Thanks to Bethany CRC Servants

Bethany CRC conducted a congregation wide service day in Bellflower today. 150 of their members were out volunteering today picking up trash, cleaning, and serving in other ways.



A team of 8 came to the community center to help us bless our neighboring business neighbors by washing windows, pressure washing the parking lot, and weeding the flower bed in front. The place looks great!


Before we cleaned the windows, I went to the neighboring businesses to make sure it was okay with them that we do that. The new owners of Liquor Land, the tiny store on the corner, were very reluctant to let us wash their windows at first.


"What do you expect from me?"asked the owner, a middle aged man immigrant from India or Pakistan. "I do not want to pay!"
"No sir, no payment is necessary. We simply want to help." I replied. "These folks are here just because they want to serve."
"I need to talk with the property manager, is he paying them?"
"No sir, we're just helping out."
"You expect nothing?" he asked yet again incredulously.
"Nothing. We're just trying to be good neighbors that's all."


Finally assured that we weren't selling our services and a little confused about our motives, he consented to let us wash his windows.


What a great first impression for our new neighbors down the way.


Lord your kingdom come and your will be done in the life of that liquor store owner as it is in heaven.

Prayer Walk

I was eating lunch with one of our Volunteers the other day and we were talking about a Church nearby a park just down the street here in Bellflower. He told me a short story about how when he used to live in that neighborhood, he and a group would prayer walk the neighborhood. Every time they would go by this Church, named 1st Baptist, they would pray that it would be a "Neighborhood Church". Here is where it all comes together; within the past year, this Church has taken a much more "Neighborhood" approach and even re-named it's building to "Neighborhood Fellowship". I went by yesterday and spoke with the pastor and told him the story. He was pretty encouraged!

God is active and shows up in his timing!

Local Business Highlight: Adelita's Mexican Restaurant

We're working on a neighborhood newsletter for Eucalyptus & Cornuta. It will be published in English & Spanish. The stories will be about things happening in our neighborhood and each issue will contain a neighbor of the month and a business of the month. We'll also include a section for a community calendar & announcements.

The first business we're highlighting is Adelita's Mexican Restaurant on Artesia & Clark. The owners, Elida & Lugo, lived in our neighborhood for many years. Elida was famous for her tamales. They moved a few years ago, but are talking about moving back into the neighborhood. We met with Elida on Wednesday to share our idea. She teared up and expressed her gratitude for the support of their business.

So... if you're looking for a place to eat, I recommend stopping by Adelita's. Their chilaquiles breakfast is wonderful!

Maria Maria

This last weekend I had the pleasure of meeting two new neighbors. On Saturday we worked with a local Bible Study group of Greenleaf Church that meets in the neighborhood to host an arts & crafts day for the kids on our street. I've learned over the past year that passing out flyers a week before doesn't work. So an hour before the event began we went out into the neighborhood and invited the kids that were around. Ryan invited two sisters named Maria to bring their families and hang out with us. They spoke a little English, but mostly Spanish. Luckily, they had a good sense of humor making my attempts to communicate in Spanish a little more welcome. As we were chatting about the neighborhood I was working on a loom to make a scarf. The Marias were very excited because looming was part of their childhood in Mexico. They asked where I got the loom and if I'd be willing to teach a class for the neighbors.

Since last weekend I've ran into the Marias twice. I'm sure we walked passed each other many other times without knowing that one day we'd be friends.

I'm exploring the idea of a sewing/knitting/looming night with the ladies in the neighborhood and some friends. It might be nice, especially before Christmas. I'll keep you posted.

Mentor Outing!

As a reward for meeting and accomplishing goals, our mentor team goes on an outing together. We recently went to the LA Zoo and saw many of the animals there. We were sad that there were no beavers!

I can't tell you how proud I am of both the mentors and the "mentees". We talk about Signs of Transformation, or ways in which God is changing people, and I am so encouraged that change is happening in peoples lives through the efforts of those who listen and walk alongside others. One particular "mentee" has accomplished so much in a year and continually makes strides towards self-sufficiency.

Every month we make goals and her goal this month is to walk independently and safely across a busy intersection. She is working to overcome fears that have kept her from being active for some time. She is learning to trust God to protect her, and to trust us to support her.

Great JOB!

Graduation at the LA Mission

I was recently invited to the Graduation Ceremony for our friend Art Torres. We helped him get into the LA mission over a year ago and now he has completed over a year of spiritual rehabilitation. I was so encouraged at his graduation. Each graduate read a verse from memory that meant something to them and received a certificate on stage. I was able to meet his family afterwards and they were blessed by his progress.

I see such value in sending individuals to Christian recovery programs. We have seen others come out of non-Bible based programs and sometimes they lack the spiritual connection.

Great Job ART. We look forward to hearing your testimony on a Saturday at the showers.

Kingdom Contributors

A couple of weeks ago we realized that after the showers the Homeless Task Force offers each week the stalls would be filled with bottles of shampoo and partially used bars of soap. We were having a hard time keeping these items stocked so we decided something needed to change.

In the past, we've simply offered free food and free showers with nothing expected in return. While that felt good at first, we began to see that giving stuff for free with out any expectation of exchange, actually separates us from the neighbors we are called to love. One-way charity at arms length is easy and feels good for the givers but creates a false perception that we the givers have everything, and our homeless neighbors are empty vessels with nothing to offer.

So when the shampoo and soap problem came along we decided rather than perpetuating the charity mindset, we would put it in the hands of the people who use the showers. We alerted all of the "regulars" of the problem and appointed three leaders to take care of it.

Since then, Jessie, one of the homeless appointees has been regularly picking up shampoo, soap, powder and other items that are used on Saturday mornings. When we recognized that the neighbors weren't just needy, and invited them to take part, leaders emerged. Had we the "givers" simply solved the problem ourselves, we would have missed out on the opportunity involve Jessie in the solution. That to me is a picture of the Kingdom... neighbors moving from recipient to partner, from poor to contributor.

Urban Youth Workers RELOAD Conference

This weekend we took a small group to the Urban Youth Workers RELOAD Conference in Los Angeles. Heather, Lee, Mike & Madison came from Canaan Presbyterian on Palm & Clark. We love working with that church! Desiree, an awesome young leader from our neighborhood came with us, as well.

One of the workshops I went to really challenged me on how I work with the youth in the neighborhood. The worshop speaker asked if we were imposing our "middle-class" on to the kids as if that was the only way. I think I have done that from time to time without even noticing. She was teaching out of a book by Dr. Ruby Payne called "What every church member should know about poverty." It's sitting on my shelf, but I really haven't gone through in depth. I walked away resolving that I would spend more time researching the culture that surrounds me in my neighborhood. The other workshop I went to highlighted the importance of rest & Sabbath for those working with youth in an urban setting. Really... it applies to us all. They talked about how being burnt out has turned into a badge of honor. People say "I'm so busy!" as if it's something good. I'm very guilty of that. Burn out is not what God intended for his workers. If we're burnt out we're probably doing more than he asked of us.

Mi Casa Es Su Casa

Last night my neighbors invited me over to their house for their 10-year-old son's birthday. I couldn't make it until after 8, but they insisted that I still stop by. It was mainly a family party, but they made me feel very welcomed. The parents mainly speak Spanish, but their kids are bilingual. I sat around the dinner table with the adults and we chatted about the day. Oscar, the dad, has the biggest heart and loves to tell stories. He told story after story about his week and funny things that happened. His stories were in Spanish, so I only got about half of it. The kids were laughing at me because they knew I didn't really understand it all, but they re-assured me that even though they speak Spanish... they only understood half of it, as well. They went on to give me a lesson in Spanish.

I use the language barrier between me and most of my neighbors as an excuse not to visit as much. Last night proved to me that being a little uncomfortable about my lack of Spanish skills is not a good enough excuse to miss out on building relationships.

As I was leaving, the mom hugged me and told me that I am welcome in their home any time.

Case Closed

"We close cases if clients refuse service".

These were the words I recently heard from an Adult Protective Services Case worker regarding a lady that I have been meeting with who is Homeless. I was introduced to her by a Bellflower community resident who has been buying her coffee daily at 8:30am at the nearby Grannies donughts. She is frail with a hunched back and a walker. She speaks of having little feeling in her legs and a shortness of breath. We have suggested that she ought to go to a Hospital to have a doctor to look at her eye injured when someone recently beat her. When I called Adult Protective Services informed me that if she won't take assistance, they close her case. I don't blame them. It's the old saying, "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink"

I wonder what my role is with Theresa? Should I take the same stance as the Adult Protective Services Case Worker, or am I called to something different? I have found that people who are homeless are so, not because of a lack of resources, but rather a lack of relationships.

I have been wondering what this relationship (without the contingent of an exchange of resources attached to it) looks like? A wise friend of mine commented that Jesus was called to be "with" people. Jesus had a ministry of presence among those he served. How do I do this? We are soo tempted to Cure people. Henry Nouwen speaks of the concept of Caring for people rather than curing them. God lead me!

Any thoughts?

Church Sponsorship

There is a recent article in the LA Times about the Denver Rescue Mission's work of partnering Church mentors with homeless families transitioning into housing. The story is told from the mentor's point of view and captures the challenge, yet reward of working with these families.

Kingdom Causes is doing similar work with families in Bellflower and the Long Beach Rescue Mission is looking at a similar approach. We'll see what the future unfolds. The key would be to get Churches to sponsor first months rent and deposit for families or individuals. Anyone have any thoughts?

Our Place in the Liberty Day Parade

Last Saturday was the Liberty Day Parade in Bellflower and we were well represented by two of our most gregarious team members, Check it out!

Coach Betty Sandoval

Taffy the Clown: aka Teri Larsen

Eucalyptus Kids go to Chivas USA Game

This last Sunday we had the joy of accompanying 20 kids from our neighborhood to the Chivas USA vs Colorado Rapids soccer game. The Chivas lost, but we had a blast anyway. Four of our teenagers from EUCY (Eucalyptus Urban Council of Youth) were the designated ballboys and Desiree was the field manager's assistant. In fact, Desiree was invited back by the manager to help out at future games. Score!

Anyway, here are some pictures from the day:

From building walls to building bridges

“You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13,14). The first paradigm shift pertains to where we, as the church, see ourselves in relation to our communities. Will we remain outside of the community inviting people in or will we go to our
communities, seeking to be a transforming agent? The church is called to be separate in lifestyle but never called to be isolated from the people it seeks to influence.

excerpt from Eric Swanson's 10 Paradigm Shifts for Community Transformation.

As Eric wrote in an earlier post, he has been working with the "un-expected worker" to help one of our homeless neighbors. This is a great example of this principle of bridge building. Eric is building a bridge with the "worker", an unbeliever, via someone they both care deeply about, a homeless neighbor. It is exciting to see that this "worker" has been exposed to the Gospel and a representative of the church (Eric). The work of the Kingdom Causes Homeless Task Force is building bridges as a "transforming agent" not only to our homeless neighbors but also those unbelieving neighbors who think, "Something must be done."

10 paradigm shifts towards community transformation

I have been reading through a paper by Eric Swanson entitled 10 Paradigm Shifts Towards Community Transformation. He shares what he believes "takes us [the church] from model of thinking that we must discard to a new model that we must embrace."

1. From building walls to building bridges.


2. From measuring attendance to measuring impact.


3. From encouraging saints to attend the service to equipping the saints for works of service


4. From "serve us" to service


5. From duplication of human services and ministries to partnering wiht existing services and ministries.


6. From fellowship to functional unity


7. From condemning the city to blessing the city and praying for it.


8. From being a minister in a congregation to being a minister in a parish.


9. From anecdote and speculation to valid information


10. From teacher to learner.

Over the next few months it is my intent to take one of these paradigm shifts per week and unpack it in light of what is happening here in Bellflower. Stay tuned.

Our Place Housing Solutions

This past Sunday, Our Place Housing Solutions officially got off the ground. This new "daughter organization" will serve as a Community Housing Development Organization seeking housing justice for our neighbors in Bellflower. Our hope is that this organization will be a leading force in preserving and creating new affordable housing that impacts individuals and empowers and strengthens neighborhoods and communities. Stay tuned for exciting news from this team!

A un-expected worker

I get a phone call the other day from a guy with a British accent and it goes something like this,
"Hey, i've been buying coffee and donuts for this homeless lady every morning. She is hunched over, about 60 and speaks clearly and considerately. I just keep thinking to myself that something should be done for this lady. Someone in this Country should be able to help her. I went to three different Churches and they said that they don't help homeless people. I tracked you down because I saw in the Bellflower paper that some award was given to a guy for helping homeless people. I tried to get a hold of him but couldn't. Is there anything you can do to help me?"
I was kinda shocked and blown away at this phone call. This guy who isn't even a believer calls me with a concern for someone in his community that seems to be in need. I smiled grew on my face once I began to think about the variety of people that God uses to bring about his Kingdom.
We've talked in Bible Study about the idea that no one can enter or even see the Kingdom unless they are born again. This guy is doing Kingdom work and he doesn't even realize it.
I've met with this guy and the homeless lady and we are taking steps towards bringing peace into her life. I hope and pray that God would use me to impact this guys perspective on life and why we do what we do!
I thank Calvary Baptist Church for giving this guy my number. While thier staff doesn't directly serve the Homeless population, they do a great job of listening and praying with people and then referring them to others.

Kelty Enters rehab

Our Journey with Nick goes back two years ago when we met him on the Riverbed near a Park we would have Church at. He was an "irish man"; rugged and foul in all his ways but sweet at the core.

Fast forward to about 6 months ago when he re-surfaced to Bellflowers streets and alley ways. He would join us every saturday for Breakfast and we would see him on Tuesdays.

I had helped out a friend of his and so his friend wanted me to help him out. We took him to a detox in Costa Mesa and visited him there. This is a detox facility for people cutting Alcohol cold Turkey. When we arrived for intake that day, a guy was being carted off in the Ambulence for having seizures (typical detox symptom).

He was there for the full 10 days and then went to Beacon Mission in San Pedro. This place is sweet. Old and creaky, yet super clean and organized.

He'll be there for 1 year without any outside contact. I wish we could go see him but we can't. He's in good hands.

We prayed before he went in. He was looking for a "new life".

Kelty: We pray that God cures you friend and that you can gain new eyes so you can see and enter the Kingdom.

Kingdom Cause Volunteer recognized in Bellflower

This article appeared in the Bellflower Citizen in August. Corwin Schenk won the "We are Bellflower" nomination.

Homeless Helper
Named ‘We Are
Bellflower’ Honoree

Corwin Schenk has a wife, two kids and eight grandchildren to keep him
busy. Yet every week, he still makes time to volunteer his help to Bellflower's homeless community. To recognize his service, the City has named Corwin this month's "We Are Bellflower"
honoree. Corwin, a resident of Bellflower for the past 37 years, has
logged more than 240 hours helping the homeless this year.
Corwin visits different "homeless camps" every Tuesday and wakes up at 6:30 a.m.
each Saturday to take homeless individuals to Calvary Baptist Church for breakfast
and a shower. Corwin, a Deacon at Bethany Christian Reformed Church, has a relationship with Teen Challenge, a Christian-based rehabilitation program in Lynwood, and helps promote a community meal that many homeless people frequent. He also regularly helps the
homeless by making phone calls, charging dead batteries, budgeting and giving car rides to those in need.

Proclaiming freedom for the prisoners of addictions

Last Tuesday, as is our routine, the volunteers prayed together for our friends and neighbors who are homeless before we hit the streets to share lunches and conversation with them.

Pulling into the parking lot of the vacant strip mall, we had little idea of what we would encounter. We'd suspected that the heroin traffic has been increasing in this area and more and more of our neighbors here seemed to be getting involved with it. I hadn't encountered someone in the throws of heroin withdrawl before. But as "Tom" approached me, I knew he was experiencing extreme symptoms of withdrawl. Our team has some history with Tom and he recognized us as Christians. His body was twitching as he walked up to me and immediately asked me to pray for him. He openly confessed that he was sick and addicted to heroin. So I laid my hands on his shoulders, and he put his on mine and we prayed.

We prayed for forgiveness of sins, we prayed that God would release him from this addiction, we prayed that any spirits that had attached to him during his drug use would leave in Jesus name. When we finished praying he was still twitching. He began a scattered monologue on his past with the church, as a minister and singer. He yelled at a few of his companions who owed him $5, threatening them with violence if they didnt pay up soon. I was scared and wondered if God could really get a hold of this guy. I wondered, is Tom responsible for his recovery now? I know the official party line for social work is that he is. But how is it that we expect someone so dependant on a chemical that his soul is buried under addiction to make daily phone calls to the detox in order to stay on thier 2 week waiting list and get help?

In Luke 4: 18-19, Jesus says "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Sometimes we wonder if what we are doing is really gospel work. If we don't disciple people in a program are we really doing God's work? The simple act of proclamation, while it often doesn't result in immediate transformation in an individual or nieghborhood, is obedience and therefore success. I struggle some times because I don't see immediate change for our neighbors like Tom. But when I reflect on my own journey with God, and the ongoing nature of my own sanctification process I recognize that God's time frame is different than ours.

May this year be the year of the Lord's favor for Tom.