Mission In Progress

Team: Parachute Project LA
Assignment (Day 18): Alone Time, Self and Team Analysis, Realistic Application in Near Future
Status: In Progress - Step One Complete!

So today was all about quiet time with the Lord. In the last few days I feel as though we have been hit hard with some challenges, tough topics, and realizations. As we have just hit the 2 week point in our mission, it has been necessary to reflect on the things we have been doing here, their effectiveness, and compile a mental list of the people and resources we have here (which are many - I am sure I have mentioned the bonfires and the moon bounce...oh and the amazing people :.D hehe). This way we will be able to refine and narrow the focus of our group to the areas that are working best and allow each team member to work to their strengths.

So, after losing Kelsey for 30 mins (no joke - we looked everywhere before finding her in the unfinished 2nd story of the church we are staying in), everyone set out in different directions. Josh took the other four group members to find spots on the beach, he went to a coffee shop to hang for a while, and I stayed back at the church for the afternoon. To be honest, I was at a loss of where to start this morning - I didn't know what to pray for or where to open my Bible. So I spent a few minutes checking my e-mail and responding to some messages I had, but still no booming voice of God telling me something clearly, such as "lead the people of Egypt across the desert for 40 years!" or "go eat PB&J!" so I was stuck. Then I thought about how Luke, Thomas, and I have made a plan to read 2 Corinthians, so I turned there and was surprised to find that my bookmark was there. I had already begun reading it a long time ago before life and second semester got difficult and busy.

I began reading where I had left off: Chapter 4, verse 1, which says,
"God, with his mercy, gave us this work to do, so we don't give up."
Woah, there God! - could you be any clearer? I just don't get it.....

So, basically, I was dumbfounded to have found the most applicable verse for the present situation, and it kept me reading on into the next couple of chapters with insight after insight of perseverence in the face of non-believers. That gave me the confidence to look at a list of volunteer opportunities Josh had sent out, and I found a website I overlooked for an Art Therapy group that helps women and children who have been victims of domestic violence. I called them and can't wait for a callback or a trip to the place itself!

The group soon joined together for team time again and, after showing off the fun tan lines that some of us will have come fall semester, we discussed our individual days and defined some of our personality traits, strengths, and passions. This has allowed us to make some decisions on where are hearts truly lie for the rest of the 6 weeks here.

For example, (and this is by no means complete or fully accurate), some of our thoughts for the future are:

1. Luke - Venice Beach 6 days a week
2. Thomas - Venice Beach 6 days a week
3. Josh - coffee shops, hangouts, help in individual areas, leader responsibilities
4. Bruce - Santa Monica, UCLA (possibly), other college campuses, or volunteering
5. Kelsey -volunteering
6. Storm - volunteering during weekdays, Venice Beach weekends (Qigong baby! :.D )

We are still looking at many uncertainties, but the team is enthusiastic to put these plans into action.

To celebrate the end of these intense few days, we had a great time cooking shish kabobs, hot dogs and s'mores with the wonderful people of Church on Pearl and went to the movies for a fun night on the promenade.

We can't think everyone enough for the prayers, but they are gratefully received!
Until,
Storm