Sorry for no blog last night. We got in real late and everyone was tired. The students wrote some great posts so I won't take much time.
This whole trip has been an amazing experience, but there are some things that really stand out. When we are on the streets it is so sad to see the people living like that. I know that sometimes they put themselves in the situation. There are also some people that just got unlucky, they either had a natural disaster happen to their house or they got their ID stolen. I met a lady on the streets who kept thinking I was her daughter. It broke my heart because I knew she wanted to be by her daughter. She had made bad choices in her life but had turned things around and is slowly getting back on her feet. I have also met people that were very drunk while I was talking to them. It is a little bit scary to see them like that because they don’t know what they are doing. You want to help them but you know you can’t. I just felt so helpless, even though they got them selves in that situation. God has definitely worked in me during this trip. He has broken my heart and let me walk in their shoes. I don’t think I have ever been more touched in my life; I almost want to give a lot of my stuff away. I have realized that we take everything for granted. I have seen the people on the streets get a pair of socks and they shout for joy. I met an adult man who found a baby toy that lit up and they were so excited that they found something to play with. That just shows you how much we have, and how much they don’t have. It really breaks my heart.
God has also let me experience beautiful things. While we were at the beach I had the opportunity to get baptized. I got baptized when I was 2 months old. I felt like I was not old enough to really have dedicated my life to Jesus. So even though I was already baptized I still wanted to do it again. So we did it in the ocean, and it was a great experience. When I came out of the water I knew that I was really and truly dedicated to Jesus. It made me feel so good to know that everyone else knew it too. It was such a great experience to be working for God and getting baptized in one of his greatest creations. Now that I am truly baptized I am going to try to do everything in Gods name. I will read the Bible every morning and worship him always, even through the hard times.
Kenna Luft =)
Well it’s Thursday and im tired, the more tired I get the taller John becomes. The more I get to know the people on the streets the more I realized that they are not so bad, and I wish that all of you could have the chance to experience what is going on in the lives and hearts of these people. Every morning, and night we have the amazing opportunity to eat the wonderful food of my friend J.C. If you all could see and hear all the situations that are happening, you would truly be changed as well as I know the rest of us are. It is hard to understand how and why these people are on the streets. Well, today is shower day so I got to go.
Puggles rule!!,
Jonathan Ryan mcawesome best jr. the third.
Ok. So today is Day 5 of our ministering to the homeless and it’s our last day ): I went on the trip last year and there was definitely some crazy things that happened but I feel like last year for me wasn’t revolved around God as much as it should be. I think it was more like “Well, who has the saddest story and who can tell it about?” This year I haven’t met as many people that have sad stories but I have met some that have drastically changed the way that I have been acting and the way I see things.
On Tuesday, we went to the Plaza Hotel, which is a low-income hotel, and we served a dinner and a bible study to the homeless. That night was when pretty much everything had changed for me. We talked with some people and that was when everyone broke down and started crying. I think what really broke my heart for these people was how much of a selfish person I have been. Almost every person I talked to said they were having a good day or that they had nothing to complain about because they were blessed. I don’t understand how they could say they are blessed when they are living on the streets with almost nothing. I mean when something is going wrong in my life, I don’t say that I’m alright and that I’m blessed, I usually sulk and cry about it.
Something that really hit me hard yesterday was when I met a REALLY old lady and her husband. We were walking by and we were handing out care packages, which are bags with toothpaste, water, granola bars, socks etc… to people we met. It looked like her and her husband were sleeping but when I walked by she sat up and reached out to me so that I wouldn’t walk by and not see her. I gave her two for her and her husband and began talking with her. I asked her how she was doing and she said that she wasn’t doing very well. She told me that her house had burnt down to the ground and they had lost everything. She began crying when she was telling me that so I prayed for her. I finished praying and started to stand up because I thought I was done but then she started praying almost kind of begging for God to have mercy on her. That totally broke my heart. I started crying and made sure that she knew that I would be praying for her. Now they are stuck on the streets probably for the rest of their lives because they are too old to be able to do any work. I ask that you guys keep her in her prayers. Her name is Eleanor. I’m definitely glad that I had met her because that helped me realize that what I have now is an absolute luxury because some people may not ever be able to have what we have now.
Katy Clasquin =D
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Day 3
Late night last night! Students hearts were broken from time spent on the streets with homeless and time spent in low income hotels. The students did a great job of listening to the people in both places. I am so proud of the students and their ability to adapt! This is such a positive and encouraging experience! We will spend time on the streets this morning and then head to the beach tonight for youth group! JC the cook is making BBQ and we are all excited to say the least :)
Here is a post from a student:
Wow. It’s already Wednesday and there has been so many awesome experiences. J.C the chef here is awesome. Well because there is only so much space on the blog I will only tell you two or three things. Yesterday we met an overseas veteran named Cindy, and when the third world countries became too dangerous she went to live with a friend in Oceanside, a suburb about 45 min. north of San Diego. When she went to stay with her friend the friendship fell through, and then to make matters worse someone stole her bank account PIN number. So now she is on the streets and no one will help her.
Another person we met was a man that volunteered at the church named Andrew. He’s a very intelligent person and a biblical scholar. One thing he taught me was how the gospel message was written in Genesis 5:1 it seems like a boring genealogy chart. It turns out that when the meaning of the Hebrew names are read in order it displays the message. The names mean this:
Adam: Man
Seth: Appointed
Enosh: Mortal
Cainan: Sorrow
Mahalalel: The Blessed God
Jared: Shall Come Down
Enoch: Teaching
Methuselah: His Death Shall Bring
Lamech: The Despairing
Noah: Comfort
An interesting thing is that Methuselah’s death brought the flood. So “Man appointed mortal sorrow (sin). The blessed God shall come down teaching. His death shall bring the despairing comfort.” Wow this is so true. I also found out that technically there are 14 tribes of Israel. There is Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Dan, and Ephriam. Dan was destroyed, Manasseh and Ephriam were sub tribes of Joseph, and Levi was technically not a tribe because he didn’t receive an inheritance.
Jacob
Here is a post from a student:
Wow. It’s already Wednesday and there has been so many awesome experiences. J.C the chef here is awesome. Well because there is only so much space on the blog I will only tell you two or three things. Yesterday we met an overseas veteran named Cindy, and when the third world countries became too dangerous she went to live with a friend in Oceanside, a suburb about 45 min. north of San Diego. When she went to stay with her friend the friendship fell through, and then to make matters worse someone stole her bank account PIN number. So now she is on the streets and no one will help her.
Another person we met was a man that volunteered at the church named Andrew. He’s a very intelligent person and a biblical scholar. One thing he taught me was how the gospel message was written in Genesis 5:1 it seems like a boring genealogy chart. It turns out that when the meaning of the Hebrew names are read in order it displays the message. The names mean this:
Adam: Man
Seth: Appointed
Enosh: Mortal
Cainan: Sorrow
Mahalalel: The Blessed God
Jared: Shall Come Down
Enoch: Teaching
Methuselah: His Death Shall Bring
Lamech: The Despairing
Noah: Comfort
An interesting thing is that Methuselah’s death brought the flood. So “Man appointed mortal sorrow (sin). The blessed God shall come down teaching. His death shall bring the despairing comfort.” Wow this is so true. I also found out that technically there are 14 tribes of Israel. There is Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Dan, and Ephriam. Dan was destroyed, Manasseh and Ephriam were sub tribes of Joseph, and Levi was technically not a tribe because he didn’t receive an inheritance.
Jacob
Monday, March 22, 2010
Day 2
Wow an amazing day of ministry! I told the students today that I feel like a proud dad whose child just won and Academy Award, Grammy, MVP and even a Spelling Bee! The students did such a great job of jumping right in and being willing to be used by God. We went to low-income hotels and met with a Recovery group. It was a great day watching students’ love of God come out in their actions. Parents should be very proud of their kids!!!! Tomorrow we hit the streets, please keep us in your prayers. Here are three perspectives from the day.
Today was great I got to go to two hotels and pray for people using drugs and drinking. Also at the hotel there was a scared woman because a demon was trying to scare her. So we prayed for her and a couple of people. Then there was a Recovery group for people that have not done drugs for a while. I also got to pray for two people to receive the Lord one was named Don and he wanted to pray for him for anger and so he will be happier to people. Then I talked to a women named marry and wanted me to pray for her back and for her health. I was great today for God to be with me to help the people I meant today. Tyler
First off I would like to wish Gary Boogaard a happy birthday and by the way he is turning 50 now that’s old hahahahahahahahaha. But now we are going to get a little more serious. Well today we went to a hotel to hand out water and when my group was done we herd screaming and then we see a lady just screaming like she is about to die and I get this feeling this cold feeling and well I have never been more scared in my life and well yeah. I think it was a demonic spirit but when we started to pray with her she started to clam down and just everything became peaceful which was crazy just to see god work in front of me. So yeah John Boogaard Day 1
Its Brianna and everyday becomes a mystery. It’s amazing how you come here with an idea of what you think of San Diego and you walk outside and its completely changed. The homeless have so much to tell and when you’re stuck in a van with a bunch of guys, you’re so ready to help out!! The stories hurt and sometimes you wonder how they continue with your life but when you hear what they have to say, you understand why they are where they are. Life is hard but you will always draw near to God when you’re most uncomfortable. Never forget that rule when you’re talking to them. Also always remember that the people that are on the streets have something to tell you and whatever it is, it will most likely be a life lesson for the future. Can’t wait to see what god does in my life tomorrow. (:
Today was great I got to go to two hotels and pray for people using drugs and drinking. Also at the hotel there was a scared woman because a demon was trying to scare her. So we prayed for her and a couple of people. Then there was a Recovery group for people that have not done drugs for a while. I also got to pray for two people to receive the Lord one was named Don and he wanted to pray for him for anger and so he will be happier to people. Then I talked to a women named marry and wanted me to pray for her back and for her health. I was great today for God to be with me to help the people I meant today. Tyler
First off I would like to wish Gary Boogaard a happy birthday and by the way he is turning 50 now that’s old hahahahahahahahaha. But now we are going to get a little more serious. Well today we went to a hotel to hand out water and when my group was done we herd screaming and then we see a lady just screaming like she is about to die and I get this feeling this cold feeling and well I have never been more scared in my life and well yeah. I think it was a demonic spirit but when we started to pray with her she started to clam down and just everything became peaceful which was crazy just to see god work in front of me. So yeah John Boogaard Day 1
Its Brianna and everyday becomes a mystery. It’s amazing how you come here with an idea of what you think of San Diego and you walk outside and its completely changed. The homeless have so much to tell and when you’re stuck in a van with a bunch of guys, you’re so ready to help out!! The stories hurt and sometimes you wonder how they continue with your life but when you hear what they have to say, you understand why they are where they are. Life is hard but you will always draw near to God when you’re most uncomfortable. Never forget that rule when you’re talking to them. Also always remember that the people that are on the streets have something to tell you and whatever it is, it will most likely be a life lesson for the future. Can’t wait to see what god does in my life tomorrow. (:
Day One Continued
Here is another post from a student about day one.
The van ride down to Phoenix and eventually San Diego was very interesting. My van consisted of Ryan, John, Tosh, Katie, Hannah, Brie, and Melinda. Almost as soon as we drove out of Colorado Springs Ryan busted out the pork rins and the stench of fried pork was stuck in the van. Jon and Ryan ate the whole bag and had many incidents of bodily gasses. All this happened with the girls taking pictures and Brie passed out from Dramamine.
When we got to San Diego we unloaded the trailer and went into the church. After we got settled we were told that we were going to be serving in a community dinner that was going on in the church later that night. We were separated into three groups and were assigned different jobs. My group was told to wash the feet of the homeless if they allowed us. It was a very humbling experience. I met a lady and it amazed me at how she was worrying about what was happening that was bad in my life while she had to worry about when her next meal would be. I was also told by numerous people to no matter what, listen to God. One man said to me that even if you think your way is better do it God’s way.
-Grady
The van ride down to Phoenix and eventually San Diego was very interesting. My van consisted of Ryan, John, Tosh, Katie, Hannah, Brie, and Melinda. Almost as soon as we drove out of Colorado Springs Ryan busted out the pork rins and the stench of fried pork was stuck in the van. Jon and Ryan ate the whole bag and had many incidents of bodily gasses. All this happened with the girls taking pictures and Brie passed out from Dramamine.
When we got to San Diego we unloaded the trailer and went into the church. After we got settled we were told that we were going to be serving in a community dinner that was going on in the church later that night. We were separated into three groups and were assigned different jobs. My group was told to wash the feet of the homeless if they allowed us. It was a very humbling experience. I met a lady and it amazed me at how she was worrying about what was happening that was bad in my life while she had to worry about when her next meal would be. I was also told by numerous people to no matter what, listen to God. One man said to me that even if you think your way is better do it God’s way.
-Grady
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Day One
Well we made it! It was a long drive, but a great one as well. Students got to know one another as we spend a lot of time in our vans! It wasn't until about 9pm yesterday that we got to In N' Out in Phoenix so today we stopped at another one for lunch around 11. That's right after a little over two years without I was able to get a double double twice in 48 hours. The students are doing great! They jumped right in and started serving! They are all getting along well together and are excited about another chance to serve tomorrow. It is late so I will just leave you with two students perspectives on the first couple days of our trip. Please continue to pray with us!
Serving for Him,
Rusty
The first two days of Segway’s San Diego mission trip went very very well. The kids are all having a magnificent time, and have gotten to experience the most awesome car ride ever. We arrived in San Diego after two days of driving incredibly slow, but it was worth the turn out from what the kids had in for them waiting at the church that we are missioning for. After we got settled into the church, we went over some rules and guidelines with one of the leaders named Gabe. He made us feel very welcome, and safe. He informed us that we were going to serve dinner to many homeless people that were coming in to have a dinner prepared by a church group that was helping out here also. When the homeless people got here we were split into three groups. One group had to wash the feet of the people that came to visit. The other group had to be the hosts, and talk to them about God, and the troubles they are going through lately. The third group had to serve them. That was hard since many of the homeless people stood up and got their own food. I thought that was very amazing, and humbling that most of the people that came were so content and happy with their lives since God had saved them. I got to pray with five people. Two of which started crying. I felt heartbroken for them, but so far… it has been an experience of a lifetime. If the week goes on half as magnificent has it has so far, I know SegWay will grow very close to God.
Jenai
These past two days have been very long but everything went very smoothly. I know that God has lots planned for myself and others as well on this trip. After about twelve hours of driving, everyone started getting annoyed with each other but that ended when we finally got to In N’ Out Burger. Then we finally got to the church in Phoenix, Arizona. The church was very nice and welcoming. In the morning, we started driving to San Diego and after about six hours, we got there! As soon as we walked in the church, we jumped right in to helping and serving the homeless. Serving to homeless is something to get used to I was way out of my comfort zone today. After today I know a little bit more on how to start a conversation and just to not be afraid to step out of that comfort zone. We also took a walk around downtown after serving the homeless. It really breaks my heart how much people are suffering and how some people just look down on the homeless. Throughout this week I will continue to serve, talk, and pray with the suffering and homeless and make this week a life changing experience.
Melinda
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