Shelby Payne Photography: el segundo dia.

The second day. We're here. We're rejuvenated. And most of all, we're ready to serve LA.

   Our day started pretty early, around 6 in the morning. We walked down to breakfast which was a meal of hot cereal and mangled bagels. We eat in the dream centers soup kitchen, so most of the food is donated, so It is usually a huge mish mash of assorted items. But in the end, it is not to bad. After breakfast I blogged a bit, wrote some letters, then we had our team devotionals. We were then split up into two groups. One group was making lunch to serve downtown LA at skid row, which you will hear about later.

   I was in the half of the group which sorted basic necessities for families in need. It sounds like it would be incredibly boring, but I surprisingly Had a lot of fun. I have been trying to remind myself, whatever I am doing, big or small. Saving lives or cleaning a house, I am serving, and I am not here to please myself.

   We sorted out deodorant, baby food, diapers, shampoo, and toothpaste.  I came out smelling like ocean breeze shampoo and old spice. Some people have been asking for these items since march, and since the demand is so high, some of the needs take months to meet. For example, a mother asked for diapers 4 months ago. She still has not received any from the dream center, because there have been people on the list for even longer. How would it feel to you if your baby had to go with out a clean diaper for a day, just because you could not afford to buy any? It was so sad to not have that gratifying feeling of crossing the woman's name off the "needs" sheet that was provided.

   After we did the sorting work, we were able to help load some trucks, then go indulge with some food, before we headed out on our afternoon mission. Once again, I was stationed at the Food Truck. My job was to bag mushrooms and tomatoes, and this sweet, sweet old man was helping me. He had broken english, but to the best of his ability he would state, "no, no, let me bag those for you!" He didn't want to get extra food, or he didn't want to be first in line for helping, he just wanted to help serve. I also gave out pineapples, and the hispanic community kept on singing a little jingle that went something like " una pina por la nina!!" They were so happy, and that made me so joyful.

   We arrived back at the Dream Center, grabbed dinner, and then we went out on another mission. Our whole team had the privilege of journeying down to skid row, to pass out candy bars, and talk to people about the love of God, and just show his light.

   Skid Row is not your typical place. It is infested with the smell of urine and feces, and is crammed with homeless people. I saw one lady with her arm tied off about to shoot up. It is raw, and it is real. Just a little information on Skid row: There are at least 91,000 homeless people each night in Los Angeles County. About 15-20,000 homeless people live on “Skid Row”. This is a ten square block area at the center of downtown Los Angeles. At any given time at least half the homeless population literally sleeps on the streets. Which we were able to witness as we ventured down there today.

   As we moved among the dirty streets I tried to remember this verse, and apply it to the situation that was going on: "the people walking in darkness have seen a great light; those living in the land of darkness, a light is shined" isaiah 9:2

   The darkness that is spoken about seems to signify gloom, evil, and despair. And the light is simply filled with hope, joy, and peace. My interpretation of this verse was how the people living in despair have this unique light cast upon them. This cloud of love, and of hope. Even though they do not see it at times. It is comforting to know that God is always there, working in their hearts, and working in our hearts to serve them.

Some of the products that we had to sort