(Wendy, Will, Kenna, and Alex with members of Hollywood Presbyterian Church at Forest Home)
It’s not necessarily red and heart-shaped. It’s not chocolate flavored or rose scented. In fact, this love can be downright messy. It can sometimes smell like picked-up garbage; sometimes feel like blistered hands on a hot shovel; sometimes taste like overflowing tears. But immersing yourself in the love of Christ and connecting to others in his name does indeed bring joy.
(Discover Participant and Dweller, Mary, helping to sort donations at a homeless shelter.)
It’s the joy of smelling fresh grass during the prayer before the soccer game. It’s the smiles of the residents at the shelter once you’ve helped to reorganize and clean all the donations with them. It’s the warmth of the fire standing amongst friends even after taking a moment to remember those who have recently died. It’s spending a year living in intentional community with people we don’t know (and don’t always like), but trusting in God’s purpose all along the way.
We invite you to come to Hollywood for a year or a week, and witness the incredible dimension’s of Christ’s love here in our city. It runs deeper than the Pacific Ocean, longer than the beaches in Malibu, higher than the Hollywood sign. And yet, it’s as close as an encouraging conversation, right when you need it.
God’s blessings to you all!
Matthew
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