We are returning to Los Angeles this May for our mission trip. I am excited for our students. The journey to return to Los Angeles is a testimony in and of itself to our student's responsiveness to the Spirit.
Every year we are to take a mission trip. The trips have a remarkable way of not only forging community, but also expanding the vision of the Kingdom and sevice and what God is doing outside of San Antonio. As we started thinking and praying about mission trip 2009 late summer and early fall, there was this discussion going on about where we should go this year, with a subtle presupposition that wherever it would be, it would be some place new-some place with new experiences, new things to see and do...and to be frank, there were many possibilities that emerged that were exciting and would be new experiences-but one thing was lacking: Peace.
I read something from a leadership journal that simply said this: "Short-term mission trips= spiritual tourism?" The article spoke of the importance of having places believers invest long term-investing in your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and ends of the earth. It spoke of the importance of building something in one area as opposed to flitting around each year to see new things. In other words, "don't prostitute missions by making mission trips nothing more than excuses to do spiritual tourism."
Bingo. This was why I had a lack of peace. I shared with the students (who were by the way excited with visions of New York City, Chicago, Seattle, and even Argentina). I called them to pray. We started talking. To their credit, to a person they began to see the importance of investing long term in one place-which for us is Los Angeles, and building something there that will last. Long-term investment.
So we are returning-and the work is nothing short of intense. Los Angeles has 90,000 homeless people, and that population is growing The city's unemployment rate just hit 10 percent. We will be connected to Mosaic Church for worship and for training, but will be working with Union Rescue Mission, the Dream Center, Adopt A Block, MetroKidz, Hope Gardens, School on Wheels (I encourage you to check out these places on YouTube). Our students will also be doing street evangelism on Hollywood Blvd as well as having conversations with Scientologists and Buddhists while in Los Angeles.
Last year, we had a remarkable time in Los Angeles. Lessons learned there, the experiences we had, translated into meaningful ministry on our campus this year. On this trip, the work is nearly doubled-our students are going to be stretched significantly (and I will as well), and we would truly appreciate your prayers.
At this time it appears we are taking around twenty students. We all need your prayers. When we touch ground in Los Angeles, the training starts and the work begins. It will be an intensive time of ministry (May 19-26), with little rest each day. Our mornings are early and our nights are late.
Something interesting has happened through this process as well: As we discuss this trip as an organization, God has been specifically calling students out to go-and the prevailing attitude is already one of soberness and humilty-that God has something significant for us and that we must be preparing ourselves now, not waiting for the mandatory 5 weeks of training to start preparing. It is difficult to describe other than it is tangible. God's Hand is on this group. We do not know what we will experience, what Los Angeles is going to be like in May of this year-but we do have a strong sense that we are in for a time of intensive spiritual warfare and testing.
We covet your prayers. I ask you to please pray for our students.
Last year, many churches and individuals joined us in praying as well as in the sending process. Churches and individuals helped support our students as they raised financial support to go on the trip.
We are aware of economic realities-and we are trusting Him to provide as only He can. If you feel so led to support this mission trip, we are grateful and thankful. Know this: Your investment in these students will reverberate to Los Angeles and back to San Antonio, and through eternity. Our students are sharing their stories with their churches, family and friends. Pray for them.
If you feel led to send financial support for this trip, you may send all gifts to: San Antonio Baptist Association; 5807 I H 10 W; San Antonio, TX 78201. Designate the gifts for BSM LA Mission Trip.
We appreciate your prayers and partnership in the Gospel.
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