Recent pictures

This past Saturday Ryan (on the left) and Phillip (right) allowed Cami and I to take them on an adventure. They are both graduates of the program - Phillip lives close enough to still attend DCA, but Ryan does not - so it was especially great to have him around. We took them boulder. It was fun to see them be boys and enjoy one another so much. They were inseparable when they were in the program! These are two boys that are a continually reminder that the Lord truly works through this ministry. Many times people still marvel at the change in them, especially Phillip. These two remind us that we truly are new creations in Christ.

After climbing we took them to Little Tokyo, for my beloved Japanese cuisine - Ramen. It is all homemade and they serve it in bowls the size of your head. Oh it is so heavenly.

After climbing Cami and I rushed off to our first quincenetta! What a fun cultural tradition. We only stayed for about an hour, but I heard today that the party was still going past midnight. The young lady that was honored is such a woman of integrity and a great joy to have around.

Sorry the pictures aren't great.

And finally a picture from our most recent dinner with students. These are a couple of the boys currently in the program. Together we made turkeyburgers, grilled squash and some fabulous cucumbers. It was great to hang out with these boys outside of school.

1 Thessalonians 1:3

I wish that there was an encouraging story to tell you, but it has actually been a rough time around here lately. Not that anything out of the ordinary has happened, we are just at that point in the development of many of our students. We have had several leave the program recently, either by graduating or simply giving up. The transition is always a difficult time. Although there are some students who really change for good, there are many who just skate their way through the program. We do the best we can to identify this pitfall, but we can only bring them to the living water, they must choose whether or not they are going to drink.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, we had four students run away a couple months ago. Two returned, but one of them left again a few days later. I have kept in contact with the girl who left the program and spent last Thursday listening to her talk about her new life. While telling me that she is not doing bad (not making bad decisions) she also unveils that her and her dad are not speaking, that she thinks get drunk is fun and she hopes she wont get kicked out of school for always sleeping through it. And while talking with her I saw Sad Girl. She also has left her program, but what is worse is the fact that she is cutting again. Sad Girl tried to hide the evidence, but I still called her out on the fresh wounds all the way up her arms. It is so hard to see these ladies robbed of their joy. You can see it in their eyes. A hardness returns to their gaze. There is also a girl who just graduated the program but is still attending our school and I think the look in her eyes is the hardest to be confronted with. I pray that I can be compassionate toward her, but I find myself getting angry every time I look at her. Not that I am angry at her, my blood just boils as I see the enemy come and snatch the hope right out of these kids I love so much. I found myself saying, "I wish I didn't love people so much." But the reality is, I am very grateful the Lord allows me to share in a portion of His love for these kids. Every time my heart breaks I am tenderly reminded of His deep love.

There are a few who are so drastically different and sincere, they are a constant reminder that we are truly impacting lives. I just often wish we could see more of the harvesting. But not all are called to harvest. So I will continue to plant and trust the God who causes growth.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support.

An Update

Just wanted you all to know that Sad Girl is back in the program. I am not sure why they made the exception, but I am so happy they did - and she is too. We cannot talk to her yet, but everyone who has seen her said she is grinning from ear to ear (I wish you could all understand how much of a victory that is).

And Eli is safe. He met a girl on the bus and went home with her. Apparently he is living with her family in Canada somewhere. I know it seems crazy, but when you know your family doesn't want you, going home with someone who does is quite appealing. Although we were all upset that he was 'missing' for 10 days and there was a detective assigned to his missing persons case, it is nice to know he is okay. Eli just doesn't know what it is to have people actually care when he goes missing.

Prayer Request from Liberia

250,000 orphans in Liberia
30,000 under the age of five die each year
375 children were adopted between 2005-2007
The Government is about to pass a law that will stop adoption and orphan and strand the 800+ children in the care of adoption agencies

Friday - September 5 - is our chance to present our case to save the lives of thousands of children. The House of Representatives have drafted a new bill - due to be passed next Thursday. The adoption agencies have gone through the bill and changed a few major points that would essencially close adoption. Tomorrow (Friday) is our day to present our case to win them over to pass our bill.

4pm we will be hosting 14 members of the committee at the House of Representatives will come to our compound to see what we have to say.

WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS!!!!!

We are putting together a presentation to win them on adoption and show them clearly how this bill will stop adoptions and harm Liberian's children. This is our only chance to save the lives of these children. We NEED YOUR PRAYERS!!!!!


Pray for favor - the Lord turns the heart of kings. As a good friend reminded me - God hardened Pharoah's heart time and time again but when it was time he opened Pharoah's heart to show the power of the Almighty God. Pray that this is the opening of Pharoah's heart!

I love you all. Thank you for fighting this battle with me. I need you now. Liberian's children need you now. PLEASE PRAY!!!

Sherri

It has been an interesting week. Still no official word on Eli (although there is rumor that he is just partying with some friends here in LA, or with his brother). Sad Girl has made some really poor decisions but is still set on coming back to the program. Hopefully she can hold on for 23 more days.

In addition to that, four kids ran from the program yesterday - two boys and two girls. One of each came back, but the other two spent the night out on the streets together. They came back this morning and are both being dismissed from the program. My heart is so broken right now. The girl that is leaving is one that I was so close to. I see so much of myself in her. It is so hard to watch someone you love so much make so many of the same stupid decisions you made as a kid (a little taste of parenthood I guess). I just want her to believe that she is beautiful and valuable. But she doesn't. She thinks she is trash and that the world would just be better without her so she continually makes trashy decisions. If she could only she how precious she is I know she would choose life, but she doesn't. I knew she was going to run. On Thursday I told Cami that she would, I just didn't think it would come so soon. I thought I might have more time with her, but I don't. I am glad this is all coming out now. She is young and if she chooses to begin dealing with the lies that bind her now, she will discover freedom soon.
Her parents live a little ways away, so I did get to spend the morning with her and say goodbye. I just wish it could have been a happier ending. Her parents are sending her to a lock down facility now. It is hard to watch, but we all know it is what she needs. I just hope she believes in herself enough to actually make it through.

A Call to Prayer

One of our students is missing. He is from Montana and was on the bus home to visit his family, but no one has heard from him since Wednesday. He was a student about ready to graduate the discipleship program and he is 18. He got on the bus at noon on Wednesday, with $100 and a calling card. He called his grandma on Wednesday and said he was on his way, but did not tell her where he was. He was supposed to arrive home on Thursday morning but no one has seen him. His uncle missed a call from a pay phone two blocks from the greyhound station in Portland.

His name is Eli, he is native American. Please help us as we search for this young man. Because he is an adult and considered a graduate of the program, there is not a whole lot we can do legally, but we have informed the police. Please pray for Eli, his safety and that we find him soon.

I know it's not a great picture, but it at least gives you an idea :)

Eli in the back playing his flute.

In addition, I ran into Sad Girl at church today (check the blog titles Blessings to read about her). She was really bummed today because (as she put it) she really messed up. She left the program a couple of days ago and is really regretting it. She talked with her leaders and they have a policy that you have to wait 30 days before you can re-enter. She is really scared to mess up some more and greatly desires to be back in the program. Although I am worried about her, she seems to be making good decisions at the moment and I was refreshed by our conversation. She is already a different person. This is the first time I have been able to talk to her in two months. Her countenance is different. She is more talkative and less sorrowful. There is just a new presence about her, she is peaceful. Please cover her in prayer as she has to walk through the consequences of her most recent mistake. Please pray that this time will pass quickly for her and that she will be back in a process of healing soon.

Thank you for loving these kids with us and fighting for them alongside us. I will update you on both Eli and Sad Girl as soon as I can.

Hooray!!!

Today my runaway came back! I was so excited to see him, although he definitely thinks that what he did was kinda funny, and feels like he mentally has started the program over from the beginning...I'm still glad that he came back!

Prayer

I'm really bummed right now. The hard part about being so immersed in ministry is that you really start to feel like a parent. Not that I know what's best for these kids, or have all the answers, but I really do care about them. Which is why when kids make dumb decisions it's really hard to stand by and watch. It's a great picture of Christ, but right now, unfortunately, that doesn't really make it feel any less sucky.

On Saturday night a student that I have been close to for the last 6 months, a student that I love a lot, that loves me a lot, decided that he didn't want to be in the discipleship program anymore, so he RAN from church... just left. I know it sounds a little anti-climatic but you have to understand that running away from the program is the same thing as deciding to get back into the drugs and alcohol and gangs and girls that he has been able to stay away from for the last 6 months. It makes me really sad because he was doing SO well. It was very much like he just gave into the attacks of the evil one. If you could join me in covering this little one with prayer I would appreciate it.

Blessings!!!

Bri and I on the roof of the Dream Center with LA in the background.









Making breakfast in Ro's kitchen.









Fun times at a rodeo with the best friends a girl could ever ask for!


Blessing #1

Two weeks ago my good friend Bri drove all the way down from Portland to visit us and experience our lives here in LA. We were so honored to have her come all that way to see us, and I was especially blessed by her presence. We didn't do anything extravagant, we just spent time together. It was so refreshing to be around someone I feel so known by and that I know so well. There is depth to our friendship that I do not experience here with my friend yet. Bri and I have shared so many dreams and passions, intimate times in prayer that it just feels safe and comfortable to be around one another. It truly is a gift to have friends like her.

Blessing #2

We got to go to Oregon for my father's 50th birthday party!! We weren't there long, so we didn't get to see many of you that we miss so dearly, but we did get to see most of the family, including Cami's side. Ryan and Nelle (who live is Japan) flew to the northwest the same day we did, so Cami's parents picked them up and then we all went down to Salem together to hang out with Ro. It was a quick day, but so wonderful to be with family. Sorry we didn't have more time to see the rest of you. :(

Blessing #3

There is a young lady I want to tell you about. For the sake of this story I am going to refer to her by her street name, "Sad Girl". Sad Girl is a 19 year old mother who has had a life you would not wish upon your worst enemy. When I first began at the Dream Center, I think it was her mission to make my life as difficult as possible. So I just hugged her all the time, continually told her how much I loved her and just lavished her with affection. She never really hugged back, but I know she enjoyed it. Unfortunately, do to a whole bunch of things, she was kicked out of the school in April. In the last few weeks that Sad Girl was in my classroom, every day she spent the majority of the day at my side. She was so depressed and suicidal I couldn't even trust her with staples. We had many conversations about the fact that hurting herself hurt me, I don't think she fully understood how true those words word but she definitely hoped they were. Anyway, back to the blessing. After Sad Girl got kicked out of school she talked of entering our women's discipleship program . She wanted to join the teen home, but being 19, she was too old. The women's home is a year long commitment and Sad Girl really struggled. At times she would tell us she was going in the next day and then text a teacher, "not doing it, dancing with the devil." Or "the devil has got my heart forever." But it finally happened!!!! Two and a half weeks ago Sad Girl checked herself into the program!! She is still in her orientation period, so we cannot speak to her yet, but I see her around a couple times a week. And the most amazing part is, she smiles!!! Not just a little grin, but a full on smile, teeth exposed and all. I have prayed so may times that she would experience joy and freedom and I can see the joy all over her face!! Sad Girl is no longer sad!!!!!!!! I wish I were better with words. I wish you could understand what a victory it is just to she her smile. I am speechless. What else can I say.
Please do pray for her. Discipleship is not an easy program and many back out. She is close to her neighborhood, which sometimes makes it more difficult to stick with the program. She needs everyone on her side, fighting for her heart. I truly believe she is a conquerer and we will continue to have great stories about the changes that God is doing in her. Thank you for rejoicing with us.

so, for those of you who like American Idol, you should check out Nashville Star and support our boy Coffey. he is a member of our church and just an all around great guy. check it out mondays at 9pm on nbc and don't forget to vote for him.

here is a video of him with our worship team.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMmM0jBk1Zw&NR=1

A few issues i have been wrestling with

Milk vs Steak
During my years at bible college, especially my senior year, my fellow students and I were continually warned by our professors not to become snobby bible college grads. And I fear that I might not have heeded that warning so well.

Cami and I are so blessed to be a part of a church that is truly transforming lives. Every time we gather all I have to do is talk to the person next to me or look up to the balcony and I see at least 100 people who were hopeless but are now finding hope here. My church is an odd mix of extremely wealthy (not to mention extremely generous) people and those at the bottom end of poverty. The whole mission of our church is to bring in those the rest of society has given up on, give them a place to belong and a place to get back their feet and hopefully find Jesus in the process. That is why I love my church so much. But that means that the sermons are milk to the spiritually immature. Sundays often tend to feel like motivational meetings. I just feel that we could be giving more substance to our people. But perhaps this is my selfish desire to be fed myself. How much meat do you bring to the immature?

I guess I have just found myself in a place where church is no longer a time to be fed, but a time to encourage those around me. It is a time to come together and make sure we are still all on the same page - knowing that everything we do is for the hopeless. I must continually remind myself of the youth pastor's words, "Why don't you every find steak on a kids menu? Because if you want it, you need to be able cut it up and eat it yourself."


Wealth and Poverty
Cami and I recently watched an episode of the show 30 Days. It was created by the same guy who did the movie Supersize Me. The premise of the show is to spend 30 days in the life of someone else. In this particular episode, the main character and his fiancee move to Columbus, OH and get minimum wage jobs to discover what it is like to be amongst the thousands of working poor in the USA. For 30 days they lived in a dumpy apartment in a dangerous part of town, relied on public transportation and were without health care. The man ended up get two full time jobs, spending an average of 18 hours a day away from home and his fiancee walked to work to save the 2.70 it would cost them in bus fare.

In addition to the harsh reality of how difficult life in the shoes of the working poor actually is, this episode also brings up some rather disturbing statistics. From 1997 to 2007 Congress did not raise minimum wage a single penny, but received cost of living increases of their own, to the tune of $27,000. How can we live in the richest country in the world and have so many people struggling from day to day. I live in a city full of people hoping to survive from one day to the next, when less than ten miles away live people who have abundantly more than they could ever need and continually gain more. Why is it that the rich just get richer and the poor never seem to get a break? Greed is so ugly! And I wonder how much of it is in me. Why can I not be more like my friend Andrea who gives everything she has away? Why do I need a nice home and nice clothes? Is it wrong of me to desire to own a home some day? Do I really need to own a home, could that money help turn someone's life around, give them the break they have been waiting for?

Now I know owning a home is an exercise of financial wisdom, but what about all the other things I so desperately "need", like my new indoor soccer shoes. When does it become greedy and selfish ambition? Do any of you ever ask these questions? Lord, am I faithful with all that you bless me with?

A Quick Update

The last couple of weeks have been a little unusual around these parts. Here are a few of the not so exciting things that have been taking place.

1. I have confiscated two packs of cigarettes, a bong and quite a bit of weed from students in my home

2. A kid got shot 50 feet from my front door.

3. One of my students was standing less than ten feet from the incident mentioned above.

4. Another student missed two days of school to "take care of his beef" (i.e. shoot the people who are out to get him), but apparently this is freeing him from his ties to his gang

5. The FBI has been using my boss's office the last couple of days, so he has been wandering the halls (he wont really tell us anything about who they are talking to or what they are investigating)

6. I cannot remember the last day I did not hear a helecopter circling.


And now for the uplifting things:

1. My dear friend Andrea came to visit for a few days (we went to the beach, saw the largest religious painting in the world and hung out with Jay Leno, etc. etc.)

2. One of the above mentioned students has been sober for 11 days!

3. A couple of weeks ago we had three boys over for dinner and then went to our church's Thursday night service together. Last week 8 students showed up and roughly 15 are planning on joining us tomorrow for lasagna before church.

A Little Bit About My Cousin Damion

Damion Marx didn't do things small.

He got engaged under a fireworks show on the Fourth of July, was married in Chile on a reality TV show and once spent five straight days in a sleep-optional Texas birding competition.

And so when he was "bitten by the birding bug," as he says on a Florida Atlantic University Web site, the 35-year-old Ph.D. student did that big, too, writing his dissertation on wading birds in Lake Okeechobee and reveling in research that sometimes had him waist-deep in Florida muck.

Or on small airplanes.

During a routine aerial nesting survey, he died Thursday morning when a Cessna Skyhawk crashed in western Martin County. Also killed were fellow FAU graduate student Phillip Heidemann, 43; lab technician Gareth Akerman, 36; and pilot Jeff Rozelle, 36.

"It's tragic, absolutely tragic," said Gary Perry, dean of FAU's College of Science. "They had done these trips so many times before. It was just standard operating procedure for them."

Marx's wife, Luli, is a professor at Palm Beach Community College.

A video the couple made in December during a trip to the Bahamas ends with Luli standing next to a Christmas tree, where she announces she is pregnant. On the screen, "We're so excited" and "Happy 2008!" appear.

Thursday morning's trip was one of the final flights in a three-year study on how the water levels of Lake Okeechobee affect bird nesting habits.

The sky was blue. The sun was shining.

"This is what biologists love to do, get out in the field and experience it first-hand," Perry said.

"We're devastated," Perry said. "We've just lost three of our people."

Marx "was one of the smartest guys I knew in Dale's lab," he said.

Marx earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon. His first job was with the National Audubon Society at the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Collier County.

Marx and his wife were married in November 2006 in Santa Cruz, Chile. The wedding was captured on the Style network's Married Away.

For their anniversary, Luli Marx made a gift for her husband — a video with photos of the smiling, sometimes goofy couple, accompanied by the song Better Together.

It ends with a message from Luli to Damion: "I can't wait to spend the rest of my years with you. All my love, forever."

The above text are excerpts from an article in Friday's edition of the Palm Beach Post.

I don't really know what else to say at this point. My cousin was one of the smartest people I have ever met. He was kind, compassionate and full of passion. Although Damion had a little bit of a temper, he always had a smile on his face. Damion loved life and he loved the outdoors.

My whole family is really shaken by this tragic loss. It is just hard to believe that we will never see his face again, feel his love as he hugs us or delight in the sound of his contagious laughter. In some ways it is comforting to know that Luli is carrying his child and come August we will have a tangible part of Damion to hold again, but that poor child will never be held by their own father. Damion's younger sister, Danielle, is also pregnant with her first child. I only hope that these two births will help my family find joy in this time of extreme loss.

Thanks for you prayers,
Deidre

Graduation Sunday

Today was a glorious day at church. Every three to four months we have a graduation for all the people who have completed the discipleship program. It is such a refreshing service and a great reminder of why we do what we do everyday.

For those of you who don't know, the Dream Center has a men's, a women's and a teen discipleship program. Each is designed for people who have hit rock bottom and need some drastic measures in order to get their lives back on track. Many of the people who enter the program are addicts, gang bangers, prostitutes and the like. It is amazing to see the transformation that happens in each individual as they dedicate a year of their life to dealing with their deep scars and facing many of their devastating decisions. This program takes tons of discipline and a daily decision to surrender and submit. It is so encouraging to see men that look like hardcore gang members praising the Lord with all their heart. Every graduation is a sweet gift to those of us who work in the trenches with those in discipleship.

Two of our students graduated today, Geo and Rick. Although I am really proud of the both of them, I am kind of sad to see them go. I have only been teaching at the Dream Center Academy for 6 weeks, but Cami has been their teacher since August and I really began to care for these young ones. I know them graduating and leaving is evidence of a job well done, but watching them go it is going to take some getting used to.

So the DCA is a private Christian school for inner city kids. About 1/3 of our students live here at the Dream Center as a part of the discipleship program and the other 2/3 are from all parts of Los Angeles. I never wanted to teach in a private school and here I am doing just that. But our students are not the typical Christian school kids. The majority do not have a relationship with Christ and neither do their parents, they just send their kids to our school to get them out of dangerous situations. Cami and I are learning a lot about graciously administer tough love. It is sometimes exhausting to be the ones who hold high expectations of kids who are ready to surrender to drugs and gang life. But then days like today come and we are reminded that we really are helping these kids to change the direction of their lives.

In other news, we have officially move yet again. This is the 3rd apartment since we left Portland, but I think it will be the last for a while (Lord willing). It seems like we have finally settled into the roles the Lord had for us. When we left Pdx we knew it was to fulfill some great call the Lord had for us, we just weren't sure what that was and I think we have found it. The Dream Center is why the Lord called us to Los Angeles. We are able to use our passion for education to influence the lives of young, broken, inner city youth and be an avenue of Christ love to them at the same time. There are so many possibilities for us here and I am excited to watch our dreams unfold. Thank you all for you love and support.

Perhaps I will post some pictures soon of our new home. We love you all.

In Memory of Midi and Nathan Mikasa

When Cami and I first moved to LA we were blessed with the best neighbors in the world - Dave and Mini Palmer. In addition to them, Fountain of Life (a church plant they are a part of) embraced us into their community. In a time of great solitude, Cami and I were given community and friendship by this church. The whole body was a true blessing to Cami and I . We have moved away from that church and community but are still very attached to some of its members.
I have chosen to repost Dave's most recent entry because it is one of great impact. The community that so quickly made us part of their family has suffered a great loss and I was hoping that in this time, the community Cami and I have with each of you could reach out to them. Please weep with my weeping friends.

I have been grieving since the morning of January 2, when I received news of the death of two members of our church plant here in Long Beach. Mark and Midi Mikasa, and their 4 year old twin boys Nathan and Lucas were returning home from a family gathering on January 1 when their vehicle was struck by a pickup truck that had run a red light. Midi died at the scene, and Nathan died of his injuries at the hospital early in the morning on January 2. Mark and Lucas were hospitalized for several days but have since been released and are recovering at home.

Both Mark and Midi have been very dear friends of mine for 15 years, ever since college days at UCLA. Mark and I lived on the same dorm floor in 1992. He began attending the dorm Bible study I was leading, and became a follower of Jesus. Midi also was a member of our campus fellowship at the time. She is respected and admired by all who knew her as a woman of exceptional kindness, compassion, humility, care for others, and sensitivity.

Mark and Midi were founding members of our church plant in Long Beach and have played a very active role in the life and ministry of the church. We miss Midi and Nathan immensely and are heartbroken for Mark and Lucas.

Last Sunday morning we had our first church service since the accident. Mark, Lucas, and their families joined us as we remembered Midi and Nathan, and took comfort and hope from the truth that they live forever in unspeakable joy in the presence of God, and will greet each of us on that great day in the Kingdom of God.

Please pray for Mark, Lucas, their family, and our church. We've lost two members of our family. We trust that in the sovereignty of God even this will work for all of our eternal good. But it is obviously severe and painful nonetheless.

A trust fund for little Lucas Mikasa has been set up, as well as memorial fund for Midi and Nathan that will help with funeral expenses. Please allow me to invite and encourage you to send a financial gift for one or both of these funds in honor of Midi and Nathan. If you would like to make a contribution, all the information you need is here: http://www.folcov.org/mikasas/

Above is a picture of Midi reading to some of the children in our church: her twin boys, Lily, and Joy Teter. (Her son Nathan is sitting between Midi and Lily. Lucas is on the other side of Midi.)

Thank you for your prayers for us.

In sorrow and hope,

David

This is the best youtube video I have ever seen. Take the three minutes to watch it, it is great!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5z4Vs26-TI