DeAnza's blog

By DeAnza on

This past weekend during the Quest Day of Service, To the Streets did it's regular thing in preparing for the distribution with one slight difference-- we were able to partner with the children's ministries' VBS in putting resource bags and lunches together for our friends.  It was such a fun time of giving the children a platform to serve those who live on the streets in Ballard.  The parents and kids were great and jumped right in with preparing over 50 resource bags and 30 lunches!  The kids also made a welcome sign saying, "Welcome.  We're glad you're here".  Just a simple message being sent to others of their value, their significance in the world.  It was a great start to a busy and fruitful day.  

After we were all ready to go we met up with 40 of our friends on 15th & Market.  For some reason this was a particularly special time, because what I noticed was that people were really able to engage each other in friendship and support and it was such a great reminder in seeing how as a ministry we're being deepened.  What we do in passing out socks, blankets or other needed items is really so simple and in all honesty a drop in the bucket in comparison to the need.  Yet, what we're finding is that the venue in handing out a few things allows for space in which we get to know people, hear their stories and to share in celebrations and sorrows.  It's truly a beautiful thing.  

This weekend there were many stories being exchanged.  I sat down to chat with some friends I've known for a while to check in and found myself right in the middle of their stories of struggle and survival.  It humbled me that they trusted to share so deeply the different challenges they face.  One of the ways in which they engage their story and share it with those around is through the dream catchers they make.  It occurred to me that we all hope to have our dreams caught and realized-- that no matter the situation or circumstance we all have dreams.  It seems that when the dreams die-- we die.  The dreams are what keep us pressing forward.  How is it that we can dream alongside one another and work towards the end of making our heartfelt desires something of reality?

Thank you to all the volunteers this weekend!  If you'd like to get involved or hear more about To the Streets feel free to contact me at deanza@seattlequest.org.  Enjoy the picture story!

By DeAnza on

'History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people'.   Martin Luther King, Jr

By DeAnza on

  This year's Giving Tree is going towards building awareness and support of the organization One 4 One.  One 4 One is a local non-profit organization that has established a mission that goes beyond just serving the homeless to building relationships with those who are experiencing homelessness in Seattle.  One 4 One emphasizes the necessity of seeing people differently and acknowledging the beauty, dignity and integrity of every person-- housed or non-housed.  It is this mission that we should all be striving to live out in our day to day interactions.  However, when we're honest with ourselves it is easier to assign someone who looks different, smells different, acts different then us with stereotypes & stigmas which perpetuate the idea that we must maintain our dista

By DeAnza on

Saturday night was a great success thanks to each of you!  We had 85+ men and women join us for a spectacular thanksgiving meal.  The evening was incredibly smooth-- from the roasting of turkeys to the decorations to the serving each person that walked in the door.  What a blessing!

There were many stories from folks who shared they couldn't remember the last time they had a dinner like this.  Folks felt that they were indeed our VIP's of the evening and that was definitely the message we wanted to share. 

A couple of highlights...  we were able to feed 70+ more people by taking the left overs which included 2 whole turkeys and all the other fixings to Nickelsville. 

A woman who was having a difficult evening due to some health issues and being incredibly tired was able to get into shelter that night. 

By DeAnza on

Depression, anxiety, hopelessness and despair are never easy to navigate and especially difficult to heal from when one feels isolated and alone.  It is easy to feel, in valleys such as these, that you are the only one experiencing these feelings, these realities, but more and more the reality is that so many are dealing with an insurmountable wall of depression.  In Church history, we haven't done a great job of affirming and validating folks who feel this darkness instead we have given poor advice like: chin up, Christians are not living in the full joy of Christ if they experience depression, perhaps you should pray more or maybe there is something faulty in your prayer life for you to be living with this depression and on and on...  This hasn't created a very supportive environment for men and women to express their stories and pain. 

By DeAnza on

Friends,

By DeAnza on

This article is written by quester, Ian Ebright.  Ian volunteers with To the Streets ministry monthly and in this article shares his hands-on experience with the homeless community of our neighborhood.  Ian and his wife, Lauren attend the 11 am service and have an adorable daughter, Eden.  On the side, Ian is a blogger and expresses himself through his blog called: The Broken Telegraph.  Please visit his website for more of his insights and thoughts.   

***

By DeAnza on

Tomorrow World Concern will be hosting a 5k run/walk called 'Free Them' to raise awareness and funds around the issues of human trafficking.  It is not too late to come and take part in this important event.  In fact, they will not be taking registrations for the run until 8:30 am tomorrow morning.  Run starts at 9:30.  Now if you're like me, a little outta shape, that's okay!  You are welcome to WALK, as I will probably be doing ;)  Below is more info and I hope to see you there!  You can also check out World Concern's website for more info.

Blessings,

Pastor DeAnza

Date and Time:

• Saturday May 2nd, 2009
• Check-in: 8:30 AM (walk-ins welcome - i.e. no registration required)
• Start time: 9:30 AM

Place:

By DeAnza on

We believe that we serve a God who is the ultimate creator-- designed, planned and brought into motion our world and our lives.  We, made in His image, are also called to create, to beautify our surroundings, to explore expression and to appreciate the means we have to capture our world and give back.  How is our art, our creations worship and reverence to our God?  In addition, as much as we are given the gift of creation as a means to enjoy, to explore, to learn, to grow and to worship-- how is our art, our creations used to speak into the larger issues of our world?  How can we use our art to shed light, cultivate awareness and establish understanding within our communities?  This form can take various faces ranging from expressions of story and injustice right in the artistic piece itself to partnerning our work with others to bring understanding and support.  Whatever the means, we have to be engaging this work with integrity and with the core desi

By DeAnza on

Every year we have the privilege to join with other brothers and sisters from all around the wold to intercede for the situation in Burma.  For the past 50+ years the citizens of Burma have been oppressed and displaced systematically by their government.  Just last year in May, Burma was hit with Cyclone Nargis and unfortunately the government would not allow aid organizations to come into the country to assist people which led to an estimated 140,000 deaths.  Every year more men, women & children are being displaced from their villages and homes with the only option to try to survive in the jungles which makes them susceptible to disease, starvation and other life threatening situations.  This has been going on since the 1940's!  Imagine, generation after generation after generation facing year after year after year oppression and violation of their basic human rights.  These are families who have seen and experienced their husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, moms, dads,