GRACE CITY! Letter Update April/May 2013

Hey Guys, 

This is the newsletter I sent out to all of my supporters, now you can be in the loop too! 

Not Sin City…

     All across the World Las Vegas is known as “Sin City” but God has declared his furious love for the people of Las Vegas, He sent His son to save the lost here, He has proclaimed His grace and will let it rain. When Vegas was first discovered, it was a place of rest and refuge for weary travelers heading further west. Now, Las Vegas is desert land and restless. But God desires to renew the city to be a place where people come to find grace and rest. When the time of transformation has come to this city, I firmly believe that this place will be known by a new name – Grace City!

Since I’ve Arrived…

     Since starting work in April, I have been trained to run our hospitality and housekeeping department, I have become the right hand woman for our Mission Adventures program this summer and I have become a part of our 6 person team focused on the bases involvement with anti-trafficking ministries. Over the past 2 months the Lord has truly blessed my time, given me opportunities, showed His goodness and allowed me to see His transformation in the lives.

     As head of Hospitality and Housekeeping, it is my job to be the steward of our building and property by overseeing the housekeeping of our base by delegating work duties and executing my own projects throughout the base. For Hospitality, I keep track of laundry, cleanliness and supplies for our guest room, which is used for our Discipleship Training School teachers and guests throughout the year. Through this position I am able to meet allot of new people and share with them YWAM Las Vegas’ heart for this city and explain what we do here.

   Mission Adventures are our week long, full service, urban mission trips that we run for youth & college age groups. The youth pastors get their teams here and we take care of the food, in city transportation, outreach trainings, teachings, outreach materials, locations, debrief times, worship, etc. This summer we have 8 short term staff members who are volunteering their summer to help us run this program and encourage the teens. 

Unexpected Opportunity

     This past week, I was bringing a few of our summer staff to the strip to explore and get familiar with their new outreach stomping grounds.  It was around 8:30pm while we walked on a footbridge between two casinos, over the busy traffic. I saw a homeless man sitting on the bridge, asking for tips. As I passed by I felt God tell me to buy him dinner. So after searching for something delicious and special to buy him, I went and sat next to this sweet man and handed him some hot Stromboli and a soda. I just started with asking him questions. Joey (pictured with me above), is a child of our living God. Who was dropped off in Las Vegas by his sister and abandoned here, no home, no friends, no hope. After sitting on this bridge, willing to do most anything for tips with not many responses for weeks – Joey gave up hope that anyone cared. He gave up hope that God had a plan for him. As we talked, Audrey (one of the summer staff) and myself were able to pray for and prophecy over Joey. He was an instant fountain of tears. His face beamed with joy. In that moment he decided to declare the love of the Lord over himself and claiming the plans that God has for him. It was such a blessing to watch a night of exploration turn into ministry and to watch a sad and hopeless face turn into one of the most joyful smiles I’ve ever seen! 

Anti- Human Trafficking…

     Shortly after joining staff here in Las Vegas a small group of around 6 people formed amongst our staff to restart and further the anti-trafficking ministry that has been such a huge part of this base. We have been brainstorming and experimenting with what could be our niche and what services we can provide to further God’s heart for Justice here in Las Vegas, while still being mindful of what other organizations are already doing. We have had the opportunity to prayer walk some of the more notorious parts of town, we’ve partnered with different ministries and organizations and seeking training for our staff. In May I was able to speak at one of University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ classes. I was so thankful to have the opportunity to speak to a classroom full of Las Vegas locals and raise awareness about the issue in their own backyard.

      I am so excited to see what all God accomplishes in and through us over the next 6 months as we go through our training and experimentation. Currently in our building we have several empty offices and we have invited several local, grass roots style anti-trafficking organizations to take those spaces. It is our hope to create a hub of activity and a community of fellowship for like minded ministries.

     While we have been experimenting with our skill sets and opportunities, we have been looking into possible awareness assemblies at local schools. There are over 300,000 students in the Clark County school district, most of which have no sort of anti-trafficking safety awareness or anything of the sort. We are seeking advice and training of people who have done these things in the past.

     It is my desire to be face to face with the girls more often, very soon. Please be praying that God would go before us and cover this city in his protection.