A Favorite Thing

I found these shirts by The Love Alliance, and I personally think that they are super cool. These shirts open the door for some great conversation (so if you wear one make sure you know the facts!), and the proceeds goes to a great cause. So check 'em out! Buy one here!

Proud Mama

I recently became the proud (foster) mama of a pitbull puppy! His name is Doobie, and he is the sweetest thing. His daddy is doing an internship in a community living home, and couldn't take Doobie with him, so he is mine for a year! I am already in love with him. He is so fun, and of course he is curious. I see many adventures in our future!

Imperishable

Well, Youth For Christ officially has a drop in center! Incase you've never been to the office, it is in downtown Fresno on Divisadero and San Pablo, in the heart of the inner city. What was just a few weeks ago a garage has been transformed into a hangout place for our City Life kids. Praise God! We have opened another door to reaching our community!

The opening of the drop in center was kicked off this week with a blessing on Monday morning, and before we were finished praying it was flooded with neighborhhod kids ready for VBS. Some AWESOME and AMAZING volunteers from Northwest church came and ministered to our kids the entire week with music, games, Bible stories, food, testimonies, and more music! The kids had a blast.

Here is a peak into our new drop in center! This is on the main wall, and is an example of positive graffiti (which happens to be one of the ministries we have going on this summer!) You should stop by sometime and check it out!


Imperishable. John 3:16.

Blessings!

Summer in the City

Summer happenings are in full swing at Youth For Christ. I am so happy I decided to intern for the summer and really invest relationally in the lives of my Jefferson kids. The ministry so far has been above and beyond what I expected it to be, which makes me a little ashamed because again and again God proves to be bigger than the box I try to keep him in.

My goal was to have 6 regular students to mentor, students serious about discipleship and learning about Christ. I have been blessed to have 12 kids, all who are serious about growing. Of course, we've had lots of fun times too, and so much more fun stuff planned thanks to the overwhelming generosity of others.

Today was an up and down day ministry-wise. It started out with heartbreaking news. I picked up three of my kids bright and early, and I could tell by the look on their faces something was wrong. One of them said that they had bad news. They are moving, and soon. The news caught me off guard, as these three students have been some of my most committed, and I have been so excited about how God was going to use them as student leaders this year.

Two of these students (they are cousins) recently moved to Fresno from Mexico, so it has been such a joy not only teaching them about Christ but also helping them learn english and have many American firsts. A few weeks ago I took them to their first baseball game, and today one of them had his first hamburger! Although I know I will still see them occassionally, it breaks my heart that I do not get to continue on with them on a day to day basis. I can only pray that the seeds that have been planted will take root, and that God will send others along the way to water them and help them grow.

One of my friends that is very involved in ministry but more in suburban areas got a peak into the ministry going on in downtown Fresno. He descibed it as "ministry, but dirty." Hmmm...that kind of sums it up I guess. The situations we see, the conflicts we deal with, the family lives, and just the neighborhoods themselves can be described as "dirty," but that just makes it so much more powerful when we see the love of Christ purify and cleanse hearts and homes.

I have been doing this "dirty ministry" for almost eight years now. Thinking back to all the communities I have worked in and people who have entered in and the out of my life it makes me realize how much they have taught me and shaped me. Hopefully one day in Heaven I will see all their faces and be able to tell them thank you.

I am truly blessed.

-Rebecca

A little Pho for ya.

One thing I love about Fresno is the diversity. There is so much color and vibrance and beauty. A few weeks ago we did communion at my church family style, meaning we gathered around a table and took communion with 7 other people. Among the 8 people at my table there were 5 fluenty spoken languages. I just love being around different people and learning different cultures. One of my favorite parts, I must admit, is also getting to experience different foods. One of my favorite treats that we have in abundance here is Pho. It is a Vietnamese hot bowl of rice noodles, beef, tripe, tendons, scallions, and a little hot sauce to taste. It is oh so yummy.



In Fresno you can find Pho in many places; here are just a few. On Mckinley and First there is Pho #1, Pho 75#2, and Pho 99. Also, just a couple blocks away, Pho Paradise is located on First between Mckinley and Clinton.

So, I encourage you try try something new. Next week I hope to check out a new Ethiopian restaurant called Lucy's Lair. If you want to come with, let me know!

-Rebecca

A Beautiful Moment

This one of my journal entries from my time in Zimbabwe:

"Today we got a call that one of the women in our program had her baby. Unable to breastfeed because of malnutrition and risk of passing on HIV to the baby, we went into town to take her formula. When we met she hugged me and hugged me. I held her baby, Flora, and prayed over her. It was one of those moments that is so beautiful and overwhelming, that in that one moment you know you are exactly where God wants you to be and you are doing exactly what God wants you to be doing."

There is such a freedom in those moments of clarity. So much of my life is lived in unsureness, and it is only faith that pushes me forward. The way God spoke to me in that moment was so overwhelming and peaceful at the same time. A beauty I will never forget.

Overwhelmed,
Rebecca

...and my soul smiles

today i found a new love...

hearts of palm

they sound like eating icecream on a cloudy day. what more could you ask for?

happiness-
rebecca

Taking my own advice...

I've been wavering the last couple months on making the big commitment to stop supporting companies who use human exploitation in creating their products.

This week I did it... I took the plunge. If you've seen the FLA list of socially responsible organizations, it is not a very long list. Not only are these companies a little more expensive than I am use to, the styles aren't exactly my own. Thankfully I was enlightened that I can also shop at second hand stores, seeing as the proceeds usually go to a good cause rather than to clothing companies.

So, today I went to the outlets of a couple of the acceptable stores to check them out. I was a little disappointed to walk away with only a pair of jeans and a tank top, but I think when I wear them I will be satisfied knowing I am doing my part...although ever so small.

So wish me luck on this journey of self discipline. I can do it...I think :)