love overcomes evil.

derrick and i talked about it, and we've decided that we're indifferent about leaving this place. these are our friends. this is our home.

bottom line, being here is not easy. it's derrick and i to 85,000 homeless people down here. success is hard to come by. when we "distribute" love it seems that it is often met with anger, disbelief, and hate. people don't want to follow christ because it means that they will have to give up cocaine, heroin, and sex. on our walk back to our room we see people loading up heroin needles and lighting up crack pipes. people tell you what they think you want to hear. people lie. when you have something to give, they take and take; they don't care about you.

but there is love, and love overcomes evil. often people come in asking for prayer, and we pray for them. currently, our friend seguna is making derrick and i cardigans. thats love. we took our 62 year old friend C.J. to a dodgers game recently, his first major league game ever, and he wont stop talking about it. people come in with questions about politics and religion, and we answer them. we read through lots of scripture with people, and talk about what it means to us and for us. sometimes people donate to our cause, giving us clothes or creamer for coffee. sometimes people come in just to talk and share their thoughts with us, because they know we'll listen. we see people come in and take three or four bottles of water, only to hand them out to their friends shortly after. thats love. more and more people every week come to bible study on wednesday nights where we discuss scripture and challenge each other to live out the gospel.

love overcomes evil everyday in the ford hotel.

sometimes i'm reminded of twila paris' song that says, "god is in control, we believe that his children will not be forsaken."

we believe that god will not forsake these people.
we believe that god is in the business of redeeming lives.
we believe that the gospel is for all people.
amen?

we are doing no great things, only practicing great love.
we are blessed to be here.
..to serve and hope and love.
we are blessed to be here.

in peace,
evan