Are you mad?

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, burn like fabulous roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars"
--Jack Kerouac

Does Jesus' love conquer all?

I met a lady after getting up today--I was looking for one of the public restrooms that are self-cleaning and I asked her where the closest one was. Apparently she needed to Ise it as well, so she went with me to it, and along the way opened up a bit. I've found that a simple kind smile and the backpack I wear enables people to feel comfortable around me enough to share. She spoke words of hate and scorn for LA and its people--speaking against her black brothers and sisters for being crazy, and the whites and Indians of being racist. She said that of those people living in skid row she wishes that they would go to hell. When I tried to argie with her about her perspective, she told me--wait till you are beaten up and all your stuff is stolen, then come back and tell me of Jesus' love. I was humbled again by the lack of suffering I have personally gone through at the hands of others. I hope that when my faith is tested even more that God will give me the strength to stand.

Back in LA

I'm back in LA now--I slept outside in skid row after saying goodbye to my friend in Lincoln Heights and took a short metro rail to downtown LA. I had a good idea where I wanted to sleep--close to skid row, but not on one of the busy streets. I also wanted to find out whether the Reformation House of prayer was still running--I eventually found it, but it was locked (it used to be open 24/7) So I have to volunteer to run a shift, then I can get access to it. I think it will be a helpful routine for me to get up at 6 am and go there for a shift, then get cleaned up somewhere before volunteering at Central City Community Church to work with kids afterschool. That's the plan--yes indeed.