A Change of Scenery

Things in my life have changed in big awesome ways over the past few days. I recently took a job in Las Angeles California working for an organization called Center for Student Missions. This job, like most ministry jobs, encompass a variety of roles. I will be mostly working with youth groups who come to CSM LA to serve in the city. CSM works along other non profits in the city to serve the people of LA. I can not wait to explain later this week all of the different ministries, experiences and first impressions I have of LA.

For now I have taken a few pictures to document a little packing before hand, my new house, and few glimpse of the city this far. More to come! (after all I've only been here for two days)

Packing was one of my biggest challenges before leaving, along with saying bye to my friends, and hugging my mom good bye at the air port. I took one suit case, a backpack, and guitar. As you can see here I had to make the most of my packing room. Believe it or not its really hard to fit your life in a suit case, mission minded or not.

I live in a revamped ware house in the middle of South Central LA.
I have three girl roommates and one boy .
This is our hang out room! Perfect for movie watching!

Graffiti is a major staple around the city, you see it on nearly every street. Some represents gang territory, other represents art and the feelings of the people who live in that area. These two pieces of art are on the group room walls. The group room is where students get to hang out during free time, and a place to build community while not at their different cites. 

This mural was done by one of the former CSM staff members.
It depicts the different iconic city images, different culture, as well as the vibrant color of LA! 

This is our wonderful staff kitchen. It's a little different then our kitchen at SIFAT...
 It's inside, it has a working oven, it has cabnets. Not better just different :) 

The first morning I woke up in the city, it was 78 and sunny.
This is a picture from right out our front door.
The gate is for safety, however it has not stopped CSM staff from building relationships with the neighbors that are surrounding us. I can not wait to learn, love, and be loved by the neighbors God has given around us!

Again art is a plays a major role in city life. Above is the outside wall of our house.
 It faces the street and hopefully gives off a message of hope and freedom. Not being very artistic by any means, I love the fact that art is surrounding me all the time. I also love that people view this as art and not destruction.

Maybe a little glimpse of how God sees our hearts with different eyes, even when they may seem to look like destruction to the untrained eye. 

This is Compton Ave, a street pretty well known to those of us who don't know much about California.
"Straight out of Compton" Will Smith used to say in his Gettin' Jiggy with It stage of life.

The other edge of our graffiti wall. 

These are two views of the down town area sky line from a near by park. If I have learned anything so far its that the city for many represents hopes and dreams. But it also for many represents oppression and injustice. I look forward to seeing the ways God chooses to use me during my time here.
I continue to pray, and ask that you pray for me:
For God to give my team and I his eyes, heart, and vision for this place.
That we can adequately BE LOVE to all the people we serve. 

"If you want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. 

To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it."Mother Teresa