CALIFORNIA – “The true test of the heart, though, is whether or not you will give when there is no reward.” ~Katie, Master’s Commission Atlanta

The team of students from Atlanta’s Master’s Commission spent their fourth ministry day working with Fred Jordan Mission and Metro Kidz. This is what they have to say about their last day of hunger relief outreach with Operation Blessing in California:

From Katie:

It is easy to give when you can immediately see the reward. It is also easy to give when you get a thank you and feel appreciated. The true test of the heart, though, is whether or not you will give when there is no reward, when there is no appreciation, when there is no smile. Will you give when you are sworn at, threatened and looked down upon?

This morning was one of those moments when my heart was tested. We worked with a place called the Fred Jordan Mission. Their focus is people on “Skid Row.” This is a place of drug sales, homelessness and prostitution. Needless to say, these people do not have the easiest of lives. In many aspects, their way of life is just so different than the people we served before.

Most of my time was spent in a small room filled with clothes for women and children. They cycled in groups of 10, each having 5 minutes to grab any 15 items they wanted. One of the most beautiful things, aside from the women receiving clothes for themselves and their children, is that it was really all about them.

It wasn’t about me or anyone else on our team and what great works we were doing. Rather, it was about the need and meeting that need, and it is making a difference whether or not we always see or feel it. I found I had a choice. When I was encountered with things I didn’t expect, I could either back away or step forward and love harder than before. To make an intense impact, an intense love is needed. I chose to step forward and still care and love, no matter what.

Later that day, we jumped in with Metro Kidz Ministry. I found a group of girls and asked them all their names and just started playing with them. One girl in particular caught my eye and by the end of the day she had captured my heart. Her name was Kailin, but she ended up with the nickname Giggle Box because of her constant giggling, laughing and smiling.

When we first started she was a little bit reserved about participating in the dances, but with a bit of interaction and play she was soon fully engaged, jumping, laughing and bringing smiles to everyone who looked at her. As we sat together and listened to the service, she would look over to both me and Allison and smile at us. It was such a beautiful smile, and her eyes radiated with such joy and happiness.

When we tried to stand she pulled both of us as close as possible and squeezed us as hard as she could, refusing to let us go. She wanted to go up front so we walked with her. We spent a moment together that will forever be etched in my heart. I was sad when it all ended. I didn’t want to leave this little girl who had just stolen my heart. It was so obvious that this little girl was full of love that it flowed out of her.

We were only there for a day, but Metro Kidz is out there on a regular basis loving on these kids and taking care of them. I know she is in good hands and I’m thankful for even getting to spend one day with her.

~Katie

From Chris:

Today was honestly a day of tears.

The last few days have been intense. However, up until today, we have mostly seen middle class families that were just going through hard times. But that wasn’t the case today. Today we got to see the hurt in LA. We went to “Skid Row,” and I saw things that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

My heart broke as I heard the stories of these people. Some were mentally unwell, some addicts, some down-and-out, and yet others that simply were never given a chance. I even saw a lady today whose only pair of shoes was a pair of snowboard boots.

It was heart wrenching. I was reminded of how fortunate my life has been. But most of all, it reminded me to have passion. The people who work with Metro Kidz and Fred Jordan Mission have a true love for this community and these people. And while my heart may be focused on other things, these ministries reminded me of what a heart can do when it’s focused on one cause.

~Chris

From Andy:

So today we worked at the Fred Jordan Mission. A few of us were given the chance to watch kids as their mothers went through the mission to get food and other items. I made a lot of new friends!

The kids were so fun, but the best part about working with them was seeing the smiles on their faces when we did the small things, like give them hugs or remember their names. It was really a blessing to work with them.

After we left the Fred Jordan Mission, we met up with Pastor Julian. This man truly has a heart for kids, especially within his community. The mission he works is called Metro Kidz. It was great just hanging out with these kids and really showing them love.

It is truly awesome to go out and just work in the community. I want to leave you with this challenge: go out into your own community and make a difference, whatever that may be.

~Andy

From Allison:

I was born a dreamer and as I grew, so did my dreams. But as I follow the purpose I am called to, I’ve lost sight of what it means to dream. Every idea I have seems like a waste and is quickly shoved aside. I think somewhere inside I just need someone to tell me that my dreams were still possible and worth chasing. Well, over the course of today, my dreams have been renewed and confirmed.

The conditions I saw people in today gave me hope that this little dream I have of spreading joy around the world with the passing of a bouncy ball and a smile could actually be possible. The people I saw today just wanted love and joy. That’s all. Sure they showed up for the food and the clothes, and even the church service, but really all of it is made possible because of someone’s love and joy. And it’s felt in every ministry at Fred Jordan Mission.

It’s really not that complicated, and I think I overcomplicate my love and joy and dreams so much that they become impossible. Same is true of Metro Kidz. The kids come to the park just to be loved on, to feel a change from the daily grind at a broken home. All I had to do was show up believing and expecting God to move and these kids fell in love with who we were. It wasn’t because we did anything special, we didn’t even have to exchange names; it was because we had a love and a joy that they have been hungry for.

I gave away about 10 bouncy balls to different kids. I saw smiles come out that hadn’t been cracked in a long time. I saw language barriers fall away, because the common language became joy. And once joy comes out, it makes dreaming a whole lot easier. My dreams were restored today by restoring the dreams of those around me.

~Allison

Tags: Atlanta, California, Fred Jordan Mission, Master's Commission, Metro Kidz, North America, OBI, Operation Blessing, Orphan Care, Volunteers

This entry was posted on Friday, April 16th, 2010 at 3:12 pm and is filed under North America, OBI Volunteer Blogs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.