Photos and Recap: Meet The Editors BBQ

Thank you to everyone who came out on Saturday to make our first ever “Meet the Editors” BBQ such a success! 

We had over 80 attendees join us from as far as the South Bay, the Valley, and Orange County, and even had a few visiting guests from San Diego and the Bay Area.  It was wonderful day to fellowship, build community, enjoy the perfect weather, grub on Chef Jason’s gourmet BBQ, and throw the football around.  Sherea, Celine and Alex blessed us with their testimonies, and our video team was able to record some amazing testimonies and stories from more than 10 different people (will be posted soon - stay tuned as we launch our YouTube channel).

A huge thank you from all of us at WitnessLA to Grillmaster Jason K., our incredible welcoming and events team Quenna, Bonnie, Renee, Mary, and Daniel H., our tireless video team Jason W., Jeff, Ray, and Lance, and our friends and family at GBS for financial support and NewSong LA for promotional support.  This wouldn’t have come together without you!

[Click “Read More” below for more pictures]

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Inspiration is Everywhere

Lance has been a fan and follower of WitnessLA.org from the very beginning. He offered to help out with graphics and social media and later hopped on board as an editor. He finally shares part of his testimony.

I didn’t grow up with religion. It was around but I spent my energy and focus on other things. My family didn’t practice religion, nor did most of my friends. I went to an episcopal elementary school but I always passed on the communion. I recited prayers and sang hymns but they didn’t mean anything to me. I had a bible but never had the desire to open it. I didn’t believe in God. I believed in sports and studying and family and friends. I was blessed throughout my childhood, young adult and college years, as well as my working years. I have had amazing support through family, surrounded by great people and presented with amazing opportunities. And none of it did I attribute to God. I didn’t thank him.

I started going to church a few years ago because my girlfriend went to church. At first I stayed home on Sundays while she attended. Then I started going just to support her. She volunteered with the greeting and ushering ministry so I started helping out too. I was still very skeptical and reluctant. As the weeks passed I would go more often and I also started meeting more people. The music began to captivate and move me. (Vaughn Thompson Jr. was our worship leader at the time). And soon I began to occasionally resonate with the sermon and I started listening more. Words and relationships grew stronger though I still did not have a relationship with God.

Earlier this year, I had just come back from a trip to Thailand where I married my wife. Returning to Los Angeles, I was unemployed and seeking direction in my life…[click “Read More” below to continue]

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Rebuild and Restore Mexico City

One of our WitnessLA members is in Mexico City right now visiting NEO, a Newsong Mexico church plant, as well as helping remodel “El Pozo” (a shelter for former sex trafficked girls).

The air is very thin here. We are 7000 feet above sea level and altitude sickness seems to be an initiation ritual for every foreigner. I woke up almost every night from a nightmare or some stomach pain. Most of the team members had their share of physical ailments. But despite the physical annoyances, we knew that we were supposed to be here.

It was a few months ago when Daniel, our LOL small group leader from Newsong LA, felt that he needed to form a short term mission team to Mexico. Pastor Benny Yu had started a church in Newsong Mexico City 3 years ago, when God has led him and his wife to also begin the plans for “El Pozo,” the shelter that would house girls who have once been sexually trafficked. Currently, there are only 2 other shelters in this whole region. It is incredibly difficult to get through all the red tape in Mexico City. However, God has been gracious to El Pozo. They have received their tax exemption status TODAY!

For the past 3 days, our short team missions team has been working very hard to remodel the “El Pozo” site. In a few weeks, this shelter will be filled with 6-8 girls ranging from several months in age - 18 years old. Our team went in and took an inventory check to see what items needed to be purchased as well as cleaned up.

We used paint thinner and cleaned up all the marks on the windows. Using nails and hammers, the strong men built furniture, as well as fixed light fixtures. The rest of the team went to purchase womens’ basic products such as shampoo, combs and such. It was an interesting experience to say the least. It reminds me of the abundant life that I live, and how even a simple item like shampoo can be taken for granted.

God is so amazing. He wanted to take our team to show us what His heart aches for. After speaking with Pastor Benny, I realized how much more need there is for the shelter. They are in need of even more basic necessities (i.e. mattresses, new bedsheets, etc.). I felt my heart sank at how much the need was. I know that God will provide, but at this time I’m just waiting to see how He will move. Please keep us in prayer.

Follow us on our journey: www.missionlmol2010.wordpress.com

-Bonnie

God Bless U Rice!

Last night I ordered food for my small group from a nice Korean lady who runs a sandwich shop in Santa Monica.  I had told her it was for my church, and when we opened the first container of food tonight, this is what we saw:

It was a total surprise for us, and instantly made our night!  There is nothing like the pure, unexpected kindness of strangers to completely brighten your spirits.  God truly shows His love to us through His people.

Thank you Jennifer at Star Wrap - God Bless You! 

We don’t normally plug like this, but if you were touched by this story, please be a blessing back to Jennifer and her family by stopping by Star Wrap for wraps or Korean food if you’re in Santa Monica for lunch.