Meet the Community Fellows: Sarah

Sarah Knaapen grew up in Northern California, in the Bay Area. She moved to Southern California to go to nursing school at Azusa Pacific University. She graduated December 2012 with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing and is now working night shift at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. She has always had a passion for homeless ministries, international missions, and women's health and rights. Moving into an apartment on Flower street with the Fellows Program has already been challenging but very exciting. She is thrilled and thankful for this opportunity to discover more about the adventure that God has planned for this year.

Meet the Community Fellows: Lucy

​Hi! My name is Lucy.

 I want start by saying how ridiculously excited I am for the opportunity Kingdom Causes has given me to be a fellow in a city that is very near to my heart.  Although my parents now live in Downey, they did a great job passing on their love for this small town. I grew up here, graduated high school and even commuted from Bellflower to Cal State Long Beach (where I still attend) for the first two years of my college career. I am 22 and quickly realizing that age and time aren’t as relevant as God and His plans are. I want this year to be about loving the people God has placed me near, and I can’t wait to experience His presence in the contact I have with my neighbors as well as my fellow fellows. 

Meet the Community Fellows: Janet

Hello, my name is Janet and I am in the fellows program this year. Recently I just graduated from Cal State Long Beach with my bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Also, I recently just got my first social work job, which I am very excited to begin. I will be working with older adults and will provide them with resources and services, so they can remain living at home safe and independently. 

I grew up in the city of Pico Rivera but Bellflower is my second home because I have attended Bellflower Brethren Church since the second grade. My family and Bellflower Brethren have showed me the passion I have to help and serve others. I am excited for this new year to be part of the bellflower community and to make new friendships. It has only been a week and the neighbors on Eucalyptus have been kind and welcoming. I look forward to what God has in store for the Bellflower and me. There may be challenges through out the year so I ask for your prayers that I listen carefully to the wisdom of God to further expand his Kingdom.

Meet the Community Fellows: Gabi

Perspectives are a strange thing. They affect every aspect of what we do, how we see, how we think, how we feel, who we are. As you read this post, you’re reading from a very particular and special perspective. I’d like to share some of the things Jesus has used to create my perspective over the last twenty years.

But first, a few quick facts: my name is Gabi Benalcazar and I have the opportunity to be a Community Fellow this year. I was part of the Fellows Program last year, but only for half the year beginning in January. I am incredibly thankful for the chance to continue living in Bellflower.

Alright, back to perspectives. One of the biggest ways Jesus has shaped my perspective is, no surprise, my home-life. “Home” is in Ohio; Westerville, OH to be exact. “Home” is my awesome, supportive parents, my big bro and four grandparents whom I was lucky enough to grow up living close to. “Home” is an old horse farm with way too much space to run around in and to spend time alone with Jesus. “Home” is where Jesus first drew me to himself, it is where I learned to love and live life with people. “Home” is a huge factor in Jesus shaping my perspective.

The next biggest factor is a place located at the corner of Clark and Flower...well, not the place, but the people there who make up part of Jesus’ body: Bellflower Brethren Church (BBC). Jesus has used BBC to shape the way I see and connect with community.

I’ll end with this story... The other night, I was running around with some kids that live in the apartments behind our church. We raced up the stairs of the courtyard at church and over to a balcony. The kids noticed that it was facing the direction of their home, so we ran to the railing to see if we could see their door. We could. Excitement, pointing and happy chatter broke out. Then they just stood there for a bit (the longest they stood still all night, no joke!) looking at their home from the second floor of this building. They had a whole new vantage point, a whole different perspective of their home, one that they’d never seen before. And that’s my hope. I hope that Jesus will continue to bring me through and to places, people, whatever it may be, to give me and others a new perspective. A “new” perspective for me, that is, but one as old as time to Him. I trust that, completely by his grace, during this next year and beyond, he will continue helping me to see and love like he does. Helping me to live with His perspective. I hope and trust that the same will happen with you.

Meet the Community Fellows: Lindsay

Hi! My name is Lindsay Pals and I am a recent transplant from Grand Rapids, Michigan, where my most recent position was in the housing and education side of community development. I was born, raised, and went to school in that lovely city, but have always been drawn to Southern California. Through family and friends I heard about the good work KCB has been involved in, so with my pending move to Southern California, I decided to check the organization out.  Needless to say, God leads and God provides- two huge lessons I’m still learning in this entire transplant. I know He has more blessings and lessons in store for me, the fellows program, and our community this year.
I enjoy meeting new people and I really enjoy coffee. Take that as an open invitation J

Meet the Community Fellows: Noemi

Hi, my name is Noemi Vega and I am part of this year's Community Fellows Program. Even though I grew up in Paramount, Bellflower is where I've spent most of my life! I have attended Bellflower Brethren Church since the age of 2, so it's safe to say it's where my roots are. last May I received my Bachelors degree in Psychology, from Grace College, Indiana. Like any psych major, I enjoy meeting new people and hearing about their life! This love for people was what sparked my interest in the Fellows Program. I am most excited to learn about community development and to really be stretched in my walk with the Lord. I am already starting to see God's faithfulness and his blessings over the community on Eucalyptus. I am hopeful and excited for what God has in store for me this year!

Intern Reflections: Betsy

The above pictures are from my Art class, it is kind of crazy in there. I’ll get into why it is “crazy” in a bit, because it is crazy in a good way. First of all I am blessed for this experience because it is so rewarding. I love the kids and this class, and my volunteers are all so amazing. My volunteers help me with so much and we go through a lot in one hour. We are literally running around the classroom the whole time. For this class I planned things that I knew for sure the kids would like. One of them is a paper-mache piggy bank, and that project has lasted three weeks. In the pictures above you can see the kids working on the piggy bank and also myself, captured in the momentum of going around the tables checking on each kid. One of my most favorite parts of the class has been at the beginning when I ask the class if they are ready to continue the piggy and they all shout “Yes!” It makes me feel so happy that they love it. Though there has been a couple of times that I get a little frustrated in the beginning of class, because I do not know how to set things up or if I have enough of supplies. Then it just so happens that the kids arrive, and they say hi and talk to me and it makes me feel better. All I want is for them is to enjoy my class. I really want to give this class my 100%. Thankfully the things I have them working on keep them intrigued. I do enjoy interacting with them and looking at their masterpieces. I have to say they are really creative kids. The second best part of the class is that when we are done my volunteers and I clean up and talk about how the class went that day. We are tired and messy with paper-mache all over our hands, but I feel a sense of accomplishment when class is over because I know we gave it our all.

Overall, I feel I am getting a better grip of things and know what things kids can and cannot do in regards to art, because some things are a little difficult for them to do. I feel happy I‘m in charge, and I feel this class is a good fit for me as I myself am a kid at heart.

Intern Reflections: Jocelyn

Elderly & Laughs

It is always intimidating to enter a room of unfamiliar people. Currently, I am on my fifth week 

of this internship. There has been silence and laughter. I have met some pretty amazing women.

Everyone loves and enjoys their company.

Laughter, is present during our Comedy Show practice.

Dear friends at the Bellflower Friendship Manor, thank you for allowing me to spend Tuesdays and Thursdays with you.

Emhelda, Costa Rican, artsy woman with an obsession for feathers.

Remember me Ms.Patrica? 

Lovely nicknames from Mary; please call me Jocelyn #3

Youthful at heart. You are appreciated by Sarah And I!

Intern Reflections: Isaac

    Limitless

I want to be limitless.

But I can’t get out of my own skin.

I dream of the impossible.

But at some point I have to face reality.

I want to save the world.

But that’s not my job.

I want to make a difference.

But I need to change my perspective.

Jesus already came to save the world.

It’s not about me.

He is changing the world.

I’m just here to help.

I have limits.

He is limitless.

- Isaac Taylor

Outreach intern

Intern Reflections: Crystal

Progress Report: For the first three weeks of my internship, the majority of my time was spent at a desk and on my laptop. I researched science experiments that were both safe and fun. I created activities that were both educational and engaging. I was determined to be true to the neighborhood flyer that titled my class “Science is Fun”. Countless hours, however, did not prepare me enough for that first class. My lesson plan was organized and precise, very unlike the kids who would walk through the doors of the community center that first day. Remaining patient was the most difficult part of the day. I had to make sure that the kids had everything they needed, that the volunteers understood the curriculum for the day, and that all the parents’ questions were being addressed. When the class finally started and the activities commenced, I was relieved to see the kids enjoying themselves and cheering when I asked if they were ready for the next experiment. The most rewarding part of my day was saying goodbye to the kids. At the end of the day, even the kids who struggled through the three hour class approached me and said “Thank you teacher”.  

The Big Picture: Organizing the summer science class has taught me the importance of balance.

Not only should I be fun and friendly when addressing the kids, I should also be firm when giving instructions or handling materials. Not only should I be rigid about following safety rules, I should also be flexible if an experiment does not go as planned. I cannot get so fixated on my lesson plan that I lose touch with how the kids are doing. By my second class, I was able to rely more on my volunteers and walk around the room. I received input from the kids on which activities they liked and what lessons intrigued them. My original goal of having a well-run class was no longer relevant. The most important thing was that the kids had a genuine curiosity about the world around them. One of my favorite experiments was creating earthquake-safe buildings from marshmallows and toothpicks. In a sense, I too was trying to create a stable foundation. This foundation would allow the kids to look back on my class and see that learning is invigorating and that science truly is fun.