Union Rescue Mission

This morning our team of 25 students and 7 leaders woke up on the rooftop of the Union Rescue Mission. It's was a little cold and fairly uncomfortable, but a great experience as we begin to wrap up our California 2013 Mission Experience.

Yesterday we were able to serve ice cream to many people living on skid row. We sang songs and smiled lots as we offered the simple joy of ice cream.

Sunday, March 24

Thoughts from Mary Eggink,

This morning we had the opportunity to go back to the Dream Centre for their church service at Angeles Temple. There was an incredible word spoken by Pastor Barnett on the theme of Easter approaching. He emphasized Jesus' focus as He went to fulfill His mission of dying on the cross for our sins, and how we should model this focus in our every day life. This message was good for us all to hear as we continue to serve people in the Los Angeles area.

Later today we drove to Long Beach, CA for an afternoon on the beach front. Fortunately no one got a severe sunburn... except for those who didn't put sun screen on as we strongly encouraged them to!! We had a very relaxing day and night, as we came back to the hotel to go out for dinner with our small groups. It's been a good day and many students are looking forward to Disney Land tomorrow! But now for some sleep....

The Adopt-A-Block Experience

Thoughts from Judah Knip and Durwin Blabey:

Today we went back to the Dream Centre to participate in the program Adopt-a-Block. This is a program where Dream Centre goes to the projects and go door to door and pretty much become servant for the people that live there. It could be taking out the trash to watering their grass or even doing their dishes for them. We strated out by going to the Dream Centre and took part in a service type thing and it was basically just a big party. It was so sweet. There was loud music playing and everyone was dancing and everyone was just comfortbale with each other. We then left and went the area where we were working. We got split up into 2 groups and got given different sections of the projects. We started going door to door. It was kinda sketchy at first because there were gangster looking people everywhere but after the first few houses things became more easy and got more comfortable. We ended up watering a mans lawn and taking another mans trash out to the dumpster. Most of the time people wouldn't answer their doors so we would just leave the fliers we received in their doors.Its so crazy to see the amount of poverty there is in such a famous city like LA. As kids in Canada we grow up scared of drugs, alcohol and crimes but kids here in LA are born into it. They dont think it's weird or strange because that's what is normal to them. Adopt-a-Block is such an amazing program that is building relationships with the people of LA and sharing Jesus with them and making a difference in the world and peoples lives. Most people would look down on these poverty striken people who may be caught up with drugs or alcohol but the people of Dream Center just love on these and shared that love with us which we transfered to the people of the projects. The saddest thing is that all these little children are born into this and are in a battle for their whole lives trying to get out of it. When we were done going door to door we met up with the rest of the group in a park and there was a basketball hoop and some boys playing. We asked if we could join in and they let us and we had a pretty competative game. It was a lot of fun. Adopt-a-Block gives the projects of LA hope and is truly making difference in the world.

A Dream Come True

Arriving in California after spending nearly 30 hours driving, was for many in our group ... a dream come true. The sun was shining and their is a relief to knowing we are staying here this week so we can settle in. However, after dropping our stuff off in our rooms and having a small group meeting time ... it was back in our vans to head for the Dream Center in downtown L.A. One of our leaders, Bethany Schumacher reflected on our time saying:

"Working with the Dream Center was amazing! Skid row was blessed tonight as we handed out socks, bags of cookies, chips, and invites to some amazing events for them... AND ended up taking in a new family to the center! God is good!"

It is so incredible to be a part of seeing a families dreams come true, as tonight, a family connected to the street ministry of our team and the Dream Center staff and officially entered into the Dream Center program for families. As a team we overcame the apprehension, and fear of entering into the lives of those in L.A. facing extreme poverty, to meet a simple, but tangible need in their lives ... socks. Our group of students collected and handed out over 1000 pairs of socks!!! Many students acknowledged how incredible it was to hear the appreciation as we handed out our socks. After numerous conversations, prayers, and gifts of socks, we headed back to the hotel to wind down. Now we prepare to do it all again, as tomorrow morning we go back to the Dream Center to participate in the Adopt-a-Block program.

In and Out of LA

We are at our second location in LA after a killer stop to the infamous burger joint In and Out! Just about to head out to the Dream Center to start our ministry! Halla!

Cedar City Baby!!

Arrived after a loooooong day driving from Helena, Montana to Cedar City, Utah! All is well and well in all! Just about to touch base in our small groups, have a swim and sleep like none other!

Another Day on the Road

We are well on our way, heading for Cedar City, UT. With lots of fun travel games and conversations ahead as we travel towards sunny California.