I’m standing in front of a house that looks like it should be on the set of a horror movie. And while I’m standing there listening to the Unity Outreach workers yell “anybody home?”  I’m wondering, “What did I get myself into?”

Nevertheless, when an outreach worker asked me if I wanted to go into the dilapidated home , I didn’t hesitate to say “of course”. My curiosity was too overwhelming for any other reply.

Trying my best not to hit my head, I followed the guys under the house to the “secret” entrance, using my Canon: Speedlite 430EX II to give my footsteps reference. I came up through the floor and immediately smelled something reminiscent of defecation and disheartenment.

Sad would be a gross understatement to describe the living conditions of the person who had been living there. Disgusting would be a compliment. There were piles and piles of used toilet tissue scattered in various areas of the house. Feces was thrown, or perhaps wiped, on the walls.  There were huge holes in the ceiling. And there was a sense of the truest despair I have ever encountered.

We visited several more houses that night, and each one had its own unique level of despondency but nothing seemed quite as deplorable as the first. All the same, I am grateful to have had another once in a lifetime experience.