APU Blogs

APU offers a 4 trips a year called LA 101, which is run through the MAS office. I was fortunate enough to go on it this Spring break, and it was truly amazing. For 4 days, we explored LA and talked about social injustice issues. We visited homeless ministries, a jail, after school programs, a women's center, an art museum, sweatshops in the fashion district, and lots of non-profit organizations. We stayed at Eco-Village, an apartment complex where residents form a close knit community and recycle pretty much everything and their mom and are really environmentally consious. On this trip, many of us were exposed to the ideas of  modern-day American sweatshops for the first time, or it was the first time some of us went down to Skid Row and saw the overwhelming amount of homeless individuals. 

But for me, I saw Jesus through the hands of the volunteers and through the many non-profits throughout the trip (yes, even the non-Christian organizations). It can be really discouraging when I learn about something else wrong in the world, but seeing all these outlets of hope really encouraged and inspired me. Some of the people I met gave up so much in their lives (money, worldly success, comfort, family) and dedicated it to their passion to serve others. I am so inspired to do likewise and am so grateful for the hope I got through what I saw on this trip. The harvest is plenty so I hope God continues to stir in our hearts what is stirred in His so that we can be the passionate workers in His field that He has called us to be.