San Diego, California, United States First United Methodist Church In Real Life "Summer in Paradise" by Hannah Floren for Friday, 5 September 2014

San Diego, California, United States First United Methodist Church In Real Life "Summer in Paradise" by Hannah Floren for Friday, 5 September 2014

Fall is around the corner, which means I have returned to my university to begin my sophomore year. Of course the first question asked upon reuniting with friends is “How was your summer? What did you do?” Here is my answer:

• I lived in South Los Angeles
• I befriended my homeless neighbors
• I drove a cargo van full of lumber
• I went to Home Depot a least twice a week
• I made six new best friends
• I was inspired by 250+ volunteers
• I felt God’s love from the people of a population that is generalized as short tempered
• I made a difference

All these things I did as a part of my summer job for Sierra Service Project. SSP is a nonprofit that I was introduced to during my time in the First Church youth group. After four years of participating as a volunteer and serving as a youth member on the board of directors during my senior year in high school, I felt committed and passionate enough about this organization to apply for staff. Once offered a job at the South LA site I carried through with the even bigger feat of accepting the challenge. The days are long, the pay isn’t great, but the work is life changing.

At the beginning of the summer I was unsure why I had been lead to South LA and what I was brought there to learn. About halfway through the summer I started understanding that I was there to be a living sanctuary for others, as a line in one of the songs in the SSP songbook, “Sanctuary,” explains. Youth volunteers looked to me for assurance, adult counselors confided in me, homeowners shared their gratitude, and my homeless friends shared their wisdom. Everyone was willing to share their stories, to hear mine, and to relish in the effervescent energy created when human interaction is genuine, as it most always at SSP.

I now understand the city of Los Angeles better than some who have lived there all their lives. I experienced the effect of homelessness, poverty, and strife on the people that survive in the congested city. Though there are millions living in alleyways, curled up on sidewalks, or struggling to maintain deteriorating houses, there are also millions living in luxury. The city is known for its sparkly Hollywood and high class Beverly Hills, yet also for its gangs in Compton and the massive homeless population. Skid Row juxtaposes the ritzy Fashion District of Downtown; polished businessmen pass the homeless without a glance or a thought.

I was lead to South LA this summer to understand the divide between the privileged and the unfortunate, and to realize that even the unlucky souls living under tarps or in termite-ridden homes have stories and smiles and kindness. These people are often more eager to reflect on humanity than the hasty college degreed businessman. Perhaps this is because the impoverished have the time to sit back and watch while the working class is rushing to their next meeting, or maybe it’s because they truly are grateful for the life they are blessed with regardless of its road bumps and detours.

Friends of mine studied abroad this summer, attended prestigious intensive programs, interned at clinics and offices, and went on family vacations. I embarked on a much humbler vacation, which led me to a paradise in which people greet each day with an eagerness to be impacted by those around them and to in turn inspire those they cross paths with. My heart goes out to those I met in South LA this summer as I try to live a little more like them—more open to sharing my experiences, more encouraging of others to speak their mind, and more thankful for getting the chance to hear the testimonies of my brothers and sisters every day.(Hannah Floren)

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