Thursday, July 14, 2016

Intern Update: Thomas


Wow what an incredible start to summer!

These past few weeks with Kingdom Causes has been an absolute rush. I’ve learned so much more than I thought I would from this internship, and we are only halfway done with the summer. Seeing the work, struggle, and success of KCB first hand has given me a clearer picture of what it takes to make an impactful difference in this community. The amount of work to get one of our homeless neighbors into a suitable home is extraordinary and takes so many people’s dedication and time. I was blessed enough to take a very small part of getting one of our neighbors housed by helping move some donated furniture into his new place.

This summer I have also been assisting in a couple of camps throughout Bellflower. By working with Bethany Christian Reformed Church, we have been able to put on science, basketball, art, and soccer camps for local children. In addition to these camps, I have also been helping our good friend Mark run his sports camps at Ramona Elementary. Needless to say, running around and trying to keep up with these kids has shown me just how old I’ve gotten. But the amount of joy I get watching them compete and learn more about our Savior more than makes up for the aches, pains, and exhaustion.

What this internship has taught me more than anything so far is that sometimes our plans fall through and we have to make the most with what we got. Many times this summer, the camps we are running have run into both major and minor hiccups. It’s easy to get frustrated, angry, or accusatory when things don’t go our way. However, when we remember our ultimate goal as both Christ followers and as disciple makers, we focus on how to utilize the opportunities we are given to reach the lost and bless our neighbors. As the second and last month of this internship comes upon us, I’m really trying to work on my reliance on God for satisfaction, especially when plans go awry and when we don’t see any tangible impact on others through our work

Meet our 2016 Summer Interns!

Each year, through a generous donations from one of our long-time KCB stakeholders, we are able to provide a summer internship program focused on providing training and experience in Christian Community Development.  These are the lovely faces we get to work with this summer!



Meet Keaulani:

Happy summer everyone! My name is Keaulani Quiatchon, and I am one of the summer interns at Kingdom Causes Bellflower for Neighborhood Engagement. I was born and grew up on a little island called Saipan. But for the past eleven years, I've been lucky enough to call the City of Belflower my home. I just finished up my first year of college at San Diego State University, majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and minoring in Child Development to hopefully become a speech therapist for children. A church I briefly attended in Norwalk had fellowship between the hearing and the deaf, which really strengthened my interest to pursue that in college. Working the in the community has always been one of my values, since doing community service through different organizations like Key Club and tutoring elementary and middle school students through Olive Crest. So working with the youth in the neighborhood is something I'm looking forward to. Being away for college, I didn't hear about this internship until my mom sent me the information for it a few weeks before my last final of the semester. I'm very excited to see where this opportunity takes me while working with the staff and other interns and seeing God's plan for me and the city!

Meet Andrew:

Hello! My name is Andrew Burger. I am twenty years old and am lucky enough to be a summer intern here at Kingdom Causes Bellflower. I am studying Applied Math and Economics in my third year at California State University, Long Beach.

My interest in KCB stemmed from two passions of mine, economics and service. I find the work that Good Soil Industries fascinating as it combines my interest of employment economics and service in order to benefit the community.  For the summer, I will be working with Jason on marketing and business analysis for Good Soil Industries. I am excited and grateful to have an opportunity to serve while developing and understanding for how Non-Profits run.
 
  
  
Meet Grenisha:
 
My name’s Grenisha Parker and this summer I have the honor of working as the Homeless Outreach Intern at Kingdom Causes Bellflower. Not only am I excited to be joining a team who is striving to love their neighbor as themselves. But I am also so humbled to simply serve my brothers and sisters in my community as a believer and daughter of Jesus Christ. This summer will be a beautiful journey because I’m learning how to love my neighbors well and learning how to trust Jesus in all that he does. One thing that I look forward to during this internship is letting go of all my expectations and believing that God’s ways are higher than my own and He is capable of providing all of their needs. There is much joy in knowing that I get to help people in need but I also get to build friendships with them.
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2

Meet Thomas:

Hi! I’m Hi  Thomas Nishimoto and will be interning this summer at Kingdom Causes Bellflower. I am so excited to be able to join the KCB team and bless Bellflower this summer! 
A little bit about my personal life: I am a junior at Grace College in Winona Lake Indiana, but I was born and raised right here in the Bellflower area. My hobbies when I’m not pretending to study are fishing, hiking, sports (especially Volleyball and Basketball!), and playing Super Smash Bros (a video game) competitively. 
 I have been connected with KCB for years and have seen their amazing work in the community.  My sister-in-law had worked with KCB and so both my family and church has been able to bless this community through Kingdom Causes.  I know this organization makes real, tactile change in the community and they have been able to bless this entire community through their works. Knowing how amazing this place is makes me so eager to start working for them. You can catch me this summer running science, art and sports camps at Bethany Reformed Church , or working at the KCB.  I’m looking forward to becoming more connected to my neighbors here in Bellflower. This summer will be new and interesting, but I’m thrilled to be doing it with Kingdom Causes
SaveSave

Friday, July 08, 2016

Summer Volunteer Opportunities

Summer Volunteer Opportunities

Move-In Team
We need your muscles!  The Move-In Team helps recently housed neighbors move in to their new home.  Be a part of the final step that takes our neighbors from homeless to housed!  If you are interested in being on call to help our staff on moving days throughout the month, please call us at 562-804-2189 or email Mark: mtigchelaar@ourplacehousingsolutions.org.

92° Team
"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward." - Matthew 10:42

When the temperature rises above 92° in Bellflower, we need a list of people who are willing to bring ice cold gatorade, water, or popsicles out to our Good Soil Industries landscaping crews.  This is ideal for families who are home for the summer vacation and have the flexibility during the week to make a 10-minute run to drop off refreshments.  If you are interested in blessing our GSI guys, please call us at 562-804-2189 or email drustad@kcbellflower.org.

Summer Neighborhood Programs


Programs:

Soup-er Theater Summer
Co-hosted with Neighborhood Christian Fellowship
July 12-August 12
Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10am-12pm

Location: NCF • 9603 Belmont St. (enter on Ardmore)
$5 per participant

Kids ages 5-9 will participate by playing roles in the play SOUP FOR THE KING by Leondard P. Kessler.  Kids ages 10-12 will participate by assisting memorization of lines, creating backdrops and set, directing, creating play bill, serving the soup for attendees, and all phases of play creation.  The program will culminate with a "Souper" Theater show in August at the NCF auditorium where friends and family can watch the final production while enjoying a bowl of soup!  Sign up at KCB office or by calling 562-804-2189.

Summer Sports Camp
Tuesday nights from 6-7:30pm
June 28-August 7
Location: Ramona Elementary School Field • 9351 Laurel St.
$5 per participant

Anyone from 7 years old to 8th grade is welcome! Kids will learn skills in soccer, basketball, and football!  Sign up at KCB office or by calling 562-804-2189.


Bethany CRC Men Bless Good Soil Industries


Seven of our Good Soil Industries and Kingdom Causes Bellflower guys attended the Bethany CRC Men's Adventure Weekend in Bishop, CA in April. For many of the guys, this was the first time they had the opportunity to go on a Christian retreat, let alone in such a beautiful location. They came back refreshed, energized, and completely blessed by the relationships they built with God, each other, and with the other men from the church. 

A few guys who recently reunited with their children are now planning camping trips with their own families.  We are so grateful that Bethany CRC provided such an amazing opportunity for our hardworking men who are working their way out of poverty.  If you would like to know more about being a friend or mentor to our GSI alumni, please email Jason (jason@goodsoilindustries.org).  

Here are some pictures from their time: