Not ready to go home...

Aloha, 

My name is Dante Park & first of all I just wanted to say thank you to all of you back home for praying & supporting us, and encouraging us throughout our days here in LA. The home team are the ones who truly keep me going each and every day, even if I get 10 hours of sleep or 2 hours of sleep. Yesterday was truly a blessed day as we drove out to MacArthur Park to hand out food to the ones in need for our mission that morning. Out of the 4 food truck ministries that I did throughout this past week, yesterdays was definitely the most impactful out of all of them. There was one man that I met, named Victor, and he truly made me feel blessed and loved on the inside because of his generosity and opening up of his heart towards me. We were just talking about how he was doing and also about his phone company and he just kept asking me how he could get involved in helping out the Dream Center. But long story short, he ended up saying that he would come back down every Friday to help out DC. I was just moved because although he had so little, he was willing to give so much. His time to serve the Lord was his offering and that's what truly touched my heart that day. 

Another experience that was even greater than what I just shared was our night walk through Skid Row. On Monday, we traveled down Skid Row & I didn't know what to expect & I thought it was just awkward and uncomfortable for me to try to talk to others that I didn't even know. But last night was something that forever changed my eyes & how I look at the world. It was very moving to see others with almost nothing & I felt that darkness played an even greater impact on last nights mission. We also met a man named George, who reeked of alcohol but showed me love through his actions. We were talking  about his life & when we were about to part ways & say goodbye, he then came back to talk to us. We talked some more & were about to leave each other once more, but then he came back to me again and just kept hugging me and thanking me.  It showed me how much other people cared about me & I felt loved. This man made me feel very good & warm on the inside and it showed that once you actually get to know these people on the streets, they're really not what you think they are. Serving at the Dream Center has been an amazing experience & I can't wait to see what God has for me not only here but back home as well. I thank God for everyone who has either impacted my life or even prayed for me on this trip. It has truly been a blessing!
 Love, Dante

 Praying for friends I had just met at MacArthur Park....

 My friends at the skate park for Adopt A Block.