Successful Golf Marathon

Last week we raised over $15,000 for the work in Bellflower! There were 9 golfers and a duck representing Kingdom Causes Bellflower. Even with a few first-time-golfers we had a blast.

Thank you to all of those who participated by golfing or financially supporting the work!

Miracles Happen

“Jay is yours God. Take care of him.”

These were some of the closing words of a post I made to this blog back in December 05. I had just had an encounter with "Jay" and was feeling rather hopeless about the whole Homeless Ministry we are involved with here in Bellflower. Addictions and negative family history are such enormous barriers that keep people enslaved in homelessness and poverty.

Well, I am SO happy and thankful to God that I can report that Jay has made some serious improvement thanks to God's work in his life via meaningful relationships with Christians! 39 days ago he called Eric, our new Homeless Services Coordinator and wanted help getting into one of the rehabilitation programs. We were able to house him for a few days in one of the trailers we had available while we called around and finally got him connected with the Salvation Army Bell Shelter.

This past weekend was Jay's first weekend pass and he spent some time hanging out at Calvary Baptist and with the Bellflower House Church. God is really working in his life! He was the recipient of the New Comer of the Month Award at the Shelter for his perfect attendance at classes and good attitude. What a change in his life. All thanks be to God!

Bethel's Blue Bus Ministry

Last night I had the opportunity to ride on the Bethel's "Blue Bus" into the Eucalyptus neighborhood to pick up kids for their childrens'' service. I don't know how many kids I was expecting, but I was almost overwhelmed by the number of kids that came running out of the apartments towards the bus. We had over 75 kids on the bus last night. How amazing is that!? They were so excited to come to church.

The service starts off with some worship songs and games. My favorite song was one that said "I'm gonna throw up...uhh... I'm gonna throw up... uhh. I'm gonna throw up... uhh...My hands to the Lord!" So fun! Then the kids go off into their classes to learn life skills and Bible stories. This week the fourth and fifth (?) grade girls classes went to the Artesia Nursing Home to play games with the elderly. The teachers said it's so awesome to see kids interacting with grandma's and grandpa's. It gives the kids an opportunity to serve others and they flourish in it.

I am so blessed by the faithfulness of Bethel's children ministry. They've been taking a bus over to the neighborhood for almost 20 years. I had a chance to chat with some of the leaders that have been helping for 18 years. They explained that it took years to build the trust with the people. As an outsider, I can see the trust and love the neighbors have for the "Blue Bus" workers. As a result of Bethel's faithfulness to the neighborhood and God's work, Kingdom Causes has been able to connect with the neighbors far better than we could have on our own. I praise God for their work and the opportunity to partner with them.

If you would like to help out Bethel by riding on the bus on a Wednesday night, call their office at 562-866-0791 and ask for Nichole. Keep their ministry in your prayers. Also, they're hosting a health fair this Sunday from 11am-3pm. Stop by!

Eucalyptus... Here We Come!!!

It’s official! After much prayer, planning, and talking with neighbors, Kingdom Causes has signed the lease for the Eucalyptus neighborhood resource center. What a blessing it is to be around to see this prayer answered. We are thankful for the effort and faith of members from the multiple congregations that have partnered with us to make this dream a reality. It gives us great joy to see followers of Jesus seeking God’s heart and coming together to love their community!

A store front that now houses a furniture store will soon be transformed into a community gathering place. The neighbors will be instrumental in establishing the programs for the center. Already ideas are coming forward for possible English as a Second Language classes, health screenings, and after school activities for kids. It is exciting to envision God’s people in Bellflower collectively investing in a community, so wholistic personal and neighborhood transformation will become a reality.

Financial support for this effort has already started and yet more needs to be raised to cover $1,750 in rent plus costs for operating activities. Volunteer opportunities will also be available for help with construction & once the center is opened to engage with families, kids and the events that occur. Please consider joining us in this journey as we build relationships with neighbors, and discover the resources God has already placed in the neighborhood to be uncovered and used for transformation.

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. (Isaiah 58:12)

Eric Copeland joins the staff!

Eric Copeland joined the Kingdom Causes Bellflower staff this month as the Homeless Services Coordinator. His role will be to help the church of Bellflower be inspired, connected and mobilized to form healthy supportive relationships with our homeless neighbors. Please pray for Eric as he takes this exciting and challenging task.

Pentecost Prayer Gathering

Pentecost Sunday (June 4th, 2006)
Momentum is building! Our rhythm of prayer over the past few days will be culminating on Pentecost Sunday when a significant representation of the Church of the Long Beach/Lakewood/Bellflower area will "be together in one place" (Acts 2:1). The word on the streets is that Christians from all around this region are planning on coming to join in the prayerful celebration so get there early!
Once again, this gathering provides us a powerful opportuntiy to demonstrate the reality that we all know to be true: that there is only one bride of Christ and she belongs to Jesus!Help get the word out by forwarding on this email to people you regularly pray with, mentioning that you are going when you gather with your local church family and even encourage people to go from the pulpits on Sunday!!
COME EXPECTING!!
5:15 - 6:15 pm Service Opportunity Tables Open
6:15 - 7:45 pm Prayer Gathering
7:45 - 8:30 pm Service Opportunity Tables Open
Refreshments will be provided
Red Cross Certified Child Care will also be provided for those Kindergarden age or younger.

First Annual Advancement Dinner

Special thanks to all who joined us for The First Annual Advancement Dinner yesterday at Simms Park. We had a great time of fellowship, heard a challenging and inspiring message from Mike Yankoski http://www.undertheoverpass.com. It was such a blessing to share what God is doing through his people in Bellflower!

Please stay tuned to this blog and look for information regarding a Follow up Dialogue, a chance to share some of the thoughts you had last night and further explore how we the church can work together in our city.

Extreme Trailer Home Makeovers

We have been blessed with a couple of trailers that we are going to put to use in our affordable transitional housing program. We already have some folks ready to move in and we need your help rehabbing the trailers. We are going to be working on them on the next two Saturdays. Please email Ryan at rverwys@kingdomcauses.org if you can help out!

Town of Many Tongues

Here is a great link that I found about the diversity of Artesia and this area:

http://www.voanews.com/mediastore/04-08-19town-of-many-tongues.mp3

Check it out!

Dynamic Church

This dynamic church must enlighten, but first it is.
Philosophy says one must be before one can act.
Before all else, the church has this task;
To be, to build itself up.
I continuously invite you, dear friends,
To view this purpose above all in my poor words.
They do not try to confront anyone;
I am not fighting with anyone.
I am helping Christ to build his church and calling on all of you who are baptized,
Who are the church,
To make yourselves aware,
To work together,
So that we may make of this pilgrim people
Truly a torch to enlighten the world.
So, let no one hear my words with a polemic spirit.
I do not want to be an opposition,
As was said of me this week.
I want to be simply an affirmation.
When one says yes to one’s own conviction,
One is not confronting,
One is simply affirming oneself.
Naturally, some others don’t think the same way
And thus confrontation arises, but not because one means to seek it.

Oscar Romero – 08/20/78

Walking through the valley of the shadow of death with Jason

The valley of the shadow of death…

It was the day before Christmas Eve and I was feeling pretty good because I was able to help "Jay" and "Pete" check into the Long Beach Rescue Mission, an overnight shelter that does admitting from three to six and takes anyone up to 30 days. It seemed like things were going well when I left them there at 3 o’clock. "Jay" seemed ready for this decision because of his recurring back pain that lands him in the hospital every two months or so. “Thank you Lord, things are going to work out.” I prayed as I drove off. I had no idea how much things would change over the next few days.

I met "Jay" on the river bed just over a year ago. "Jay" is a stocky 25 year old who was raised in Lakewood by his alcoholic mom and an abusive father. Since high school he’s been in and out of trouble, always struggling with authority, thanks mostly I think to his abusive past. Through the past twelve months I have truly come to love "Jay". He is a person of peace, a man who can make anyone feel welcome. He is a quick learner, remembering concepts that I have briefly mentioned to him along the way, even when he wasn’t sober. I’ve had the joy of seeing him make some really good choices, first to check himself into a 10 day detoxification program, and movingly accept Christ’s sacrifice for his sins. I’ve seen him make some bad choices too. Choosing not to stay in the rehabilitation program that he was blessed to get into (they only reserve a few beds for guys with no ability to pay) and choosing to go back to the streets rather than give sobriety another hack.

After his latest three day stay in the hospital two weeks ago "Jay" made a commitment that he would not go back to the riverbed. Seeing this commitment to a positive change I got him a hotel room for a few nights with the understanding that he would go down to the Rescue Mission on Friday when he could more independently walk. He and "Pete" missed the bus and didn’t end up getting down there last Friday. Instead he ended up back behind the Liquor Store owned by Rodney the Armenian. The following Tuesday when we brought lunches out to the homeless neighbors we ran into him back in his usual location in front of Michael’s Pizza and encouraged him to come to the Christmas dinner a small group from the local church was hosting at the Kiwanis Club. He was cordial and even saying, “You’re my best friend!” and “These guys are the best.” He was a great help in getting 25-30 homeless folks out to the Christmas dinner. I told him that I would be out of town on Thursday but that I would come by on Friday and take him to the shelter. “Okay, I’ll be ready.” "Jay" replied as my bus pulled away.

Friday afternoon he was there sleeping behind the liquor store when I showed up to give him a ride. He threw some stuff together and hopped in my orange ’79 Volkswagen bus heading for Long Beach. He talked a mile-a-minute, definitely in a good mood. We met Patrick at the shelter, he had taken the bus from his Methadone clinic directly to the shelter with his weekend’s worth of dosages. They checked in and I rolled off, feeling good about the whole thing, like maybe God had delayed the arrival of my son so that I could do this with the guys.

Christmas Eve I received a phone call from a number I didn’t recognize… sure enough it was Jason saying he couldn’t take the way that they treated him there and he was back in town by the liquor store. I tried in vain to talk him into giving the shelter another go round and suck it up, to tough it out. There was no convincing him though. “I’m done with the shelters. They treat you too much like an animal or a convict.”

I was frustrated… to say the least. Why won’t he just stick it out? Is it really the systems fault that this guy is on the streets? The amount of time that I have put into helping Jason is not making any difference. Have I just “passed the buck” by bringing "Jay" to the shelter? Are the shelters around here really as oppressive as he makes them out to be? There are 89,999 other people like "Jay" in Los Angeles County, helping one person at a time like this cannot be a sustainable way to solve the problem of homelessness.

First thing that comes to my mind is that I should go out and find him.
“Save him again. No, that wouldn’t be right, that would only serve to demonstrate to "Jay" that no matter what choices he makes, I will be there to pick him up right away. Leave some distance, give him a few days to hit bottom.” I think to myself. “I’ll go check on him next week sometime.”

Yesterday was the day to check in on him. He might be uncomfortable enough to get some help. So after hitting a few golf balls with my brother-in-law we cruised over to Rodney’s Liquor Store to find "Jay" and give him his musty sleeping bag and blankets that he left in my bus when he checked into the shelter four days earlier. "Jay" was there, this time when we pulled in though he was not his usually friendly self. (even when he is drunk he’s usually pretty cordial) This time we found him cussing at Rodney and daring him to call the cops. He was fumbling with his zipper and the puddle on the sidewalk looked to be fresh. I got out of the bus and approached "Jay". He was more drunk that usual. His eyes were dark and tired. An empty vodka bottle and a can of malt liquor were over in the corner by the cane the doctor had prescribed for his back pain, pain he was apparently trying to medicate with alcohol.

Rodney was behind the counter and seemed to be on the phone with the police. When "Jay" saw this became more and more agitated and began to talk about hurting himself. “Let the cops come. I’ll kill myself right here.”
He brandished a box cutter and quickly shoved it back in his pocket.
“ "Jay", don’t do anything stupid. Let’s go talk someplace.” I tried to reason.
He turned and threatened Rodney again. Rodney’s threat to call the police must have been convincing enough to scare "Jay". He turned to me and ordered, “Take me to Lakewood or I’ll kill myself right here.”
“I’ll make a deal with you. You give me the razor blade and I’ll give you a ride.” I offered instinctively.
"Jay" turned his back to me and then turned to hand me the box cutter. I opened it to find that the blade had been removed.
“ "Jay" give me the razor blade.” I demanded.
He opened his mouth to reveal the hidden blade and then threw it on the ground at my feet.
I closed the door of the bus with a prayer, “Lord, help me to know what to do here.”
As we pulled out of the drive way "Jay" fumbled with his bag to remove a bottle of Boone’s, a cheap fruit wine that he had doubtless purchased from Rodney earlier in the day. In between deep droughts from the bottle "Jay" began to talk about how he was tired of life. “I’m done. No more shelters.” Recounting again how they had mistreated him. Paranoia began to set in. He began to curse and threaten my brother-in-law and me with death if the cops were to show up.
Another prayer, “Lord, I don’t know what to do!”
We pulled to a stop on Palo Verde just north of South Street, and I turned to see "Jay" in tears. He was incredibly agitated and talked about how he wanted to end it. In my Social Work classes along the way we learned that people usually just want someone to listen to them, and that unless they have actually thought it through they’re likely just trying to get attention. “Have you thought about how you would hurt yourself "Jay"?” I asked. He had four different ways that he could do it and I began to get scared. I have never seen him like this before.
“Lord, I ask you in Jesus name to protect "Jay" from any demonic influence.” I prayed aloud.
“That doesn’t work” "Jay" replied, “I spent nine hours last night in Bible study and nothing happened.” “Some people just get f----- in life. Your friends did when you were a kid, and me.” Jason was referring to the story I had told him about my friends who died in a fire when I was a teen. He could remember things I had told him months ago, but he was clearly in a bad place mentally.
“What do I do Lord? I can’t just leave him. He’ll hurt himself. I can’t call the police because he’s threatened to pretend he has a weapon so he’ll get shot.”
I remembered that LA County has a number that you can call from any payphone so I decided to pull into the Sav-On Drugstore parking lot and try the number. It doesn’t work. “What next?” I try a few friends, Eric, Aaron… no one’s within reach. I try DW and he is there I briefly let him know what’s happening and he gives me the Suicide Prevention line and says he’ll be right over, we’re right in his neighborhood.
"Jay" in the mean time is starting on his next malt liquor and continuing to threaten my brother-in-law if we were to call the cops.
He showed me his arms and said, “I’ve messed up again.” You could see where he had injected something into his arms recently.
When DW showed up "Jay" again got agitated and tore the beer can apart with his hands threatening to hurt himself with it. Still on the phone, I was trying to communicate with the counselor on the other end of the line while I tried to contain "Jay". When "Jay" headed into the drug store I passed the phone off to DW who continued the conversation with the counselor and I followed "Jay" inside.
He was at the liquor cabinet eyeing the beer and hard liquor. My imagination was running wild as he made threats to the store clerks and other customers. Would he go off inside, would he hurt himself with something in the store?
Finally after talking him out of stealing a bottle of vodka we went back outside and after only a few minutes trying to keep "Jay" calm the sirens began to wail. He gave me a look that said, “You’ve betrayed me.”
He stormed off to cross the street but stopped to turn and curse me.
I slumped down at the curb watching "Jay" attempt to hitch a ride from passing traffic and then continue on across the street, helpless.
As I watched the police, firemen and paramedics pull up I watched helplessly, feeling as though I had indeed betrayed a friend yet weary from fear and anxiety. DW, Jeff and I circled to pray. “I don’t know what to pray God. "Jay" is yours. Take care of him.”
The police officer came over to tell us that "Jay" would be admitted to Lakewood Regional Hospital, but it didn’t seem like he was suicidal to them.
There was nothing else we could do, so we drove away, confused, tired, and wrestling with hopelessness.
At the dinner table my cell phone rang. It was a local number that I did not recognize, it was Jason. He was calling from the hospital to tell me how mad he was that I had betrayed him and that he would not be talking to me ever again.
“ "Jay" is yours God. Take care of him.”
A day later and "Jay" is back on the streets and surviving and I am healing from his verbal punches. I know that I did the right thing, calling for help. I know that "Jay" doesn’t really mean all of the things that he said and that he was dealing with demonic oppression brought about by heavy drinking and drugs. Now I have to remember the grace that God has shown me. I have my own habits and sins that I continue to go back to. I have my own frustrations, perceiving inactivity from God when my own disobedience has gotten me where I am. Lord help me to forgive and to demonstrate your grace to "Jay".

Eucalyptus Prayer Walking

I spent a few hours walking through the Eucalyptus Ave. neighborhood this afternoon. As I walked I came across several groups of young people just hanging out, some even up to no good. It seems there is a great opportunity before us to bless these teens and young kids with some positive outlets for thier energy. I believe these teens could change thier neighborhood for the better!

Relational Gathering of Food Ministries

OOPS! We had a bit of a mix up last week. I had tried to reschedule a meeting of the local food ministries in Bellflower and not everyone got the information about the change. It worked out okay though because a few of the ministries showed up anyway and had a great dialogue resulting in some collaboration! Praise God that he doesn't need me to do his work of connecting his people in Bellflower!

We are going to meet with the rest of the food ministries on Tuesday of this week and perhaps we can at least consolidate the contact and other pertinent information about the various ministries here in town that serve food.

Another Breakfast with the Baptists

This morning was the third Saturday that Calvary Baptist’s mens breakfast hosted some of our homeless neighbors in Bellflower for breakfast and showers. It was a blessing to hear that despite their tradition of taking a break during November and December they will continue to host the breakfast just for these neighbors. Another thing that blessed me was the fact that one of their small groups has taken on the task of putting together a men’s clothing closet. Chrissy, one of our new board members was there at the breakfast and we found out that her church the Lord’s Church has a clothing closet for women. It is pretty encouraging to see how the various congregations in Bellflower might be able to collaborate and serve our neighbors in conjunction rather than isolation.

Affordable Housing for Miguel

Affordable Housing in Bellflower

God has been really good in helping the Homeless Task Force to find housing for Miguel really quickly. I had a meeting this week with a local Christian businessman who owns several trailer parks in Bellflower and he was very gracious in offering to finance a trailer in one of his parks! Miguel was able to move in today and is settling in nicely. The Homeless Task Force is being very supportive, offering rides and immediate support during this time. Praise God for his provision.

Miguel's Graduation

Miguel’s Graduation!

Miguel, a friend who has previously been homeless in Bellflower graduated tonight from the Salvation Army Bell Shelter’s 90 day Wellness program. He toughed it out even when he felt like leaving and the Homeless Task Force in Bellflower has been very supportive of him throughout the last three months. Let’s pray that we can help him find a place to live!

Relational Networking: Food Ministries

Relational Networking: Food Ministries

As Amy and I interviewed Father Myke at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church today for the DVD Amy is working on, he mentioned the need for the church to collaborate. Specifically he suggested that the 5-6 various food ministries in town ought to at least get together and share ideas and best practices. I was excited to hear of this opportunity for unity in the church of Bellflower. Stay tuned for updates on this emerging relational network.

New Intern Amy Vreeman

New Intern: Amy Vreeman

I am excited to report that Kingdom Causes Bellflower is getting a new team member. Amy Vreeman is a student at Azusa Pacific University who will be helping Kingdom Causes Bellflower with a DVD that will help to tell the story of what we’re all about. She brings a lot of life experience to our team. She will be working 10 hours a week with us through the fall semester. Her position is funded by the Lilly Foundation. We’re glad to have your help Amy.

Soil Analysis in Downey -- Fertile for Collaboration

We had a great meeting in Downey this morning! Several people participated in a soil analysis activity designed to identify some of the key impact areas in the city. The three areas the group identified included:

• The Working Poor/Unemployment/Homelessness
• Intercultural Understanding
• Youth

Once again special thanks to Bob Varden for his work in organizing this event and to the participants who added thier input and have committed to being a part of strategic task forces that will address these areas of impact and coordinate the efforts to serve the city of Downey!

Soil Analysis in Downey

This morning I will be gathering with some of the leaders in the city of Downey to get an idea of the areas of greatest need and opportunities for the church to impact the community. I pray that we will sense God's leading and a clear vision will emerge for the church of Downey!

I am especially thankful for Bob Varden, a Kingdom Causes City Liason, who has been really instrumental in bringing the leaders to the table.

May all glory go to God.