skid row experience

the lines were long, the kids were exhausted never-the-less ecstatic, the work was hard, the parents were concerned, the blessings were abundant, the reward from serving was explainable, the california baptist nursing students thrived, the event was a success. 

the experience at skid row brings about similar emotions that were acquired while serving the people in haiti. its difficult to bring to words the feelings that develop with each individual served. each one has a unique story with special circumstances. each one has hurt and joy. each one needed the attention and love. personally for me, it was so easy to get caught up in the moment and try to help out in the different areas as quick as possible but then the concept of complete presence was brought to my memory and immediately i was convicted. convicted that i was not being real and genuine with these sweet precious lives. God calls His believers to reach out and show His love to the needy. the needy are all around us, not just over seas. the needy are right in front of us. 

Revelation 21:1-4

" Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”