The SOLD Project's Rachel Goble recently spoke to Fuel, Cornerstone's college age ministry, and left a lasting impression on the hearts of passionate twenty-somethings. Images and stories of young girls driven by poverty into the bondage of prostitution resonated with the group and stirred up an unrest among them. People wanted to know what could be done to bring justice.
Rachel advised those who felt moved to investigate how they might utilize their passions and talents to serve God's kingdom rather than just their own. She told of the need for lawyers and doctors, but aside from the obvious, encouraged the artistic to design a t-shirt for SOLD or the hairdressers to cut hair to raise money. Going with Rachel's outside-the-box thinking, a group of friends from Fuel decided that they could even give their fun eternal purpose.
With a few small last minute tweaks, their weekend leisure activities became proactive. A pancake breakfast and bike ride through the city became a fundraiser. By opening their plans up to more people and asking everyone to bring five dollars they were able to raise money for the SOLD project.
They met at a home in San Ramon for pancakes and fellowship, then hopped on their bikes to the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station. Getting off at Embarcadero, they rode across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and took the ferry back to Fisherman's Wharf.
There are plans in the making to continue the breakfasts and bike rides so look for announcements towards the end of August. Next time, with more supplies and notice, the participants will decorate t-shirts and bikes to raise awareness for SOLD as they ride.
- Leah Reagan
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
City Adultz
The last couple of times City Kidz made its way into Oakland and San Francisco, I couldn't help but notice the impact it has on the adults in those areas and I got to thinking about how we're not just making a difference in the lives of these little kids, but we're shining bright in the midst of often dark and difficult communities.
You can see it in the adults who stop and peer through the gates or the 50 year old doing the motions to "Jesus is the Rock." It's also obvious in the way parents watch from their porches or the curb as their kids' faces light up during the candy toss.
Matthew 5:14-16 is a familiar passage:
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
When we minister to the kids or we minister to the homeless or we help a family build their home or paint their hallway, the neighbors and friends and parents and world are watching.
- Ryan
You can see it in the adults who stop and peer through the gates or the 50 year old doing the motions to "Jesus is the Rock." It's also obvious in the way parents watch from their porches or the curb as their kids' faces light up during the candy toss.
Matthew 5:14-16 is a familiar passage:
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
When we minister to the kids or we minister to the homeless or we help a family build their home or paint their hallway, the neighbors and friends and parents and world are watching.
- Ryan
Friday, July 18, 2008
Samantha's House Project
Some of the Loveworks team had a chance to meet with Samantha to determine exactly how we can help out. The team that goes will be building a storage shed and then tearing down a covered area at her home.
Below are the details on who to contact and when/where to show up. This is a great opportunity to share the love of Christ with our community!
Date/Time: Saturday, August 2nd @ 9am
Place: Meet at Starbucks/Dairy Queen parking lot on corner of Portola and North Livermore.
Contact Person - Rachael Dailey Loveworks@sanctuaryweb.us
Below are the details on who to contact and when/where to show up. This is a great opportunity to share the love of Christ with our community!
Date/Time: Saturday, August 2nd @ 9am
Place: Meet at Starbucks/Dairy Queen parking lot on corner of Portola and North Livermore.
Contact Person - Rachael Dailey Loveworks@sanctuaryweb.us
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Upcoming Loveworks Opportunities
We have 2 Loveworks opportunities that are coming up soon! See the information below and contact Loveworks to see how you can get involved.
Sharon's Condo Project
Date/Time: Saturday, July 26 @ 9am
Place: Meet at her neighbor Stephanie's house. Address: 1540 Portola Ave, Livermore
We will be painting walls, restaining cabinets, trimming hedges etc...
Contact Person: Rachael Dailey Email: Loveworks@sanctuaryweb.us
Samantha's House Project
Date/Time: Saturday, August 2nd @ 9am
Place: Meet at Starbucks/Dairy Queen parking lot on corner of Portola and North Livermore.
Look for details on the work that will be involved here on the blog or at Sanctuary on Sunday evenings.
Contact Person - Rachael Dailey Loveworks@sanctuaryweb.us
Do you know of a need? Email Loveworks and let us know how we can help you love one another.
Sharon's Condo Project
Date/Time: Saturday, July 26 @ 9am
Place: Meet at her neighbor Stephanie's house. Address: 1540 Portola Ave, Livermore
We will be painting walls, restaining cabinets, trimming hedges etc...
Contact Person: Rachael Dailey Email: Loveworks@sanctuaryweb.us
Samantha's House Project
Date/Time: Saturday, August 2nd @ 9am
Place: Meet at Starbucks/Dairy Queen parking lot on corner of Portola and North Livermore.
Look for details on the work that will be involved here on the blog or at Sanctuary on Sunday evenings.
Contact Person - Rachael Dailey Loveworks@sanctuaryweb.us
Do you know of a need? Email Loveworks and let us know how we can help you love one another.
Monday, July 14, 2008
You Never Know...
I love the story about the man who sees a boy throwing starfish back into the ocean after they had washed up on the shore after a storm. As the story goes, the man asks the boy why he is bothering to throw the starfish back into the water since there were hundreds of starfish on the shore and there was no way to save them all. The boy turns and throws another starfish into the water and tells the man that he made a difference to that one.Going for a few hours, twice a month into the worst parts of downtown San Francisco where there are countless homeless, sick and broken people with the expectation of making a difference may seem unrealistic. How can giving someone a hot meal and pair of socks hold them over for two weeks until you see them again? How can you expect one short conversation to change their lives? It is completely unrealistic to expect these things if you are trying to do it without love.
I was walking by a woman a few weeks ago while out at Night Strike. We had just started our evening and were starting to walk to the area of the tenderloin where we were going to minister. As we approached a corner I noticed a woman who had just crossed the street and passed the rest of the team. I asked her if she would like some food, something I had done hundreds of times before and she turned to me and looked almost shocked. She graciously accepted the food and juice. I asked her if there was something she needed prayer for. (We try to pray for every person we can while doing Night Strike.) She looked at me and started crying instantly. She told us that she was going home to kill herself that night but that running into us gave her hope to keep going to tomorrow. We prayed for her and encouraged her, then continued on down the street. While we can't reach every person in need on the streets of the city, we made a difference in her life by showing the love of Jesus.
When you go out on Night Strike you are offering to serve and pray for people that are ignored or forgotten. More than a hot meal and clean socks, they need someone to show them love by taking the time to listen to them and pray for them. Though I have seen people healed and broken to tears while in the tenderloin, most of the time we never know the difference we have made. We just need to be obedient in showing love and Jesus will do the rest.
- Catie Hootman
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
The Nearness of Man and God
I recently helped with a ministry called City Kidz where we drive a big truck into the heart of some underprivileged neighborhoods and put on a 2-hour VBS (essentially) for whatever kids want to come.
One thing that struck me in particular is the desire these kids have for some sort of physical contact. I’m not talking about an intimate contact that is sexual (in any way), but instead a touch that I think God uses in mighty and magnificent ways. It’s something those of us with families and friends take for granted. We get the hug after church or the handshake from an acquaintance. Guys wrestle after bible study (for whatever reason) and spouses share an arm or hand while sitting at church or walking down the street. Since we are created in the image of God, I firmly believe He created us with a need for some type of physical connection to demonstrate God’s comfort, love and nearness.
These kids don’t always have that. They may have a mom that is a single parent and is always gone working or exhausted from the work. They may not have a father figure in their life or may have one that is distant and reserved.
Two examples from City Kidz illustrated this need to me particularly (and I see it all around me with everyone else who goes). While listening to the bible story one afternoon, a boy about 9 or 10 sat near me. Both of us were sitting Indian-style but his bare left knee was resting on top of my bare right knee (we both were wearing shorts because it was pretty hot outside). My first reaction if that were a peer of mine would have been to quickly distance myself. It would have been “weird” or “uncomfortable” somehow. I expected this boy to feel the same way. But instead, he just left his leg there. In fact, the more I observed the situation, he was sitting very close to me with plenty of space around both of us. Maybe he doesn’t experience any physical affirmation or warmth at his home. I have no idea. But just the nearness of another person was comforting to him. He felt connected.
The second example is that of a 2 year old who we will call Harry. Again, I don’t know the details of his situation, but this kid was ready to wrestle! He was ready to climb, scratch, jump and flip all over anyone he could get his hands on. I have the fingernail marks in my neck to prove it (ouch!). But I think that whoever he was climbing on gave him a sense of not feeling alone. He was able to interact and engage another person and experience, on some level, a little bit of the oneness God intends to have with us.
I feel there’s a need to meet people in this way when they need it. I don’t think it’s something that should be taken lightly or performed flippantly, but I do think it’s something we often take for granted. I don’t think it should happen with the opposite sex and I don’t think it should happen in private. But I think we should look beyond handing out food or money and telling people we’ll pray for them and demonstrate the love of Christ with a hug or a handshake or a wrestling match. When you hug your first homeless person you’ll know exactly what I mean. To God be the glory.
One thing that struck me in particular is the desire these kids have for some sort of physical contact. I’m not talking about an intimate contact that is sexual (in any way), but instead a touch that I think God uses in mighty and magnificent ways. It’s something those of us with families and friends take for granted. We get the hug after church or the handshake from an acquaintance. Guys wrestle after bible study (for whatever reason) and spouses share an arm or hand while sitting at church or walking down the street. Since we are created in the image of God, I firmly believe He created us with a need for some type of physical connection to demonstrate God’s comfort, love and nearness.
These kids don’t always have that. They may have a mom that is a single parent and is always gone working or exhausted from the work. They may not have a father figure in their life or may have one that is distant and reserved.
Two examples from City Kidz illustrated this need to me particularly (and I see it all around me with everyone else who goes). While listening to the bible story one afternoon, a boy about 9 or 10 sat near me. Both of us were sitting Indian-style but his bare left knee was resting on top of my bare right knee (we both were wearing shorts because it was pretty hot outside). My first reaction if that were a peer of mine would have been to quickly distance myself. It would have been “weird” or “uncomfortable” somehow. I expected this boy to feel the same way. But instead, he just left his leg there. In fact, the more I observed the situation, he was sitting very close to me with plenty of space around both of us. Maybe he doesn’t experience any physical affirmation or warmth at his home. I have no idea. But just the nearness of another person was comforting to him. He felt connected.
The second example is that of a 2 year old who we will call Harry. Again, I don’t know the details of his situation, but this kid was ready to wrestle! He was ready to climb, scratch, jump and flip all over anyone he could get his hands on. I have the fingernail marks in my neck to prove it (ouch!). But I think that whoever he was climbing on gave him a sense of not feeling alone. He was able to interact and engage another person and experience, on some level, a little bit of the oneness God intends to have with us.
I feel there’s a need to meet people in this way when they need it. I don’t think it’s something that should be taken lightly or performed flippantly, but I do think it’s something we often take for granted. I don’t think it should happen with the opposite sex and I don’t think it should happen in private. But I think we should look beyond handing out food or money and telling people we’ll pray for them and demonstrate the love of Christ with a hug or a handshake or a wrestling match. When you hug your first homeless person you’ll know exactly what I mean. To God be the glory.
The Point of Love
Why do we make such a concerted effort to go out and love people that don’t always experience grace and love? If Jesus is our example, then the answer to that should be to point them to God.
When we love widows and the fatherless and the homeless and the afflicted, we should love them the most by pointing them to Jesus Christ. In Scripture we see Jesus performing miracles and healing people and serving those around Him, but ultimately for the purpose of showing them who God is. HE is!
The next time we help someone repair their home or we bring them a meal or we play games with their kids, we should point them to Jesus. Explain why you care. Explain what He has done in your life. Explain the gospel! The last thing we want is a community of people who experience all kinds of love but have no idea why. The point of loving people is to point them to Jesus. To leave them without the most precious news of the gospel is not to love them… it’s selling them short.
One last note… our love for others should not be conditionally based upon their acceptance of the gospel. However, our love for others should be driven by our desire to see them become disciples of Christ so that they may experience the joy of Him who saves.
When we love widows and the fatherless and the homeless and the afflicted, we should love them the most by pointing them to Jesus Christ. In Scripture we see Jesus performing miracles and healing people and serving those around Him, but ultimately for the purpose of showing them who God is. HE is!
The next time we help someone repair their home or we bring them a meal or we play games with their kids, we should point them to Jesus. Explain why you care. Explain what He has done in your life. Explain the gospel! The last thing we want is a community of people who experience all kinds of love but have no idea why. The point of loving people is to point them to Jesus. To leave them without the most precious news of the gospel is not to love them… it’s selling them short.
One last note… our love for others should not be conditionally based upon their acceptance of the gospel. However, our love for others should be driven by our desire to see them become disciples of Christ so that they may experience the joy of Him who saves.
City Kidz Experience
One woman in our community shares her experience serving with City Kids:
When I first heard about City Kidz, the heart behind this ministry kept tugging at my own heart. As this ministry seemed to so closely align with my passions in serving, it was something that I could not ignore.
Upon showing up that first Saturday in June, I really didn’t know what to expect. I knew that there would be a big, blue truck that somehow turned into a stage; I knew that we would be going into two of the “worst” neighborhoods in San Francisco: Hunter’s Point and Alemany; I knew that we would be putting on a Vacation Bible School type program for the kids in these neighborhoods. However, I did not know of the incredible ways that the Lord would capture my heart afresh as these children so quickly grabbed a hold of mine.
Every Saturday that I show up for City Kidz, God continues to minister to me through these children. They have such an enthusiasm to know the Lord and experience His love. As we show up, they run to us with a vibrancy that is so refreshing. “I remember you!” or “Give me a hug!” or “Will you play with me,” they each squeal. I am convinced that City Kidz has done such a valuable job in the past of loving these kids, so that when we show up (even some of us as new faces), they know that they will experience true, genuine love. For them, experiencing the love of another who loves the Lord is such a reflection of the love of their True Father.
When I watch these kids raise their arms in praise to God our Father in worship, I am reminded of the zeal that He desires also from me when I come before Him. When I hear these kids (from the ages of 3 to 15) recite their memorized scripture verse, a renewed passion for His Word stirs within me. When I feel the touch of the small hand grabbing a hold of mine, I recall the tender touch of my Abba. When I see the joy on the face of the child that has won a plastic toy in the raffle, I realize that sometimes the greatest needs are just around the corner from my own backyard.
Through my experience with City Kidz, God continues to impress upon my heart His love for me. These kids just want the love, affection, and touch of another. That is what the Lord provides to each of us, and we can be His vessels! And, He continues to show me that, while world missions are so vital, I do not need to travel all the way to Africa to find a poor, lonely child longing to experience the love of the One who “will meet all our needs according to His glorious riches.”
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