Any idea what movie this line is from?
THAT THING YOU DO! (one of my favorites in case you were wondering.)
Up until May of this year I had never stepped foot anywhere on the west coast.
Tate and I received an invitation to come out and visit The LA Dream Center www.dreamcenter.org as well as www.dreamrecords.org
It has taken over a month to mentally digest all that we experienced while there.
The dream center in and of itself is an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING ministry. This being said from someone who is VERY skeptical of any “ministry related” programs etc. I went in expecting the same level of head games and hypocrisy that I have been used to in the past. What I saw was HOPE. I saw broken people believing in themselves again. I saw the administrative side of the ministry and the hearts these people have …. genuine. They truly are the hands and feet of God. I can’t go into all that they do but I highly recommend that you click into the link and take a look. ( You won’t be disappointed.)
We were given a personal tour of the entire facility by pastor Matthew Barnett. The man never stopped smiling. As he walked with us, along with 20 or so other christian radio/media representives, he would stop random residents and ask them to share their testimonies with us.
At first I thought it was odd to put these people on the spot like that. The more I listened the more I realized it’s in sharing that hope comes.
We met a couple who were down to their last dollar and homeless with EIGHT children. As they were walking up the sidewalk, the wife mentions to her husband to go “this way.” They end up at the Dream Center, which they had never heard of…long story short…they were taken in, given food and shelter and a second chance. They had approached the court systems earlier in the journey and was advised that “if they would divorce then the system could support them better.” HOW SAD. A family of TEN – told that they could offer them help if they would consider divorce.
Broke my heart. The family still resides there, they are getting back on their feet with the help of the center. Their children are doing well and they are once again not only healthy but hopeful.
The stories go on. There was another woman we met…who strangely enough was from FRANKLIN, TN.
She had four children and was married to a man who she later discovered was a pedophile.
He was abusive to her and her children- She found courage and called her brother in Los Angeles. Long story short, her and her children arrived at the Dream Center…they were offered food, shelter, care, and hope. The woman was later asked if she could do anything without worrying about the money, what would she want to do. Her response?
To be a chef…thanks to the generous hearts and hands of the center…she is now in school learning her craft that she once only dreamed of pursuing.
The stories go on and on ..So encouraging.
We were actually able to partake in some of the hands on missions that they offer. The particular group that I went with was a mobile food truck. The truck was loaded with over 2,000 pounds of food. Fresh potatoes, onions, grapes, canned beans, spinach, and more…we were off to East LA. We went into two of the poorer neighborhoods where hundreds of people were standing in line on the sidewalk waiting patiently. We sorted the food into grocery bags and handed them out to each person standing in line. There were others in the team who walked in the crowd, greeting them and offering prayer if they would like.
I know we were there for them…but they truly changed me.
There really is TRUE joy when you give to others…even if it’s just a prayer, a hug, a listening ear…or a bag of groceries.
I have so much more to share…but ya have to tune in tomorrow for more of the story….
INCLUDING – Dream Records artists. Press Play. I’m OK. Your OK. Petree. Coffey. Michael Sarver and more.
Until then
See ya on the random side!
Aj
