God Isn't Done With Me Yet

I was really excited to come back to my Adopt-A-Block site, after being away for over a month, to catch up with people in Pueblos that I have come to know and care about. It was hot and as the bus drove around the corner, to where we usually set up the food for the community, I noticed that the line of people who meet us there had grown considerably bigger than what it was before. There were a lot of new faces, there was also the regulars, families that I have known for the nine months I have been at The Dream Center as an intern.

After the food was given out, I took a couple of volunteers to the block that I usually go to, it was comforting to see the families that live there looking happy and excited to pray with us, like Phillipa and her three grandchildren. There was one house that stood out for us last Saturday though, a lady who looked very stressed and busy answered the door with a cell phone pressed to her ear and half-smiled politely as we said hello and asked her if she had heard of The Dream Center.

We were just walking away from her door to knock on the next one, and she came back outside her house and asked us if we could pray for her friend. She said her friend was in hospital in intensive care after being shot four times by her ex-boyfriend. We gathered around her to get ready to pray, then one of the volunteers with us from North Carolina, boldly asked the lady if she knew about Jesus, and when I was in disbelief that she had asked the lady about the status of her salvation, the volunteer had quickly asked the lady to repeat a simple prayer of accepting Jesus as her savior!

We prayed in agreement and the lady said "thank you" for praying for her friend and for praying for her, she looked almost relieved like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. What impressed me the most about this situation was the boldness of this volunteer. She didn’t hesitate for one moment. She was direct and straight to the point about Jesus.

It definitely made me question why I found this so difficult to do, why was I was so nervous about going to the core of what we were commissioned to do—to go and preach the gospel? It’s instances like this that reminds me that I still have a lot of growing up to do as a Christian, a hard truth to face!

~Chaka

A Bus Ride to Nickerson

The beginning of the next year of my life officially started on the 23^rd of July; the day I officially moved into the Dream Center. That was a few weeks ago, which means I have finally passed my first milestone - I have been at the Dream Center longer than most of the teams from short-term missions. Granted, it is not a huge milestone, but it is a milestone nonetheless. I cannot tell you that this is my first experience with the Dream Center because I have been a part of this place for 10 years, but what I can tell you is this continues to be a place like no other. Outreaches like the bus ministry are clear examples of how the Dream Center continues to separate itself from anything else.

The first Sunday I was here I was fortunate enough to ride on one of these buses that actually goes into troubled neighborhoods to bring people from the area to church. The “site” I was assigned to was Nickerson Gardens; a relatively large housing project in Watts. To be completely honest almost the entire ride over there I was apprehensive about what I would say and how to avoid looking like a complete fool in front of the kids. I finally came to the conclusion that it isn’t about me at all, but about leading people to God. I decided to give all my petty worries to God and allow him to show me how to simply love on people. It was the best decision I could have made.

The bus was slowly making its way through the neighborhood when I saw a homeless man on the side of the road. As I waived to him I saw an expression of pure joy come over his face as he happily smiled and waived back. Thus revealing a smile that was missing the front two teeth. It was a smile that proudly displayed more tongue than actual teeth. I couldn’t help, but laugh and continue to wave back. During this random exchange of pleasantries I was hit with an urge help this man in whatever way possible. An urge to see this man succeed, but most of all, I felt genuine compassion for a man I have never met. It truly was and is an indescribable feeling.

The goal of the Dream Center has always been to change the atmosphere of the community through love, and I thank God so much for giving me just a small glimpse of what it means to love people.

- Nic

A Bus Ride to Nickerson Gardens

The beginning of the next year of my life officially started on the 23^rd of July; the day I officially moved into The Dream Center. That was almost two weeks ago, which means I have finally passed my first milestone. I have been at The Dream Center longer than any of the teams from short-term missions. Granted, it is not a huge milestone, but it is a milestone nonetheless. I cannot tell you that this is my first experience with The Dream Center because I have been apart of this place for 10 years, but what I can tell you is this continues to be a place like no other. Outreaches like the bus ministry are clear examples of how The Dream Center continues to separate itself from anything else.

The first Sunday I was here I was fortunate enough to ride on one of these buses that actually goes into troubled neighborhoods to bring people from the area to church. The “site” I was assigned to was Nickerson Gardens; a relatively large housing project in Watts. To be completely honest almost the entire ride over there I was apprehensive about what I would say and how to avoid looking like a complete fool in front of these kids. I finally came to the conclusion that it isn’t about me at all, but about leading people to God. I decided to give all my petty worries to God and allow him to show me how to simply love on people. It was the best decision I could have made.

The bus was slowly making its way through the neighborhood when I saw a homeless man on the side of the road. As I waived to him I saw an expression of pure joy come over his face as he happily smiled and waived back. Thus revealing a smile that was missing the front two teeth. It was a smile that proudly displayed more tongue than actual teeth. I couldn’t help, but laugh and continue to wave back. During this random exchange of pleasantries I was hit with an urge help this man in whatever way possible. An urge to see this man succeed, but most of all I felt genuine compassion for a man I have never met. It truly was and is an indescribable feeling.

The goal of The Dream Center has always been to change the atmosphere of the community through love and I thank God so much for giving me just a small glimpse of what it means to love people.

- Nic