June 26, 2011 17:16 by UrbanProject

The Final Chapter

The relationships and memories we made at Urban Project 2011 are ones that we'll never forget. 

After our talent show, where we learned that our already talented athletes had gifts that were great performances, comedic and straight up abnormal, we then cleaned the house spotless and put everything back in order. As a reward for cleaning until 2:00 AM, students made a late night run to Denny's and McDonald's. As it was the last time spending time with this type of community was going to be the last time for a little while. Once again, sacrificing personal comfort and sleep was trump by the relationships built between each other. This was a unique time as it marked the first time in three weeks, four for some others, that there was no schedule planned for the next day, other than, leaving. So this time looked different to everyone. Some stayed up burning DVDs with materials and music for the students, some stayed and talked, others danced in the car on the way to McDonald's. Some slept in late, some slept a little and some even pulled all-nighters.

The last evening before everyone said their goodbyes was, to be cliche, 'bitter sweet', realizing this amazing experience was coming to an end and each one of us having grown in some level of understanding of God's purpose for us in this world. Brothers and sisters hugged and 'sent each other off' knowing each and every one of us had a purpose in the place they were returning to united as brothers and sisters in Christ for eternity. The family we made at Urban Project was unforgettable and I can't believe was a glimpse of the experiences we will have in Heaven. 

Rachael K.

June 26, 2011 07:42 by UrbanProject

Last full day of project! Reflections on a life changing experience!

Today was our last day on the project. To prepare for our final dinner and banquet, we did a huge house-wide cleaning. Through persistence and teamwork, we washed, swept, mopped, and vacuumed every last inch of the house. We had special guests come to the banquet so we wanted the house to look its best. Our ministry partners who staff the sites where we served as well as families and friends of some of the UPLA staff and students joined us for this amazing final night. It was our last meal cooked by our wonderful chef, Tokyo, who has been selflessly serving us for the past few weeks. After dinner, we had a talent show where our brothers and sisters shared some incredible talents, from singing and dancing to solving a rubix cube. At the end of the talent show, all of the girls did a skit where we impersonated all the guys. And the guys did the same for us. In a light and humorous way, we got to poke fun at each other and our own individual quirks.

It was absolutely hilarious and we all got a great laugh out of it. Finally, we were given the opportunity to share anything we learned or experienced on the project. Those who shared provided plain and clear evidence of the work God has done on our hearts these past three weeks. As we all part and go back to our homes and schools, we are most definitely very sad to leave each other. The community we have built is one that I never expected. We have formed friendships that will last a lifetime. While God opened our eyes to the needs of this city and the injustices of this world, he has also taught us so much about ourselves. From here, our challenge is to take what we have learned and experienced and apply it to our own lives. God has a purpose for each one of us and it is my prayer that we will continue running towards Christ, even though it will be tough when we leave this unbelievable environment. I am so thankful for this project and for every person who was part of it. My heart and my life have been changed.

Jordan F.

June 25, 2011 00:04 by UrbanProject

The Ministry of Reconciliation!

Today in LA, we were blessed with a presentation from Pastor Adam Edgerly about the importance of cultural differences and how important it is to strive to understand other cultures. Pastor Adam started us off with a circle game. For the game everyone made a circle and locked arms except one person, who was placed outside of the circle and was told to find a way into the circle. As the game started, the people who were selected to be outside of the circle found very interesting ways to re-enter the circle from jumping over the line, pushing straight through what was perceived as the weakest links, trick plays and crawling on the ground. As well as the people on the outside adapting to their situation, the circle’s methods of keeping people out also transformed throughout the game. The people in the circle had to change their formation as so to keep the outsiders, out. The pastor connected the feelings and emotions involved with both parties in the circle game to certain organizations in society that creates separation between certain groups of people, example country clubs, certain sports and even denominations and some churches create environments that exclude certain people. We then went on to study a portion of Paul's story in Acts ch 16 and 17, understanding that to be able to reach someone cross culturally, to avoid emotions similar to those encountered during the circle game, we must relocate and truly understand the people, their culture and their language to spread the Gospel!
Later that day at my ministry site, Central City, we played more group games with the teens. Usually, the teens play with the wii gaming system which doesn’t allow for much bonding, so we decided this week that we would make an effort to play more interactive games. At first, the teens we not fond of the idea of not playing the wii, a routine they are used to, but after playing just the first round of games, the teens were significantly more cooperative and started allowing themselves to have fun! That's just a small look into one of my day at the UPLA11! 
Natasha M.

June 25, 2011 00:01 by UrbanProject

Breakfast time!

Today began slightly differently than the rest. We have been living on sugar cereal for breakfast and have frankly gotten quite used to it. But today! I woke up and smelled bacon and pancakes. I thought for sure it was my nose playing tricks on me, but it was true! Our wonderful brothers in the house made us a hot breakfast. Oh so delish. They have hearts for the Lord and hearts for service, which is so refreshing.

            I think each worksite has seen God work in different ways. I am at the Central City Community Outreach on Skid Row. We help at an afterschool program for children and teens. Today was especially fun because we played some old-school group games. The power was off for a few blocks on Skid Row, so that forced the computers and video games off and the creative game thinking caps on. It is crazy how much we learn about these kids everyday. They have opened their worlds to us and have allowed us to meet them there in a very real way.  Today was our second to last day with them and I know, at least for me, it is very bitter-sweet to leave. Bitter because I have fallen in love with these children, but sweet because I get to go and apply what I have learned back home.

Tonight, after we returned from the worksites, we ended the evening with a Spike Lee movie, “Do the Right Thing.” It showed the consequences of racial tensions in Brooklyn, NY.

Well, in true Urban Project fashion, it is late and I have been up for far too long.

Until Next Time, Brittany P. 

 

June 24, 2011 23:59 by UrbanProject

the Los Angeles Museum of Tolerance

 Today was a special day at the 2011 UP-LA. We started off with an early morning visit to the Museum of Tolerance which stirred our hearts and opened our eyes to some of the horrific atrocities our world has seen and still sees today. From our own nation’s early roots of colonialism to the current exploitation child labor worldwide, we didn’t just learn where and when these events occur but how and why as well. What struck me as most powerful was the section of the museum called the Tolerancenter. We watched informational videos on the struggle for civil rights in the 1960s, current instances of human rights violations, and participated in an interactive question and answer activity where we learned about the current exploitation of women and children, the struggle of refugees and political prisoners and the threat of terrorism. We were asked to challenge our own prejudices and ask ourselves if we would act any differently than those who take part in the hatred of others.

                  After the museum we broke off to our ministry sites and my team was off to Nickerson Gardens. Today Nicks was a bit of a challenge. We just couldn’t seem to get the kids to listen and get along with one another. We are really focusing on teaching the kids to respect one another during play which is something many of them have not had much time to practice. Despite some of the difficulty though we know that our time is appreciated by the kids and the staff and we remain grateful for the opportunity God has given us to learn from these experiences and to be a blessing to the Nickerson community.

                   Last on the day’s schedule was dinner followed by Schindler’s List. But wait! A surprise awaited us when we returned from the ministry sites. Our previously postponed Dodger game was rescheduled for tonight! It was off the showers and into the vans for a quick 20 minute drive to Dodger Stadium. But not before we gathered on the front porch of the Fiji house for the group photo which even included Richard, our moose head. We spent the rest of the evening at the game dancing, doing the wave and singing along during the 7th inning stretch. The Dodgers easily swept the Detroit Tigers 4-0. Back to the house, time to snooze. Another big day awaits us!

-Kala G