Cracks in the Cement

Living in the inner-city of one of America’s largest conglomeration of people can get us worked up about the injustices that we see.  The lack of opportunity and added unnecessary pressures in the life of a person living in our neighborhood is distressing.  We are, however, encouraged with the task we have been given to preach freedom to those in captivity and realize that while life might not be fair, often times these injustices or hardships are an ideal seedbed for the Gospel.  We shouldn’t have to twist people’s arms to believe in the Creator of the Universe, our Great and Amazing Loving Father; we simply proclaim the Truth and people will respond if they have the ears to hear.   We are praying for fruit – for lives to be forever changed and transformed by the powerful love of God.  Despite the added challenges of a lack of access, opportunities and resources, God is bringing life out of the cracks in the cement.  We did not come to take people out of the city, but to bring God in and allow Him to transform and renew.  We may get frustrated at the cracks in the cement, but it is amazing how God brings new life out of even that brokenness. 

“Wildflowers don’t move to find sun’s rays.  God makes them fruitful wherever they are.”                             -Frère Christian de Chergé

Updates

A Family Being Changed

There is wonderful family that has made our church their home.  We met them at the park.  The teenage son was the first to give his life to God and get involved.  Then the younger sister and her cousin got connected through our tutoring program.  During a recent tutoring session in the parent’s waiting area the aunt began to share with the other moms how life-transforming the church has been for her family.  The other ladies who have not yet visited during a service mentioned how they sensed a peace every time they set foot into our building. 

The father – who was the last of the family to make a commitment - shared how much peace he felt being at church.  He participates fully at Bible study even when he is tired.  He is also typically one of the last to leave because as he says, he wants to soak up as much as he can before going back to his oppressive work days.  The daughter, to the delight of her teachers and family, has completely come alive.  She was being diagnosed by the school psychiatrist and now has made so many changes – without medicine or counseling – just by coming to know Jesus!

Drama Club

There is a group from our church working hard to put together a special drama presentation for Easter.  This is becoming a tradition as it will be the third year now – every year a little different and a little bigger production. As I sat in on a recent rehearsal I just realized how much the process – while time consuming – was bringing these individuals together.  There was laughter and shared stories, a focus on bringing the gospel to their friends and neighbors and lots of good wholesome fun. 

Griffith Park Family Day

Last month we shared a lot about our value to minister to and minister with the whole family.  This month’s family church activity was to go to a large park in Los Angeles and spend the day together.  As missionaries we live and teach the importance of prayer and Bible study, faithfulness to your local church and serving God, but also work hard at building community and a place where people can enjoy one another – especially in the context of their families.

Though the event was from 10am-5pm everyone was saying it was too short.  Everyone wanted to stay longer and soak up that good relaxing sensation of godly fellowship and community.  

We first stopped at the visitor center to see all the flora and fauna of the park.

We then set up an area and had a picnic lunch and talked while the children played together.

We had organized games for the children, youth and adults to all participate in.  

And then we took a hike to see the old L.A. Zoo (open between 1912-1965) and the surrounding area.

Some of the youth near the old zoo site.

The hike brought us out near an old carousel that many of the families enjoyed together.

We then finished our day at a train museum where we were able to climb up on the trains and take a small scale train ride around the museum.   

Please Pray with Us…

ü  Los Angeles Mission Week  (March 25-29)

-Our youth group will be spending a week living at our church building and serving the community through a vacation Bible school (VBS), serving/feeding the homeless, serving in an elderly care facility, and doing yard and maintenance projects. 

-They will have morning devotions and nightly teaching times.

Pray that they would grow a deeper heart to reach the lost and serve those in need.  We want to teach them how to do missions in their back yard and in other cities and countries.

ü  Easter Week (March 25-29)

-Several families from our church have ‘adopted’ the youth and will be providing a home cooked dinner for them during their LA Mission Week. 

-Our entire church will be helping with the VBS every afternoon in the park sharing their faith with the adults that come out. 

Pray for a great turn out and that the Holy Spirit would minister to people in the park through our church….leading to genuine, lasting life-change.

ü  Good Friday Service (March 29)

-We will be having a special praise, worship and prayer service on Good Friday – something we’ve never done. 

Pray for God’s presence to come powerfully and minister to people.

ü  Easter Service (March 31)

-As mentioned in the update there is a team busily working on the drama for Easter.

Pray for them to continue to grow in their personal faith and be able to powerfully present the gospel so that many may be saved.

-On Easter Sunday we will have baptisms and a huge meal together along with the special service. 

Pray for a large turn-out, salvations and retention of those that come to visit. 

ü  Family

-Pray that Chad and Fabiola might be loving parents that truly model a Christ-centered, God-loving life to Rebecca and Justice.

-Pray that Rebecca and Justice would have pure hearts, be quick to obey and be overflowing with compassion, generosity and love towards others. 

-UPDATE: Thank you so much for praying for Rebecca and Justice’s dreams- we’ve seen massive improvement in that area.  Praise God!

That our lives might be a seedbed for the spreading of the beautiful gospel wherever we go and whatever we do…even in the hardest of cement there are cracks where flowers can grow and hope will show.

May you have the most joyous Easter.  HE IS RISEN! 

Chad, Fabiola, Rebecca and Justice