Playin' in the Projects

These two pictures are of one of my New friends Michelle, who lives in the Projects
What a Blessing! Last night I turned in a paper that was about 56 pages, single spaced, 10 font!!! It was by far the longs thing I have ever put together in my entire life. Obviously I was ready for a break! Today I went to the projects of down town Los Angeles! It was awesome. Every Saturday, a local ministry called the Dream Center does an out reach called adopt-a-bloc! Every Saturday, a bunch of buses go out loaded with voluteers, free food and lots of smiles and hugs to bless the area communities. This was the third time I went out to Jordan Downs, a particual project area. When we get there we hand out food to the local familes lined up ready to recieve. From there we hang out for about the next hour and play games with the kids and just love on them. My friend and I have also gone to some of the local houses and visited with some of the families. Today I met a girl named Maria. She said that she had just moved into the neighborhood yesterday. I asked if I could meet her parents and so she led us over. It was so great because to my surprise, I found a whole latino family sitting in the living room looking exhausted like they were finally taking a breather before they unpacted their things into their new house. I was blessed with the opportunity to practice my Spanish!! I was given the priveledge to welcome them to the neighborhood and share a little bit about what we do every Saturday! They seemed grateful and I was excited to be able to start building a relationship with the family as they first moved in! Maria, as we walked away, said with joy in her voice, "I helped you make new friends." Maria is nine, and growing up in a rough neighborhood. She is one of 11 kids in her family, living in a very small apartment. She said she probably won't get anything for Christmas because they had had to move. Maria said the last place they lived in, too many people were getting shot. Wow, what a dear sweet girl. My new friend Maria, a girl of only nine years old, and she has had to deal with so much.
Sometimes, ok, well a lot of the time, I just think about myself. I have to confess, that I am very selfish. Throughout the week I worried about my studies, projecst and papers. I hurried around trying to get everything done. Not once did I think about my dear friends in the projects. Not once did I think about my friends in Venezuela who struggle to get by. Not once did I thank God for my apartment in Pasadena or pray for those who have no roof over their heads.
What a reality check. I can so easily act as if the world revolved around me and God very often reminds me it doesn't. I just praise him, that through his grace he gives me mercy. It is not about me, my struggles and problems. It is about God. It is about those he has given us to love. I pray that I am able to truly love selflessly the way he has called me to.