucci's, Brittany Spears, BILLY GRAHAM, Amy Grants, Whoopi's, Nathan Lane, George Lopez. shoot that's just in a short block. Right next door was the Chinese Theater where they get their prints in cement. Johnny Depp's feet and mine are the same size Ovey! So many stars of yesturyear, Shirley Temple, Dick Van Dyke, a lot of the old cowboys, a lot of the old greats, Marcho Grouch. I hope the kids that took pictures of it come out, because my camera was left behind in the room. LOL. So that was easy and light day.
Our days starts at 5am, to get in line for the showers, Breakfast in the Dream Center Cafeteria is always at 7am, and if you arent there by 730 you are out of luck. The Cafeteria is run by what they call the Dream Center Disciples,They wear black tshirts, that say Dream Center Disciples, and these are the guys and gals that are in the treatment program they have at the Dream Center. You are not allowed to talk to them, other then Hi, and maybe Hows it going when they ask you when you are gettimg your food, or throwing away your tray of food. Because you don't know where they are in the program or what they are struggling with. A lot of Carbs for each meal a lot of sugar, because of the treatment program. But its ok. Everything they eat there and make there is donated. They do not pay for any food whatsoever. (so sometimes its not that great, but because you are hungry you eat and take a gamble things are ok, though we learned soy yogurt that's been frozen is icky) The best meal really we had was a donated dinner from
The Olive Garden.
Tuesday--- after we toured the Dream Center facilities, we went out to Macgather Park to hand out Hispanic version flyers, that told of services provided by the Dream Center. This park before the dream center started had over 30 bodies being pulled out of the lake in it a week, drugs were rampant, and now its cleanerl crime rate isnt as much, and the cops say a lot of it is to do with the work of the Dream Center. The leader of the group his name was Richard, He is a living wonder. He used to have it all, a good job, a good life, but he never found where he fit, He did the homosexual thing, and then his friend introduced him to Meth, in two weeks he spiraled down, ended up in the streets, and then he found the Dream Center, went through the program, and now is in leadership. We cleaned up the park as we handed out the flyers, I got stopped by L.A.'s finest; and as soon as i said we were with the Dream Center they said ohh cool, just be careful of what you pick up. The mexicans in the park, were laughing at us, White ppl picking up their trash that they left behind. A couple of them were humbled. Most were drunk. And one older Man kept looking me up and down, and so i quickly ran to Richard, and hung by him for the duration. He said that was smart. So Tuesday was our light day sorta speak.
Wednesday--- We went to Skid Row in the morning, to spread the word about a meal at the homeless drop in center at the Volunteers of America Center. Now compared to Skid Row in Portland, and even Reno's; L.A.'s was wow. To see and smell it made me wonder how i was going to get to the next block without throwing up. You would see business owners bleaching the streets, and cleaning up what the homeless deposited on their driveways or doors. It was just awestriking to see ppl live this way. There was a couple of ladies that Ill never forget Iris, she has brain damaged because her dad used to beat her up when she was a child, then when she ran away to Hollywood, she got trapped into the prostitution, and her pimp would beat her if she didn't pay up or work enough he made her deaf. She kept asking for prayers, but she doesn't think God can heal her. It was very hard to listen to, and very hard to not get into a debate of yes he can or no he wont. We met this other lady Named Laday she saw our team leader Matt, and was like Dream Center that's my church that's my Pastor Matthew, ohhh I just love that church its my church. She said you know what God is never going to dissapoint you, he is never going to let you go, he is always going to be with you.
We Prayed for continued healing for Her, She inturned prayed over us, how we are not going to be the tail but the head, blessings over us. It was impactful i cried so much. Just amazing.
In the afternoon we went back to the drop in center for serving the meal. I was on the foodline, while in the food line our eyes had to be straight at ppl. but we didn't talk to them, because the other team members were back there doing that. Once the food line was done, we were able to go and talk to different ones, There was a man, who the team thought was bothering or causing trouble, when infact all Marco wanted to do was know what was being said. I got to use my sign and tell him where were from, what was being said, what was going on. He calmed down. I hope i did ok, because some signs in California are dilected different (used differently). But God knows and im sure gave me the power to do so. Because without him truly we wouldn't have done nothing we have done so far.
At night there was a couple of choices for outreaches, we went to Santa Monica Pier. (no not to have fun). Anways we went with their partner group (not officially of the dream center but only uses the dream center facilities) to minister or as they call it evangelize tot he homeless. Many in our group including me, had a problem with them carrying the cross to do this. It was also hard, to say here come listen to a message of hope at the cannon and then we will give you free meal. Come on the gospel is free. SO it was a little unsettleing. I couldn't tell if it was my flesh getting int he way or if it was God telling me to hang back and watch and pray. I did for the most part, I did get brave enough to talk to a couple of different homeless ppl. But mostly i prayed for the area, I prayed for our team members to make connections, and we did. We got to reconnect with a friend they made last year, who is trying to figure things out. and then we met Al. and let me tell you it was divine intervention when we met him. But ill go more into that later. And I got to learn that just because someone sounds sincere they are not. Cowboy, is a homeless man from Hurricane Katrina, He was telling me he lost everything in it, his family his house, everything. Came to Los Angeles for work, but ended up at Santa Monica and been on the streets ever since. He said God has used me so much on the streets he has seen me through, and got me cleaned. I don't have any tracks man look at this. He rooled up his arms and no no tracks. It was sad though the next day i saw him when we were down there again, and he was flying so high it wasn't funny. I pray for him.
Thursday---- was a really really light day. but yet in the morning it was difficult. We went to Care Home. And this is a program that they are trying to get up and running again. We go with one of the pastors, and go hang out with the patients of the care home, while he talks to them. It was very hard at first, none of us wanted to move. But as the morning went on, we were intermingling with the patients. This one little lady held onto me so tight i thought i was going to die. But she was so sweet, kept saying child never look to the left or right keep your eyes on Jesus, and he will never fail you. It was very hard to leave them. After that we went to the discipleship program to do a bible study, and got to learn the frustration the pastor has when not everyone shows up, or they show up late. But he taught, and though we were all trying hard not to fall asleep. it was a very easy morning. In the afternoon we teamed up with METROKIDS INTERNATIONAL, and went to a school location, and did mini kids church programs, and gave away lots of stuff to the moms and dads. It was a great program.
In the evening it was midweek service at the church, Angeles Temple. Now if you have ever watched Pastor Matthew from this church, you would think this place is huge. HA its small. So small infact that when our group moved up to the balcony to sit for service i had a HUGE panic attack because its small and tight up there and high. So i sat down below, and everytime i got up to stretch my seat would be gone, so i made it to the third row, as guest speaker was speaking. God is the God of HERE, and sometimes HERE isnt good, it aint pretty; for most its ugly. But can use your Here and work a miracle in your life. You just got to get out of the way. I went up to the altar call for healing, and other stuff, this lady prayed over me that "You are a pusher, you will push yourself to the very end even if it kills or hurts you. God is telling you to rest tomorrow when the team is out you need to rest. An d know that its ok to Rest even when you go back to your busy life its ok to rest." WOW. She didn't even know that i was planning on staying behind tomrrow morning when the group did the heavy labor stuff. Here the team was getting the divine appointments with who they needed to reach out too, and i was getting divine set ups (like God saying HELLLLOOOO SHARON ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME YET). it was cool. Case in point, the other night At INandOUT everyone on the bottom of their cup got common scriptures *inandout puts scripture references on their fryboats, and cups* like john 316 or psm 119 but ME??? out of 13 ppl i got Nahum 1:7. and i sat on it till Friday morning. but it bugged me until i read it.
Friday------ Food truck where you sort out the food that has arrived in the storage, for hand out. then you go and deliever to whatever area is on the schedule that day. I stayed behind to rest, (and i did get 4 hours of rest) and i read Nahum 1:7: The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, He knows them that trust in him. WOW. my day of trouble was here now, being in pain, ( i tweeked my back out at the airport twisting my luggage wrong on Monday and the stairs werent helping, course it was DUH sharon, you have only been off crutches a few weeks DOH) but God knew what he was doing.
In the afternoon, the team had another heavy job to do, so once again i stayed behind, only this time I plugged into some behind the scenes stuff. I got to have the great opportunity to call the donors who sponsor and support all we do at the dream center. and theres a chance to pray for the ppl. And there were a few of them that allowed me to pray. one couple even told me their story of how they got married 67 years ago in Angeles Temple. and how its a great great thing that is going on in los angeles. I got to talk to a young girl, who had done exacltly what i was doing, an STM (short term missions) so she was energetic, and shes like lets pray. She prayed over me for healing (she didn't know i needed it) she prayed for strength. and on and on. it was great. I loved it. That part of the trip was my divine appointment. I was in my element. and got to use what God has called me to be a prayer warrior.
In the evening a few of us went back to Santa Monica to go see Al the man that they had met a couple days ago. I didn't know him yet, but he was from Boston, been here for 17 days, looking for his actor brother. couldn't find him. And didn't know what to do. We found Al, and we took to him like family immediately. He kept calling us crazy, why would you help me. We just shared the love of God without preaching. One of the girls felt like she needed to get food for a guy she met the other day also, so as we were at mcdonalds i asked our pastor darrin if i could stay behind because the legs were numb, and he had kevin from our group stay with me. It took them a long time to get back. One of the homeless ppl started or tried to start trouble for the group, and Al started in on him to defend his family. We knew we couldn't let Al be on the streets that night, so we went looking for a hotel. the ones in Santa MOnica were like 100.00 a night we went into LA and found a hotel 3 blocks down from the dream center, and it was cheaper. we put him up and he slept like a baby. After our activities the next day we were on a huge search to find his brother. and we were determine to find him. One of our kids is a whiz kid and found an address for him. We went and some other ppl had moved into the home, but across the street, the neighbors were just getting back from camping, and they asked if we were looking for Sam. They had or used to have his new address, when they couldn't find it, the lady drove us to the new neighborhood he moved into, though was not sure which ones he lived in. We stopped at the first house we were going to go door to door. I looked up and it had a stained glass rose on it, and a squirrle eating in the yard. I looked up to heaven and said Lord, This is the house. Al knocked on the door, and sure enough it was his brother. He hasnt seen him in 40 years. So we got to go in, and he talked about his Theater life, his acting carreer, and how he works at the schools with the kids. He had been in Seinfield, vairous movies, and commercials. But he thanked us for bringing his baby brother to him. unfortunatly his wife was very ugly and didn't want nothing to do with it, so again we had to find a place for AL. He stayed in the car that night, but at least he was off the streets. He will unfortantly be on the streets till Thursday when his Bus goes back to Boston. But still God allowed us to help him. And we will continue to pray for him and be in touch with him as we have that info.
Saturday was what they call Adopt a Block, and we went to south central los angeles, the group leader isnt even supposed to be walking into that nieghborhood but Gods Grace is powerful and protective. I was one of the ones that was chosen to just love on the kids, and hang out with them. It broke my heart to hear the stories of how the oldest child is in charge of siblings when mom and dad are at work or in jail or sick. We don't have projects in Portland, so this was definatly a new experience for me. (as everything was but this was different) to see ppl crowed into a small apartment with many kids. its just WOW. This one kid alex wow he took the cake. he knew every Hannah Montana song, episode, and character. and for a little boy that's kinda weird and strange. and even at age 7 he holds himself to be very feminane, so I pray that the team leaders from the Dream Center would continue to build relationship with him to catch it. So he doesn't have to grow up confused. Ill also not forget him because He is the first kid i had to literally withstrain from hurting him, because he lifted my arms and said you are fat, you eat too much and that's why your got fatt arms. I think i was more stunned then upset, the other girls i was with was like Alex that's not nice. luckily it was time to go before i thought about it too much.
Saturday night was church or their youth service. It was loud, but good,. The guest speaker talked about love. and how everyone looks for it. I kinda tuned out because im not looking for love in a relationship.
Sunday was bus ministry going out to the projects picking up kids for church and then we headed home.
it was such a great time, and for the first time being there i was literally blown away and overwhelmed. Im sure my next trip next year I wont feel as much. But one never knows.
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