tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25156134069573717652024-03-05T16:57:53.740-06:00East St. Louis Dream Center Has Moved!East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.comBlogger225125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-57958105111104170672014-12-05T16:38:00.001-06:002014-12-05T16:38:40.214-06:00Entering Into a NEW Season...<div class="body">
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In
the past, I've shared how I've been experiencing much weariness, not
just physically, but spiritually and emotionally…a weariness on the
inside. Over the past several months, I began to be completely honest
with myself, with God, with friends, family and mentors about what I’ve
been feeling. <strong>Through this honesty, I realized that I have been
feeling this deep sense of weariness and burn out for over three
years.... this is too long.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Two years ago, Janell and I began taking steps to do ministry in a healthier way. </strong>I
took a two month Sabbatical. We brought on more volunteers. We slowed
down in the amount of monthly outreaches. We even took this entire year
to pause our outreaches completely and work on building the foundational
infrastructure and people-parts of the Dream Center.<br />
<br />
After making these changes, things got a little better, but I still felt very weary on the inside. <strong>Each
time we would try to take steps forward this year, we felt like we were
bumping into a wall, that we were forcing something. We began to see
that God’s grace was lifting.</strong><br />
<br />
After much prayer, journaling, talking and listening to friends and mentors, <strong>we have decided to take a two year-long, complete sabbatical.</strong>
Please understand, I still adore East St. Louis, but currently I don't
have the passion or the energy (at least right now) to continue plowing
through. During the sabbatical, I will be pursuing other work and
traveling. Janell will be doing whatever God leads her to do and also
working at Crossfit Edwardsville, where she has been working part time
for over three years.<br />
<br />
<strong>If I had a solid answer for the
question of, "What will happen after this sabbatical is over," I would
most certainly share that with you.</strong> But, honestly, I don't
know. I still have a dream to see East St. Louis radically revived from
the inside out, from the ground up. <strong>During this time of rest, I also want to be open to the Holy Spirit leading me in a different direction</strong>
or right back to doing the work of “pioneering an East St. Louis
renaissance,” the words we have written in our vision statement.<br />
<br />
<strong>When
it comes to what God has put me on this earth to do, I sense that I
might be in the beginning stages of a redirected, reformed and renewed
calling.</strong> It would be presumptuous of me to say that 100%,
without a doubt, after the sabbatical we will be starting ministry back
up in East St. Louis.<strong> I really believe we need to leave the answer to that question open-ended</strong>, something I haven't been willing to do before now, because it scared me.<br />
<br />
<strong>What
I do know, is that with or without the East St. Louis Dream Center
doing outreach in East St. Louis, God still has a BEAUTIFUL PLAN for the
city.</strong> The verse below has been an encouragement to us over the years concerning East St. Louis and the young people.<br />
<br />
<strong>Isaiah
54:11-12 (Msg) Afflicted city, storm-battered, unpitied: I’m about to
rebuild you with stones of turquoise, lay your foundations with
sapphires, construct your towers with rubies, your gates with jewels,
and all your walls with precious stones. All your children will have God
for their teacher— what a mentor for your children! You’ll be built
solid, grounded in righteousness, far from any trouble—nothing to fear!</strong><br />
<br />
Friends
have told me, "Rachel, this isn't the end, it's only the beginning, the
beginning of the next phase for you." I believe this. <strong>This is
where the excitement comes in.... I feel like my life is an open book
right now, ready for anything new or different that God places in my
path or in my hands.</strong><br />
<br />
Two years ago, a friend sent this
verse to me. I began praying it over my life then. Now, when I look up, I
see this is exactly what God has done and is currently doing in my
life…<br />
<br />
<strong>2 Samuel 22:21-25 (Msg) God made my life complete
when I placed all the pieces before Him. When I cleaned up my act, he
gave me a fresh start. Indeed, I’ve kept alert to God’s ways; I haven’t
taken God for granted. Every day I review the ways he works, I try not
to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I’m watching my step. GOD
REWROTE THE TEXT OF MY LIFE when I opened the book of my heart to his
eyes.</strong><br />
<br />
Janell and I will be working on wrapping things up at the Dream Center at least through the end of January. <strong>Because
of this, we are asking our financial supporters to continue giving so
we can finish strong our assignment for this season.</strong> At the
same time, we also wouldn’t want anyone to feel obligated in any way to
continue to give, but we ask that you pray about continuing to give
throughout this time.<br />
<br />
We ask that you keep us in your prayers as we navigate through more decisions in the coming months. <strong>I'm
very excited about traveling and seeing how God will use my
experiences, adventures and the people I meet along the way to plant
seeds in my heart about my future and the next phase of what I was born
to do.</strong> I don't have concrete travel plans yet, but I will be
posting on my personal Facebook page (Rachel Buttig) and Instagram
(@rbuttig) if you would like to keep up with my adventures.<br />
<br />
<strong>We also believe this is not the end for East St. Louis, but really only a BRIGHT BEGINNING.</strong>
In the past, we've experienced that when we step out of the way and lay
something down that God isn’t asking us to "handle" right now, it opens
the door for God to do His thing, better than we ever could.<br />
<br />
<strong>Someone recently told us that we have planted a “wonder seed” in East St. Louis. We couldn’t have planted this seed without you!</strong>
We believe that even while we're not ministering during the sabbatical,
God will be watching over, watering and causing that seed to grow into
something solid and strong. East St. Louis, the Dream Center, and the
youth all belong to Jesus; they are safe in His care, watchfully and
affectionately being crafted into His WORK OF ART.<br />
<br />
<strong>Thank
you for all that you've done! You've invested so much into the Dream
Center, young lives and coming alongside of Janell and me with amazing
and unforgettable support and friendship.</strong><br />
<br />
LOVING East St. Louis,<br />
Rachel and the East St. Louis DREAM Center Team</div>
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East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-87774732284032772682014-10-10T12:32:00.002-05:002014-10-10T12:32:43.708-05:00You Planted a WONDER SEED...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Planting
seed into the lives of others has been in my thoughts a lot lately. A
few months ago, I was talking to a friend about the Dream Center.<b> He said, "You have planted a WONDER SEED in the community of East St. Louis." </b>This phrase, "WONDER SEED" continues to come to the surface of my heart.<br />
<br />
In a way, planting seed is a frustrating process. <b>So often, with planting seed in the hearts of young people, we often don't see results (fruit) until <i>many</i> years later.</b> In all honesty, we haven't seen much immediate fruit in the lives of the youth we reach. <b>But, slowly, over time, little by little, we see gradual change.</b><br />
<br />
Recently, I've been encouraged about the real power of planting seed
into the lives of our young people. Before I started the Dream Center in
East St. Louis,<b> I had the privilege of serving at the Los
Angeles Dream Center for a year and a half. While there, a small group
of us worked with kids and teens on Skid Row.</b> We took them out
of their harsh environment on a regular basis, taking them exploring all
over southern California, while also visiting them in their one bedroom
homes in a homeless hotel on Skid Row, called the Ford Hotel.<br />
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<b>These were actually the toughest kids I've ever worked with.</b> They stole public transportation buses, stole the youth group van and drove it all the way to San Diego, <b>they peed out the bus window when we drove them to church, they smoked weed and tried to have sex in the church closet</b>,
they made me chase them around the park in heels while they hid behind
bushes because they left the church service without permission, they
cussed us out in Spanish and English, they stole the keys to one the
Dream Center offices and robbed short term missionaries, I could go on
and on. <b>But, we fell in love with these kids. </b>Despite their craziness, we adored them and continued showing them the love of Jesus in very practical ways. <b>In that short time, we planted a seed in their life.</b><br />
<br />
<b>That was 12 years ago.</b>
Gratefully, because of Facebook, we've been able to reconnect with most
of the kiddos we worked with. They're all in their 20's now. <b>In
the past few months, I've heard from several of them about how well
they're doing... finishing school, working steady jobs and volunteering
with other kids who need help.</b> My friend, Anna and I, who also
spent a lot of time with them, are floored by how well these young
people have turned out. To come from one of the worst living conditions
in the U.S., to now doing great things with their lives, it was very
encouraging for us to hear!<br />
<br />
One of the boys, from a family who was living out of their car for a while, wrote to us, saying, "I miss you guys so much.<b> I found a career that I can branch off the LOVE you guys gave to us.</b> <b>You guys helping us out showed us what real friends and family were about. </b>So,
I took that loving spirit and now donating every month to the
Children's Hospital that's connected to the hospital I work at. I spend
about 4 hours on my days off from work and school that I get with cancer
kids.<b> I just wanted to thank you guys again for all the love you gave to us and now we can share with other unfortunate kids."</b><br />
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<br />
When that small group of us were working
with these young people, most of the time we felt like pulling our hair
out, <b>thinking, "Are we making a difference!?!?" But that is the wonder of a "WONDER SEED," you don't <i>know</i>
for sure that you're making a difference. All you do know is that
you're being faithful to the last thing God tugged on your heart to do.</b> Often, we find out years later the impact our seed has made.<br />
<br />
<b>I want to thank you for the WONDER SEED that you have so
faithfully helped us plant into the city of East St. Louis and lives of
the precious young people there. </b>We believe that we WILL see
this WONDER SEED bear fruit, just how 12 years later we saw the WONDER
SEED planted into the lives of the young people on L.A.'s Skid Row bear
fruit.East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-20201926381348230402014-08-26T17:22:00.002-05:002014-08-26T17:22:37.878-05:00East St. Louis, I am so proud of you...There are certain times that my heart is drawn to drive through East St. Louis. The other night was one of those nights. I was driving through downtown St. Louis and there was a beautiful lightning show in the sky. It looked like it was coming from the east, so I drove in that direction. <b>It was dark and raining, sometimes the best time to see the true beauty of the city of East St. Louis at rest. I drove by John DeShields, our beloved neighborhood.</b><br />
<br />
<b>As long as I can remember, I've referred to East St. Louis as a "she." </b>When I first felt prompted to start the Dream Center years ago, these words came up very strong in my heart, I believe they were straight from God's heart. These words rang clear, "It is time, She has waited long enough, She has waited long enough, it is time." All throughout the Bible personifying characteristics are given to Israel. <b>According to Wikipedia, "<i>She</i> refers to abstractions personified as feminine, and also for the soul, a city, a country, an army, the Church, and others." So, it has only seemed fitting to refer to East St. Louis as a she all of this time.</b><br />
<br />
As I drove by John DeShields, I saw several things that were new and beautiful.... new, bright white streetlights, lighting up every corner, brand new barriers around the dumpsters, new and very strong barricades to block people from breaking into the windows of an old school that sits vacant next to John DeShields and a new street sign on one of the side roads that has been sign-less for as long as I can remember. <b>As I drove and pray, talking to God, I said this in my heart, "She looks good. John DeShields looks good."</b><br />
<br />
I drove more around East St. Louis and I felt a sense of pride in my heart. Not sinful pride, but proud of my city. I know East St. Louis is not where she could be, but I believe God has been doing a work in her for many years. <b>A work in the hearts of the people that we sometimes can't see. That thought kept coming up in my heart, "I am so proud of her." It was so strong in my heart that it came out of my mouth, "East St. Louis, I am so proud of you. I am so proud of you."</b><br />
<br />
This is a mystery to me, but at different times throughout ministry, this city has felt like my child, my sister, my friend and my family. I remember times that I would be going through something personally and the city or the neighborhood seemed to be going through something similar. I'm not saying I know exactly every single thing that the people go through, <b>but some how in some way, the Holy Spirit has bonded my heart to East St. Louis. It is bonded in such a way that it feels like a relationship with an actual person.</b><br />
<br />
As I've mentioned in past newsletters, we've had our outreaches paused since December in order to work on strengthening the foundational parts of the Dream Center. In this time, I've often had concerns of, "Are we not being there enough for the people, will our relationships with them still be good when we return, etc." <b>But as I drove in the rain, in the dark, watching and listening to the heart beat of East St. Louis, I sensed she was saying, "We're gonna be alright."</b><br />
<br />
We've planted a lot of seed over the years. We have to trust that when a seed is planted, it will grow. So now, we wait to see it grow, to see the tree produce fruit. <b>It will. </b> East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-28439623487717829202014-07-31T16:16:00.001-05:002014-07-31T16:16:57.273-05:00There Is No ART In Anxiety...<div class="body" id="yui_3_17_2_1_1406841128541_2087">
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<h3 id="yui_3_17_2_1_1406841128541_2076">
<b id="yui_3_17_2_1_1406841128541_2075"><span id="yui_3_17_2_1_1406841128541_2074">"There
is no ART in anxiety. We try to manage the future, a time that doesn't
exist yet, and we wonder why it makes our stomach hurt. ~Emily P.
Freeman</span></b><b id="yui_3_17_2_1_1406841128541_2075"><span id="yui_3_17_2_1_1406841128541_2074"> </span></b></h3>
<br />
Today, I was re-reading a journal entry
from the beginning of this year. In my journal, I had this quote written
down as a reminder to myself. I thought of you and wondered if maybe it
would encourage you as well.<br />
<br />
<b>God created us as human
beings, not machines. Sometimes I find myself living in a machine-like
way, instead of in a human-like way.</b> When I notice I'm doing
this, I see less signs of life and ART in my life. And I see more signs
of anxiety, pressure and a forced way of living.<br />
<br />
My hope for you and what Janell and I are daily learning here at the Dream Center, <b>is that our lives would slowly begin looking more like a work of ART, with less anxiety and stress. </b>That we would learn how to flow daily in the <b>"unforced rhythms of grace."</b> (Matthew 11:28-30) (RB)<span id="goog_83734064"></span><span id="goog_83734065"></span></div>
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<br />East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-53679317779805799182014-07-02T16:25:00.000-05:002014-07-03T13:55:13.842-05:00Wild Provision<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX143243694" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">Lately we've been </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">encouraged </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">to remember the ways that God has provided for us here a</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">t the Dream Center a</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">s we move forward </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">with the fresh vision that's been stirring in our hearts to p</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">ioneer</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> and create an</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> East St. Louis </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">renaissance.
Most of the ways He has provided have been practical; a check in the
mail, a donation given on-line, someone donating a physical item like a
desk or basketballs. <b>As we've been remembering the ways God has
provided, we are </b></span></span><b><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">extremely grateful for all </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">of the ways, but there are three stories of His provision that stand out</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">These have </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">His creativity and </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">miraculous ways written all over them! </span></span></b><span class="EOP SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">When I first started the Dream Center it wasn't incorporated as a non-profit, so I just paid for things out of m</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">y</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">
own pocket. We were a handful of volunteers and a small group of
teenagers at that time, so our needs weren't huge... basketballs, baseball
equipment, Little Debbie snacks</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">
a boom box, etc. <b>I was happy to make that investment, but my hope was
that other people would catch the vision and begin investing in this
dream</b></span></span><b><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> as well</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">. </span></span><span class="EOP SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">The first people ever to give to the Dream Center were some dear friends of mine. They heard about what we were doing and </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">came </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">to me </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">one day and handed me </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">an envelope with $100 cash in it</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">They </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">said, "We plan to </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">start giving this same amount each </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">month to help with the Dream Center."
I was overwhelmed and overjoyed! <b>I had determined to keep paying for
the expenses that we had for the outreaches, but shortly after we
stepped out with starting the teen outreach, God took care of it with this monthly gift. </b></span></span><b><span class="EOP SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">I</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">'ve
always believed that their first seed of giving they planted in the DREAM Center is what caused
more donations to come in shortly after that. <b>About a month later, a
church began donating $300 per month for several years to help us rent an indoor </b></span></span><b><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">gym so</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> the kids could have a safe place to play inside. </span></span><span class="EOP SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">Another
story that reminds me of God's desire to cause
us to smile <b>was when someone brought money to give to the Dream Center
in a very creative way.</b> We were in a very tight place</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> financially with the Dream Center and we needed money to come in that very day. </span></span><span class="EOP SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">That morning, I was listening to a teaching by Keith Moore about God being our only Source</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">. <b>He said, "God is so faithful that He could send a dog to your doorstep </b></span></span><b><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">holding a paper bag of money</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">." When I heard this, I told God, "I know you can bring money to us in any way, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">shape or</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> form and if you have to, you'll</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> bring it to my doorstep in a paper bag." </span></span><span class="EOP SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX143243694" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">That night we had a teen outreach and all of the volunteers met at my apartment in the Joh</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">n </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="SpellingError SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">DeShields</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> Neighborhood. One of the volunteers approached </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">me and handed me a fast food, brown paper bag. He said</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">, <b>"I've been saving up my tip money and there's about $150 cash in here. I felt like I should give it to the </b></span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"><b>Dream Center. I'm sorry it's in a paper bag, I couldn't fit it all in my wallet. I figured the safest, least obvious way to bring all this cash into your apartment was to put it in this fast food bag I had in my car." </b>I was in shock! I told him the prayer I had just prayed earlier that day and we rejoiced at God's amazing way </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">He provided</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">. </span></span><span class="EOP SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> The last</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> story is the most precious to me and </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">reminds me of God's wild creativity and care in providing for His kids. I was prayer walking one morning in the John </span><span class="SpellingError SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">DeShields</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">
Neighborhood and a <b>21 year old young man who I was slightly familiar
with stopped me and said, "Do you have $5 I could have? I'm homeless and
would like to stay in cheap hotel tonight, I haven't slept in a while</b></span></span><b><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">." </span></span><span class="EOP SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX143243694" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">I didn't even have a dollar to give to him, plus </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">I very rarely gave money to people in the neighborhood. He looked very tired and I didn't know for sure if he was homeless. A</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">fter we chatted for a while and I heard his story, I believed that he truly didn't have a place to stay. I</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> couldn't determine if he would actually use the money for a hotel, but my heart went</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> out to him. </span></span><b><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">I told him I didn't have the money, but that I could p</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">ray with him.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> We grabbed hands and I remember the specific prayer I prayed... "God, you made all the gold in the world and you can provide the money he needs or a place for him to sleep." </span></span></b><span class="EOP SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">We went our separate ways and I stayed out prayer walking longer than usual. On my last lap, as I turned the corner, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">I SAW A $5 DOLLAR BILL LAYING IN THE GRASS!</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> In all of the mornings I had</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> been out prayer walking, I</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> never found money, except for pennies.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> I walked quickly to my apartment and wrote a card to him </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">and put </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">the $5 along with 50 cents in the</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> envelope. </span></span><span class="EOP SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">I walked across the street to where he was hanging out</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">.
First, I asked him if he was honestly going to use this money for a
hotel and not for drugs or alcohol. By the look in his eyes, in my heart
I believed he was telling the truth. <b>I explained to him what happened
and that God was demonstrating His LOVE for him by miraculously giving
him this $5. </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">I explained that I added 50 cents in the envelope so he
could give away</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> part of what he received.</span></span><b><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> I</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> encouraged him to give the 50 cents to whoever God put on his heart</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">. He was so thankful and I was </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">ecstatic</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> to have been able to see God prove Himself as</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> his</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> Source!</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span></b><span class="EOP SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">God's
Word is TRUE and He says that He WILL provide for us. Sometimes our
circumstances are screaming at us that He isn't providing or won't
provide, but in those times we determine to choose to believe our God before we believe what the circumstances are saying. <b>Maybe you're in a tight time
financially. We hope these stories encourage you to</b></span></span><b><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"> believe in God's wild, creative and caring </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">ways of getting to us what we need. </span></span><span class="EOP SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">Would you consider making an investment in </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;">the future of East St. Louis and its </span></span></b><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"><b>young
people by making a one time or monthly gift to the DREAM Center?</b> Giving
is easy at our on-line giving page, simply click on the button below OR
checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 2456/East St. Louis, IL 62202</span></span></span> (RB) </span><span class="TextRun SCX143243694" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX143243694" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">In the history of ministering
in East St. Louis, there were often things that happened that I never shared on the blog or in newsletters. Usually these were very intense things that didn't seem right to share at the time in order to protect those involved. Recently, one of these stories has been stirring in my heart
to share. </span><span style="background-color: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">After moving out of my apartment in the
John </span><span class="spellingerror">DeShields</span><span class="normaltextrun">
Neighborhood in East St. Louis, we were left without a place to serve lunch to
the young men in the neighborhood. For three years, we had been grilling hamburgers on my back
porch and serving them hot off the grill. After I moved, we needed a place that was still
close by, within walking distance. </span></span><span class="eop"></span><span style="background-color: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">The only option that we found was a shade tree
at the end of the apartment building I had recently moved out of. We staked out the grassy shade area as our own and continued with the weekly lunch outreach. Even though it was only about 70 feet from
my old apartment, there was a completely different feel. This was the shade tree
that all of the men hung out under, a place where you had a good view of the
corner store where the illegal activity was going on. It was definitely
a more "</span><span class="spellingerror">hoppin</span><span class="normaltextrun">' "
spot than my apartment's back porch! </span></span><span class="eop"> </span><span style="background-color: inherit;"><span class="spellingerror"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: inherit;"><span class="spellingerror">Because</span><span class="normaltextrun"> this was a
more active spot, we needed to be a little more aware of our surroundings since we didn't have a place to go inside for protection if activity began to pick up. Before I moved,
if things began to get intense in the neighborhood (gun fire, fights, police
activity, etc.) we could simply go into my apartment for safety. Now that we
were under this little shade tree, the only place we had to go for cover was my car. </span></span><span class="normaltextrun"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">One day, before our regular Wednesday Lunch Outreach, I felt drawn to read this specific magazine during my lunch break. In it, I stumbled upon an
article about God’s protection. It was about believing and speaking out promises about His protection, reminding us that we have angels surrounding us. After reading this article, Janell and I
specifically prayed together and spoke protection verses over ourselves.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">The next day was our Wednesday Lunch Outreach under the little shade tree. On
this particular day, our regular third volunteer wasn’t there, so it was just
Janell and me. We were in the middle of setting up all of our equipment, getting
the grill ready, etc. At that moment, Janell very calmly said, “Rachel, look at those two
men.” </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">We looked and saw two men dressed in black head to toe. One man had a bandanna masked around
his mouth and a gun in his hand. They were quickly walking in the direction of
the corner store and the main street where all of the illegal activity went
down.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">We didn’t have a place to go, so we jumped in my car and tilted the
seats all the way back in order to avoid any possible gun fire that could have come through the windows.
I regularly experienced this practice of ducking in my apartment when there was gun fire, but never in my car which was much more out in the open. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">As we heard the repeated gun fire, we sat there trembling and praying in tongues. We heard the gun fire, but couldn’t
see what was going on. We could tell it was intense and from the looks of the two men we saw with the gun,
it was evil too. We didn’t recognize the men as people from the neighborhood, but
they were definitely after someone.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">We continued praying and speaking peace over the situation. Once we
sensed that things calmed down a bit, I opened my door a crack and looked out. We
were parked close to an apartment of one of our young men that we had been serving lunch
to for years. As I looked through the crack of my car door, he had his door cracked as
well, our eyes locked and he motioned for me to come inside for protection.
Janell and I moved quickly inside his apartment where we waited for the coast to
completely clear. We were there waiting for a few minutes and graciously thanked
him for looking out for us.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">We looked out the screen door of his apartment to see if it was ok
to pack up our things and leave. We saw another one of our young men and he gave us
the clear that it was ok to come outside. He then helped us pack up our things
and made sure we were safe.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">We were definitely shaken up after this incident, but felt tenderly
taken care of by God. He gave us the warning and
encouragement the day before through the article about believing for His protection. We also felt very protected by our guys who we had been building
trust with for years!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">After experiencing other incidents like this, we knew the neighborhood would be tense and there could be possible retaliations. We decided to not go into the John DeShields Neighborhood for a few weeks to let things settle down. Later we found out that there was retaliation and tension stirred for a couple of weeks. Thankfully, the shooting was an injury to someone's leg and not something worse. We didn’t know the man who was shot or his perpetrators.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">After this happened we knew we needed a safer place to serve lunch to our
guys. We have a friend who has been serving in East St. Louis for twenty five years named
Sister Dianne. She works with the Catholic Urban Charities. She has always been
a warm smile and encouraging presence in the community and towards us as she can
relate to the struggles we face. We asked her if it would be possible for us to
use her space which is inside the neighborhood community center in the middle
of the John DeShields Neighborhood. She immediately opened her doors to us free
of charge! We served lunch to the men there for almost two years.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">We had been pursuing to use this space several times in the past
five years, by going through the East St. Louis Housing Authority. Their answer was always a stern “No.” But in our time of need, through someone
completely different, God opened the door for us to use a space we had been
desiring to use for a long time.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">After we moved the lunch program indoors, our time with the young
men became more meaningful and deeper. They began to open up more and share
about their lives as we did the same with them. Our volunteer team also
increased from three people to ten people! We began serving a family
style, home-cooked meal each week instead of the grilled burgers we had been
serving for three years. The young men began to tell us things like this…</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">“This is a safe place for us, a place we can get away from all the
craziness that’s out there.”</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">“This is our ‘gentleman’s club’ where we can come and get things
off our chest.”</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">“You guys have become mentors to us and you encourage us about things we’re going through in our lives.” </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">Thank you for the food. We feel loved and cared for knowing that someone takes the time to prepare this for us. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">At Christmas time when donors adopted them for Christmas, one of our super tough guys said, "I've never been adopted. Thank you so much for this gift, I really needed it." </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="paragraph" style="vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="normaltextrun">Remembering this story has encouraged me in several areas… It
reminds me how God provides what we need when we need it. It reminds me of His watchfulness and matchless protection. It reminds me of all the favor God has given us with the people in East St. Louis, from men who "do life on the streets" to a sweet nun from the Catholic Urban Charities. We're excited to continue seeing God's faithfulness towards us and people of East St. Louis! (RB)</span></span></span></div>
East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-32956750367918299202014-06-25T14:11:00.001-05:002014-06-25T14:11:58.577-05:00An Offbeat Path<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneYi5Pic_eUFbvTZ0GdImEsXK0sPl47Y4v4aSpzSYpJ_bZ3i_7xam6kewfa_54dOYHfwWB0iswWvkqV2lkCz_qdzRB7GRJxDyiDUH6lxioARRFyc5vcytL2BPI8g-ttAVPydEKend6P8/s1600/road+trip+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneYi5Pic_eUFbvTZ0GdImEsXK0sPl47Y4v4aSpzSYpJ_bZ3i_7xam6kewfa_54dOYHfwWB0iswWvkqV2lkCz_qdzRB7GRJxDyiDUH6lxioARRFyc5vcytL2BPI8g-ttAVPydEKend6P8/s1600/road+trip+girl.jpg" height="250" width="320" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_17_2_1_1403712500824_22731">
Now that I live in St. Louis, I
often take drives through the city and city neighborhoods. These drives
help me to think, dream and hear what God is saying in my own heart. I
do my best to stay off the highway, and instead, drive through the
neighborhoods and city streets.<span><strong> On the highway, I miss out
on the city's gems; the cobblestone roads, the historic homes, the
small, corner cafes and the interesting people walking the streets.</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One day, I was on one of these drives and I got lost. I used my GPS to try to get from the South Side over to the West Side. <span><strong>Even though I wanted to avoid the highway, my GPS (a man with a British accent) kept trying to send me there.</strong></span>
At each turn he told me to take, I kept driving straight, hoping he
would re-route me through the city neighborhoods. After his persistent
attempts to get me on the highway,<span><strong> I was getting frustrated and said out loud, "Stop trying to send me on the highway!"</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In that moment, a thought came to mind.... <span><strong>"In
this season of the Dream Center, God is wanting us to see the beauty of
the back roads. But, the opinions of other people, religious thinking
and I, myself, keep trying to send us on the highway, the more fast
paced route."</strong></span></div>
<span>It seems there are times in
life that God's heart for us is to take the scenic route. Sometimes, on a
road trip, the major highways are required-- depending on your
destination, time allowance or purpose of the trip.</span><span><strong> But, some road trips </strong></span><span><strong><em>cry out</em> for the back roads, the lookout points, the souvenir stops, and the roads along the coast.</strong></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BAju6aVXAer8xmvg6LSynfJOYN_oXDUfh1KmEACGEwKM7VVA-LeraqIjdbqJqzKK8TDq7F1pALbykyZF8GonyqZAJ3utO-N24kpSpBBs5WkEDgqTxvERrjWYWxgoXW9J-FQ9E9fFFPY/s1600/the+beauty+of+the+backroads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BAju6aVXAer8xmvg6LSynfJOYN_oXDUfh1KmEACGEwKM7VVA-LeraqIjdbqJqzKK8TDq7F1pALbykyZF8GonyqZAJ3utO-N24kpSpBBs5WkEDgqTxvERrjWYWxgoXW9J-FQ9E9fFFPY/s1600/the+beauty+of+the+backroads.jpg" height="268" width="320" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_17_2_1_1403712500824_22764" style="text-align: left;">
<span><strong></strong></span>The highway will get us to our destination quicker. Getting somewhere quicker can be good, depending on what season we're in. <span><strong>But, sometimes, getting there slower is better. Getting there slower allows you to meet the beauty along the way,</strong></span>
whether that comes in the form of a sunset, an interesting person or a
sight you wouldn't have seen while traveling the highway.</div>
<div id="yui_3_17_2_1_1403712500824_22764" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The
slower route is also the route where you can learn more about yourself
and ways of thinking that you didn't know you had--ways of thinking that
have made you conform. <span><strong>Slowing down causes the noise to quiet down as well--the noise that has drowned out the whispers of your own heart.</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfYw16TPYzEtCryooE8PyibGEAn1rz73Od7twKHJnb3tzxuvgnT7imTkr2OlLeT0FjpggbD9RWS7GPu0dy7mcfsPJ2fJX3rOjHztFM0OG9Ka1Oy0Q7ZVJbLxbnuESSfEA4127KhbzSC4/s1600/Nebula-+Think+Different+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfYw16TPYzEtCryooE8PyibGEAn1rz73Od7twKHJnb3tzxuvgnT7imTkr2OlLeT0FjpggbD9RWS7GPu0dy7mcfsPJ2fJX3rOjHztFM0OG9Ka1Oy0Q7ZVJbLxbnuESSfEA4127KhbzSC4/s1600/Nebula-+Think+Different+edit.jpg" height="284" width="320" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_17_2_1_1403712500824_22787">
<span id="yui_3_17_2_1_1403712500824_22786">Here at the Dream Center, we're </span><span><em>learning </em>to
slow down. This path that we've taken to re-group and re-build the
Dream Center from the inside out may not be the most popular or accepted
path, but we believe it's the right path.</span><span><strong> So far,
on this "offbeat path" we've discovered traveler's delights along the
way, that I believe we couldn't have discovered if we stayed on the
"highway."</strong></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span><strong>Below are some of the sweet spots the slower road has helped us discover:</strong></span><br />
<ul>
<li>Connecting with creative artists <span><strong>who see East St. Louis as a city of opportunity and potential</strong></span></li>
<li>A space to work that inspires creativity and new ways of thinking (<span style="color: blue;"><strong><a data-cke-saved-href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0010pJYc8jt_i4kFWI38CEVIGf7VQA_wGJh7q_Cken6AtBIp4D2xzObGzH4zBI0Akrguk4xtblPe_IKqMFcX93QNUAmS-jjYNLtCMrp-TgBHVY=" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0010pJYc8jt_i4kFWI38CEVIGf7VQA_wGJh7q_Cken6AtBIp4D2xzObGzH4zBI0Akrguk4xtblPe_IKqMFcX93QNUAmS-jjYNLtCMrp-TgBHVY=" target="_blank">Nebula Coworking</a></strong></span>)</li>
<li>A <span><strong>healthier foundation for the Dream Center</strong></span> that is daily being built on prayer, worship, and listening</li>
<li>Learning to <span><strong>not put God or ourselves in a box</strong> </span></li>
<li>Becoming more <span><strong>free from religious mindsets</strong></span> that have caused us to conform in the past</li>
<li>Connecting with people <span><strong>who have pioneered significant revitalization in urban St. Louis neighborhoods </strong></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In
May's Newsletter we shared about how we are re-grouping and re-building
this year. If you would like to read more about this, <span style="color: blue;"><strong><a data-cke-saved-href="http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=790d47ad-9790-4e45-86a0-fddd03c72053&c=d45b1a90-f7f7-11e3-b3f3-d4ae52806b34&ch=d46071c0-f7f7-11e3-b3f3-d4ae52806b34&id=preview" href="http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=790d47ad-9790-4e45-86a0-fddd03c72053&c=d45b1a90-f7f7-11e3-b3f3-d4ae52806b34&ch=d46071c0-f7f7-11e3-b3f3-d4ae52806b34&id=preview" target="_blank">click here</a></strong></span>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span>We appreciate all of the DREAMERS out there who have supported this vision!!!</span><strong> If
you haven't given before and you're sensing that nudge in your heart to
INVEST in the future of East St. Louis, please consider a one time gift
or a monthly recurring donation.</strong><span><strong> </strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span><strong>Giving is easy! Simply click on the donate button below and give on our secure on-line giving page</strong></span>
or donations can be written to "ESL DC" and mailed to P.O. Box
2456/East St. Louis, IL 62202. The East St. Louis Dream Center is a 501
c3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://www.eaststlouisdreamcenter.org/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">DONATE</a></b></span></span></div>
East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-67581318650467534552014-06-05T17:10:00.000-05:002014-06-05T17:10:03.033-05:00Exploring East St. Louis on a Bike<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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This morning, I was walking through
the halls here at Nebula Co-working and I ran into a guy carrying his
skateboard. We started chatting. He found out about our work in East St. Louis
and said, “I was just riding my bike there the other day.” My jaw dropped,
because only once in the seventeen years that I’ve been doing outreach in ESL,
have I heard someone say they’ve ridden their bike in ESL and it was another
person who works here at Nebula. These adventurers are pioneering new territory
and instead of fearing East St. Louis, they have decided to explore it. As my
new friend and I continued talking, he said something along these lines, “East
St. Louis is<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> this mysterious
city that no one wants to go to, but as an artist it's a boundary line I need
to cross." As I walked away from this conversation, I was inspired to know
that there are people out there who maybe haven’t heard the best things about
ESL, but still see potential and “art” in the city, enough potential to go
exploring the city on a bike. (RB) </span></div>
East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-54598670316044463562014-03-12T17:07:00.001-05:002014-03-12T17:07:21.758-05:00GO HAVE FUN!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtU0EZeSceR2KKcP5dwSx4KQ-PBAVdnzjKoCFJmu2awwOUQvo_OOmbqdbKDvvSSE7bc2DSAZMk9RgJfLDaRmkWQIh73H525kN7Rsb1CmxpYauxtyuA0hvlQLt28Yf2XVYHM2Ev8kQeXkQ/s1600/guy+smiling-+edit+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtU0EZeSceR2KKcP5dwSx4KQ-PBAVdnzjKoCFJmu2awwOUQvo_OOmbqdbKDvvSSE7bc2DSAZMk9RgJfLDaRmkWQIh73H525kN7Rsb1CmxpYauxtyuA0hvlQLt28Yf2XVYHM2Ev8kQeXkQ/s1600/guy+smiling-+edit+2.jpg" height="345" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Over the years, </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>I've noticed that whatever journey
God has me on personally, He often has the DREAM Center on a parallel
journey and vice versa. </strong></span></span> <span style="background-color: #cccccc;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The recent parallel journey that I have been on is <b>re-learning how to have fun.</b> Over a year ago, after going through extreme burnout in the ministry, I met with a friend and mentor. <b>I
asked if she had any advice on how to recover from burn out. Her words
of advice were simple, "RACHEL, YOU JUST NEED TO GO HAVE FUN!"</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We were
only together for about an hour and in that small amount of time, she
said to me literally over twenty times, "RACHEL, JUST GO HAVE FUN!" <b>After that coffee date, I kept hearing those words ring over and over in my ears, "RACHEL, GO HAVE FUN!"</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It took several months for this truth to sink into my heart. <b>I literally had to learn how to have fun all over again. But slowly, God began to teach me that <i>He</i> is the inventor of FUN.</b>
He wanted me to be adventurous and not just adventurous in things
related to ministry. He wanted me to explore and discover NEW THINGS
that brought me personal enjoyment.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><b>I began looking for new and fun activities that I could enjoy in my daily life.</b> In my journey of re-learning how to have fun, I've been on birding field trips with the <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0011koAvC_wkr8VMS8RoaE4lt7g3xbbj9-dGdeYLFQIIfHEXRf2vITSgFIBRAZkhET_Ayh3ADWUBLuwKE5DoF79twBzqHoEMRzBabIHvym_nQMpLH-5A77QCjfqV_UeIMXZ" shape="rect" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">St. Louis Audubon Society</a> (don't laugh, I know it's nerdy), volunteering at a dog shelter called <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0011koAvC_wkr8VMS8RoaE4lt7g3xbbj9-dGdeYLFQIIfHEXRf2vITSgFIBRAZkhET_GvUq8r3xZijk-iNCsGIF-jVcdyXBIqJWfWM86OAHuVApfvJxJewyIzdhO8vCIqcNKrHfHE5jJAoOSp9L_XMZSCi3oXqverD0" shape="rect" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Spencer Kennel and Rescue</a>, urban camping in downtown Nashville (in a 1970's camper named <i>Methuselah</i>) with <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0011koAvC_wkr8VMS8RoaE4lt7g3xbbj9-dGdeYLFQIIfHEXRf2vITSgFIBRAZkhET_GvUq8r3xZijk-iNCsGIF-jVcdyXBIqJW4nltdJIAyENJchE5wecV6r3nU5BdFCFBuIOUY-OXVvs=" shape="rect" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">friends</a> who were filming a documentary and swing dancing on a weekly basis with an organization called <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0011koAvC_wkr8VMS8RoaE4lt7g3xbbj9-dGdeYLFQIIfHEXRf2vITSgFIBRAZkhET_Ayh3ADWUBLsGc2qFQ-TNidXr0Pw22RkT5O7vffDAY-2Ec9jt4w-KLg==" shape="rect" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Lindy Hop St. Louis</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><b>You might be thinking, "So, how does all of this relate to the DREAM Center?"</b>
As I mentioned previously, often the direction God leads me in
personally is similar to His direction for the Dream Center and vice
versa.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><b>I began to see how restorative and healing having fun was and how it could bring healing to East St. Louis too.</b>
The city has been ravaged by oppression, crime and poverty. The dreams
of the young people have been crushed by the harsh realities of the
streets, their upbringing or a lifestyle that brings destruction.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Our
vision at the DREAM Center has always been to use recreation and
relationship as our main tools to reach the young people and provide a
way to keep them off the streets. <b>But
as I began seeing the benefits of fun in my own life, I realized that
the young people in our care, need a BIG, HUGE DOSE OF FUN as well.</b> Not just once a year, not even two times a month, <b>but almost an<i> overdose</i> so to speak of fun, recreation, laughter, art, culture, music, dance, the list could go on and on. </b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://eaststlouisdreamcenter.webconnex.com/donate" target="_blank">DONATE NOW</a></span></span></b></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These new types of programs would not be sustainable with our current infrastructure. So, for the past few months <b>Janell
and I have been spending a lot of time praying, researching and
re-writing/clarifying the vision and mission of the DREAM Center.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We're in the very early stages of planning. It will take some time to get to where we want to go, but we're excited!<b> And it all began with these simple words ringing in my ears.... "RACHEL, GO HAVE FUN!"</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I don't
know what you're avenue of fun is, maybe it's building things with your
hands, maybe it's taking road trips, painting, playing a sport or
playing with your grand kids, <b>but whatever it is, I'll pass along the same words that were spoken to me at such a pivotal moment in my life.... </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>
</b></span></span>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 36pt;">GO </span><span style="font-size: 36pt;">HAVE</span><span style="font-size: 36pt;"> FUN!!!</span></b></span></span></div>
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</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>It's
our faithful financial supporters who help us continue to move forward
in the work God has given us to do in East St. Louis. If you're not a financial supporter of the DREAM Center and would like to become one</b>, donations can be made on our Secure On-line Giving Page by clicking the button below, by giving on our <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0011koAvC_wkr8VMS8RoaE4lt7g3xbbj9-dGdeYLFQIIfHEXRf2vITSgFIBRAZkhET_Ayh3ADWUBLsaOsS_6JVhg_-qYQcfRoIavHJ6WJaNIG9hWEZXMTB1DzEHoW-JN0Ng" shape="rect" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">web site</a>
OR by mailing a check to the address at the bottom of this email. We
are a 501 c3 tax exempt organization, so all donations are tax
deductible<b>.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://eaststlouisdreamcenter.webconnex.com/donate" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">DONATE NOW</span></b></span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We're so honored to have you as an important part of the DREAM Center. <b>We pinch ourselves regularly when we think about your generosity and friendship! We love you.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>LOVING East St. Louis</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Rachel and the DREAM Center Team</b> </span></span></div>
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East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-8092394249428805872014-02-12T16:42:00.000-06:002014-02-12T16:43:03.172-06:00Make NEW Friends, But Keep The OLD<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">If
you've been a part of the DREAM Center for any length of time, I'm sure
you've heard me frequently speak of the first kids I ever met in East
St. Louis. <b>They're such an
important piece of the history and future of this ministry, that you'll
probably always hear me re-telling their story. </b> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">All
relationships have seasons of togetherness or occasions where spending
quality time with each other seems easier. Thankfully, this happens to
be a season where my family, friends and I have been able to spend more
time with these precious young people. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">They are all in their mid-20's now. The first day I showed up on their doorstep, they were between the ages of 6 and 12. <b>We
have been a part of each other's lives through many highs and lows.
They lost their Dad when they were young children, then their Mom passed
away when they were only teenagers. </b> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">These
young people have been through hell and back; yet, when I look at their
lives now, you wouldn't be able to tell. One of the girls has finished
nursing school and is a faithful and stable Mama. One of the boys is
almost finished with his Bachelor's Degree in Juvenile Justice. <b>And
the other boy has a Bachelor's Degree in Juvenile Justice, is working
on his Master's Degree, recently got married and has a baby on the way.</b> I'm so proud of them and proud of God and what He has done with their lives! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">A
few months ago I was having lunch with one of the boys. He found out I
was soon moving to a new neighborhood and without even asking him to
help, his immediate response was, </span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>"Rach, give me a date, time and address. I want to help, there's no question about that! And I'll get my brother to help too."</b> </span></div>
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<img border="0" height="312" hspace="5" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.410" src="https://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs158/1102220973346/img/410.jpg" vspace="5" width="400" /> </div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>A few days later, his brother
called me and said, "I need a date and time for when you're moving. I'm
gonna specifically ask off from work to come help."</b> I was floored by the generosity of these two young men! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">At
the Dream Center, as staff, volunteers or financial supporters, we make
an investment in the life of a young person in East St. Louis, not to
get something in return. We do it because we believe in that young
person and the potential God has placed within them. <b>But more often than not, over time (<i>sometimes a long period of time</i>), these young people end up turning around and making an investment in our lives.</b></span></div>
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<a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="https://eaststlouisdreamcenter.webconnex.com/donate" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="donate_now_blue2.gif" border="0" height="23" hspace="5" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.325" src="https://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs158/1102220973346/img/325.gif" vspace="5" width="137" /></a> </div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>These two young men showed up
to help me move on a very cold winter's day, after taking public
transportation and walking a chunk of the way. They were the hardest
workers in the group and stayed till the very end.</b> I was so blessed by their sacrifice and all of those who were there that day thoroughly enjoyed their company! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Since then, we (friends and family) have planned a few gatherings to spend time with these amazing young people. <b>More than anything, they end up encouraging and inspiring us instead of the other way around! </b></span></div>
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<img border="0" height="333" hspace="5" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.412" src="https://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs158/1102220973346/img/412.jpg" vspace="5" width="400" /> </div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">The
title of this blog post was inspired by a friend who posted a photo to
her Instagram feed. It was a photo of herself and her friends. This
hashtag was written below the photo...</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span>
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<div align="center" style="font-size: 20pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>#makenewfriends #butkeeptheold </b></span></div>
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</span>
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</span>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">What a powerful thought! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>Maybe there are old friends in your life that you sense a stirring in your heart to reconnect with.</b>
I can almost guarantee you, that stirring is from God! It would be easy
to make a quick phone call or grab a cup of coffee together. <b>OR, maybe there are new friends out there, who just can't wait to meet someone like you!</b> Friendships are worth making, keeping and cultivating.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>Thank
you for being a friend to the East St. Louis DREAM Center, whether
through prayer, volunteering, donating or encouraging. We need you to do
the part that God is nudging you to do. THANK YOU! </b></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span>
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</span>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>If you're not a financial supporter of the DREAM Center and would like to become one</b>, donations can be made on our Secure On-line Giving Page by clicking the button below, by giving on our <span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="http://eaststlouisdreamcenter.org/" shape="rect" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">web site</a><a href="http://eaststlouisdreamcenter.org/" target="_blank"> </a></span>OR by mailing a check to the address at the bottom of this email.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black;"><br /> <a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="https://eaststlouisdreamcenter.webconnex.com/donate" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="donate_now_blue2.gif" border="0" height="23" hspace="5" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.325" src="https://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs158/1102220973346/img/325.gif" vspace="5" width="137" /></a> </span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>LOVING East St. Louis</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span>
<div style="color: #001a81; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>Rachel and the DREAM Center Team</b> </span></div>
East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-88839065559609494362013-10-26T13:01:00.000-05:002013-10-26T13:01:08.230-05:00Treasures hidden in darkness...Over the past few weeks, I've had conversations with various people about the work we're doing in East St. Louis. What seems to come up in each conversation is how much of a TREASURE the young people are that we work with. Often with volunteering, serving and giving, we do it in order to make a difference. But most of the time, the people we're serving or organizations we're giving to, end up impacting us more than we impact them. This is the experience we have had when serving the young people of East St. Louis. We started this ministry to make a difference in their lives, but really, they've ended up changing our lives FOREVER. They have become a part of our hearts, lives and daily thoughts. They are TREASURES.<br />
<br />
The city of East St. Louis has been given a "bad rap." The media and negative experiences (past or present) that many people have had in relation to the city, seem to be the voice for the city. But, we here at the East St. Louis DREAM Center want to change that voice. A negative voice has been speaking for East St. Louis for decades, that's way too long. We and other amazing organizations in East St. Louis know there's a positive voice that needs to be spoken about East St. Louis and the people who live here.<br />
<br />
The city is made of people... people who are valuable and have GREAT potential. People who have dreams for their future, people who have heart ache and feel the pain of life just like anyone else would. There is definitely darkness in the city, there is no denying that. But we're asking and challenging people outside of the city, to begin seeing the TREASURES THAT ARE HIDDEN IN THIS DARKNESS. The people are these treasures. God is all about finding treasures that are hidden in darkness.<br />
<br />
<b>Isaiah 45:3 (NLT) <span class="text Isa-45-3" id="en-NLT-18541">And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness--</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Isa-45-3">secret riches.</span></span><span class="text Isa-45-3"> I will do this so you may know that I am the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Isa-45-3">the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-45-3">If you would like to financially support this work of helping us unbury those "treasures hidden in darkness," click below to donate. Any amount helps and you will be investing in precious young lives who have so much potential, they just need caring adults to see it inside of them. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-45-3"><a href="https://eaststlouisdreamcenter.webconnex.com/donate" target="_blank"><b>DONATE NOW</b></a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-45-3"><br /></span></span>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-45-3">We appreciate all of the people who have linked arms with the DREAM Center! You are the biggest advocates for East St. Louis and the city is moving forward because of you. We love you! (RB)</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-45-3"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b> </span></span></span>East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-49813466255649013732013-09-25T15:10:00.003-05:002013-09-25T15:10:46.492-05:00FestiFall Fundraiser...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsCCdb6yj5tpcOnSjyZ2sOn1KRCgTiVjyYXoFjWSR9fkdJzjsD0hyphenhyphenctmq-7Kfps605Yh4Q11RZ4FAJMGvahj-_HTGDKCn7CCAzUZA68u12q9DoDY1wfJX14UZLxX175_wsebkJJvekGc/s1600/Festifall+flyer.jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsCCdb6yj5tpcOnSjyZ2sOn1KRCgTiVjyYXoFjWSR9fkdJzjsD0hyphenhyphenctmq-7Kfps605Yh4Q11RZ4FAJMGvahj-_HTGDKCn7CCAzUZA68u12q9DoDY1wfJX14UZLxX175_wsebkJJvekGc/s640/Festifall+flyer.jpeg.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent">Several of our donors have collaborated
together to organize and fully host a fundraising booth on behalf of the
Dream Center at the FestiFall Event in Columbia, IL. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent">The event is
September 29th (1pm-6pm) at Metter Park in Columbia, IL. <br /> </span><br />
<span class="userContent">The<span class="text_exposed_show">y
will be selling caramel apple bowls, local honey and other goodies. WE
WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO COME AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT! All proceeds will go
to the Dream Center.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">FestiFall is an event for the whole family!</span></span>East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-59752935062261871812013-09-24T18:56:00.002-05:002013-09-24T18:56:50.219-05:00NEW DREAM CENTER VIDEO...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Sometimes you never know how meeting a random stranger or a friend of a friend is going to impact your life.</b> <br /><br />About six years ago, through a mutual friend, I met two young women named Emilie and Shayna for the first time. <b>At that time, it almost seemed like an instant connection.</b> <br /><br />It wasn't until this year that I began following their video production company called Holysmokes Productions on Facebook. <b>Their
God-assignment... Travel across the U.S. in a 1978 mini-camper for
twelve months making a documentary film that investigates the mystery of
speaking in tongues.</b><br /><br />I heard they would be traveling through the St. Louis area, so I invited them to stay with me for several days. <b>They
asked me to share more about the Dream Center, East St. Louis and my
experience living with the people in the John DeShields Neighborhood.</b> After conversations over coffee, they decided to capture the heart of the ministry through creating a video for us. <br /><br />In their own words, <b>"We
were so intrigued and inspired by Rachel's life in the short time we
were there (visiting) we decided we absolutely HAD to document a slice
of it."</b><br /><br />Below is the beautiful video that these two dear friends (Emilie and Shayna) created free of charge! <br /><br /><b>I
hope you enjoy it! Please share it on Facebook and other forms of
social media. Through this video, you can help us spread the heart of
God for East St. Louis... the city He LOVES.</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Link for NEW DREAM CENTER VIDEO</b></span><br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/73539715" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">https://vimeo.com/73539715</span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>About Holysmokes Productions</b>:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Holysmokes Productions </span>is the name of Emilie and Shayna's production
company. If you follow them on Facebook or Instagram, you will be
immediately inspired, encouraged and even entertained. </span><br />
<div style="font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Follow them on Facebook:</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0019Dd-3vxSI6UwTfRj5GYq1q3-FlVOCkluDK6GW9AoQlNuNQS0navhyAgVF49S_aX70VlbRJjjOeVBKo7RwC1PfdeH3uVeriJkc3SjvRs0htPOrODP2KdOfDqL30QnCy6ee0J8UizmSfE=" shape="rect" target="_blank"></a><cite>https://www.<b>facebook</b>.com/<b>HolysmokesProductions</b></cite></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Follow them on Instagram:</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">@holysmokesproductions</span><br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Follow them on Vimeo:</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0019Dd-3vxSI6UwTfRj5GYq1q3-FlVOCkluDK6GW9AoQlNuNQS0navhyAgVF49S_aX7mfsTpDVBK831hpwT3nmtcsxW9gHYZTYXVNyZFooFr5k-aP_6bTgF-H5FDEzuusN2" shape="rect" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://vimeo.com/holysmokesproductions</a></span></span>East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-41845134922451609212013-08-13T16:23:00.000-05:002013-08-13T16:23:29.354-05:00Dreams stirred up...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
This video was recently taken at our Champions Youth Program. This young man was one of my dear neighbors when I lived in the John DeShields Neighborhood. He always had my back and was very respectful.<br />
<br />
That night at Champions, we had a conversation about what he wanted to do when he graduated from high school in two years. He said, "I haven't figured that out yet." Over the years, I have watched him practically raise his little brothers in such a kind and responsible way. During our conversation, I said, "You're really good with kids. Have you ever thought about becoming a teacher? I think you would make a GREAT teacher!" He nodded, smiled real big and said, "Yeah, I think I would like that."<br />
<br />
Sometimes, these kids just need a caring adult to see their potential. When their potential is noticed and mentioned, it gets them thinking and hopefully dreaming of a better future. This is one of our favorite things to do here at the DREAM Center... encourage, inspire and stir up the dreams that are in the hearts of those we reach. Who in your life needs their dreams stirred up once again? (R.B.)East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-5951929817657266172013-07-23T12:56:00.001-05:002013-07-23T13:10:47.713-05:00Worth the investment...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIManXJwa1wIQK5_d13BRjLLpU3MH5nfORYdwTTCDv5zHK63GE7CD2nr8N2OXV4CuqGXmm3npvHipE5YPJkAorMa_SLelbnZYhluGWNOMmtFm1lmAGs8wO88pxGTqj3qhBdU5zaDze8Pg/s1600/Art+Table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIManXJwa1wIQK5_d13BRjLLpU3MH5nfORYdwTTCDv5zHK63GE7CD2nr8N2OXV4CuqGXmm3npvHipE5YPJkAorMa_SLelbnZYhluGWNOMmtFm1lmAGs8wO88pxGTqj3qhBdU5zaDze8Pg/s320/Art+Table.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
About a year and a half ago, I had dinner with two of our older teen boys and encouraged them about their future and dreams. We haven't seen them lately at our Champions Youth Program and have been wondering how they're doing. One of the boys is really good at Art and a DREAM Center volunteer had been encouraging him in this area.<br />
<br />
Today as I was driving around East St. Louis and praying, I saw these two boys walking down the street. I pulled over to talk to them and catch up on what was going on in their lives. I was so excited to hear about the steps they were taking in the direction of their dreams! The boy who is good at art is taking art classes at a local college. The other boy received a basketball scholarship to a university in the south and will be attending there in August.<br />
<br />
It's times like these, that make all the years invested in these teens worth it. I look forward to seeing all the ways that God leads these boys into the GOOD PLAN He has for their lives! East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-59143782729916904702013-06-18T18:01:00.003-05:002013-06-18T18:01:48.752-05:00Celebrating five years in full time ministry!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In May I
celebrated five years of being in the ministry full time. I wanted to share
this milestone with you, our partners, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">because
you have been a vital and important part of these past five years. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I remember
when I took that first step into full time ministry. It was scary, but I knew
God was calling me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We started out
small, and over the years God has increased this ministry<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the beginning, I was doing
most of the ministry alone. Now we have been blessed with a team of amazing staff
and volunteers!</b> Since the beginning, significant things have happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no way we could have done it without
you! Below are some of the highlights of what God has done over these past five
years: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE3fwE0TvAGxdsHNV_RIPyhamtCHJOPuiYsRkxvNRSJJkKS7f5csvgbtUBDHKzGqu5VLyPeUAfpLJng2k4_060Gp-V9qQGRn33fO_Re_x-OYmFt0JF_3srcX1SnNzAJ8z0BIH08xO8yw/s1600/Da+Da.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE3fwE0TvAGxdsHNV_RIPyhamtCHJOPuiYsRkxvNRSJJkKS7f5csvgbtUBDHKzGqu5VLyPeUAfpLJng2k4_060Gp-V9qQGRn33fO_Re_x-OYmFt0JF_3srcX1SnNzAJ8z0BIH08xO8yw/s320/Da+Da.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Champions</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Champions
recreational youth program <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">started in
Lincoln Park with three volunteers and ten teenagers. </b>We only had a boom
box, a few boxes of snack cakes and a couple basketballs. In the beginning
fights broke out, kids stole our equipment, made fun of us and were very
disrespectful. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But now we have eleven
volunteers and over <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">one hundred
different </span>teens that come through each year.</b> <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">We grew from an average of ten kids per outreach to
thirty kids per outreach. </span>We are now in a beautiful and safe building
(Mary Brown Center); and we have a lot of nice equipment, good food and a
flourishing program reaching young people with recreation, relationship and
restoration. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqwd5-tHYhyphenhyphenDFJXF34yqzmIjPQJsXjSjLn3D55ztIM0pVxIDewfVU0H6zukuIkditEM8nrydI6Ab3eg7hDAZRJjSTBLNQbEmn3vhCYcQNAHWrHxdXMgPhLBk20MW4Wbc15-_2Mcw-SqY/s1600/Guys+signing+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqwd5-tHYhyphenhyphenDFJXF34yqzmIjPQJsXjSjLn3D55ztIM0pVxIDewfVU0H6zukuIkditEM8nrydI6Ab3eg7hDAZRJjSTBLNQbEmn3vhCYcQNAHWrHxdXMgPhLBk20MW4Wbc15-_2Mcw-SqY/s320/Guys+signing+in.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Young Men</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This lunch outreach
started with me and only four young men who came to eat burgers cooked on a
small George Foreman grill. I faced opposition and vicious words from people in
the neighborhood who were angry I was serving the men in the neighborhood who
were causing all the trouble. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">This
outreach grew from only one volunteer to now having eight volunteers and sixty
different<span style="color: red;"> </span>young men who come through within the
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Trust has been built with
these men and now they share their lives with us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Prisoners Reached</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A handful of
prisoners have been reached through letters, visits and support at their court
dates. One prisoner supports the Dream Center financially. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Another prisoner gave his heart to Christ in prison, is taking Bible
correspondence courses and passes the Dream Center newsletter out to his fellow
prisoners. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Staff and Volunteers</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Janell Roedl
came on staff two years ago and is now in the vital role of Office Manager and
Outreach Coordinator. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We now have
twenty- five volunteers total who help with our outreaches and office work.</b>
We plan to add two more staff members this year. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Prayer Walking and Prayer Driving</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">One of the first
things I did when I moved into the John DeShields Neighborhood was spend most mornings
prayer walking in the neighborhood. These were precious times, hearing the
heart of God for the neighborhood and the city of East St. Louis. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">He always set up divine appointments,
bringing me across the paths of people who needed prayer, encouragement or just
a hug. </b>Once a week, we also drove around the city of East St. Louis praying
for peace, restoration, change, healing, corruption to be brought into the
light and for God to put the right people in places of authority. We believe
God is still working behind the scenes and will continue to answer these
prayers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Water Baptisms and Kids Filled with
the Holy Spirit</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Several of
the teenagers were hungry for God and wanted to take the next step in their
relationship with Him, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">so we were able
to water baptize them in my bath tub in my John DeShields apartment</b>. A few
also wanted to receive the gift of praying in tongues, so we laid hands on them
and they received. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Emergency Situations</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There were
often times where I was needed to help in emergency situations while living in
John DeShields (gun wounds, thefts, drug situations, various violent issues). <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God had me there at the right place and the
right time to provide assistance and prayer. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Fights and Violence Stopped</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Often I would
see fights or hear gun fire when I lived in John DeShields. In those moments, I
would pray and release the angels to stop the fights. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Many times fights dissipated and peace was brought to the situation. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bible Studies and Prayer Meetings<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">My prayer
partner moved to go away to Bible School, so I suddenly needed people to pray
with. I invited the teenagers to come. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">They
came faithfully and we prayed together for their neighborhood and had Bible
studies. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJIz53B9t7nZinL-Qa3t5CkAHxEK8OGm0VM69bEZcGCOa0fafj_TyqG91JJ7b5jXkea67aycXm1iO8mqCLNAqDopejWWeRl7PeLHoMzjvdbZ1vO5qKvOWu-pdqo3wTFmTA4dct-6Cmu8/s1600/Arms+around+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJIz53B9t7nZinL-Qa3t5CkAHxEK8OGm0VM69bEZcGCOa0fafj_TyqG91JJ7b5jXkea67aycXm1iO8mqCLNAqDopejWWeRl7PeLHoMzjvdbZ1vO5qKvOWu-pdqo3wTFmTA4dct-6Cmu8/s320/Arms+around+girl.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mentoring </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Several youth
were mentored, either through rides to school, dinner out or baseball games. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A handful of women were also mentored
through my daily interactions with them when I lived in the neighborhood.</b>
They shared their fears, dreams and prayer requests. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We can’t wait
to see what God has planned for the next five years and we want you to be a
part of it! We wish we could introduce you to every young man and every
teenager that we minister to. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We would
say to them, “These are the people who help make this happen for you. You have
people all over the place who love and care about you, who believe in you.
That’s why they give, in order to provide these outreaches for you.” </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Will you keep
us in your prayers in the areas listed below as we continue moving forward? Please
be in agreement with us for:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A
smooth transition as we add on two new people to our office staff. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">God
to give us favor and bless us with our very own building in His perfect timing.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A
fully funded and abundant budget for this year, lacking nothing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Thank you again for your continued support. We know God
has even greater things in store!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">LOVING East St. Louis, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Rachel and the DREAM Center Team</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-41994636145123054412013-04-25T09:55:00.000-05:002013-04-25T09:55:02.929-05:00Beauty from ashes...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEQwQZSRFYwx37H7IPhS8NOCuJmYZyfoZHrCdjR253mf6CYyoOTVMMuzVogp7aMTOh5XJHqcA1TORo_Jr3-isLeGKEZCDsBNqP6AcljwvxRPNEfyA0sS4-KS_rgv3w_29q8iwwDu1k9U/s1600/Tulip+Burned+House+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEQwQZSRFYwx37H7IPhS8NOCuJmYZyfoZHrCdjR253mf6CYyoOTVMMuzVogp7aMTOh5XJHqcA1TORo_Jr3-isLeGKEZCDsBNqP6AcljwvxRPNEfyA0sS4-KS_rgv3w_29q8iwwDu1k9U/s400/Tulip+Burned+House+Collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As I drive into East St. Louis every day, I see something beautiful that stands out against the harshness of the city. There are many burned out houses in the city. One of them is on my route to the center and even though there is nothing beautiful about a burned out house, I saw two, beautiful red tulips growing against the backdrop of this ugly, dark house. <b>It was a sign to me of what God wants to do with the city of East St. Louis... bring beauty from ashes. </b><br />
<br />
<b>Isaiah 61:3-4 (NLT)</b><br />
<div class="poetry">
<div class="line">
<span class="text Isa-61-3" id="en-NLT-18823">To all who mourn in Israel,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3">he will give a crown of <b>beauty for ashes</b>,</span></span><span class="text Isa-61-3"> a joyous blessing instead of mourning,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3">festive praise instead of despair.</span></span><span class="text Isa-61-3"> In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3">that the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has planted for his own glory.</span></span><span class="text Isa-61-4" id="en-NLT-18824"> They will rebuild the ancient ruins,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-4">repairing cities destroyed long ago. </span></span><span class="text Isa-61-4">They will revive them,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-4">though they have been deserted for many generations.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<b><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-3"><span class="text Isa-61-1-Isa-61-7">Isaiah 61:3-4 (Message)</span></span></span></b></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-3"><span class="text Isa-61-1-Isa-61-7">To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-1-Isa-61-7">give them bouquets of <b>roses instead of ashes</b>, </span></span><span class="text Isa-61-1-Isa-61-7">messages of joy instead of news of doom,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-1-Isa-61-7">a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.</span></span><span class="text Isa-61-1-Isa-61-7"> Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness”</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-1-Isa-61-7">planted by <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> to display his glory.</span></span><span class="text Isa-61-1-Isa-61-7"> They’ll rebuild the old ruins,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-1-Isa-61-7">raise a new city out of the wreckage.</span></span><span class="text Isa-61-1-Isa-61-7"> They’ll start over on the ruined cities,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-1-Isa-61-7">take the rubble left behind and make it new.</span></span> </span></span></div>
</div>
East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-979355613039787202013-04-15T16:25:00.003-05:002013-04-15T16:26:36.780-05:00One young man at a time...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jerry, one of our young men
from our lunch program, recently got a job. We’ve been encouraging him for over
a year to get a job and praying that God would provide one. Because of his new
job, we haven’t seen him for a few months. However, he happened to be off work
for our last lunch outreach, so he came to have lunch with us! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All of the volunteers told
him how proud we were of him. We asked him how he liked his job and how often
he works. He said, “I work at a furniture company six days a week, and it’s
really hard work.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When he thought about working
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stay there for a year.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As we heard this, we knew he
needed encouragement. He was doing something that not many young men in his
neighborhood do… get an honest, hard-working job and then stay there. We all
shared our experiences with having hard jobs that we didn’t like; but since we
stayed there, God provided better. We told him, “Don’t leave your job, Jerry. If
you stay there and stick it out, God WILL lead you to something even better.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our prayer is that he truly
heard us out and sticks with this job until he finds something better. We were
so proud of Jerry! First of all because he got a job, and second of all that he
is doing something that is normal for the general public, but extremely radical
for peers his age. Most of his peers (men ages 18-25) in his neighborhood of
John DeShields are hanging out on the street corner daily; selling drugs,
getting into trouble and running from the law. Jerry’s story is one we want to
see repeated over and over again… to<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> see the streets of East St. Louis radically
change, one young man at a time. </span></span></span></div>
East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-50552146146741419292013-04-15T16:23:00.001-05:002013-04-15T16:25:13.398-05:00Robbed at gun point...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Recently, I heard that Luke, one
of the kids who has grown up in our Champions youth program, was robbed. I knew
he had just graduated from high school and was taking steps towards college and
getting a job. When I heard of the robbery, it broke my heart. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, I called Luke that day to
check on him and see how he was doing. He shared that he was robbed at gun
point and made to strip down (which I’m sure was humiliating) and give the
thief everything he had. Later on that night, the person who robbed him came to
his house and fired gun shots into his apartment two different times throughout
the night. Thankfully no one was hurt.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As Luke was speaking, my
first thoughts went to, “He seems to be going somewhere with his life; I hope
he doesn’t try to retaliate.” Over the phone I prayed for him that God would
protect him and that justice would be done. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I got off the phone, I
was still very concerned that he may try to take matters into his own hands
with retaliation. I emailed one of our male volunteers to call and check on him,
to encourage him not to retaliate. When the volunteer called, Luke shared that
he had no plans to retaliate. This was such GOOD NEWS! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When incidents like this
happen, it is very common for the person who was taken advantage of to
retaliate or get a group of his people to retaliate. This is how “wars” in the
ghetto start. I was so proud of Luke- that even though he was humiliated and
stolen from, he didn’t take things into his own hands. I’m sure he felt tempted
to retaliate, but he chose not to. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I stopped by his apartment a
week later to check on him one more time and he said, “I’m signing up for
college classes in a week.” Thank you God!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is part of our vision:
that we would be a part of raising up young people to be Champions in life and
go against the flow of everything they are surrounded by. </span></span></div>
East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-80715452224836360712013-03-15T00:45:00.000-05:002013-03-15T00:45:11.512-05:00Our volunteers are my heroes!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b>Amanda's Story...</b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7ESuwQb0BznISW1gf6tOpozLek5kQViT2HehZcLDFdkOVC3pN3vrJ-g7iKQhgsEof5mggIVkYb7Q4Xy8kG8VlYy3w5wTlQ2Q5GTvzMyfI4aHqDvPckanab-fkUdKqnmICH1SwYkNzBE/s1600/Amanda+and+Danier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7ESuwQb0BznISW1gf6tOpozLek5kQViT2HehZcLDFdkOVC3pN3vrJ-g7iKQhgsEof5mggIVkYb7Q4Xy8kG8VlYy3w5wTlQ2Q5GTvzMyfI4aHqDvPckanab-fkUdKqnmICH1SwYkNzBE/s320/Amanda+and+Danier.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amanda: Champions Volunteer</td></tr>
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"One evening at Champions (our teen
outreach), I went over to the Art table to draw. One of the teen boys
came over and was interested in what I was drawing. This young man also started
to draw and I noticed that he was very good! He asked me to draw a portrait of
him. He loved the picture and wanted to keep it. Then, he wanted to draw a
portrait of me. He did a great job! I asked him to sign his picture so I could
keep it. The smile on his face when I asked him to sign his art work showed me
that he was happy that someone saw value in him and his art. This was an
awesome moment for me!"<br />
<br />
"Serving at Champions gives me an opportunity to serve God and others. It
also reminds me that my life is not just about myself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoy giving what I can to bless the kids!"</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
"I was inspired to volunteer at the DREAM Center
because of the impact this ministry has on its community and the young people
who attend. I’m inspired to continue serving because of the change I see
in the youth each time I serve. For example, as more kids continue to
come to the Art table, I’m getting to know them and their lives better each
time." </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
"I would say to anyone who is considering
joining the volunteer team at the DREAM Center that this is a great opportunity
to serve. It is also a great way to feel a part of a family of volunteers
who not only give of themselves to the community, but are also there for each
other."</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Bill's Story...</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5C2R2s8X84krQhzwYiAUfyHE8sOhO-latlGNdSua3LcAFO9jfi8aLlI2AuAmJHHunCHb9npCVpJ_P_gunvQKmtWl8C3EfGezEDsZ48CGVp_5MSz99_0XeGEuubP64x7DgCP2ygck35Zg/s1600/Christmas+Sons+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5C2R2s8X84krQhzwYiAUfyHE8sOhO-latlGNdSua3LcAFO9jfi8aLlI2AuAmJHHunCHb9npCVpJ_P_gunvQKmtWl8C3EfGezEDsZ48CGVp_5MSz99_0XeGEuubP64x7DgCP2ygck35Zg/s320/Christmas+Sons+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill: Lunch Outreach Volunteer</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"The
most rewarding part of serving the young men at the Lunch Outreach is connecting
with them as they share the challenges they face in life. As I sit down
to have a meal with them, you can often see and feel the hopelessness they are
faced with. But, seeing their faces light up when we arrive is almost like they’re
saying "I can't believe your back and that you care!" God's
unconditional love is amazing! If you love the lost, but you can't volunteer,
consider supporting this ministry financially. This ministry can be your hands
and feet in the city of East St. Louis. The rewards are great! God
gets all of the glory! And the work gets done!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rosie's Story...</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUt5eDnI3ZdpDStiaivG0VHpEkXRodj3cupwUO8qUf849MYh4DG5dcSF5wylF3AwVHtALGpXHVwf00es6Xd8zS5tbcBIJdWuM7x_xgqeCU5yxCSknVbDq5toA7gseusr_nskmOzOMY3M/s1600/Rosie+and+Eric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUt5eDnI3ZdpDStiaivG0VHpEkXRodj3cupwUO8qUf849MYh4DG5dcSF5wylF3AwVHtALGpXHVwf00es6Xd8zS5tbcBIJdWuM7x_xgqeCU5yxCSknVbDq5toA7gseusr_nskmOzOMY3M/s1600/Rosie+and+Eric.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosie: Lunch Outreach Volunteer</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
"The most rewarding part of the Lunch
Outreach is having the opportunity to serve and remind young men that there is
hope. In the housing projects of East St. Louis, there are so many obstacles
where little hope and great disparity are present. Many of these guys face
crime, drug abuse, joblessness, peer pressure and a number of events that
perpetuate their situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">" </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
"When I see the guys’ spiritual growth and
development from this ministry, I get filled with joy just in knowing that they’re
not only coming for the meals, but they come to share stories, recipes, get opinions,
to receive prayer and they look forward to giving us hugs before leaving the
group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the guys even help with set up and tear
down! Just recently one young man actually said a prayer over the meal for the
group. AMAZING!!" </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
"I reflect on the times when I see these
young men progress from, “I see you,” with a head nod to greeting us with a
hug, requesting prayer and departing with, “See you next time.” The Lunch
Outreach has allowed me the greatest opportunity to bond with so many guys who
need to know that Jesus cares and through that, they can hope, love and even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dare to dream</i>."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
"Those who are thinking of volunteering
should give this ministry serious consideration because it is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">by far</i> a very rewarding call. As a
volunteer, I personally find this ministry to be educational, an opportunity
for personal growth and a constant reminder of how others live."</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
"If you’re not able to volunteer, your financial
support will make a difference in helping us to feed and offer spiritual support
to others. This is a unique ministry designed to actually meet people where
they are (even in the housing projects) and connect to Jesus Christ through
prayer, food, and service." </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
"Either as a volunteer or a financial
supporter, this is an investment in people. Everyone can benefit , especially
when lives are changed" </div>
East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-9920524317029780902013-01-08T15:19:00.002-06:002013-01-08T15:19:35.681-06:00Dreams stirring..."RACHEL, I FINALLY KNOW WHAT I WANT TO DO....BOXING. Will you help me?" As I visited John DeShields today, this is what one of the young men told me. We've been encouraging him for over a year to just start taking steps towards what he wants to do. He always responded with, "I don't know what I want to do." But today, he did. :) East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-76615883307038165422012-12-21T23:48:00.001-06:002012-12-21T23:50:15.141-06:00Sitting on the floor next to a girl...<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">The
Christmas Party for the teens tonight was full of fun, laughter, gifts
and a lot of love. The memory that I will take away from tonight was sitting on the gym floor next to one of the teen girls as she shared what was going on in her life. It's moments like these that remind me.... this is why we do this. </span></span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">She was sitting on the floor, watching the boys play basketball and I was sitting on the bench. But I had a desire to just sit next to her on the floor, and right away she started to talk about how busy she is with school and life. From what she said it seemed that maybe she saw God as a "rules" God more than a "relationship" God. So I encouraged her that He was more interested in a relationship with her.</span></span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">I want to believe that taking that small step to sit next to her on the floor made her feel special, important and like she was worth the time. This is the heart beat of this ministry, taking moments to build relationship in a prayer that they will see glimpses of who Jesus is. </span></span></span> </span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Thank you to all who donated to help purchase gifts
for the teens! And thank you to all the volunteers who helped create
lasting memories for young people in East St. Louis!</span></span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"> </span></span></span></span></h5>
East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-70039766237008447042012-12-20T12:35:00.001-06:002012-12-20T12:35:42.391-06:00Remembering the birthing of a dream, 16 years ago...When you're in the middle of ministry and how fast paced it can often get, it's easy to forget significant mile markers in the journey. Today, I was reminded of these mile stones. At the end of August of this year, marked fifteen years since I made that first drive into East St. Louis and visited kids in the John DeShields Housing Development. One year before that was when God began to stir the passion for the inner city in my heart and to some day have a center that would reach inner city youth. Below is a timeline of significant mile markers that when I remember them, make me look up to God and shout, "Wow! Thank you God for all you've done!"<br />
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<b>1996</b>- I saw the movie Dangerous Minds and knew that I wanted to worked with kids from the inner city. That summer, I worked at a camp for inner city kids, called Camp Penuel. I met eight kids who lived in East St. Louis. They stole my heart!<br />
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<b>1997</b>- I worked at Camp Penuel again and met up with those same eight kids. At the end of the summer, two other camp staff came with me to track down these kids and found out they lived in the John DeShields Housing Development in East St. Louis. We showed up at their door and the relationship began. The stirring began in my heart to some day have a center for inner city youth. <br />
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<b>1997 through 2000</b>- I continued going to John DeShields to spend time with these kids, take them to church and on fun outings. <br />
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<b>2000</b>- My church (Faith Family Church) was looking for a site to begin a kid's Sidewalk Sunday School Program. I introduced them to John DeShields and some of the families who lived there. We began a program there called Streetlights. Streetlights is a thriving ministry and continues to minister in John DeShields and two other housing developments in East St. Louis.<br />
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<b>2001</b>- With an Elementary Education degree, I began teaching at the Elementary School across from John DeShields and became even more involved in the lives of the kids and teens in the neighborhood. At the same time I knew teaching wouldn't be my life's work, but that I would one day start a center for inner city youth in East St. Louis. <br />
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<b>2002 through 2004</b>- I moved to Los Angeles, CA to volunteer at the Los Angeles Dream Center. There I daily saw the vision of the Dream Center and worked with homeless kids and taught teen girls in the girl's home. God began to stir in my heart that I should start a Dream Center when I returned to East St. Louis. <br />
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<b>2004</b>- I returned home and began praying and seeking Godly counsel about the steps to take in order to start a Dream Center in East St. Louis.<br />
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<b>2005</b>- A friend of mine and I began praying each week in John DeShields for the neighborhood and the city. That same year, a few friends of mine and I began the outreach we currently have for the teenagers. We didn't have a building, so we brought basketballs and a boom box and spent time with teens in Lincoln Park. At this time I filled out an application to be able to move to the John DeShields Neighborhood and was on the waiting list for two and a half years.<br />
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<b>2007</b>- I moved into a one bedroom apartment in John DeShields, was hired to lead Streetlights at Faith Family Church and continued to build the teen outreach in Lincoln Park. This same year, I incorporated the teen outreach into the non-profit organization it is today... the East St. Louis Dream Center. <br />
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<b>2008</b>- Through living in John DeShields for one year, I began to see the huge need there for more ministry and the teen outreach was growing. Through prayer and Godly counsel, I decided to step out into full time ministry for the East St. Louis Dream Center. This same year, the Dream Center received our 501c3 tax deductible status.<br />
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<b>July 2008</b>- I began feeding the young men who "do life on the streets" and over the years God has brought a faithful group of volunteers to serve these young men.<br />
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<b>February 2011</b>- God brought Janell Roedl and she continues to serve as Dream Center staff, helping with the daily operations and weekly outreaches.<br />
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<b>Summer 2011</b>- We moved into office space at the Mary Brown Center and I moved out of John DeShields, in order to create space for the ministry to grow and a haven that I could retreat to when I wasn't serving in the ministry.<br />
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<b>Currently</b>- God has blessed us with amazing connections with some other non-profit organizations in East St. Louis. One being with Dianne Sonneman with the Catholic Urban Charities, she lets us use her facility to serve lunch to the young men each Wednesday. And the other with Vera Jones with the Mary Brown Center, we're able to use their gym and kitchen for our teen outreach as well as two office spaces for our daily operations.<br />
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We are GRATEFUL to God for all He has done to get us to where we are today! He is so faithful to lead us to each step of the way. We at the Dream Center are excited to see the steps that God has for us to take next! Would you consider being apart of the next phase of this journey? There are several ways to get involved... pray, volunteer, donate, be an advocate for East St. Louis and the DREAM Center. Contact us and let us know how you would like to be involved.<br />
Phone- 618.875.2131 (ext. 107)<br />
email-esldc@eaststlouisdreamcenter.org<br />
Facebook- https://www.facebook.comeaststlouisdreamcenter<br />
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<br />East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-19803668298785761782012-12-08T11:07:00.001-06:002012-12-08T11:07:24.322-06:00Their faces...Last night at our Champions Teen Program was a whirlwind. I felt like I spent the majority of the night confronting several teens about their recent behavior. It was much needed to prevent future problems, but I didn't get to spend the quality time with the kids that I so enjoy on these Friday nights. The whole night I was in the mode of disciplinarian and running around making sure there were no problems. When I leave the center on Friday nights, I always try to leave with a memory from the night. But last night, when I left, I was exhausted and didn't have a memory because it was such a whirlwind. But then I began to look at the pictures we took from the time with the kids and just seeing their faces caused the memories to flow.<br />
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There was Adrianne's face... who recently was suspended from the program for a month. When he returned last night, one of the volunteers and I spoke with him to let him know what we expected out of him. We told him that we want him to be a leader. If his behavior continued how it had been, we would have to suspend him indefinitely. He listened intently and we didn't have any of his usual problems that night. On my drive home, I flashed back to a memory from several years ago when I first found out his story. He lives with his aunt and cousins because his Mom is on drugs. I knew he had a bad home life, but tonight I remembered again and thanked God that he was still in our program. My prayer is that we will be able to continue to mentor him and teach him how to be a leader.<br />
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Then I saw Dante's face... he was recently in a fight when he left the center one night. I confronted him about this and asked him why he did it. He explained what happened with another boy and said, "I wanted to hit him while we were at the youth program (Champions), but I wanted to respect the rules of the center." I wanted to laugh at that moment, because I was thinking to myself, "At least he respects us, which is huge." We talked about why his behavior was not ok and that we expect more out of him. When I saw his face in the camera roll, I flashed back to the time when we were having the youth program outdoors in John DeShields. This boy's mother walked straight to the middle of the basketball court to where he was, began yelling at him, grabbed him and made a huge scene in front of all of the other teens. I was horribly embarrassed for him and I knew he was too. It all happened so fast. The following week, I asked him why that happened and he said it was because he didn't finish his chores at home. There were other things that I saw his mother do to her children and remembered last night... there's a reason that Dante has some violent behavior.<br />
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Then I saw the face of two sisters.... They've been coming for about two years and they're just barely starting to come around with an occasional smile or chatting a bit with a volunteer. Sometimes it's frustrating to see such slow progress when it comes to building relationships with these teens, but when you remember their stories, it always makes sense. The mother of these girls is in a homosexual relationship and they live on the side of the neighborhood everyone calls the "war zone." True to it's name, there is continual gun fire, drug deals and violence.<br />
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Their faces and the stories behind the face is what stirs the passion inside of us for these young people. They face unbelievable obstacles and rejection, yet they still going on with life. They are my heroes! It is our desire at the Dream Center, to provide a feeling of home for them, to bring a sense of stability and to show them the love of Christ by spending quality time with them. East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2515613406957371765.post-19259804592434436722012-11-13T15:23:00.001-06:002012-11-13T15:23:29.918-06:00Just across the river...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BGdAbXw7kxEdvafLumh9I5XZjhKcUPPF19uR8iPTIyWOR4I6dAJ6Gkjpoi52nx2nvJ77phO5x3z1o0CbypSBH0tA0KkgQ55PICwFlIvfEp2Fta7frEm9JPdZZRDEhJzr3fRZA2dYIR4/s1600/Pictures+of+STL+DC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BGdAbXw7kxEdvafLumh9I5XZjhKcUPPF19uR8iPTIyWOR4I6dAJ6Gkjpoi52nx2nvJ77phO5x3z1o0CbypSBH0tA0KkgQ55PICwFlIvfEp2Fta7frEm9JPdZZRDEhJzr3fRZA2dYIR4/s400/Pictures+of+STL+DC.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent">Today I was able to go on a tour of the St.
Louis Dream Center campus with some partners who support the ESL DC. It
was so inspiring to see the amazing and fruitful work they're doing just
across the river. I look forward to the day when we have our own
building/campus here in East St. Louis!</span>East St. Louis Dream Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00946790304448145007noreply@blogger.com0