Last Day Reflections from Abbey

Today is my last day working at KCB, so of course I’m in reflection mode, and I can’t help but think back to my very first day.

I started at KCB as an Americorps volunteer, fresh out of college and knowing absolutely nothing about community development or nonprofit work. I thought I had come to KCB to run a teen drop-in center. As it turned out, God had other plans.

On my first day our Executive Director, Ryan, told me about a family who was living in the park. A young mother and her two toddler boys had been seen sleeping overnight at Simms Park, and the park staff had called Kingdom Causes to see what we could do. This started my “baptism by fire” into the world of social services and broken systems.

So as a young, privileged, and out of touch 21-year-old, I was frantically driving this mom and her kids around to various social services agencies, getting increasingly angered at the brokenness I witnessed first hand. Referral, after referral, after referral. Long lines, rude workers, and insensitivity abounded. By the end of the day, I was exhausted and heartbroken. Through some connections that Ryan had at KCB, we were able to get this young mom into a program where she and her kids were safe. I don’t know if she remembers that day, but in my mind it’s as clear as if it happened yesterday. I was forever changed.

Since that day, I’ve learned so much about poverty, community development, justice, and the role of the church in all of it. I’ve seen incredible life change and transformation:

-The dad who spent most of his life in prison, but committed himself to his daughter when he was released, and was reunited with her through a stay at Margaret’s House and job with Good Soil.

-The mom and kids who broke down in tears when they were given the keys to their first apartment of their own after fleeing domestic violence and suffering months of homelessness.

-The kids who began dreaming about what their future careers would be, after being exposed for the first time to professionals and education opportunities.

There are so many stories of life change among marginalized populations that I could name. But honestly, the change in me was greater than all of these. I learned that poverty is not about a lack of material things… it’s about brokenness. And we are ALL broken. Whether emotionally, relationally, spiritually, or socially… there are things in our lives that are in desperate need of repair, even if we might appear more put together than the person pushing a shopping cart down the street.

So, (not that anyone is asking) if I had to give one piece of “wisdom” or advice after working in this field for the past seven years… this would be it:

Stepping into relationship with those that are “other” makes all the difference in the world. It’s worth the risk.

At some point, a few of our “clients” became friends. As I recognized my own brokenness and pride, I began to see the image of God in every face and every story. I began to recognize the miracles that were happening all around (and inside) me. This is the difference between the way that KCB works and most other social service agencies. We recognize that reconciled relationships are what make the lasting transformation possible.

Is it risky? Of course. Entering into a REAL relationship with someone who is very different than you brings with it all sorts of messiness. People will take advantage of you, steal from you, cuss you out, and hurt you deeply. But didn’t we do the same to Jesus? Don’t we continue to take HIM for granted every day? Yet—he continues to love us.

So, what is poverty? One of my favorite speakers named Claudio Oliver puts it this way… “Poverty is a lack of friendship”. So, let’s end poverty together. Let’s make a new friend today.

-Abbey

Living the Dream

Years ago, the Bellflower Community Bike Shop was but a dream for my good friend David Samora. Now it's becoming a reality!

In his life, David has faced a challenging road that has taken plenty of unexpected turns and dips, that ultimately left him out on the street. It was at that time, that he met a man at a local park, who fixed bikes. Times were tough for David, but this man was a welcomed ray of light piercing into the darkness of his addiction and homelessness. That man at the park provided a space of both welcome and belonging for all of the folks he worked with, no matter what walk of life they came from. He fixed bikes for local kids and adults alike.

David was inspired.

After years of unemployment, David got connected with Kingdom Causes and started working his way through the Good Soil Industries social enterprise. By the time he graduated the program, David had a new vision for himself; to start a bike shop. This wasn't to be your average shop, this was to be a place with purpose. David wanted to channel the essence of the space that the man at the park had created for him, into the very fabric of this new shop. One does not simply just start a bike shop though... It takes time and commitment. David would not be deterred, and held tightly to his dream.

After months of campaigning, David was finally given a small space in the back of the Kingdom Causes Community Center at 16429 Bellflower Boulevard. Since that point, the dream has only continued to gain traction. What was once a small operation out of the back of the community center, now occupies window front space on the boulevard in the community center.

The vision for the Bellflower Community Bike Shop continues to morph and change, but the foundation remains the same. Here at the bike shop, we are a place where strangers of all ages are welcomed, find belonging, and also learn about bicycles.

This where you come in the picture.

Do you bike often? Would you like to learn how to keep it running well?

The Bellflower Community Bike Shop is for you.

Are you someone who fixes bikes? Are you looking for a way to give back to your community?

The Bellflower Community Bike Shop is for you.

Do you know some kids in your neighborhood who don't have a bicycle of their own?

The Bellflower Community Bike Shop is for you.

Do you have a bike that's done little more than take up garage space? DONATE IT!

The Bellflower Community Bike Shop is for you.

If you are interested please contact Robert VerWys at robertverwys@kingdomcausesbellflower.org for more information or swing on by the shop tonight with your bike from 6-8pm! Hope to see you there!

National Good Neighbor Day

How did we not know that was a holiday!???

Well, we do now.  And what perfect timing, because we are launching the Good Neighbor Cohort this Fall.  We believe a healthy city is full of thriving neighborhoods.  The Good Neighbor Cohort will train neighbors across the city in the areas of basic emergency preparedness, family-friendly neighborhood event planning (like a front-yard ice cream social), understanding existing resources (like Neighborhood Watch and NextDoor.com), and how to be a good neighbor without being too creepy.

Want to learn more?  Come to our kick off meeting on Monday, October 19th at Kingdom Causes Bellflower.  Email admin@kcbellflower.org for more info!

The homeless hands and feet of Jesus

Last Wednesday Gerardo* stumbled into our community center reeking of alcohol and unable to stand up straight.  We struggled to complete our typical homeless assessment with him, even though it took twice as long due to the state of intoxication.  He stumbled back out of our office an hour later.  (Just a normal day at Kingdom Causes.)

Friday morning, I walked into our community center and found Gerardo, along with a few other homeless neighbors, helping April stuff the Fall newsletter mailer.  He proudly announced, "I've been sober for 1 day!"  I could tell by the severe body shakes.  It actually seemed unfair to have him stuffing envelopes with such trembling hands, but he wanted nothing else but to volunteer alongside his friends.

Mark, our newest staff member, recognized the need for detox for Gerardo and spent the morning calling around to find a program that would take him.  After several frustrating calls, he was able to find one place that would take Gerardo, but unfortunately they couldn't take him until Monday morning... and he had to be sober.

Now, for an alcoholic with decades of constant drinking, staying sober for three days is almost impossible (and even dangerous).  Most people wouldn't be able to survive that long without treatment.  But, when Gerardo's friends learned that he had a place to go on Monday, they rallied around him and swore to us that they would do everything in their power to help him stay safe and sober over the weekend.

One person promised: "We'll take him with us to dinner and Celebrate Recovery tonight"

Another person promised: "I'll make sure he gets breakfast and showers at Calvary Baptist in the morning."

Another person promised: "We'll stay with him to make sure he's sleeping okay throughout the night."

This morning, Gerardo was dressed in his best clothes and waiting at the door of Kingdom Causes for his ride to the residential program in LA.  As promised, his friends had stayed with him 24-7 over the weekend making sure he was safe, fed, and most importantly, sober.

All too often we forget that our homeless neighbors *can* give back to the community.  We see them as "needy" and keep them categorized as the focus of our charity and good deeds.  But, you'd be surprised how many of them are starving for the opportunity to help others and serve the community.  I am so moved by this particular group of homeless friends and how they cared for their friend.

They were the hands and feet of Jesus to Gerardo.

*Name changed to protect his privacy

Feels like Hope

You do you work the best that you can
You put one foot in front of the other
Life comes in waves and makes its demands
You hold on as well as you're able
You've been here for a long long time

But Hope has a way of turning its face to you just when you least expect it
You walk in a room you look out a window and something there leaves you breathless
You say to yourself it's been a while since I've felt this
But it feels like it might be Hope.

It's hard to recall what blew out the flame
It's been dark here since you can remember
You talk it all through to find it a name
As days go on by without number

-Sara Groves "It Might Be Hope"

If you've read our Fall newsletter, you know that it's been a hard season for us at KCB.  Some of the neighbors we've been working with for months (even years!) have experienced major setbacks.  Our hearts break when hope seems so far away even after so much hard work.  These people are not *just* our clients--they are our friends and neighbors.  The summer was full of holding back tears while we tried to remain hopeful and positive on behalf of them.

But, this morning.  Something feels different.

I walked in this morning to an office full of staff buzzing around with hope.  They were excited because a homeless neighbor we've been working intensely with for months got the thumbs up to move into his home this afternoon.  They were moved because they witnessed a group of homeless neighbors surround a vulnerable friend, also homeless, as he fought to stay sober over the weekend so he could get into a medical detox program this morning.

I'm now holding back tears of joy and gratefulness.  As much as my selfish and messed up heart breaks for the struggle of my neighbors, I know that God cares and hurts even more.  It's an honor to serve and believe in such a compassionate and loving God.

We invite you to join us in this beautiful work of walking alongside our neighbors.  It hurts, but it's worth it.  If you'd like to learn more about how you can get involved, please fill out this volunteer form and we will get back to you with the current opportunities.

(If you would like to receive our quarterly newsletter, please email us or call 562-804-2189.  You can listen to Sara Groves' song here.)

Final Summer Reflections

Crystal

 Final Art Show

       At the start of this internship, I was ready to make an impact, ready to see a new side of Bellflower. But what I found was so much more. I’ve realized where my place is in this city by helping others find theirs. It’s incredible to think that my mom & I moved to Bellflower when I was five, and this summer, I worked I worked with kids around that age who call this city their home.

       The best thing about interning with Kingdom Causes is the ability to see faith driven dreams become real in our everyday lives. Simple tasks such as setting up a community art show became what I looked forward to in my weeks spent here. I learned so much about myself as a leader and as a person. I know what my weaknesses are, and what I need to work on. I also know what my strengths are and where it is that I shine. 

       Most importantly, I’ve learned what the heartbeat of my city sounds like. It sounds like a mother’s “Thank you” or a child’s smile at their artwork or a neighbor’s patience as we help them find a place to call home. There’s a certain rhythm to the heartbeat of Bellflower. It goes, Struggle. Triumph. Repeat. 

      Our staff has taught me so much and has shed insane amounts of grace. It’s been a busy summer and it’s been a tough one as well. Despite all the chaos, God has shown me what His peace really looks like. It’s not the absence of struggles we should be hoping for, but the presence of His Spirit in the midst of them.

En Agape,

Crystal R. Luque

Ashley

Community BBQ @ Caruthers Park

This summer has been filled with so much joy, laughter, and hard work. I have learned so much these past couple of months while working for Kingdom Causes. Not only did I learn about event planning, time management, and community development, but I also learned more about God. Summer of 2015 has been the most memorable summer I have ever had.

I have learned so much about God this past summer and it is something that I never want to give up. I not only learned, but I saw God moving through people that I encountered in my role this summer. Even though I saw people in their struggles, I saw more people filled with gratefulness and love for God than I have ever seen. Our neighbors said so much with just their smile and that is one 

thing I will always remember.

One of the biggest lessons I learned was with regards to perspective. I got the full experience of my internship when I was able to put myself into another person's shoes. I got to understand as much as I could about someone and their situation when I just tried to see things in their eyes. At times, it was really difficult but doing so made me grow and I am glad that I was able to have this experience.

As this internship comes to an end, I will remember all the fun times I have had with the amazing people in the office and the great experiences I have gotten through this internship. I will truly miss the Kingdom Causes staff and am so grateful that I got this opportunity.

Ryan

My time interning at Kingdom Causes has come to an end. It's really a bittersweet moment. Sure I don't have to work anymore, and I get to go back to school soon (Yes I said, "get"), but I also have to leave a wonderful place and wonderful people. Everyone here has been a great help to me. I would name them all, but that would take too long, and I'm not THAT sentimental.

I am very thankful for the opportunity I was given to work here. I learned a lot about the inner workings of non-profits and finances. I gained and improved many valuable skills as well. Sure, there were challenges, but those challenges helped me grow and develop. I will never forget my experience working at Kingdom Causes.

Thank you all for supporting me, but most of all, thank you for supporting Bellflower.

Others-Centered Parenting

My daughter Emma likes to pretend that she can read. She’ll often flip through the pages of a memorized book and “read” to her younger brother. I was caught off guard the other day, though, when she picked a textbook (I think she thought it was a Bible) and began “reading” this story to me:

“Once upon a time there was a woman who had done bad things. So the mean people made a circle around her and were going to throw rocks at her. But Jesus stopped them. He said, ‘Haven’t you done bad things too? Then you can’t throw rocks at this woman’. The End”

I was stunned… where had she heard this Biblical account of the adulterous woman before? It’s not a typical choice for preschool Sunday School classes!! Then I suddenly remembered that I was the one who had told her that story a few months back.

Our family has continued to be involved with a young, homeless friend (I wrote about her a while back here). This friend, Samantha*, has weathered many highs and lows over the past few months. Addiction, life on the streets, a shattered home life, and various other barriers have kept her from being able to realize her God given potential and worth. Both of my kids (ages 4 and 2) know Samantha well, and she is very caring and compassionate toward them. However, Emma is a pretty observant 4 year old, and it wasn’t long before she would ask me more pressing questions about Samantha. Why doesn’t she have anywhere to live? Why does she look like that? Why isn’t she allowed to stay at our house anymore? She also began to resent the time that I spent with Samantha, not understanding why she had to join us all the time… “Why can’t it just be our family?!”

One day, we were driving home discussing a phone call I had received from Samantha. Emma could tell that it had upset me, so we were talking about it.

Emma: Did Samantha do something bad?

Me: Well, she didn’t make a good decision.

Emma: Well, I think she’s bad! She shouldn’t be able to come over anymore! 

Me: That’s not the way it works, Emma. We all make bad decisions sometimes, but God forgives us and gives us another chance; so we can do that for Samantha, too.

(I then told her… in preschool terms… the story of the adulterous woman above and what it means to “judge” someone as bad/good.)

I had all but forgotten about that conversation in the car until Emma “read” the story to me last week. I asked her if she remembered the reason why I told her that story. She did. In crystal clear detail she explained, “we need to keep helping Samantha even if we don’t want to because she has had a hard life and that’s why she makes bad decisions.”

At this point, my eyes were filled with tears. I continue to be hopeful that Samantha’s life will change… But honestly, there have been times when I’ve wondered if it’s worth it. All the hours, the “inconvenience” to my family or finances, the constant up and down… it’s hard! But this conversation with Emma brought me to tears because it reminded me about why we have tried to make service to others part of our family’s DNA.

When we serve, we’re sanctified. Sure, the person we’re helping may benefit, but each member of our family also gets a little closer to the heart of God with each “inconvenience” that we deal with on behalf of the marginalized.

My kids are learning that the world doesn’t revolve around them, that loving others is the best way to show that you love Jesus, and that sometimes loving others is Hard Work. My husband and I are still trying to navigate what this all looks like, but we’re thankful for the many families that have modeled this type of “missional parenting” to us.

I hope that when Emma remembers her childhood, she remembers a loving and warm family environment, lots of fun… but also a Jesus-centered family that put others’ needs above their own. That’s the goal, at least!

-Abbey :) 

*not her real name

P.S. We’re thinking about hosting a “Service-minded Families” training at Kingdom Causes sometime soon. It would be a few hours of learning together how to make service a family priority (for all stages of life, kids ages, etc). If this is something you are interested in learning more about for your family… comment here, email me at anishimoto@kcbellflower.org, or call 562-804-2189. Thanks!