First Day of Service

Note: This is a legacy blog post; photos are not available

Today was the first day that the Axiom Mission Team got to serve in Hollywood. We were split into two teams: Team A and Team 1. The teams will go to separate places each day except Thursday when we both go to the Union Rescue Mission. We woke up to an amazing breakfast that was set out by Becky when she was on her way to teach at school. We then went to our respective locations to serve. A description of what each team did is below. After we got back, Emma made an absolutely fantastic dinner for us, that we enjoyed with Matt out back at the picnic tables. The group got to listen to and talk with Rick and Dotty who are both homeless people living on the streets of LA. There stories were truly eye opening and we all enjoyed talking with them and finding out about how they get by on the streets. We wrapped up the night with a group meeting and prayer and we look forward to another early day of work tomorrow. We ask you to keep the team, but especially Rick and Dotty in your prayers!! Photos from the day and the descriptions of each teams activities are below.Team 1: Today we served at the Union Rescue Mission, situated right on Skid Row. Not only does this place provide a home for many of LA's less fortunate, but it also provides meals for those who are housed, as well as men right off the street. The convenient placement allows for many to flow into the ministry seeking a warm meal. Those on my team were Justin N., Emily, J.P., Zach, and me (Lauren). Upon arrival at the mission, we found it to be a very nice facility, and we entered through a set of glass double-doors into a large cafeteria where they provide the meals. We got "suited up" in our aprons, hairnets, and gloves, and got right to work. At first, it seemed as though there wasn't much for us to do, but as we began serving meals, the need for help really hit. We were certainly being used. We served in many ways, including food preparation, food serving, packing meals from the food pantry, and washing dishes. We also met many new faces, of both volunteers and the homeless. It was very enlightening, speaking with and learning the stories of the other volunteers. It was also very mind-changing to see the homeless we were serving. Many of them looked exactly like you and me. There were women, men, well-dressed individuals, many young people and children. I was surprised to look at the line of men off the street, and to see a man, middle aged, comfortable clothes, clean-shaven, and speaking with an optimistic attitude. This man could have very well been the father of any of my friends. An average guy, turned to the street. These are the people we saw. Not low-life, nasty individuals, but your everyday, average Joe and Jane. It was quite the experience, at we were glad to have it. Hopefully each day to follow will impact us just as this one has.Team A: Today Team A went to Project Angel Food where we helped prepare over 1600 meals that are to be shipped to people living in the area who have HIV, AIDS, Cancer, or some other disease that massively effects their life. Our team consisted of Gary, John, Sarah, JD, Joe, and Corbyn. The head chef for the day was Tyson. He was an amazing leader and led us in preparing meal of red beans and rice, collar greens, as well as breakfast bags. The day was both extremely busy and extreme enjoyable as we got to meet new people and learn their stories and what led them to help serve in this place. The day was broken into two shifts that was split up by a lunch break, which we enjoyed wall watching soccer on ESPN Deportes. The morning shift consisted of the making of the food and putting it into trays, while the afternoon focused on getting the trays ready for shipment to the homes. What shocked us the most about this mission was the sheer size of the facility and how much work gets done with seemingly few people. Six days a week the kitchen is hard at work providing food to an increasing number of people in need while doing so with little funding from the government. Many people donate both time and money, and the excitement about the work that people do there is truly amazing.