The Border of US / Mexico - Part 1

Recently I was in Tucson, AZ for a retreat with my housemates, my director, and Tucson dwellers who live there. For the 4 days, I have learned about the problem in the border, the migrants, ICE agents, operation streamline, shelter for migrants, NAFTA free trade, and visa issues. I have my thoughts about the border issues before I came. During the 4 days stay, I developed mix feelings about all these issues that I learned. 

I was at a US court with the group to witness 60 migrants get sentenced for illegal entry into U.S.   This system is called Operation Streamline.  

Operation Streamline - is a Bush Administration program implemented in 2005 ordering federal criminal charges for every person who crosses the border illegally. In other words, it is a “zero tolerance” border enforcement program that targets even first time undocumented border-crossers. Instead of routing non-violent individuals caught crossing the border into civil deportation proceedings, Operation Streamline forces undocumented migrants through the federal criminal justice system and into U.S. prisons. Those who are caught making a first entry are prosecuted for misdemeanors punishable by up to 6 months in prison, and those who reenter after deportation may be prosecuted for felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Under this fast-track program, a federal criminal case with prison and deportation consequences is resolved in 2 days or less.   

I was sitting in the front row on the right side of the court. When the migrants get their sentences, they walked around the lawyer desk then toward us. I saw their faces before they walked out to the door 4 feet away from us.  You could heard their hand cuffs and ankle cuffs jingling. As I listened over and over of the judge reading their rights, public defender or public lawyers telling suggestions to their clients, and seeing the federal marshall making smirks at the immigrant's confession to the court.   2 to 7 immigrants at a time come up to face the judge as their lawyers stand behind them.    Here is one example of 6 men. One Guatemalan and 5 mexicans standing while being read of their rights by the judge. One man said  "I am guilty, i have been away from home for 15 days and my family doesn’t know where I am." They got sentenced for illegal entry in U.S.  Each 59 immigrant got mix number of days in prison then deportation back to Mexico. One was a minor so he was sent to detention and be deported later. Every now and then the prosecutor would stand up and say "The US Government submit." as the judge read migrant's present crimes and sometime past crimes. I felt that these people have the right to be sentenced and send back to Mexico for illgeal entry. I just don't agree with harsh behavior that border police treating them with.  I did not feel good as the immigrants walked up to my direction and I just couldn't just stare at them long enough for them to make their exit as I looked in a difference direction. I just wonder what they were thinking at the moment? Maybe these examples?

Why there are a group of white kids watching us getting sentenced?

What did I get myself into?

What my family going to do without me?

I don't understand what going on here, I wish someone will tell me.

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 We got to listened to several guests who worked with in the border areas. A man named Mike who put out water stations 9 years ago out on his tribal lands reservation to help immigrants. "Humane Borders publishes a death map at the end of every year.  It has red dots on each place where a dead human was found.  I started to see a cluster of red dots on my reservation.  I thought that it is my moral obligattion to do something.  I put water on the migrant trails.  in recent years. 42% of all migrant deaths in the Arizona lands are on tribal lands.  My battle is how do I compel my tribal govt to accept its moral responsibility to fight these deaths.  Its justification is that if we let these people come to put out water, then it will encourage migrants to come through the tribal lands.  Now over the years it has transitioned.  it follows the homeland security scenario.  we dont know who is crossing. “ they may be terrorists”  we dont want to give any aid that may be assissting terrorists in our tribal nation.  we share 75 miles of land with the border.  when I was the pastor out there, there was no humanitarian effort.  Nobody was or is doing anything about migrant deaths.  Migrant deaths have become common, and they have become accepted.  that is my tribal governments position.  there is no discussion about migrant deaths.  they just want to talk about the criminality of the issues coming across.  A lot of drugs are coming through.  that is my tribal govts position.  My issue is how to compel them to see that is our moral obligation to care about the migrant deaths." Mike said.  " I can travel back and forth between the countries, because my tribal land is on both sides.  So i have a water station 10 meters inside the Mexican border.  People may be walking back and forth for days before they can find my water station. I have some big tanks of water and lots of little 1 gallon jugs that i take on my truck.  I saw that my tribe had bought a 2000 gallon water tanker.  I saw it drive past and water was sloshing out the top because the cap was not on.  He said that it was actually a 4000 gallon water tanker.  Guess who there water is for.    Cows.  they were filling up these water tankers to fill up to take to the cattle so that cows wouldn’t suffer and die, and yet they do nothing about humans, men, women, children, pregnant women, and infants dying in the desert.  so they spent half a million dollars to buy a truck to water cows but dont care about humans dying.  they have a moral responsibility, and yet we have a tradition of hospitality among the tribes.  are tradition is that we should always offer hospitality.  I continue to put out water as a humanitarian." He said.  There is race-based issues in arizona legislatiion.  there is a new law that has made high schools and colleges in Arizona stop studying Ethnic studies.  Ethnic cleansing has been a part of American history.  And this is trying to make people forget about this.  The focus is on progams in high schools, like native american studies, mexican american studies,  black american studies.  the legislature has banned the teaching of these studies.  they say that these classes teach people  to overthrow the government and they are race-based.  but what they really fear is the liberal education taking place.    After Mike finished his Q/A with us, we found out from a text message that said Bin Laden is dead.  We started to reflect on what Mike told us about immigrant's death in the desert and Bin Laden's death. We watched the news for little bit on Bin Laden. I was not happy with seeing so many people almost like praising that Bin Laden is dead.  Maybe that is patriotic for them.  We shared our thoughts about our Country killing Osama Bin Laden and what are our feelings about the situation.   Here is few people's thoughts 

"I felt a sense of hopelessness.  Its been like we have been after this man for so long.  we have now proven that one person has been killed.  our govt will shift to, now we got one lets get the next person.  Our govt will not know when to stop.  there will be another one to kill."

 "Why do we believe that American lives are more sacred than any other of another nationality? There is a bumper sticker that says:  Why do we kill people that kill people, to prove to other people that killing people is wrong? The tv was interviewing people who had relatives in 911 and soldiers. and it was like they were saying that killing Osama has made it all ok."    

"Why do we believe that some lives are more valuable? We believe that Jesus’s death made our deaths not so bad. It feels like the media is saying that Osamas death is making these other peoples death not so bad."  

Proverbs 24:17

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls.  Do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles.

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We went to Mexico for 2 days and 1 night.  We got to learned about a farmer making a garden so they will have food to eat. The farmer have said "There are some people think that I am crazy doing this." "I feel the need to do this to help and show other in my community that there is a solution to survive on." They hardly have any rain so they use water from a tank to water the garden. He also told us other ways he do to get water like making a ditch and he create large square bricks to sell. He also shared his thoughts on the borders.  

We learned about a coffee place where the coffee is being made from beans of farmers in Mexico. All the money to buy their coffee product goes to the farmers, not to the company.  When they first started it, they sold over 300 lbs of the first year, last year they sold over 50,000 lbs of coffee.  Their coffee is amazing!  I support this message. 

We learned about free trade and did a skit with our group out in the plaza area.  I had to acted 
as a CEO of a bank for the US. 

To Be continue for US/Mexico Border-Part 2 soon. 

Which way to go?

 

        "The Road Not Taken"

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;       5

Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,    10

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.     15

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood and
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.     20 

       - Robert Frost 


We have termites and our house is being tented and fumigated. So all of us went our separate ways to stay at  a co-worker, a friend, a grandparents while we wait for this process to be over. We are home - less for few days. 

I stayed at former YAV's apartment just down the street and it was good to catch up with Becky and her husband. I am jealous of them right now because they about to go to Nicaragua tonight.  I want to go back to Nicaragua!!  It was nice to have a 2 days break away from my housemates but I miss community times with kids. 

 A few weeks ago, a teen did some poor misbehaving at the house. I didn't accept that behavior at all.   I gave a fair warning and the behavior of the teen kept getting worse. Finally I sent the teen home. I didn't want to kick the teen out of the house  but I didn't want the teen's misbehavior to be a example of how to act in front of the little kids. I was sad.  The next day I talked to the teen one and one about the issue. "You have a good heart and you are setting a example to the kids how to act." "Do you want the kids to act right or be rude?" I said.  You are role model just like the other teens that comes here. It was a good talk with the teen.  We both come to agreement. After that week, the teen seem happier now.    It was hard for me to give any kid or teen a punishment of their actions at community house.  I had to go on the road that was less traveled.  I love the kids.  So after that talk, it seem like we bonded closer.  That made a big difference in 2 ways.  One is the older kids know to try to set a good example of a role model to the kids. The other one is that we bonded closer. GOD is AWESOME. 

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Also a few weeks ago, 2 guests from Homeboy Industries came to speak at the community house. The guests was 2 former gang members and spoke about their past and how their lives changed after being involved with Homeboy Industries.  Homeboy Industries assists at-risk, formerly gang-involved youth and the recently incarcerated to become contributing members of our community through a variety of services in response to their multiple needs. Their free programs - including counseling, education, tattoo removal, job training, and placement - enable young men and women to redirect their lives and provide them with hope for their futures. 

 Check out their website   Homeboy-Industries website    

 I strongly recommended to get "Tattoos On The Heart" book.  Its about gang member's lives, how they changed, and how Homeboy industries got started.   It is one of my top 10 favorite books. 

There was a lot of neighborhood teens and group of teens from Oasis came to listen to the guest speakers.  

I am really pump up  for this week. A good college buddy Lauren is coming up to visit plus me and intern youth pastor David taking the FPC high school kids to LA Dodger game this friday night.  It will be great to get to know the high school group more outside of church.   Hope everybody have a great weekend! God bless!

God already knows.

John 1:1-3,10,11,12

¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²The same was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

    
¹⁰He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

 ¹¹He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

¹²But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

It is amazing of how extraordinary God is. He is the father of us. He is the one who created heaven and earth at the beginning.  The earth was plain. So God said "let there be light: and there were light." Then he divided light from darkness. On the 2nd day, he created land as water divided around the dry land. God brought plants, grass up to life. You know the rest of the story in Genesis 1:1-31. 

I remembered learning that story when I was little from my Sunday school teacher.  It was almost like fairy tale.  At that young age, I was like " God made the earth, light, darkness, made everything and he named them of his creation. Cool.  That's it.  

As I got older, I got into details of  God's creations, not just basic of what he created mentioned in the bible. 

Nanobes are thought by some to be the smallest known organism, about one tenth the size of the smallest known bacteria. 

Eriophyid mites are among the smallest of all arthropods, measuring only 125 to 250 μm in length. 

Humpback whale is one of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from  39–52 ft and weigh approximately 79,000 lb.

Jupiter is the largest planet within the Solar System.


Have you ever thought about these tiny or big creations that God made?  Try to think of things that God created, not as a whole but the inside.   

God created those things.  I was amazed when I saw a humpback whale out in the ocean few days ago so close to the beach. The people who live in the area, told us, they never seen a whale so up close. One in the lifetime opportunity.

 The weather, nature, tiny organism hardly see by a naked eye, trillion of cells in our body, the mountains, the stars in the sky, 206 different bones of shapes and sizes in  the human body.  God did it.  God is so incredible  and is the smartest of us all.  Think of this way, God have all the degrees that exist now from college to the end.  How God know to create from 125 um in length mite, red veins in our eye balls, elephant, clouds,  ________, ________, and many more.  

                                                                                                                   (fill in those blank) 

                  

         I have one answer.   He is God.                   

This past month, Scott and Chad came to visited at different times, it was a blast.  One of my favorite times of both visit, is that we talked about God, life, and the future. God put the words out of our mouth. I learned something new from Scott and Chad. I guess they would say the same thing of me. God planned this and still planning. He knows what already gonna happen in 2 secs before I finished typing this sentence.  God picked Mary to give birth to Jesus. Why Mary? God is God. He is the creator above all of his creations. How God knows Jesus was the one?  God is God.

 I ask that you give a moment for God.   Six days of creations and on the seventh day God rested. Amazing!   Thank God, look around you as you quietly talk to God, give him your thoughts. He already know what you gonna say or do.   If you wanna hear God laugh, tell him your plans. 

John 1:31

³¹And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

GOD IS GOOD.

As a christian, I still fail to be example of Christ. Everybody does. People say "God don't give you many chances to do good deed."  They are wrong. God give me and you a lot of opportunities to serve him. Sometime we just failed by not realizing God is here for us and we are here for him.  Sure, we get wrapped up with busy work and its simple to lose thought to do good deeds for God.  God created everything in 6 days and he rested on the 7th. God had time to do that for us.  Don't think that God is God and he can do whatever he wants of what he did with his creations of the 6 days.  God did this cause he love us and for us to enjoy the creations he created.  Adam and Eve failed to listen of God's word. We do the same things.  We not perfect but we can try to do better.  Scratch try out.  We need to make great efforts to have God in front of us and our worries behind us. If you can do that, then you will be in good hands with God. God created the world, he gave us lessons in the bible, and gave his only son to die for us.  So next time you are out in the world at work, hiking, or hanging out with friends, just look around you at God's creation and thank him for his awesome love.
 

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

 PATH's Outreach Team helped out to move Doc & Jon, two homeless Veterans, into their new apartment last Tuesday. This is really great news for the men & for PATH because the outreach team been talking to the men for few months about getting them an apartment. So Jon & Doc decided to do it & since they were war veterans, they have benefits to help them out. They didn't have to go through a 6 - 9 months program at PATH.  So the outreach team got them off the street, Doc & John came by the Path Mall to get cleaned up Tuesday morning. The whole process started off with haircuts and shaves at the PATH Mall.  My boss Jeremy did video interview with both men while I took pictures of the men during the interview and getting their hair cut. My housemates Josh & Robert took the 2 men to their new apartment that afternoon.    God is Good. 

Click the blue link below for more pictures. 

Picture slideshow of Doc & Jon getting cleaned up.      


The winter shelters in LA will be closed on Wednesday till next winter comes. So where all the homeless people go to? Parks, alleys,, cardboard boxes, corners of buildings.  They could go to PATH shelters but they have to apply for it and enter in the 6-9 months program.  These homeless who go to winter shelters, just want to go for short term housing, not a long term housing like PATH.  So please pray for them and  for programs who help homeless clients to find a better way to help homeless even when the winter shelters is not available. 

On March 3, I had opportunity to go back to TN for few days. Thursday night, I spoke on MTSU campus at PSF to college students about Young Adult Volunteers Program & my experiences in LA.   Each year, a YAVs from Nashville site come to PSF to talk about their experiences so this time, I joined them. I am the first one from PSF to do YAV and proud to say 2 of my college buddies are joining YAV program for this coming year.  It was good to catch up with PSF alumni, my campus pastor, college friends,  3 Nashville YAVs, Nashville site Director  & of course my parents & Nanny for a 2 day stay. I enjoyed listening my Nashville YAVs's stories of their stay here & their experience of their workplace in Nashville helping the homeless. At the end of the speaking event, Pastor John gathered the group and asked for us to pray in turns whoever wants to. Several of us prayed for Current YAVs in the states & out of the country as they have 5 months left to go.  Future YAVs for the coming year, PSF's mission trip with 15 students to NC to rebuild homes. The crimes/violence at MTSU. 

Over 30 students / alumni at PSF

After the event, me & my friends went to donut shop and hang out for few hrs.  I talked to Lauren & Chad which they just joined YAV program. I am really happy for them & I told everybody, if you do YAV program, you will be truly blessed. 

Lauren done the interview with Hollywood & New Orleans site & She chose to be a part of New Orleans. Chad have not done interviews yet with the sites but checking out Northern Ireland & South Korea site. This past week, a new site director Antonio from Denver came to Hollywood to shadow Matthew "Hollywood Site director" At the end of the week, Antonio said to me, do you know Chad? I said yes.  Then he said well he is checking out Denver site. Such a small world.  AWESOME!  I ask that you pray for Chad, Lauren & upcoming YAVs as they start to prepare this new journey with this program. 

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Lauren         Kyle          Chad

My buddy Scott came to visit me this past week and I had blast catching up with him and showing him around Los Angeles.  It was nice to have a break.  We did a lot of stuff from  

Eating lunch in the press box at LA Dodger Stadium (paid by the LA Dodger)

3rd row seats to Conan & saw Pee Wee Herman & got free tour at WB. 

Gave a tour at my work of PATH for Scott

Hiking up to Hollywood Sign

Played with neighborhood kids

Visited the Community set & hang out with Joel

Went to Point Dume Beach, El Matador Beach, & Venice Beach

Checked out buildings in Downtown LA & Chinatown

Ate at LA's popular hangout at PINKs (Hot Dog place)

& other stuffs.

I worked from 8 to 12 each day at PATH then hang out with Scott for the rest of the afternoon. 

I am looking forward to the next couple months, 2 of my friends Chad, Lauren 

 & my parents coming up to visit. (Different dates/times, not together) I am sad that its only 5 months left to complete this program.  I am still praying over what I am going to do after this. I am seeking advice with my coworkers, my parents, church members, and my site director about what the next best step. 

Here is a prayer list I would like for you to pray for.  It will just take few mins of your time. 

• Lauren, Chad, Upcoming YAVs
• Current YAVs and my housemates as we start to complete our program.
• The people & the victims in Japan, Hawaii, & in the United State's west coast  of the tsunami effect  
• Homeless people out in the street & Path's clients 
• The new site director Antonio from Denver
• My site director Matt and his family
• People who doing Lent 
• My family
• Mrs. Compton & her child 
• My prayer partner Brandon & his family
• Joel as he take a break from touring for awhile to spend time with his sons. 
• My friends who about to graduate in May
• People who are lost with their faith
• Neighborhood kids 

Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV)

 ⁷Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

 ⁸For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Homelessness can be fiXed......

Homelessness is the condition and social category of people without a regular house or dwelling because they cannot afford, or are otherwise unable to maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.


The term homelessness may also include people whose primary night-time residence is in a homeless shelter, in an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized, or in a public or private place not designed for use as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.


In CA, there is 159,732 homeless people across the state. (based on 2007 census).  
In  TN, there is 8,700 to 11,000 homeless people across the state.(based on 2009 census).


82,000 people are homeless on any given night in Los Angeles.


At my work "PATH"'s goal is to end the homelessness. 

PATH Mission: “To break the cycle of homelessness by empowering people with the tools for self-sufficiency” 

PATH Approach:  To help homeless individuals and families find work, save money, secure housing, and empower their lives.

PATH’s strategic approaches to ending homelessness are resulting in successful outcomes and the creation of model programs that have been replicated in many other communities. PATH proven track record of getting individuals off of the streets is one of the many reasons why one former PATH client referred to PATH as “the prime-rib of supportive services.” By providing homeless and low-income individuals with the full range of resources they need to achieve self-sufficiency, PATH is working toward the ultimate goal of eliminating homelessness throughout Los Angeles and America.

Each year PATH serve approximately 4,000 homeless individuals and families, providing them with access to the housing and supportive services they need to break the cycle of homelessness and achieve self-sufficiency.  In the past year, the PATH Mall has achieved the following successes:

PATH'S FACTS

- Provided 13,047 case management and referral services to 3,111 unduplicated clients through the PATH Mall Access Center, linking homeless individuals to the supportive services they need to overcome their barriers to self-sufficiency

- Provided 23,843 basic services, including showers, lunches, and clothing

- Through the PATH Finders Job Center in the PATH Mall, PATH provided academic support, job training, and employment assistance services to 410 individuals, 101 of whom secured full-time, living wage employment. 

- Improved the housing stability of the homeless, as measured by providing referrals to emergency, transitional, and permanent housing to 958 individuals

- Improved the health of the homeless as measured by providing 3,099 service visits to 1,260 homeless adults and children through the JWCH Institute Medical Clinic in the PATH Mall

- Helped the homeless cope with mental illness, as measured by 1,400 individuals who received mental health care services through Gateways Hospital in the PATH Mall

Pretty amazing.......   

GLENDALE OUTREACH TEAM

When I first arrived at the army shelter in Glendale with Mark, Christina, and Alayna there was a line from the end of the street to the doors of the shelter. We walked around and talked to folks in line. A man who work for the shelter yelled and said " I am sorry but we have no blankets for tonight. We have pillows and sheets. No blankets. Again I am sorry. If you come tomorrow night, there will be blankets."  Some of the people seem to be disappointed by the news but others just shook the chip off their shoulder knowing they going to be in shelter tonight. A young man from Michigan walked up to me, asking me about my cohear implants.  I answered his questions and we ended up having a discussion on how technology helping people then I asked "What brought you here?" He said" I wanted to get away from Michigan and start new life here."  Did you have a job when you first came here? I asked.   He said I was looking for one but couldn't find the job. I ran out of money. So here I am but I am still looking for jobs.  He asked for a sweatshirt to me and Mark.  Later that night, brand new sweatshirt showed up for the Michigan boy and tons of blankets. Where did those come from?? Mark had connections. He called few places and delivered to help these people.   Mark is the founder of Invisible People. He experienced being homeless and turned his life around and now he is a top representative role model to speak on homeliness to people. He have been across the US to spread the word on homeliness.  Check out his blog  http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/about/ 


Later on that night, I was sitting on a army bed cot listening to a man who was in his mid 60s. He worked for construction for 37 years. He lost his home after he got laid off.  Not enough money to retire. He stayed at friend's apartment for few months but he knew it was time to go.  No job. No money.  "Its hard to get accepted for a job at his age and a type of work he does" He said.  I have no computer skills, if I had that, I will be ok finding a job. Then he just smile and then said "I stay here tonight and be hopeful for tomorrow."


A man came and sat in front of me as he ate his dinner food. We both did our quick hi and names.  Then he said "I am here now and can get some rest tonight." I replied "Yes sir."  He just kept on eating as he stare at me like he is waiting on me to ask him something. "How was your day today" I asked.   "Well its the first day." he said.   I was puzzle of what he meant by that. Then he said "I am drug addict"  I stopped the last time that I did it.  I said good. Then he said "I don't know how long that will last. I have been unsuccessful of staying away from it. All the homeless shelters I try to get into, have been hard on drug addicts. They don't allowed me to stay the night, I have to stay clean to come in the shelter. I had different type jobs in the past but the choices got me here now. So its the first day. 

That night after listening to their stories. I gave them encouragement, suggestions and information on Path's Glendale Achieve shelter in Glendale. Glendale Achieve shelter help you find jobs, teach free classes from computer skills to art, a place to help you start off better after you finished Glendale's program. Most of the homeless I talked to, said they will check into it, some just ignore it.  There is nothing I can do but just let them know the choices are available.  

About  a week ago we just did a homeless count in certain part of LA. This homeless count program asked for volunteers to do the count for 3 nights from 8pm to 1am. The staff split up the volunteers in teams and go to certain area that they were asked to go to, to count. There was police and Path outreach staff involved in this program and offer assistance to the volunteers.  They haven't gathered the total count yet. The only places volunteers didn't count was in Glendale and Long Beach.

Hebrews 13:2 (King James Version)

 ²Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.


What this mean is do not forget to show hospitality to strangers and some people have shown hospitality to others without knowing it.  Jesus wants us to treat others like our own brother or sisters. Its hard for me to leave the shelter after I listened to their stories and want to do more. But I can't  The best thing we can do is listen and lift their spirit up.  Let them know that you are noticing them.  Help them feel not invisible as they have been walked by so many people ignoring them. We are all the same in Christ. 

People (YOU) need to know that the homeliness people out in the street that could be dirty, sick, or whatever come to your mind when you first see them. I don't see that. I see the people in the street  that can get chances to start over.  God give us chances to ask forgiveness..... Why don't we start offering and noticing the people out in the street. We need to let them know there is places to help them out. Short or long term housing. Nobody deserves to stay out in the streets, alleys, abandon cars, or trees.   PATH is here to not only help the homeliness but to spread the word of this problem and solve the problem by ending the homeliness.   Nobody chose to be homeless... Its just happened to people.  Its stinks. But it can be fix.  God got a plan and he had and will guide me as I continue to reach out to our brothers and sisters.   

Please pray for my housemates and I as we started a new schedule at community house with kids.  Pray for the kids to become understanding of the new schedule.  Pray that the new volunteers and neighbors to keep connecting with us and the community house as we develop stronger friendships with neighbors and kids.  Please pray for the people and the government in Egypt that violence or ignoring the suggestions is not the answer to end their problem. Pray for my family, Matt's family, and my housemates's families.   


God bless!

A Roller Coaster ride in December.

If you have been blessed, it's your responsibility to bless others with what you've been given. God hasn't given those gifts just for your  own good but for the good of others as well. Early in my childhood, my parents have taught me that it is important to help and care for people who are in need. Its in my blood, to help, listen, care, entertain, and lift someone's frown into a smile.  I know what talents what God have given me to use and I am truly blessed  that God have given me experiences with my talents in past mission trips and now in CA. I see  it as my responsibility, but also my privilege, to be generous with what God had entrusted to me.  

A few days before I left for Christmas break, there was a break in at the community house. A part of a door frame was torn apart when the door was kicked in.  In the room was full of leftover toys and gifts for the kids buy for their parents for Christmas.  Nothing was taken in the room except for the missing door frame was ripped off.   At that time, I was disappointed and thinking "Who would do this?"  A week before that, there was blue paint splattered all over outside bulletin board and outside walls of the community house.  In the month of December, it seems to have its up and down. We had a Posada event with the  neighbors and two kids dressed up as Mary and Joseph. We all walked together singing Christmas carols in spanish and in english. We went to 3 different houses, Mary and Joseph knocked on each door and asked "Is there room for us?" All three owners replied no room available. The fourth house, we went to, was the community house, the host let us in as we saw Mary and Joseph put plastic baby Jesus on the table as other kids acted as wise men standing around Jesus.  After that, we spend time with kids and talked to their parents at after-party. God is Good!

Posada event

The next day after the Posada, we had a Toy store for the kids for 3 afternoons to buy or do chores around the community house to get any gifts they want to get it for their family members. We had baby toys, kid books, adult watches, women make-up stuff, men's tool stuff, sport supplies, and digital cameras. My roommate Brady's friend donated money for us to buy all this stuff that the kids requested to get for their parents. This was the first time that the dwellers did it, it went very well with neighbors. The kids got to wrapped their gifts and write letters to their family.  After I came back from xmas break, some of the kids told me, that their parents enjoyed their gifts.

Toy Store

It seems at some moment, we get closer with our neighbors with events involving with the neighbors but then when the break-in or bad stuff happened, I feel weird. I am not scared but am concerned for kids out in the street.  I wondered if we are doing something wrong or offensive to the neighbors?  Its is not hard to continue to do good things for the people but sometime I wondered is it the reason that is making whoever did this bad stuff at community house mad? I don't understand of why bad stuff happened after we done good stuff?  I pray that the neighbors know that we are here to serve God and be there for them and their kids.  We are not here to interpret the routine of the neighborhood's life. We are here to lift someone's frown into smile, make them laugh, listen to their stories, give them guidances and  the words of the bible and many more reasons of why God put us here.
With the first paragraph I put up on the top of this blog, is my talents being put into good use to the kids or the neighbors?  I don't know. I thought it was, but then why this stupid break in happened?  Its hard to figure out.  Its all in God's hands and he will lead us and the neighbors through this road.

The night before I left for Christmas break, I was taking pictures at Path Mall of a holiday event where celebrities show up and spend time with the kids and families who is on a verge of starting new life after being homeless. Pat O Brien (All Access Reporter), Tommy Davidson (Living Colors), a kid from TV show "LOST" and few others was there. Tommy Davidson was homeless at a young age and he understands the stages that these families face. It was interesting to hear his life story from poor to famous. It was really awesome to see the kid's faces brighten up when they got their gifts.

While I was home in TN for Christmas, it was good catching up with my parents, friends, and church friends. I beat my Mom and Dad in a blokus game (12 times) that I got for them for Christmas. I am the champ. They probably will not admit that fact. lol    I have more stuff to post so there will be another blog in a few days.   God bless!