DAY 3

Wednesday, August 05

The ministry started by having breakfast with day workers (mostly from Mexico and South America) at nearby Home Depot. We split into three groups and Dan becomes the person to initiate conversation with them as his Spanish is a lot better than Aini and me (I only know Como Estas...=) ). We give out some donuts and start conversation with them, listen to them as they pour out the story about their families, work, and the hardship to find a job. Some of them have been waiting for a job since 6 AM. Dan talks about if they go to church and have a relationship with Jesus, and how they cast all of their burdens and frustation. We pray together with some of them. We meet a day worker from Guatemala who is also a guitar player in a church. Aini sings a song in Spanish that talks about "a mustard seed can move the mountain" or something like that. This brother from Guatemala also sing along with us. Just praise God that we're all can encourage and strengthen each other. The singing is remarklable Aini, and for sure it becomes a blessing and a source of hope to them while they are waiting that something good will happen on their lives.

We head to SASLA, and I go to the Art room. We guide the kids on how to make a bookmark today. The bookmark has a printing of the Lord's Prayer on it. When I help one girl to glue the craft, she tells me, "Oh, isn't this from the Bible? From Matthew 6:9-13?" And she grabs her tiny Bible from her bag and shows me the verses about the Lord's Prayer. I just feel amazed and wowed with her saying. A joy just like flowing on my heart knowing that this kid really love the Lord and His love is in her. We talk about Jesus a bit and continue to do the craft. Another girl that sits next to her doesn't want to continue the craft as it has messed up. This girl asks her friend if she can have and fix it so that she can give it to her brother. A very mature girl, praise the Lord for that. I just see God's abundant love and blessing through her. The craft is done, now is the time to get to the gym. Kevin is making a breakthrough here, he is playing dodgeball with the kids. If you don't know what dodgeball is, wiki or google it...=). Thanks to Kevin for showing me on how to come out from the comfort zone. I join him to play dodgeball and we have a fun time with the kids. Lunch with the kids is also a good time to know them, and sharing your chip is a very effective way to start a conversation with them (although don't give it too much, their parents will be mad at you for their kids consume too much sodium...=P). It's also a good time to show them that we ought to share food with their friends.

We then go to the Food Bank, a big facility like Costco that distribute the food to many missions, shelters, and agencies. What we do overthere is soring pear and pear and pear...and tomatoes...for like one and a half hours.

We have a free time today, we go to downtown LA and eat Mexican Food. Kind of disappointed with the Mexican restaurant that I choose as it's not that authentic. Next time if you don't see chicarron, lengua, and carnitas on a Mexican restaurant's menu, don't really bother to enter it. Actually the restaurant a few stalls away is a lot better and more authentic. I decide to buy goat meat tacos from here. I think it's called "Biarra". The meat is tender and juicy...so good.

Then we decide to go to Skid Row to visit the Homeless Karaoke. It's a church or mission that provides a Karaoke night on every Wednesday night for the homeless. They have to sign up their name if they want to sing. Almost all of them sing very very good and amazing. At 9 pm, it's a dance time. People (homeless and non-homeless) just stand up and start dancing along with the song. This is the first time that I go to a karaoke place in the US and it's so memorable. All of the group members dance with the homeless and it's so fun, they just let it out...out of the comfort zone. It's a reminder for me that someday we are all from every level will dance, sing, and worship God together in heaven, there is no disctinction...what a fun, humbling, and blessed night...keep praying for this church and the pastor who really have a big heart and tremendous ministry to the homeless. May God always and always bless them to touch, to strengthen, and to encourage the people around them.