This morning at 5am after a LONG night of packing, cleaning, celebrating, and DVD watching, all 62 Santa Cruz Summer Project "crusaders" departed on a bus for the San Jose airport...minus the ones driving back, and those who left early.
This has been an amazing summer. Every moment has been packed with something to do, some way to serve, some way to show Christ to the community of Santa Cruz. There is absolutely no way to describe it with words. It has been hard and exhausting, but one of the best summers of my life. I am going to dearly miss the friends I have made, and especially those who have encountered Christ for the first time because of our group.
Thank you, all you faithful readers. I will try to post some more later now that I am on my way home and will have a week of free time before returning to school. I'll also try to add some videos and pictures!
I can't wait to see all of you and tell you in person all that God has done.
Now boarding NWA 12:10 to Minneapolis, then to Raleigh! YAY!
-Dana
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Home Stretch
So we are now entering the last "real" week of project. I have really mixed emotions about things winding down. Today was my last week at my job, at Whiting's Foods. A Random fact: if we sell 50 "beach bottles" (huge souvenir cups with Pepsi in them at 5.99 a pop) over the summer we get a $10 gift card to best buy, and if we sell 100 we get a $25 gift card. Well I ended up with 93 for the summer (not bad for only being there every other week) but I was 7 short of my goal. I'm thinking about taking up an extra shift next week to get the last 7 :)
I am kind of relieved about being done with work though. It was a good job, not too hard, depending on the location. Serving dippin' dots all day is easy, while deep frying twinkies and shrimp get kind of old and icky. All in all I have been able to form pretty good relationships with my coworkers, though not as well as I'd like since I'm only there every other week. God has really given me peace about it though. They know who we are and refer to us as "The Crusaders." We have made real open relationships with them, they love hanging out with us and coming to eat dinner with us and have told us they are really going to miss us when we leave. We have shared the Gospel and our lives with them and they have seen a difference in us.
Tonight was also our last official outreach. It went well and there were many successful stories shared afterward. One person decided to accept Christ and even came back to share time with Erika! Praise God for him!! He flies back to Dallas (where he lives) tomorrow so pray God puts someone in his path to disciple him when he gets home.
Tomorrow is the last day at our respective churches. We will serve in our different areas (I help with the coffee shop at Vintage Faith church) and then we say goodbye. Vintage has been an interesting experience. Most people are bothered that the "sermons" are not really sermons at all, but more like peptalks, talk shows or movie reviews...literally. I think the church really does have a good heart and good intentions for reaching the community and are trying to do it in a way that's relevant and inviting. While this is really important I hope that they can start basing the message off of passages of scripture and then relating culture, not vice versa.
This week will also be my last week cooking for the team. I am really excited to come up with some tasty meals for my great new friends and to finish out with a few classics.
I have a lot of work to do before this whole thing is over. The project DVD is basically all in my hands, and I haven't begun editing. Luckily I have all the footage (except for a few random clips I may need after starting the editing process) and have all week to do it. I kind of feel like it's pointless though, since we arent handing out hard copies of it this year. Oh well. The three minute shorter one will be fun to make. I'm just kind of dreading the longer one.
The last week of project (Aug 2-Aug 8th) will be spent with a group trip to Yosemite, followed by our appreciation banquet for our employers and a dance party just for us, then a few days of breaking down and cleaning up.
Mom's coming a week from Friday to fly me back to NC! Hooray, Boo and everything in between to that.
I'll try to post a few more times before leaving! Thanks for faithfully following my adventures in Santa Cruz!
I am kind of relieved about being done with work though. It was a good job, not too hard, depending on the location. Serving dippin' dots all day is easy, while deep frying twinkies and shrimp get kind of old and icky. All in all I have been able to form pretty good relationships with my coworkers, though not as well as I'd like since I'm only there every other week. God has really given me peace about it though. They know who we are and refer to us as "The Crusaders." We have made real open relationships with them, they love hanging out with us and coming to eat dinner with us and have told us they are really going to miss us when we leave. We have shared the Gospel and our lives with them and they have seen a difference in us.
Tonight was also our last official outreach. It went well and there were many successful stories shared afterward. One person decided to accept Christ and even came back to share time with Erika! Praise God for him!! He flies back to Dallas (where he lives) tomorrow so pray God puts someone in his path to disciple him when he gets home.
Tomorrow is the last day at our respective churches. We will serve in our different areas (I help with the coffee shop at Vintage Faith church) and then we say goodbye. Vintage has been an interesting experience. Most people are bothered that the "sermons" are not really sermons at all, but more like peptalks, talk shows or movie reviews...literally. I think the church really does have a good heart and good intentions for reaching the community and are trying to do it in a way that's relevant and inviting. While this is really important I hope that they can start basing the message off of passages of scripture and then relating culture, not vice versa.
This week will also be my last week cooking for the team. I am really excited to come up with some tasty meals for my great new friends and to finish out with a few classics.
I have a lot of work to do before this whole thing is over. The project DVD is basically all in my hands, and I haven't begun editing. Luckily I have all the footage (except for a few random clips I may need after starting the editing process) and have all week to do it. I kind of feel like it's pointless though, since we arent handing out hard copies of it this year. Oh well. The three minute shorter one will be fun to make. I'm just kind of dreading the longer one.
The last week of project (Aug 2-Aug 8th) will be spent with a group trip to Yosemite, followed by our appreciation banquet for our employers and a dance party just for us, then a few days of breaking down and cleaning up.
Mom's coming a week from Friday to fly me back to NC! Hooray, Boo and everything in between to that.
I'll try to post a few more times before leaving! Thanks for faithfully following my adventures in Santa Cruz!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Being a Chef
Last night we had our big meeting, sort of like the weekly meeting at Crusade back home where we all get together and worship the Lord with song, have a speaker, fun games, announcements, etc. Well instead of a speaker this time we just had share time, where anyone could get up and share what the Lord has been teaching them, or how they feel about Project so far, basically anything you wanted to say.
So I got up and shared something, something that went like this:
Before coming on Project when I was sitting down and deciding what job to apply for, I felt the Lord calling me to the job as the "Project Cook." I didn't really know why He was doing that, cause I've only really cooked for a maximum of maybe 10 people at a time, and there were going to be 82 people + guests to cook for out here in California.
As I was praying about it, I felt like God was really challenging me to do it, despite my self-doubts. I told God I'd take on the challenge and started getting excited about this neat opportunity to serve the other team members.
Well now that it's halfway over, I must say. It was a lot harder than I expected. Basically I will start preparing about 5 or 6 hours in advance, depending on what the meal is, and do as much as I can ahead of time. The problem is, you usually cant do a lot ahead of time, because all the food needs to be kept hot or warm somehow. Meats and pastas therefore must be cooked no earlier than about an hour before dinnertime, which is 6pm. The staff had been really awesome because they would just come in and ask what needed to be done, even if their group wasn't scheduled to work. With them gone, kitchen duty enthusiasm has drastically died.
At 5pm, two helpers come early, which is a really good thing, but typically still not enough hands to get everything ready. Then at 530, about 8 -10 more people show up to help wipe down tables, chop veggies and fruit, set up the salad bar, make drinks, take out paper goods for guests, etc. This crew also cleans up the dishes after dinner (praise God that's not part of my job).
Around 530, things start to get hectic. 15 people start asking me where things are, what they need to do, what needs to be set out, how to slice bread, what knife to use...you get the point. Just read my mind people, it's not that hard. Food starts coming out of ovens and frantically wrapped in foil to keep it warm, people start getting anxious cause they'd rather be outside eating than inside helping prepare. I don't blame them.
I have hit the point in the summer where I am just tired. I started getting frustrated with the job. Hearing people talk about how they wish there was more food, that it was warmer, that there was different dressing or cheese; it's kind of hard not to take it personally. I want everyone to like the food and enjoy what I make for them! On top of that, there is 1 vegetarian and 1 lactose intolerant who have to have separate dishes made specially for them.
I started complaining to the Lord. "Why can't people appreciate me more?" "Why can't there be two cooks instead of one?" "Can they pay me more?" And then He reminded me of a familiar story...
In Luke 10:38-42 Mary and Martha have Jesus into their home. While Mary sits at Jesus' feet
listening to Him and being taught by Him and just enjoying His presence, Martha is distracted with much serving. Probably in the kitchen. She asks Jesus why He doesn't tell Mary to help her. Basically Jesus says that Mary values Him as the most important thing in life, and that He is the only thing that is necessary, and nothing will take that away from her.
This is not a command to be lazy and unproductive. Nor is it a command not to help out others in tasks they are assigned. It is Jesus reminding us that He needs to be our priority, our ultimate desire, the thing we pursue before anything else.
I had been so caught up in getting things done, grocery lists, making menus, ordering food, preparing it, and trying not to get stressed out that I began to allow that to take priority in my mind and in my actions over the Lord. But as always, He lovingly pulled me back reminding me that He will take care of all my needs.
I only have 1 and a half more weeks to cook for my wonderful friends I have made out here, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to make the meals and to exemplify Christ in humble service.
This week's menu:
Monday dinner- Chicken Fettucini in a creamy Alfredo sauce, with garlic bread and garden salad
Tuesday lunch - Philly Cheese Steaks, potato chips, and fresh watermelon
Wednesday dinner - Camp (Roast Beef and Vegetable) Stew, dinner rolls, canteloupe and honeydew, with carrot cake for desert
Friday lunch- Chilli cheese dogs, potato chips, red delicious apples, and snickerdoodle cookies
Saturday- Chinese night! Orange chicken, sweet n sour chicken with chou mein noodles, white and brown rice, carrot sticks celery with veggie dip, and fortune cookies!
Bon Appetit
So I got up and shared something, something that went like this:
Before coming on Project when I was sitting down and deciding what job to apply for, I felt the Lord calling me to the job as the "Project Cook." I didn't really know why He was doing that, cause I've only really cooked for a maximum of maybe 10 people at a time, and there were going to be 82 people + guests to cook for out here in California.
As I was praying about it, I felt like God was really challenging me to do it, despite my self-doubts. I told God I'd take on the challenge and started getting excited about this neat opportunity to serve the other team members.
Well now that it's halfway over, I must say. It was a lot harder than I expected. Basically I will start preparing about 5 or 6 hours in advance, depending on what the meal is, and do as much as I can ahead of time. The problem is, you usually cant do a lot ahead of time, because all the food needs to be kept hot or warm somehow. Meats and pastas therefore must be cooked no earlier than about an hour before dinnertime, which is 6pm. The staff had been really awesome because they would just come in and ask what needed to be done, even if their group wasn't scheduled to work. With them gone, kitchen duty enthusiasm has drastically died.
At 5pm, two helpers come early, which is a really good thing, but typically still not enough hands to get everything ready. Then at 530, about 8 -10 more people show up to help wipe down tables, chop veggies and fruit, set up the salad bar, make drinks, take out paper goods for guests, etc. This crew also cleans up the dishes after dinner (praise God that's not part of my job).
Around 530, things start to get hectic. 15 people start asking me where things are, what they need to do, what needs to be set out, how to slice bread, what knife to use...you get the point. Just read my mind people, it's not that hard. Food starts coming out of ovens and frantically wrapped in foil to keep it warm, people start getting anxious cause they'd rather be outside eating than inside helping prepare. I don't blame them.
I have hit the point in the summer where I am just tired. I started getting frustrated with the job. Hearing people talk about how they wish there was more food, that it was warmer, that there was different dressing or cheese; it's kind of hard not to take it personally. I want everyone to like the food and enjoy what I make for them! On top of that, there is 1 vegetarian and 1 lactose intolerant who have to have separate dishes made specially for them.
I started complaining to the Lord. "Why can't people appreciate me more?" "Why can't there be two cooks instead of one?" "Can they pay me more?" And then He reminded me of a familiar story...
In Luke 10:38-42 Mary and Martha have Jesus into their home. While Mary sits at Jesus' feet
listening to Him and being taught by Him and just enjoying His presence, Martha is distracted with much serving. Probably in the kitchen. She asks Jesus why He doesn't tell Mary to help her. Basically Jesus says that Mary values Him as the most important thing in life, and that He is the only thing that is necessary, and nothing will take that away from her.
This is not a command to be lazy and unproductive. Nor is it a command not to help out others in tasks they are assigned. It is Jesus reminding us that He needs to be our priority, our ultimate desire, the thing we pursue before anything else.
I had been so caught up in getting things done, grocery lists, making menus, ordering food, preparing it, and trying not to get stressed out that I began to allow that to take priority in my mind and in my actions over the Lord. But as always, He lovingly pulled me back reminding me that He will take care of all my needs.
I only have 1 and a half more weeks to cook for my wonderful friends I have made out here, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to make the meals and to exemplify Christ in humble service.
This week's menu:
Monday dinner- Chicken Fettucini in a creamy Alfredo sauce, with garlic bread and garden salad
Tuesday lunch - Philly Cheese Steaks, potato chips, and fresh watermelon
Wednesday dinner - Camp (Roast Beef and Vegetable) Stew, dinner rolls, canteloupe and honeydew, with carrot cake for desert
Friday lunch- Chilli cheese dogs, potato chips, red delicious apples, and snickerdoodle cookies
Saturday- Chinese night! Orange chicken, sweet n sour chicken with chou mein noodles, white and brown rice, carrot sticks celery with veggie dip, and fortune cookies!
Bon Appetit
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Mixed Emotions :-/
So Project is halfway over. Last night we had a meeting to send the staff off, and it was really sad! Every action group (Bible study) did a farewell skit or song for their leader, and I ended up making the staff appreciation video. I'll post a link to that soon, but I'm really happy with how it turned out! On a side note, Mihn's computer is fabulous and I really want a Macbook Pro.
Anyways, this morning we all got up to see the staff drive off forever. Some of them (the four directors) will come back at the end of the trip for the appreciation banquet, but most of them I doubt I will see again! :( SO SAD! So I wrote them all a haiku and gave them to Collin (one of the staff) to hand out once they get to Yosemite for their fun little trip.
So the 62 students are now on their own. Leaders have been appointed in their place to do the jobs that the staff were in charge of before they left, and I have every confidence in our team to step up and keep this Project going for the glory of God!
I just can't believe that the 20 new friends I made are gone. Being an older student, I kind of feel like I related to the staff (who are all in their mid-late twenties) more than most of the students...
Some of the numbers so far for our project:
400 + spiritual conversations
115 + opportunities to share the Gospel
12 decisions to trust Christ
Incredible! I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for the last half of the summer. Staff, I better see you all at the reunion!
Thats all for now,
Dana
Anyways, this morning we all got up to see the staff drive off forever. Some of them (the four directors) will come back at the end of the trip for the appreciation banquet, but most of them I doubt I will see again! :( SO SAD! So I wrote them all a haiku and gave them to Collin (one of the staff) to hand out once they get to Yosemite for their fun little trip.
So the 62 students are now on their own. Leaders have been appointed in their place to do the jobs that the staff were in charge of before they left, and I have every confidence in our team to step up and keep this Project going for the glory of God!
I just can't believe that the 20 new friends I made are gone. Being an older student, I kind of feel like I related to the staff (who are all in their mid-late twenties) more than most of the students...
Some of the numbers so far for our project:
400 + spiritual conversations
115 + opportunities to share the Gospel
12 decisions to trust Christ
Incredible! I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for the last half of the summer. Staff, I better see you all at the reunion!
Thats all for now,
Dana
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Building the Kingdom!
So today we went to church, had lunch on our own, and then had outreach on the beach. To be honest I was really tired and kind of wanted to just take a nap. Before the outreach, my Action Group (Bible study) went down to the beach to pray. I prayed silently that the Lord would give me strength and a desire to go out and share my faith with a good attitude. Specifically, my prayer went something like this:
Lord, I'm so tired right now, and I really just want to take a nap. Please just let me pray with one person to receive Christ.
Well I ended up doing soularium, a picture evangelism survey, with a woman. Turns out she didnt speak very good English, and had come to the States from Mexico 5 years ago. I ended up sharing the Gospel with her in Spanish, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and she prayed to receive Christ...in Spanish... HECK YES.
So needless to say I am pumped. The Lord is faithful and amazing and He gets all the glory from today! He has added another to His Kingdom and answered my prayer :) WOOOO HOOO!!!
Off to women's time!
Til later,
Dana
Lord, I'm so tired right now, and I really just want to take a nap. Please just let me pray with one person to receive Christ.
Well I ended up doing soularium, a picture evangelism survey, with a woman. Turns out she didnt speak very good English, and had come to the States from Mexico 5 years ago. I ended up sharing the Gospel with her in Spanish, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and she prayed to receive Christ...in Spanish... HECK YES.
So needless to say I am pumped. The Lord is faithful and amazing and He gets all the glory from today! He has added another to His Kingdom and answered my prayer :) WOOOO HOOO!!!
Off to women's time!
Til later,
Dana
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Thoughts
Hello Faithful Blog readers!
So I thought I would treat all of you who enjoy the more stream of consciousness style writing with a few thoughts I have formulated about California and Project in general.
- It’s cold here. Much colder than I expected it to be.
- Project has definitely surpassed my expectations. I had my doubts that it could be as good as people say it is.
- I said I’d be done with Cru after college, but I’m about 95% sure I’m doing an internship for a year with the Jesus Film Project
- cutting down the story of what God has done in your life to 3-5 minutes is HARD
- serving ice cream and making 8.50 an hour = way easier than selling bikes and making 7.14 an hour
- we found a slug in our bathroom tonight, not a banana slug though…too bad
- I heard the original singer from Santana perform live tonight with his tribute band, sounded AMAZING and I got paid at the same time
- Michael Jackson died a few hours south of me. I wonder if he ever had the opportunity to accept Jesus……
- I love little Summer and Collin (some of the staff kids). We went on an adventure and colored with chalk today.
- Just ordering food for the next week takes about an hour. Crazy
- I think I like cooking better than working at Whitings. It’s less stressful and somehow it’s less tiring…….
- I get 50% off all Whitings Foods (ice cream, pizza hut, cotton candy, churros, icees, free sodas, burgers, mexican, dippin dots… I’m gonna be 30 lbs heavier when we leave)
More thoughts later. I have work 10:30- 5:30 tomorrow and it’s already 1am…. Very little free time here.
So I thought I would treat all of you who enjoy the more stream of consciousness style writing with a few thoughts I have formulated about California and Project in general.
- It’s cold here. Much colder than I expected it to be.
- Project has definitely surpassed my expectations. I had my doubts that it could be as good as people say it is.
- I said I’d be done with Cru after college, but I’m about 95% sure I’m doing an internship for a year with the Jesus Film Project
- cutting down the story of what God has done in your life to 3-5 minutes is HARD
- serving ice cream and making 8.50 an hour = way easier than selling bikes and making 7.14 an hour
- we found a slug in our bathroom tonight, not a banana slug though…too bad
- I heard the original singer from Santana perform live tonight with his tribute band, sounded AMAZING and I got paid at the same time
- Michael Jackson died a few hours south of me. I wonder if he ever had the opportunity to accept Jesus……
- I love little Summer and Collin (some of the staff kids). We went on an adventure and colored with chalk today.
- Just ordering food for the next week takes about an hour. Crazy
- I think I like cooking better than working at Whitings. It’s less stressful and somehow it’s less tiring…….
- I get 50% off all Whitings Foods (ice cream, pizza hut, cotton candy, churros, icees, free sodas, burgers, mexican, dippin dots… I’m gonna be 30 lbs heavier when we leave)
More thoughts later. I have work 10:30- 5:30 tomorrow and it’s already 1am…. Very little free time here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
