LA Dream Center

We began our day serving alongside the construction and facilities crew. It was incredible for us to get to hear personal testimonies of crew members whose lives were changed when they discovered God at the Dream Center and became free from their addictions. We got to partner with them and paint one of the buildings on campus. Partnering with the facilities team was a blessing to witness. Facilities team members were able to find value in pouring into the kids spiritually and in the handiwork that we were doing.

Multiple adults remarked today about how inspiring our kids are to them. They are rejuvenated to see young, strong faith in action. They are in awe to see young kids already boldly stepping out in faith and going where God calls. Other people are seeing God through our kids and it is powerful! 

Our kids have been so impacted by their time here already, and they are leaning in to hearing the prompting of God and responding. While driving between sites, we saw an unhoused person on the street, and the kids felt called to help him out in some way. They passed up unopened bottles of water to hand to him, and wanted to make sure that we didn’t drive by without showing him kindness.

In the afternoon we got to do a Sidewalk Sunday School in the projects. We were able to play sports and water games with kids that lived in the surrounding buildings to bring some joy to their summer. Our Sidewalk Sunday School brought fun music, games, snacks, worship, and a Bible story to kids who are otherwise unable to make it to an in-person church gathering due to different family and living situations.

It was such a privilege and joy to spend time with these kids. Each one of them was so eager for acceptance and love. They would run out to greet us with big hugs, held our hands, sat in our laps, and were sad to see us go. Please join us in praying for these kids, and for them to come to deeply know God who loves them and deems them worthy. Please continue to pray for these families and communities, as well as the Dream Center and our team!

We started our morning early in the kitchens. Our team worked diligently to help prepare meals that would feed about 1,000 people. Our kids were a light to those working in the kitchen, and made usually tedious and boring tasks fun!

In the afternoon we worked to load up trucks with food and took them to distribute groceries to people in need. Not only did our team get to greet a long line of people and provide them with groceries, but we also got to pray with many of them. 

Our kids were especially inspiring to many today. They truly were an example to all. They were eager to serve no matter the job, found joy and fun in the mundane, were the first to volunteer for anything, boldly stepped up to offer prayer, and showed love and kindness to all they encountered. 

In the evening we drove through LA, and saw with our own eyes the incredibly stark contrast between Beverly Hills and Skid Row. This was the first time that many of the kids saw the projects with their own eyes. We all came back tonight seeing the world in a brand new way. It ignited an even deeper desire in us to serve the community here in LA.

We have arrived at the Dream Center in Los Angeles! This evening we settled into our lodging, enjoyed orientation, and went up to the roof top to see the sprawling view of Los Angeles. It was amazing for our kids to get an idea of how large LA is.

Even though we have only been here for a few hours, we have already seen God working through our team in their conversations with those around them!

Tomorrow morning, we will get the opportunity to work in the kitchen. In the afternoon, we will get to go out with the food trucks to distribute groceries to the community.

We are so excited to see all that God has in store for us this week. Please be praying for our team as we go out into Los Angeles. Please be praying for God to prepare both our hearts and the hearts of those we will encounter. Thank you so much for supporting us!