Daffodils

I kill plants. I love them and appreciate their beauty, but I just can't keep them alive. Perhaps it's because I'm a procrastinator and not a very disciplined waterer. When I moved into my house a few months ago I had grandiose plans for the two dirt patches with dying rose bushes in the front yard. I even went so far as to google the types of plants that do well in Bellflower climate.

It's been four months now, and I've only watered the patches 4 or 5 times (2 of those during the last week). Last week, I noticed some green-onion-like sprouts popping up. I thought it might just be a weed, but I continued to water them. To my surprise, a bright yellow daffodil bloomed over the sunny weekend. I'm so proud!

I feel like it was my hard work that made it happen, but really, all I did was water it twice. Someone that lived there before me must have planted the bulbs. They were the ones that invested their time and money.

What a spiritual lesson!!

Prayer for Bellflower 2007

During the upcoming Lent season, some of the churches in Bellflower are utilizing a prayer guide that leads people in prayer for different people, groups and concerns in our city. We are also encouraging Christians to pray together by promoting the various prayer meetings that are going on throughout the city so that there might be some good "cross-pollenization", Christians visiting other churches to pray with them. Check out the link below to see the latest list of prayer meetings so that you might join one!

http://kingdomcauses.org/224112.ihtml

The perfect outreach night

We do outreach to un-sheltered people on the streets every Tuesday night at 4:30. I expect 5 people consistently coming each week. Someone donated soup, so we had enough for two cars to go out and feed 15 people. My expectations were exceeded. Fifteen people showed up representing 6 churches. Numbers are not that important but I've behind the numbers is another key. Fifteen people from one church doing mission is cool but fifteen people from 6 churches is grand. The potential of resources is much greater.

We talk about success before we go and hand out food and meet people. For the new individuals, success is overcoming some fear by going out with someone who has experience with the subject matter (addiction), and the geography (encampments). Just working through the unknown and exchanging some introductions with someone is success. These are building blocks of relationships.

The further we go the different success looks. One lady has been doing outreach for 4 weeks now. Let's just say that she spends 10 minutes talking to 3 people in one night. In one month, she has talked to 3 people for 40 minutes. As the relationship grows, her level of success changes. We haven't talked specifically with her but the goal would be to have her begin to "triage" a relationship - When a person goes into the Emergency room, there is a triage specialist who directs them to an area based on their specific needs.

Our Theory of Change in regards to doing Outreach with un-sheltered people is that relationships with healthy people who can inspire someone and give them hope is the beginning of recovery. When we triage our relationships with people we begin to individualize relationships that we are in and focus on specific needs. 3 relationships for this woman could be overwhelming so if she would triage then she would begin spending 30 minutes talking to one person 4 times a month. She might then break off from our Outreach and meet that individual at a coffee shop once a week to talk. She might begin setting some goals with this person and pretty soon this person sees that the only way to achieve their goals is through some recovery. They'll meet once a week while the person is in recovery and pray for each other and then when that person gets out of recovery, they go to church together and are in the same small group that meets once a week for 1 hour. The time commitment isn't really that great, the consistency and accountability is great and is the key!

Impressed.

God is good. Today is one of those days when I'm just impressed with Him. I should be impressed everyday, but I get distracted. How sad is that? He is such a good God and I still get distracted. Sometimes I forget that He's at work ALL THE TIME and it doesn't revolve around what I do. In all honesty, I have the tendency to try and make things happen in my own strength... and it doesn't work out so well. This morning we had an awesome Eucalyptus Task Force meeting. Everyone had some good words to share. It was great to sit back and see how God's casting His vision within the people and it's something that we can't take credit for. His sovereignty has been a theme for me this week. Even last weekend at the Summit, we recognized that God had put the same thing on so many different peoples' hearts. He's doing something great in Bellflower. It's being confirmed every time we meet together. This morning at our weekly neighborhood prayer, I noticed the same thing. The hopes and dreams that God has placed on several of our hearts for the Eucalyptus neighborhood, he has also placed on the hearts of people that we are just getting to know. He has his people scattered, yet strategically placed, in the various neighborhoods of Bellflower. And he's connecting us one by one. I can't even comprehend how many miracles happen everyday in our community without us knowing. We only see a little bit... and even that brings joy to my heart. I can't wait to see or hear about what He's doing next week. God is good.

Rocky turned 40!

This was our Theory: There is a need (People on the streets are isolated and hopeless) and a solution (Hopeless people are ispired through interaction with spirit-filled people).

We met Rocky about a year ago near an off-ramp of the 91 Freeway. Each Tuesday, someone would go see Rocky, bring him a lunch and make sure he got a ride hooked up for the showers on Saturday.

He is a gatekeeper in his pen area, with seniority that goes back years. Humbly spirited and bright, he enjoys writing and telling you the latest news.

He was always open for prayer and dialogue about what he thought worked in his life compared with principles that Jesus calls us to live by.

Two months ago after asking him how much longer he was going to live out on the streets, he answered: "when i turn 40, i'm getting off the streets".

A week before his Birthday, we got him in touch with Atlas 7 in Norwalk and filled out the paperwork for his Rehabilitation. He is currently waiting to hear back and we are praying that God's timing comes soon.

Please keep him in your prayers!

Homeless Summit!

On Saturday February 3rd, over 30 people representing 11 Churches and other Organizations gathered for a lunch and conversation. We asked a simple question: "What do you help people who are in Crisis"? We heard briefly from everyone what thier experiences were and what worked and what did not work. Everyone took turns briefly sharing thier experiences.

A couple key things that come out of this meeting

1) Simply, people who share similar experiences and burdens meet each other.
2) City-Wide awarness and approaches are forming as Churches and Leaders gather.
3) Awarness of and invitation to be part of the Homeless Task Force is initiated.
4) Communication in Bellflower among Churches.

I could sense that there was this realization that this big problem of "Homelessness" doesn't seem so big when people unite.

We are excited now to see what will happen at our next Homeless Task Force coming February 17th.