WITNESS - my first Mission Trip
It has been almost a week since our Backyard Outreach, and I am literally high in the Holy Spirit! Im having some sort of a hang over from what God has done during last weekend and I have been blessed to witness that. So a number of people including myself were blessed enough by the Lord to be called Witnesses as Acts 1:8 would say. We have been called by God to do this backyard mission trip which is a 3 day mission trip in cities around Los Angeles, and sometimes in other places here in the United States. Anyways, the Lord wanted the team to go to Long Beach, Watts and Gardena where we were the hands and feet of Jesus.
The PREPARATION :
Leading up to last weekend which was the 27th of September, we had several meetings, we had Sunday afternoons, and Tuesday night meetings, and for some reason I felt like I was at church everyday. In constant fellowship with my brothers and sisters, which I love doing but also kept me worried about not having enough time to study, but God just showed me the importance of being in fellowship with them for accountability, and I was blessed enough to have people like them to love me when I am unlovable. So our meetings consisted of training, and being equipped of evangelism and performances, and assignments just so we go there with unity in the spirit. I was honestly in constant battle on whether or not I should go, because of how busy I am, and knowing that I was going to Watts with the team. I had to tell the Lord, like what? why? I mean it felt like God was putting ME in danger, but in all honesty, it was my own flesh that did not want to go because God kept telling me to go, and He gave me signs to confirm that. One day, I just literally heard God said go. I was like ok God I will, but I did psych myself up because I asked my co-worker about what it is like in Watts and she said that the everyday life there is tough, but God showed me that the city needs love. Then I said Here I am God send me.
Day 1:
So supposedly Day 1 should be Friday night, but I was not able to go. So for me Day 1 was Saturday. I worked from 5am - 9:30 am and I watched the clock tick slowly, hours and minutes felt like forever because I was so eager to leave to be with the team at the clean up. 9:30 am came, and I left in excitement and met the team in Gardena in a park for the clean up. I approached the ladies and asked on how I could help and they told me to grab the gloves from the other side of the park, and so I did. Upon grabbing the gloves I saw a brother from our team cleaning the play ground, and I did not bother him, and by the tables I saw another girl who happens to work in the afterschool program in the park, and it felt like the Lord led me to that area for a reason. So I offered her help to clean the table, but I ended up having a conversation with her. Ministered to her, and told her how good God is, and how much He loves her, and I am glad she was receptive about it. She grew up with a mom and dad believing and Jesus, but never really got into it, and she was later on inspired about checking it out again, and I was blessed by it, because I saw how God is just ready to accept anyone. After helping her, she told me to help out that brother in the play ground, and I was able to share to him what happened, and we prayed for her. During on of my conversation with that brother, he told me that us cleaning is seeing Jesus, because the park is like us, dirty but with sin, but Jesus cleaned us up. That statement of his humbled me big time because that is when God prepared my heart on what is to come later on. Then we helped out the rest of the team, and then later on closed out to leave for Watts, and that itself was a good start, we know that we were appointed by the Lord. At the same time, I was starting to be nervous for Watts, eeeeekkk... ok here goes nothing God.
Watts:
On our way to Watts, me and the ladies got lost, and for some reason it felt that the enemy was trying to confuse us with direction just so we do not get to the destination right away, but the Lord is good enough to guide us. We arrived at the Hope house a little later than everyone else, but upon entering the house, i felt like I was home. I felt the warmth, and the feeling of familiarity in that place, and honestly I wanted to be there for a long time. Pastor Jose then came in later, and shared how the community is, and his testimony. It was inspiring to see how he gave everything up for the Lord, and followed him to be a pastor in Watts. However, frightening how their everyday lives are over there as well. Once again, the enemy attacked and said just stay over in the house you do not belong here. But God said go. I found out that we were walking to the Watts tower, and I was like "really God?" I mean first of all I did not want to get shot. So we prayed before we went our way, and as we were walking, God gave me that peace. I was worshipping and praying on the way to the tower, and I felt the Lord walking with us. After 15 mins or so, we arrived in the Watts tower, and I felt that the Holy spirit was already there. I was amazed by the place, and how God just broke down the barriers I had for Watts. He showed me how much He loves me, that I can show that to the people I encountered. God opened my eyes, and so the evangelism began
Had I backed out from this trip, I would not witness the joy that God brings to the people that seems to be unreachable
This picture shows us being in choir singing "Old Church choir" to treat the church
here is a picture with the Pastor who has encouraged and blessed us.
these pictures do not do justice with what God has done. Sad to say our time in Watts had to end and we had to head to our last destination which is the convalescent
THE CONVALESCENT:
we were blessed enough to worship and do devos with the patients, and then we were broken to groups of 3 to go room to room to minister and pray. We had a list of rooms that we were allowed to go but we ended up going into a room not included in the list but God led us there. So... there were three patients in that room, the first one was sleeping, then we were able to pray for the patient in the middle, and the last patient ..... OH MANNNN....... so... here is what happened he was filipino, I introduced myself, and was able to pray for him, and he was responding to the prayer, the spirit told me that He was a believer, and then he encouraged us to keep doing the work of Jesus, and He shared that he was a Pastor. I was struck by his spirit honestly, and we felt God watching over him, and is with us in that room, it was his 3rd stroke, but we felt his joy knowing that God has always been by his side, and he blessed us and encourgaed us, we felt emotional and we stayed there what seemed to be forever, with non-stop prayers, and anointing of oil. I know it affected all of us because of the pain that he is experiencing and at the same time knowing that He has that joy in the Lord. It brought me tears because of how much spirit and encouragement he has. I did not understand him at first because of how hard it was for him to talk, but the spirit told me what he was saying. , then we went to more rooms, ministered to the staff, and long story short, it was a blessing and a mission success. this blog does not do justice with what God did, you have to be there to experience how God is working, to experience walking where He walks. and my desire is to cease to the spirit, and let Him lead me. If i were to do it again, i would. We are here for a reason, and that is to spread the good news that there is hope anchored in Jesus. that God loves the world that He sent His son Jesus to save us, and to be witnesses of His love. Never miss an opportunity to spark that light in their hearts, you'll never know who might need it.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the world.
ACTS 1:8
The PREPARATION :
Leading up to last weekend which was the 27th of September, we had several meetings, we had Sunday afternoons, and Tuesday night meetings, and for some reason I felt like I was at church everyday. In constant fellowship with my brothers and sisters, which I love doing but also kept me worried about not having enough time to study, but God just showed me the importance of being in fellowship with them for accountability, and I was blessed enough to have people like them to love me when I am unlovable. So our meetings consisted of training, and being equipped of evangelism and performances, and assignments just so we go there with unity in the spirit. I was honestly in constant battle on whether or not I should go, because of how busy I am, and knowing that I was going to Watts with the team. I had to tell the Lord, like what? why? I mean it felt like God was putting ME in danger, but in all honesty, it was my own flesh that did not want to go because God kept telling me to go, and He gave me signs to confirm that. One day, I just literally heard God said go. I was like ok God I will, but I did psych myself up because I asked my co-worker about what it is like in Watts and she said that the everyday life there is tough, but God showed me that the city needs love. Then I said Here I am God send me.
Day 1:
So supposedly Day 1 should be Friday night, but I was not able to go. So for me Day 1 was Saturday. I worked from 5am - 9:30 am and I watched the clock tick slowly, hours and minutes felt like forever because I was so eager to leave to be with the team at the clean up. 9:30 am came, and I left in excitement and met the team in Gardena in a park for the clean up. I approached the ladies and asked on how I could help and they told me to grab the gloves from the other side of the park, and so I did. Upon grabbing the gloves I saw a brother from our team cleaning the play ground, and I did not bother him, and by the tables I saw another girl who happens to work in the afterschool program in the park, and it felt like the Lord led me to that area for a reason. So I offered her help to clean the table, but I ended up having a conversation with her. Ministered to her, and told her how good God is, and how much He loves her, and I am glad she was receptive about it. She grew up with a mom and dad believing and Jesus, but never really got into it, and she was later on inspired about checking it out again, and I was blessed by it, because I saw how God is just ready to accept anyone. After helping her, she told me to help out that brother in the play ground, and I was able to share to him what happened, and we prayed for her. During on of my conversation with that brother, he told me that us cleaning is seeing Jesus, because the park is like us, dirty but with sin, but Jesus cleaned us up. That statement of his humbled me big time because that is when God prepared my heart on what is to come later on. Then we helped out the rest of the team, and then later on closed out to leave for Watts, and that itself was a good start, we know that we were appointed by the Lord. At the same time, I was starting to be nervous for Watts, eeeeekkk... ok here goes nothing God.
Watts:
On our way to Watts, me and the ladies got lost, and for some reason it felt that the enemy was trying to confuse us with direction just so we do not get to the destination right away, but the Lord is good enough to guide us. We arrived at the Hope house a little later than everyone else, but upon entering the house, i felt like I was home. I felt the warmth, and the feeling of familiarity in that place, and honestly I wanted to be there for a long time. Pastor Jose then came in later, and shared how the community is, and his testimony. It was inspiring to see how he gave everything up for the Lord, and followed him to be a pastor in Watts. However, frightening how their everyday lives are over there as well. Once again, the enemy attacked and said just stay over in the house you do not belong here. But God said go. I found out that we were walking to the Watts tower, and I was like "really God?" I mean first of all I did not want to get shot. So we prayed before we went our way, and as we were walking, God gave me that peace. I was worshipping and praying on the way to the tower, and I felt the Lord walking with us. After 15 mins or so, we arrived in the Watts tower, and I felt that the Holy spirit was already there. I was amazed by the place, and how God just broke down the barriers I had for Watts. He showed me how much He loves me, that I can show that to the people I encountered. God opened my eyes, and so the evangelism began
Watts Tower, Watts CA
So we started evangalizing, and the first person was I encountered was a lady, who already was a believer, and was just encouraging me to continue what I am doing for the Lord, and so I felt like that was a good start. The second encounter I had was a child. So I approached the family while one of the sisters were praying for their family member, God gave me the opportunity to minister to a kid. I did not know how to minister to a kid, although i love kids. The mom was open about telling the child about Jesus, and I was able to share the wordless bracelet to her, and saw how attentive she was, and God showed me how to do it. I was so blessed by this encounter because she accepted Jesus as her forever friend, and that gave me the desire to minister to kids. The next encounter I had was a family who I was able to pray for, and it was a sweet time of getting to know them even for a little bit. Then we met a couple more believers who were encouraged by us, little did they know that they are the ones encouraging us. After a few ministering, the Lord really showed me how to be compassionate, and be able to deny myself, and just love this community despite of me living on a separate kind of world from theirs. I literally saw the hands of God over this city, and told me that He loves me infinitely, and this is how much he loves this city too. having to witness this is the most humbling experience I have, it broke me inside in a good way, it broke my barriers and my flesh. We came back to the hope house fulfilled by the joy and love that we witnessed. We ended up fellowshipping and worshipping, and we literally felt the holy spirit surround us. Unfortunately I cannot stay for the night, and I had to go home with a couple of people with me, but I know that I went home with joy, and fulfillment with the mission for the day.
DAY 2:
Hope Central Watts
It was CCSB takes over Hope Central Watts day, and nothing excites me more than knowing that God has been so faithful in this mission, and that we will greater things that he will do. So I was part of the children's ministry, and me and the CM team were able to help out feeding the kids. I was assigned to prepare the food for the kids, and while waiting for them to finish, I was able to talk to a couple of kids. Another kid came up to me and asked me "why are you here?" and I said because Jesus loves you, and He asked "who sent you?" I said God, which is true because God chose us and commissioned us to go, then the Lord told me to share the wordless bracelet, and was grateful enough that he was receptive about it.
It was time to head to church to prepare, and upon arriving to the gym where they hold the church i felt the intimacy these people have with the Lord, and I realized it is one of those that we forsake sometimes in my home church (dont get me wrong I love my home church). The CM team went to the back to prepare, and went ahead to join worship. Such a sweet time. After worship we headed to the back where we held children's ministy. We did worship and danced with the kids, however w all saw how challenging it was, but the Lord said keep going, we had fun with worship anyways.
We thought them some hand motions, some were non-responsive, some were rude, but ultimately the Lord showed us that these kids just needed a lot of love. Long story short although the CM was a challenge because of how these kids are they just need love; someone to love on them. In all honesty each of them are special, and I pray that one day they would grow to be men and women the God designed them to be, in his love and grace.
despite the differences, we love these kids, and it is such a joy to love on them.
Had I backed out from this trip, I would not witness the joy that God brings to the people that seems to be unreachable
This picture shows us being in choir singing "Old Church choir" to treat the church
these pictures do not do justice with what God has done. Sad to say our time in Watts had to end and we had to head to our last destination which is the convalescent
THE CONVALESCENT:
we were blessed enough to worship and do devos with the patients, and then we were broken to groups of 3 to go room to room to minister and pray. We had a list of rooms that we were allowed to go but we ended up going into a room not included in the list but God led us there. So... there were three patients in that room, the first one was sleeping, then we were able to pray for the patient in the middle, and the last patient ..... OH MANNNN....... so... here is what happened he was filipino, I introduced myself, and was able to pray for him, and he was responding to the prayer, the spirit told me that He was a believer, and then he encouraged us to keep doing the work of Jesus, and He shared that he was a Pastor. I was struck by his spirit honestly, and we felt God watching over him, and is with us in that room, it was his 3rd stroke, but we felt his joy knowing that God has always been by his side, and he blessed us and encourgaed us, we felt emotional and we stayed there what seemed to be forever, with non-stop prayers, and anointing of oil. I know it affected all of us because of the pain that he is experiencing and at the same time knowing that He has that joy in the Lord. It brought me tears because of how much spirit and encouragement he has. I did not understand him at first because of how hard it was for him to talk, but the spirit told me what he was saying. , then we went to more rooms, ministered to the staff, and long story short, it was a blessing and a mission success. this blog does not do justice with what God did, you have to be there to experience how God is working, to experience walking where He walks. and my desire is to cease to the spirit, and let Him lead me. If i were to do it again, i would. We are here for a reason, and that is to spread the good news that there is hope anchored in Jesus. that God loves the world that He sent His son Jesus to save us, and to be witnesses of His love. Never miss an opportunity to spark that light in their hearts, you'll never know who might need it.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the world.
ACTS 1:8
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