MT ’11 Day #4

Wednesday was a very different day for us and our normal schedule. We had the opportunity to go as two large groups to do some volunteer work. One group went to a community garden to help put in planter boxes so that people in wheel chairs could participate in gardening. The other group went and cleaned an alley. In less than an hour and a half the back of a 2 ton city truck was full of all sorts of trash.
We then went to the famous Mama’s Tamales shop across the street from McArthur park. Not only was the food amazing and the park beautiful but Mama told the story of how in 1998 there were 600 arrests in the park then with the help of a non-profit she started they were able to make the park a safer place. In 2005 the police chief told her there were Zero arrests.
We then rode a city bus to the Skid Row area of downtown LA. This is a 50 square block area designated by the city for homeless people to go. The youth passed out waters and had conversations with many of the people there. It was a truly overwhelming and impactful experience for everyone. We hope to post reflections from the youth soon!
We then spent the rest of the day at the beach. The community and connections that are being made with everyone is awesome!

MT ’11 Day #3

We rise this Wednesday morning and I sit here in the sanctuary at 7:00am to our youth coming to begin their day with a devotion. The scripture focuses on Jesus as the everlasting water, the water that gives generously and unending. These youth have touched that water this week and it empowers them to challenge themselves.
The increase of smiles, laughter, genuine community is so powerful.
The Lord’s prayer says, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” I can’t help but imagine that these experiences have brought us closer to Heaven, if only for a moment.

MT ’11 Day #2

“We pray to God for the things that are essential to life and through that we give amazing and unceasing thanks and praise to God.”-Bonhoeffer
The “ghetto” is redefining itself in my mind. Bonhoeffer writes about God’s blessings, but too often we forget how blessed we already are.
We come to do work in neighborhoods that look similar to our own at home. The “need” or “cause” doesn’t seem as great as we had imagined and yet we are here.
Is this week more about doing work here in Los Angeles or is the real work truly going on in our souls? So far we have been forced to reconsider or reconnect with the God of amazing abundance and how we need to remember that God reigns/rains that blessing each day.
Do I need to come to LA to truly see me own neighborhood?

MT ’11 Day #1

We arrived at Vermont Square UMC surprisingly quick from San Carlos UMC. The SSP staff here is very nice and energetic. They all have a history of doing SSP both as campers and staff (which definitely means this is an awesome experience).
We have been split up into our small groups, which is very similar to family groups at camp. There are about 8 work sites which range from: Stripping paint, building handicap access ramps, working on a church, building a shed, and helping with a lady that owns 17 horses on a ranch in the middle of Compton to help youth stay out of gangs.
Everyone is totally excited and ready to get started!

Mission Trip 2011 Set to Begin!!!

    As we are on the brink of this adventure we should pause to consider just how amazing this opportunity can be…

For 18 teenagers, who willingly interupt their summer to go to a totally different community to help complete strangers, this will be a life-changing experience.

Each day we will add to this blog the experiences of this trip for parents and friends to read. This will be a way to stay in contact but also a way to walk with us on this amazing journey.

The major question of this trip and our faith is, “WHAT IF?” How can this question motivate, inspire, challenge, question and impact our lives when we think about the idea of what if we allow God to lead and change our lives?