Right now, 3-4 guys (including myself) are planning on taking a trip to Skid Row Los Angeles the last week of March (march 20- april 1st). We have no specific plans, except to bring a video camera and trust in the Lord.
We may just observe, we may pray for people, we’re not sure. We may find other Christian brothers there helping out, and assist them. Or, we may find that no one is going down there. We may be met with violence and hate or we may be met with angels and miracles. This is a chance to go into an area that is unsafe, dirty, and scary with our Lord Jesus Christ and say "ok Lord, we’re here. Protect us and guide us!"
We will not be feeding or preaching to the homeless. Instead, we will be living with them for a week, trying to understand their life and needs…waiting for God’s voice on what to do. We want to love them not exploit them. This is a real opportunity to allow God to work through us in a scary situation. There are drug dealers down there, prostitutes, desperate people, crazy people, people with full blown aids, people in hospital gowns, cardboard houses and tents, shootings and no police.
What can we do through Christ who strengthens us? Wouldn’t Christ walk into Skid Row and sit down, despite all the danger? Will this spur a revival in this 4-block radius? Will we capture enough footage and vision from this trip to inspire an organized siege of love by young people who want an exciting life serving Christ?
Please pass this email on to whoever…We will be down there whether we get a response or not. However, we would like to have a group, so we could feel safe and really make an impact…But we’ll see what God wants….Also, we need people with different skills: Bo-staff skills, nunchuck skills, computer hacking skills….
No, more like experienced street people, prayer people, that type of deal….
This is Enoch Magazine style to the max; Little planning, lots of praying, and then acting! But take note: we are not putting God to the test…The Bible is clear about not doing that. Who’s chaps are on?
If you will be in the Los Angeles area on those dates and would like to join us, please contact me at carter [at] enochmagazine.com. Also if you are far from LA, but want to go still, then email also.
So… I have a friend whose brother works for CPS and spends time in Skid Row. She and her children started a charity (their last name is Roe). the project is called Skid Roe. Here is what they do, they take teddy bears, or collect and ship teddy bears and her brother delivers them to homeless children living on Skid Row. The premise is that everyone from 2-15 can relate to a teddy bear, can get comfort. The tag on the bears says “Love bears all things.” I think she and her brother might be a good contact, since he lives there and ministers there… you can email me and I’ll connect you.
I am a friend of Jon Acuff’s that has a teen business magazine, http://www.mbteen.com. But also work in ministry at prestonwood in plano, tx.
rock on… keep making a difference.
robyn
Rock on! Thanks so much!
hey robyn, thankyou for your comment. I decided early on that the best way to deal with ministries that are down there is to just observe. That way we don’t get caught up in one or two other visions, but maintain a more general position.
If, for example, we are down there and see your friend’s ministry come through…we will be delighted and interview them and pray with them and maybe ask to help a little, etc. God could send every ministry through skid row the week we’re there and our documentary would explore all the different ways someone could get involved in helping skid row.
I believe this terrible spot has many people in bondage and consistency is the only thing that could challenge it permanently.
The concept of this trip is “what is the need?” We may find out “teddy bears and food and clothes are not a need because certain ministries have that covered, but there is a need ______.” I’d love to hear more what you think.
-carter