LA Dream Center

Is it possible to expect something and be simultaneously surprised? That’s how I feel at the end of our trip. We knew how hard the kids would work and yet, the results at the end of the trip are always surprising. 

This week we fed hundreds of people at the food distribution sites, prepared meals for thousands in the kitchen, washed a seemingly endless pile of dishes, restocked their food pantry, readied 11 rooms for new families who will live at the Dream Center, danced with kids, and prayed with hundreds. 

This was a prayer filled trip. Your prayers covered us as our kids stepped out and boldly preached the miracle working God we serve. As we journey home, would you pray that our kids would continue their boldness, their heart of service and their willingness to share the gospel with others?

Thank you for partnering with us! This was a life changing trip for our kids and the people God brought our way. 

“Can you come through for us?” This was the voice of Thomas, the leader of the short term missions team asking if we could split our team into 3 smaller teams. We were working in the kitchen when the request came through and had to pivot to go serve 150 people at two different feeding sites. 

Our team broke into 3 parts and each one accomplished their tasks, but God had something greater planned for us. 

During those tasks, each team was blessed with the opportunity to pray for broken people, lead some toward Christ, and serve the community simultaneously. Esperanza, one of our amazing adult leaders, had asked God for guidance because she didn’t feel like she was making an impact. When she went to the feeding site, she prayed with 72 different people. God was moving!

John, one of our students, said that praying with people has turned into one of his favorite activities! As we move into our final day, would you pray that we seize every opportunity, whether at the Dream Center or offsite, to share the gospel and pray with others?

“This is how lunch should feel everyday!” Josiah, a Dream Center leader, was blown away by the atmosphere created by our team. They created a hallway of high fives and welcomed people to the meals. They served with joy as they washed dishes, swept, mopped, and prepped meals. Regardless of the task, they did it with joy and it was contagious. 

We had the opportunity to interact with quite a few first year people going through the rehabilitation program. Jeremy, who has been clean and sober for 4 months, said “I want the joy that they have!” We shared that our joy, even in mundane tasks, comes when we remember why we serve. We are merely a reflection of our Master, who did not come to be served, but to serve. 

Damian reminded me that Jesus is not done serving, He is still at the throne of the Father and is interceding for us. If He isn’t done serving after doing so much for us, including dying on the cross, then we should never be weary of doing good. Instead, we should live our lives in a way worthy of our calling. In other words, serve someone today with joy. 

Will you pray for us as we do construction in the Dream Center and go back into the kitchen this afternoon?

“Oh no, it’s just a group of kids.” This is the thought that passed through Devin’s mind as he took us to the projects yesterday. He was sure it was just going to be an afternoon of babysitting. 

Instead, he was blown away as he saw our kids knocking on doors and telling people about Jesus. He watched as our kids prayed fearlessly with faith and fervor for healing, for family members to know Jesus Christ, and for God’s blessing over their lives. 

At our feeding site, Marlon shared the verse that came to mind when he saw us approach. “But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
Matthew 19:14

As we were serving, a woman who was in the line said, “it blesses my heart to see these children serving Jesus!”

As adults, we often restrict when we should give permission. We are reserved, especially when it comes to our children, when we should release. Our team is laying it all down to serve and we are seeing God do mighty things in and through these kids, because His kingdom belongs to those who are like them. 

Will you pray for us today as we serve the Dream center staff and volunteers in the kitchen and then lead kids to Jesus in the afternoon?

Yesterday, we arrived safely at the Dream Center. In our orientation, they encouraged us to pray together and lay down our concerns before God. They said, “there are things on your mind that will keep you from doing the things God has called you to do.”

Among our team, we talked about distractions, worries, fears, and apprehensions. We prayed together and asked for God to remove those from our minds. There has been a sense of freedom on the team along with a spirit of anticipation.

We have been praying for this trip for almost one year and we are ready for what God is going to do in the lives of our kids.

Today, we are going to feed different neighborhoods and then go pray with people in the projects. Please pray for us as we step into the God-ordained moments that He has been preparing for us before we even knew we were going on this trip.

Our LA Dream Center GO Team left this morning! Let’s come alongside this awesome team and pray for safe travels and a HUGE impact of showing everyone we encounter in the LA Community the love of Christ as we serve July 4-9.