Posts Tagged ‘faith’

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Door of Hope

Karen Rouggly Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

Hope everyone is getting ready for a wonderful Thanksgiving! It feels like this semester has just flown by, hasn’t it? It’s been a great journey thus far and one of the highlights here in the MAS office is serving in our ministries! This week – I wanted to highlight for you Door of Hope! At the Door of Hope, located in Pasadena, students will have the opportunity to serve and build relationships with families who are transitioning out of homelessness. Through after-school tutoring, free babysitting, work projects at the facility, and other activities with those living at the Door of Hope, volunteers will be challenged and encouraged in their life, faith, and concepts of love and justice. Here’s a sneak peak into Student Ministry Coordinator Alicia Dill’s daily life at Door of Hope:

 

“When I started volunteering at Door of Hope last Spring I had no idea what a huge impact it would make on my life. Door of Hope is a privately funded, faith-based outreach located in Pasadena that focuses on serving homeless families. I knew that I wanted to get connected with a ministry and Door of Hope fit into my schedule so I signed up to be a volunteer. Quickly, I feel in love with the organization, the kids, staff, and families that live at and are involved with Door of Hope. I am now the Student Ministry Coordinator and have the opportunity to get other APU students involved with the organization.

Each day you go to Door of Hope is definitely an adventure. Homework is a consistent task that has to be done each day, but you never really know what creative measures you will have to go toto get the kids to be motivated to do their homework. I remember standing on the stairway a few weeks ago with a young boy who was about to run upstairs to his room in hopes of avoiding his homework and convincing him that I was about to tell him a huge secret that he could not tell anyone else. “Did you know that journaling and writing now will help you get good grades in college?” That’s all it took. Before I knew it he was journaling away, eager to have me read his journal entry once he was finished. It is in those small moments that I get really excited about the ministry and service that is happening at Door of Hope. In the midst of the chaos and craziness, the volunteers are helping to develop the kids for tasks and challenges that they will face later in life. However, the Door of Hope afterschool program is not all about the homework. Now that we have a larger volunteer team, we are able to do more activities that help foster relationship building and mentorship between APU students and the kids at Door of Hope. We color with the kids, we tell them Bible stories, we play sports, we carved pumpkins on Halloween, and we have even been able to go on a few“field trips” with the kids. We were able to take a couple of the kids on a hike at Eaton Canyon earlier in the semester and a few APU volunteers were able to accompany the kids at a movie screening on the roof of Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles.It is exciting to see all the growth that is happening in the program and in the lives of those in the program and in the lives of the volunteers.”

Thanks for reading about Door of Hope and we wish you and yours an amazing Thanksgiving this coming week!

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Ministry and Service exists to educate and mobilize the APU undergraduate community toward an active response in service that advances the work of God in the world. Azusa Pacific University sponsors a plethora of local and global programs, which prepare students to become capable leaders of service in diverse settings. To stay connected with what is happening in the local community, “like us” on Facebook (Ministry and Service) or “follow us” on Twitter (@apumas). Every year, over 1250 students serve through City Links, over 500 students participate in on-going ministry, and Justice Week.

 

 

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Azusa Food Banks

Karen Rouggly Friday, November 11th, 2011

This week’s focus is on the APU partnership with Azusa Food Banks! This article follows a day in the life of Cory’s Kitchen and Foothill Community Church! Take a peek inside:

“Canyon Christian Fellowship Church ministers to over 200 families each month in need of food through the food bank provided by Cory’s Kitchen, a food distribution ministry.  Every Monday three groups of students work alongside this food bank for 2 hours.  The first group arrives at 2pm and helps unload all of the food delivered in trucks to the site. They begin the distribution of groceries into paper bags; they set up chairs where the community members will sit while waiting for their number to be called after registering to receive food.  A second group of Azusa Pacific University students arrives at 5:00pm. They help with the final tasks of preparation before the community members arrive at 6pm to start the distribution process.  Such tasks may be taking eggs, milk, and frozen goods out of freezers and refrigerator and bagging them. They also organize and package any extra donations from local stores, such as flowers or perishable foods from Fresh and Easy. At 6pm Maria, the pastors wife and coordinator of Cory’s Kitchen, greets all of the community members present. She begins with leading a devotional and closing with a prayer. Those that help at Cory’s Kitchen are aware that some people come not only in hope of receiving groceries, but are also seeking compassion and comfort that can always be found in the Lord our Savior. After the prayer and devotional, the community members move through each station in the food bank. There is a student volunteer is at each point in the distribution site. They help with various tasks including: distributing the bread, desserts, and flowers (if any) to each community member, placing different bags of food into a big container, and carrying the items to the customer. The last group of students arrive at 7pm and finish helping in the distribution process, which ends at 8pm.  Then they help with the clean up process which involves wiping down countertops, folding chairs and tables and putting them away.  Before leaving, all of the volunteers from the church and APU students get together in a circle and Maria presents words of appreciation. She also presents some of the highlights of the night, such as having a hairstylist give free haircuts to men, who have been refused service at barbershops because their hair was unwashed or due to their odor.  Finally we close in prayer and offer all the work of the day to God, something that is always heartwarming.

The Azusa Food Bank ministry is also partnered with the soup kitchen at Foothill Community Church.  Every Saturday this church provides a hot meal to members of the community, which includes mostly single men and women who are homeless.  One group of students arrives at 8:30am and begins the food preparation.  This usually involves preparing salads, coffee, drinks, or heating up food on the stove and baking.  At 11:30am the first group shifts end and the second group of students arrive, after which the doors open for the community members to come in and sit at a table inside the cafeteria.  Some of the students stay in the kitchen and help serve the food, while others are in charge of taking these plates of food to each person at their table.  Students also make sure that there are always drinks available and provide seconds to anybody who wishes, when available.  At around 1:30pm the clean up process begins.  Some of the duties include dishwashing, which can be very fun using the nifty dishwasher. They also clean countertops, sweep, and clean tables.  On site there is also a clothes closet where students also aid in the sorting of clothes and hanging them up on racks, while also helping direct the community members.

It is wonderful to see the students come partner with these food banks in Azusa and commit their time, energy, and enthusiasm to this cause. It is truly humbling to think less of ourselves and more of Him, to care for the less fortunate, the widowed, the orphaned, and all those who are in need.”

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Ministry and Service exists to educate and mobilize the APU undergraduate community toward an active response in service that advances the work of God in the world. Azusa Pacific University sponsors a plethora of local and global programs, which prepare students to become capable leaders of service in diverse settings. To stay connected with what is happening in the local community, “like us” on Facebook (Ministry and Service) or “follow us” on Twitter (@apumas). Every year, over 1250 students serve through City Links, over 500 students participate in on-going ministry, and Justice Week.

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LA 101

Karen Rouggly Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

 

LA 101

A couple of weeks ago – our office hosted our first LA 101 educational experience of the semester! This trip is always a highlight for APU students who enjoy learning more about our neighboring metropolis. Hear about how this trip went:

Imagine a city. In fact, imagine a sprawling metropolis; street lights, sirens, walls garnished with graffiti, monumental religious buildings and the busy ethos of urban life. A diverse array of foods, creative and progressive organizations, and stratified inequalities give Los Angeles its distinct character. These realities are a glimpse of what LA 101 explores.

This past weekend, 5 students joined us for 4-days to better understand life in this city. Staying in Koreatown, we spent our days examining food justice issues, the daily manifestation of the judicial system on LA’s streets, economic and housing inequality, and the role art plays in expressing and building cultural identity.

One of the unique aspects of this trip was the opportunity we were given to interact face-to-face with Lincoln High School students who built and are currently working on a community garden at their school. We met up with the Director of American Friends Service Committee, Anthony Marsh, who is currently teaching a class at Lincoln Heights on fostering community peace. Through examining the food disparity within their own community, the students’ garden serves as a practical response to what they are learning. We had the opportunity to join the students during the class on Thursday afternoon. After spending some time talking with Anthony and the students, we then tended the garden together. This small facet of the weekend provided us with a starting point to examine food equity in LA.

Ministry and Service exists to educate and mobilize the APU undergraduate community toward an active response in service that advances the work of God in the world. Azusa Pacific University sponsors a plethora of local and global programs, which prepare students to become capable leaders of service in diverse settings. To stay connected with what is happening in the local community, “like us” on Facebook (Ministry and Service) or “follow us” on Twitter (@apumas). Every year, over 1250 students serve through City Links, over 500 students participate in on-going ministry, and Justice Week.

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Open Door Soccer League

Karen Rouggly Monday, October 17th, 2011

Soccer…little kids…Saturday mornings…what could be better? For Chanel Fuchigami, our Student Ministry Coordinator for Open Door Soccer League, and her tutors – not much! Open Door Soccer League (ODSL) is a an incredible avenue for promoting cross-cultural relationships and reciprocal learning between the youth of Azusa and APU students through the game of soccer. The children also learn important life lessons in teamwork through mentorship and coaching. Students also have an opportunity to take children to L.A. Galaxy games through the Kicks for Kids program. A growing partnership with the Church of the Open Door and APU allows students to participate in coaching kids throughout the year.

Here’s a true underdog story about one team in particular, and by the end of it, I’m sure you’ll be shouting “Go Lightening Fireballs!!” just as I was!

“Parents, siblings and grandparents populate the sidelines as they cheer on the Lightning Fireballs in their bright purple uniforms.  It’s the seventh week of the 8 week season and their fan base has not depleted despite their winless season so far.  Freshman coaches, Nick, Kyle and Nicole pump up the team for the game and have learned from the kids what it means to remain hopeful as they take the field once again. At 10 am Saturday mornings, half a block behind the sleeping APU campus, Powell Elementary is alive with over 100 kids and their families. The Open Door Soccer League (O.D.S.L.) is a ministry of Church of the Open Door and is it its fifth season. There is no youth soccer league run through the city of Azusa and O.D.S.L. provides the families of Azusa with an affordable league in the city that does not require a minimum ability to be a part of a team. Each of the 12 teams are coached by APU student volunteers, or members of the church who have dedicated their time to investing in kids’ lives through soccer.  The referees are also APU students who are able to use their experience with soccer to be part of a ministry that needs their unique talents.

The Lightning Fireballs fought hard and battled against not having any substitutes, but came up short again and went home with another loss.  Five days later all the teams had their last practice on Thursday and prepared for their final games.  On Saturday the Lightning Fireballs came to the field for their 10 ‘oclock game against the Ghostbusters and they warmed up for their final chance at victory.
The Lightning Fireballs and Ghostbusters are in the 6-8 year old age bracket, but the league has two others, 9-12 and 4-5.  The 9-12 year olds understand that a soccer line up consists of positions with defenders, strikers and keepers.  The 4 and 5 year olds have a hard enough time remembering which goal is theirs, what the whistle means, or that bunch ball may not be the most efficient strategy. The 4 year old girls display true sportsmanship as they hold hands with the opposing team and pick flowers for each other during the game. Whether it’s the entertainment of the 4 and 5 year olds, or the nail-biting soccer that the 9-12 year olds play each week, the heart of the ministry is to build relationships and that is apparent as each of the coaches interact with their players.  I’ve seen children in tears of frustration after the game leave with a smile after the listening ear of a coach sitting by their side. Each week at the end of practice the teams spend time sitting down together, sharing life, getting to know each other and the coaches share a bible story.  At the end of the season after getting their trophies and pictures, a Gospel presentation is given to the kids and families.
As the families cheer on the Lightning Fireballs, it occurs to them they have outscored the other team and if they can hold on, may walk away with a victory.  It is not the story book endings, or the quality of soccer being played, but the unique way that being a part of a team is used as a tool for loving others that makes me believe in this ministry.  It combines sports with a reason to play.  It enables those who have a passion for using their gifts for the Kingdom of God an avenue to creatively put them to use and values the athletic experience they may have had growing up.

But you guessed it! The Lightning Fireballs did win the last game of the season!  The kids and parents were over joyed, and left with so much more than soccer skills that year. I still hear the kids talk about their season that they didn’t win until the last game and others who ask about their coaches and come to practice skipping and smiling blabbering on about their day at school.
These are the images that characterize O.D.S.L. and will continue to as students put their own agenda aside and remember that life does not only consist of 18-22 year olds”

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Ministry and Service exists to educate and mobilize the APU undergraduate community toward an active response in service that advances the work of God in the world. Azusa Pacific University sponsors a plethora of local and global programs, which prepare students to become capable leaders of service in diverse settings. To stay connected with what is happening in the local community, “like us” on Facebook (Ministry and Service) or “follow us” on Twitter (@apumas). Every year, over 1250 students serve through City Links, over 500 students participate in on-going ministry, and Justice Week.

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