On Saturdays, the Dream Center has eleven different ministry sites throughout LA which they serve. The ministries include a food truck, delivering necessities for living (furniture, dish ware, etc), providing health services, and various other services that help meet the physical needs of families in each area. As the physical needs of the families are met, then the Dream Center is able to share Jesus’ story and love to the families.
Today (Friday), our team divided and loaded the buses for the food delivery on Saturday. Once we were finished with this, we met with a couple of people from Enoch Magazine. Enoch Magazine is ministry that is trying to an online magazine that works to teach others the facts of Skid Row and how to effectively minister to the homeless. (We used some of their information during our training sessions – and then got to meet them today!)
Before we loaded up to leave the Dream Center, we were asked to be the extras on a video filming to promote the Dream Center. This will be aired on TV in the LA area soon.
Wow! What a week! God has used us this week and taught each of us something. From SCS to Skid Row – an experience that will be remembered!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The Food Truck
Thursday morning the majority of our team packed two food trucks with groceries to take to families in need. The Dream Center collects donated foods from various organizations and stores. From the donations, grocery sacks are prepared and taken to lower income family housing units throughout the city. During the afternoon, the SCS team was able to deliver the food from the truck to the families. The first location served approximately 25 families. The second location served about 100 families.
Thursday night we went to worship with the Dream Center at Angelus Temple. Pastor Matthew introduced and thanked each of the teams for helping with the Dream Center. Press Play led in worship; Bill Cornelius brought the evening message. SCS closed out the evening with a birthday party for two of our team members. Serving others, worshipping God and ice cream – put this all together and you have a great day in LA!
Thursday night we went to worship with the Dream Center at Angelus Temple. Pastor Matthew introduced and thanked each of the teams for helping with the Dream Center. Press Play led in worship; Bill Cornelius brought the evening message. SCS closed out the evening with a birthday party for two of our team members. Serving others, worshipping God and ice cream – put this all together and you have a great day in LA!
Skid Row Work and More
Wednesday was an extremely busy day. We started our morning assignment with a Foster Care ministry. We delivered diapers and food to families with small children. Each of the families had been referred to the Dream Center by CPS due to their poverty level. These families were trying hard to provide for their families (several having multiple jobs) and yet still struggling to make ends meet on a regular basis.
During the afternoon, the group went out to a ministry called “Under the Bridge.” This ministry provided a hot meal for the homeless living on Skid Row. The serving line was set up behind one of the Mission Shelters. Several in our group were able to talk with the people while they ate and share God’s love. One man decided to become a follower of Jesus and a couple of our girls were able to pray with him.
Tonight was one of the coldest nights we have had since we have been here. Our evening ministry was The Santa Monica Outreach. We went to the Santa Monica Pier to serve a hot meal to the homeless staying in the area. We served about 25 meals and were able to talk with several of them. While it was extremely chilly, several of the team remarked how great it was to talk with these people. One student stated that this was her favorite ministry so far.
During the afternoon, the group went out to a ministry called “Under the Bridge.” This ministry provided a hot meal for the homeless living on Skid Row. The serving line was set up behind one of the Mission Shelters. Several in our group were able to talk with the people while they ate and share God’s love. One man decided to become a follower of Jesus and a couple of our girls were able to pray with him.
Tonight was one of the coldest nights we have had since we have been here. Our evening ministry was The Santa Monica Outreach. We went to the Santa Monica Pier to serve a hot meal to the homeless staying in the area. We served about 25 meals and were able to talk with several of them. While it was extremely chilly, several of the team remarked how great it was to talk with these people. One student stated that this was her favorite ministry so far.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Ministry Begins:
Today was a great day. Tuesday afternoon we served with Hope for the Homeless – Teen Ministry. We packed about 100 sack lunches to give to the homeless teens at Venice Beach. After the sandwiches were made, we set out to share a meal and God’s love to those we found on the beach. I have asked several to reflect on today's events and I think these quotes sums it up...
“Today was an eye opening experience. Especially seeing a place where over 95% of the people did drugs. There was a skater who was only 13 or 14 who was openly talking about doing drugs. The cops were doing nothing to stop the drugs but they stopped Clint (one of our team members) from rapping the gospel.”
“I experienced being with a sad boy who accepted Christ [as we gave him a lunch], which was very cool.”
“I was taken back by the openness and friendliness of the homeless people and skaters.”
“I saw hunger and hopelessness. When we brought people the food [their] faces light up. They had such gratitude.”
“It kind of broke my heart not to be able to give a sack lunch to all of the homeless people.” [We just didn’t have enough for everyone.]
“The homeless are actually normal people who are at a tough point.”
“I felt like I am taking advantage of EVERYTHING! I felt ungrateful and it hit me that God loves me and I shouldn’t take advantage of it. Plus, I shouldn’t feel like I need everything when all I need it God.”
The students have shared it all. This was an amazing and challenging first day. Tonight we discussed John 14:12. It tells us that greater things are yet to be done through us…in this city… Can’t wait to see what God does tomorrow!
“Today was an eye opening experience. Especially seeing a place where over 95% of the people did drugs. There was a skater who was only 13 or 14 who was openly talking about doing drugs. The cops were doing nothing to stop the drugs but they stopped Clint (one of our team members) from rapping the gospel.”
“I experienced being with a sad boy who accepted Christ [as we gave him a lunch], which was very cool.”
“I was taken back by the openness and friendliness of the homeless people and skaters.”
“I saw hunger and hopelessness. When we brought people the food [their] faces light up. They had such gratitude.”
“It kind of broke my heart not to be able to give a sack lunch to all of the homeless people.” [We just didn’t have enough for everyone.]
“The homeless are actually normal people who are at a tough point.”
“I felt like I am taking advantage of EVERYTHING! I felt ungrateful and it hit me that God loves me and I shouldn’t take advantage of it. Plus, I shouldn’t feel like I need everything when all I need it God.”
The students have shared it all. This was an amazing and challenging first day. Tonight we discussed John 14:12. It tells us that greater things are yet to be done through us…in this city… Can’t wait to see what God does tomorrow!
Seeing the Sights of LA
The Dream Center doesn’t have ministry activities on Monday. So, our plan was to head out and see more of the sights of LA. The plan was to go to Hollywood, “In-n-Out,” La Brea Tar Pits, and dinner at the Farmer’s Market – The Grove. The plans started a little later than we originally scheduled due to one of the team member becoming sick with food poisoning. (Praise the Lord! She is doing much better after 2 trips to the hospital, meds, and much prayer.)
Hollywood was a busy place, having hosted the Oscars on Sunday night. The streets were blocked off but we were still able to see the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Kodak Theater was still decked out when we were there.
During our devotional time, I asked them to tell me of the observations of the city. The most common response was the drastic difference between the “rich and the poor” in the city. There are many wealthy people that spend $1,000 for a pair of shoes or drive very nice cars…and yet there are so many people sleeping out on the streets. One student noted that the diversity was extremely overwhelming. Another questioned…”Is this right? The vast difference between the have and have nots just doesn’t seem right.”
Hollywood was a busy place, having hosted the Oscars on Sunday night. The streets were blocked off but we were still able to see the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Kodak Theater was still decked out when we were there.
During our devotional time, I asked them to tell me of the observations of the city. The most common response was the drastic difference between the “rich and the poor” in the city. There are many wealthy people that spend $1,000 for a pair of shoes or drive very nice cars…and yet there are so many people sleeping out on the streets. One student noted that the diversity was extremely overwhelming. Another questioned…”Is this right? The vast difference between the have and have nots just doesn’t seem right.”
Sunday: Bright and early to late at night!
Sunday was a big day of adventure. We met at the airport at 5:00 a.m. to leave for Los Angeles. There was a lot of anticipation and everyone was still a little nervous with not knowing what would happen or where we were going. Once we landed, we went out to see the sights of Southern California. We hit the beach for a few hours, toured the homes of Beverly Hills, and “shopped” on Rodeo Drive.
For dinner, we had an exciting meal. Mr. Gray (Lauren’s dad) has a family friend in LA who reserved a small restaurant for our group to have dinner together. It was a nice restaurant with wonderful food. From there, Mr. Saunders took us to another restaurant for a second dessert/ice cream. The food was so good and we were overwhelmed with the kindness of Mr. Saunders.
We checked into the Dream Center around 9 p.m. Sunday night. Everyone is tired, but agree it was a fun day. We look forward to what God has in store for us the rest of the week.
For dinner, we had an exciting meal. Mr. Gray (Lauren’s dad) has a family friend in LA who reserved a small restaurant for our group to have dinner together. It was a nice restaurant with wonderful food. From there, Mr. Saunders took us to another restaurant for a second dessert/ice cream. The food was so good and we were overwhelmed with the kindness of Mr. Saunders.
We checked into the Dream Center around 9 p.m. Sunday night. Everyone is tired, but agree it was a fun day. We look forward to what God has in store for us the rest of the week.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Whassup? What's the Mission?
From the halls of SCS to the streets of SkidRow in central LA...we have a big mission task ahead of us.
This past week, we have met one another and learned from each another. We have learned about the places and people we will get to see and meet. Some of us are a bit nervous....but we all are excited about what God is going to do through us while on SkidRow.
During our group training, we defined our purpose for this trip. The reason we are going to LA is to...
P ractice showing God's love
U nite
R each out to others
P ut aside personal fears
O ffer others God's gifts
S erve
E ncourage
Pray for God's protection as we are on the streets of LA. Pray that we will be able to show God's love to the people in this city. Pray that we will fulfill the purpose of our mission.
This past week, we have met one another and learned from each another. We have learned about the places and people we will get to see and meet. Some of us are a bit nervous....but we all are excited about what God is going to do through us while on SkidRow.
During our group training, we defined our purpose for this trip. The reason we are going to LA is to...
P ractice showing God's love
U nite
R each out to others
P ut aside personal fears
O ffer others God's gifts
S erve
E ncourage
Pray for God's protection as we are on the streets of LA. Pray that we will be able to show God's love to the people in this city. Pray that we will fulfill the purpose of our mission.
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