Our First Day

We went Sunday on the Bus pick-up to South Central LA to a neighborhood that is totally in the "hood". Our bus driver as very amusing and entertaining. He looked to be in his mid 30's or so but wore baggy jean shorts that reached just above his ankles, a huge t-shirt, and a gray knit cap with a bill, worn off to the side, of course. It was comical to see a grown man dressed like a teen hoodlum, and talking like one too. Eric has been working at the Dream Center with Metro Kidz for several years, so maybe that explains the outfit. Along one street as we sat at a red light Eric opened the bus door and yelled out, "Don't be given that look girl! You know it's better than sweeping the state pen!" Looking out the window we saw a group of people sweeping and cleaning the sidewalk wearing bright orange vests; one would assume they were doing mandatory community service. As we were sharing our year and major which my answer was alumni, Eric asked, "Are you the boss?" I shunned that title so he asked the rest of the team who said yes. He then said, 'I knew you were the le hefe." Not knowing any Spanish I heard him say "the heifer" and was rather confused at what he meant and why he would be calling me a heifer. I wasn't sure to be outraged or laugh. Thankfully Lindsey was sitting in front of me and whispered that it means "the chief."

As we followed our guides, Jose and Sam, we noticed the shell casings on the ground and on our way back noticed the windows in a mini-van that were no more, a casualty of the gun shots. A couple older ladies told us that a fight had gone on the night before. The police were still around patrolling the area so we felt a degree safer. But as Eric our bus driver said, Dream Center has a "gangster pass" to the neighborhoods. The saddest sight was seeing coils of razor wire surrounding a head start pre-school. And just in case the wire on the fence around the place wasn't enough deterrent there was more all along the perimeter of the building's roof. Strangely enough the neighborhood made me nostalgic for the gypsy neighborhoods of Brno. The decrepit-ness, some units boarded up, others with laundry hanging outside, others with amazing gardens. Although I noticed that all the plants in these various gardens were in pots. Are they transitory so that if the owners ever get a chance to move they can take the plants with them or because the ground is so hard? We took the bus load of people we collected to Angelus Temple for church. That was an experience. The one comment from a team member, "We aren't in the Northwest anymore, this is Hollywood! They do church different down here." And so they do!

After church we rode the bus back to drop off the people and back to the Dream Center. We had lunch at DC and had a free afternoon. We had gotten several suggestions from Eric about what to do. First of all we took naps. After dinner we went to the 3rd street Promenade in Santa Monica. It was fun to watch the students, especially as we joined a crowd around three break dancers. Some were really amazed at all the nationalities represented: Armenian, Iranian, Israli, Turkish, Filipino, Italian, etc. How do we know this? The three performers had a competition, whoever was the last to give a "tip" got a special dance. As they collected the money they asked where people were from and created a "bidding war" between different countries. A gal from the Philippines won and got a chipendales type dance - in front of her husband and two young children. She playfully but truly kneed one of them. But the best part, when she was able to escape she went back to her purse and grabbed something to give them - a "Our Daily Bread." I thought that was hilarous! The guy didn't quite know what to do with it and just thanked her for the devotional.

When the dancers took a break our group split into small groups. Dot, Corbin and I went down to the beach. Corbin went for a swim. Dot and I just wanted to get out feet wet but a wave snuck up on us and got us rather wet. We met up with other on the pier later where we had to leave before we saw who was leaving Bubba Gump's on a guerney in an ambulance. It wasn't a fun way to end an evening for someone. As we walked back to the van I am nearly certain that I passed by the guy who plays Jin on "Lost," quite certain but not a 100%. Meg was beside me and I asked her if she watched the show to get confirmation, but she doesn't so I'm left to wonder.

LA or bust!

I would like to ask you to be in prayer for the next 8 days. I am co-leading a group of 10 students from George Fox down to LA for their Spring break Serve Trip. There are two student leaders – Evan and Lindsay – both juniors. We are going down to the Dream Center to be involved with the street outreach, night life witness, meal service, etc. The center is literally in-between the bloods and crips and we’ve been giving specific instructions to not wear black or red as these are gang colors. We also cannot go out walking and have to be with a center staff member when doing projects for safety reason. We are leaving Friday evening and driving in a frumpy 15-passenger van and making it to Grants Pass, then making the long haul to LA on Saturday. We’ll be in LA until Saturday morning when we start the return trip home in one long stretch. There are four of us sharing the driving duties but as the other three are just 21 I am nervous about their driving such an unwieldy vehicle, although they did have to pass a quiz about van safety. We had our first team meeting this past Monday. It was the first time some of them had even met. Goes to show you how large GFU has become since I went there and everyone was at least familiar with everyone else – mostly.

Please pray for us and cover us in God’s protection!

Pray for our safety, especially in driving (good weather and alert drivers) and being around the gangs.

Pray for our health and energy, that it would stay strong and high.

Pray for unity and camaraderie.

Pray for open willing hearts as we will all be way outside our comfort zones.

Pray for me for wisdom and discernment in how to lead the students.

My New Toy

Most of you know that I love to cook. I especially love to bake but since learning about my extensive food allergies in December that has taken a back seat. I need to find a good substitute for eggs - any suggestions? With the new year magazines were all about helping us get organized and Real Simple was no exception. They even gave several ways to tame the unruly beast of recipe collections. Being the geeky type that I am I was was immediately drawn to the electronic suggestions. One of their two suggestions (the other was for the more enlightened Mac owners) was for a program called Big Oven. How could you not like a program with that name? I gave it a try and after playing with the trial version for a day I had to buy the whole program, which is reasonably priced, about the same or even less than most of my cookbooks. So I'm giving them a big plug today. There are a couple quirks which I believe will be changed with the new version that is rumored to be coming soon-ish, such as no spell check. But this withstanding it is super easy to use and fun. You can add recipes from any website with a few clicks. Create menu plans for a day to a month at a time with a simple click and drag, and make a shopping list in a snap. For those who, like me, aspire to organization you ought to check it out. Plus, the company is based in Seattle area - gotta support the home boys! If you do sign-up let me know so that we can swap recipes and menus in our own community!

Triumph!!

I've done it! After months of work, hours upon hours upon even more hours I finally finished a puzzle I was given for my birthday. My 28th birthday. That was a few years back. Although I haven't been working on it since then. I can't believe how hard the puzzle was, especially the blue sky. I think I'll be gluing it together; I don't think I want to attempt it ever again. Not that you can tell from the picture, but it is a meter long, 1000 pieces. I'll just enjoy the puzzle picture of Prague's castle grounds. Thanks Noemi and GG for all the fun!

Book Rec.

If you are looking for a thrilling and enthralling read pick up Erik Larson's "The Devil in the White City." It is a historical book but reads like a novel. If history classes were this engaging I may have paid attention in high school. The book has two parallel stories, one about the mastermind behind the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893 and the other about a serial killer who preyed on people lured to Chicago by the Fair. I know reading about a serial killer doesn't sound appealing but it isn't gory and horrific. I haven't read anything so well written in some time. After reading one short paragraph about the debate before the turn of the century about direct current or alternating current and the two proponents- Edison and Tesla - I started wondering what key words I could Google to find out more information. Then I caught myself and marveled that this author just made me interested in electricity with a mere four sentences. When I finished the book I was actually sad, sad that I couldn't visit the White City myself, that I couldn't experience the World's Fair. One other good reason to read the book - the author is from Seattle. Gotta support the local yocal!

SUNSHINE!!

What a marvelous wonderful day! And it is all because I saw sunshine and was able to feel it on my skin. An amazing sign that winter is on the run and spring is trying to break through. After last week when the streetlights never turned off and one had to wonder if the sun did actually come up that day today was beyond beautiful. On my way home from the gym I delighted to see a bunch of yellow daffodils blooming at the elementary school around the corner. I got home and took my lunch outside and sat on my front walkway just so that I could feel the sunshine on my face. Of course I had to wear sunglasses because the peepers are much more accustomed to the dull gray of a Northwest winter. I especially needed the sunglasses after I rolled up my pants. Yikes! How can skin be so pale? The sunlight reflecting off my nearly bluish pale shins was enough to blind me. It was actually warm enough in the sun that I took off my fleece jacket and wasn’t shivering. I couldn’t handle the idea of going back inside so I tackled the yard. With all the rain we’ve had lately I haven’t been able to do any pruning or winter clean-up. But I took care of that today. Working out front was nice. I was in the sun and was mainly pruning the lavender and rosemary which were extra fragrant with the slight heat of the sun. Working in the back was another story all together. The sun had long since passed over and while I was moving it was okay, but cutting back rotting kale was a putrid task. The gag reflexes got a good workout.

Three strikes and safe at home... for now.

Well, all my worry and anxiety about moving is over for the time being. The church in Seattle hired someone else. Azusa passed on my as well, their loss. And the job in D.C. ended up being a bland paper-pushing job so I passed on it, not worth moving to D.C. So the job hunt continues and seems never-ending. I have an interview with the Portland Rescue Mission this week. It has some potential but I have lots of questions about it as well. If that does not work out this is the plan I've devised: get a retail job at either Sur la Table, Home Depot, The Container Store, or Lowes (hopefully one of them will take me). A job that pays the bills. Get a schedule so that I have the same day off every week so that I can volunteer with Human Services with an end goal of being hired as a social worker. Also to get counseling. I went to a conference this weekend and something hit me like a thunderbolt. I have always used my job to define myself and give me purpose; I haven't been looking to God. If I were to be just a cashier at Lowe's for example, how would I then define myself? I have always struggled with low self-esteem, -confidence, -worth, etc. and I've tried to make up for it by doing something 'important.' What if I got some help to come up to a healthy level of self and took my identity from God, being his beloved daughter, what would life be like? It would be a radically different life for me, one that I think I need to move towards. With that in mind I almost hope that I don't get the job with the mission so that I can't fall back into the same old trap.