tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73466033180757991172024-02-08T02:57:33.818-08:00Learning to LoveAlex Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417535431676713209noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7346603318075799117.post-47751560269423705732012-01-30T23:10:00.000-08:002012-01-30T23:11:12.337-08:00He loves us first<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> 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mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">This summer, my Bible Study group held a picnic at a local park in Hollywood.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We cooked more than enough food to share with friends and strangers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We had an incredible day of fellowshipping, playing games, and meeting new people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Among the people we met were a group of three young people experiencing homelessness in Hollywood.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My Bible Study friends talked with them all afternoon and invited them to Sunday church.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The youth didn’t come.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some Bible Study friends were disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I also wasn’t surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In my head I even scoffed at my friends for their disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How could one afternoon of conversation really impact someone enough to motivate them to come to church?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How could it do much of anything?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Flash forward a few months:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Through God’s grace, I have become the coordinator for the Hollywood Winter Shelter project, STAR. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We have finalized our guest list and are now working to extend invitations.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our guest list contains 40 names.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Many of them I know, many more I do not.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My co-workers give me physical descriptions of each of the guests.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One girl, “Callie” is described to me as a young, 19 year old girl with a pixie hair cut and a sweet, outgoing personality.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I immediately realize that she is one of the youth I met in the park.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My heart is overwhelmed; I want so badly for her to come and accept shelter with us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I did not speak to her that day in the park, but I feel this need for her to be at STAR.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our team all sets out to locate our guests; (this is not an easy task: imagine working to locate someone without an address or phone number) we just can’t find everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We search the drop-in centers and places we know our friends hang out.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Callie is nowhere to be found.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I begin taking long walks, combing areas where I know she hangs out. No luck.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Last Thursday (almost three weeks into our shelter): Hollywood BID officers find Callie and convince her to come check out STAR.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She is so sweet and bubbly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am overjoyed to have her with us! <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She then disappears for the next two nights.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On Sunday, she reappears.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I really didn’t expect to see her back.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She cannot believe that we let her back into the program. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With open arms.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Why would we take her back?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Why aren’t we kicking her out or chastising her? Instead, we give her a hug and tell her we missed her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Tonight we are talking.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I tell her how I am so blessed by her being here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I tell her how I searched the streets for hours looking for her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I admit that I was somewhat stalker-ish in my actions… She remembers that day in the park from this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She sees a deep, <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>intense love here at STAR and remembers seeing that same love in the park, months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This love overwhelms and confuses her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Callie explains to me, “yeah, I have friends and they love me, but yeah… here… here it is just unconditional and bubbling over.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have never experienced love like this.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have never had people miss me ,and want me, and look for me.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If she only knew. Hopefully someday she will.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Someone is longing so desperately for her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>God loves her so much more than me or anyone working with this project, so much more than anyone on this planet is capable of seeking after and loving another person.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He loves her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So much. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Because he loves me, I am filled with His love to pour out on others.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Right now, she cannot see God, but she can see evidence of His work and love for her. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I feel so incredibly blessed to be a part of a project where God is clearly present.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I see him in the way this entire project has come together and continues to run so smoothly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I see him in the love demonstrated by all of the people who have volunteered and labored hours for this shelter to become a reality.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I see him in my guests each and every day. He is here. </p>Alex Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417535431676713209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7346603318075799117.post-62570648485591774862011-12-01T09:24:00.000-08:002011-12-01T09:33:54.243-08:00Moving Forward<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; background:white"><span style="font-family:Sylfaen">I am so grateful to everyone who supported me last year financially and by lifting me up in prayer. It is an incredibly humbling experience to know that you are being carried and supported by your community. I am praying that my year of service was just the beginning of a lifetime of change. I want to thank you and update you on what I am up to now. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-family: Sylfaen; ">I want to update everyone on what I am up to now. I really felt like I should remain in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Hollywood</st1:place></st1:city> after my YAV year ended. Last year God began a work in me by showing me what community can and should be… and I think/hope that I am beginning to catch on.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-family: Sylfaen; ">Last year I adopted a simpler, community focused lifestyle. I shared my home, my meager budget and my life with six strangers and my neighborhood. This year I am blessed to be living with a good friend from home in my old neighborhood. I still occasionally serve at the community house and often have the girls from the neighborhood over for Bible Studies and cooking. I am excited to begin having neighbors over for meals and fellowship… just as soon as we can afford to purchase furniture </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; ">J</span><span style="font-family: Sylfaen; "><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-family: Sylfaen; ">I chose to remain in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Hollywood</st1:city></st1:place> without a real plan for employment. I felt this abstract call to help people connect to their local community without clearly understanding what that meant or how that could pay my bills. I found a job working at a gourmet sandwich shop to pay rent while I continued to pray and seek out what I was being called to do. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-family: Sylfaen; ">I was blessed when I received a phone call from a local homeless agency asking me to send my resume for a winter shelter collaboration in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Hollywood</st1:place></st1:city>. Four local churches in <st1:city st="on">Hollywood</st1:city> have decided to partner together with local homeless agencies and the LAPD to provide shelter to 40 of the most vulnerable members of our <st1:place st="on">Hollywood</st1:place> community experiencing homelessness selected through the Hollywood Homeless Vulnerability Index and our Hollywood Street Outreach Team. They asked me to be the coordinator for this project. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-family: Sylfaen; ">I could not believe that I was being entrusted with such an incredible project and blessing. I really did/do not feel equipped, yet I realize with humility that I am not. I am only equipped because I have God working through me to make this collaboration happen. I am so excited for this partnership of local churches coming together to care for the physical needs of our brothers and sisters sleeping on the streets. I am praying that this partnership will lead to raised awareness on the issues related to homelessness and that it will help congregants to better participate in their communities by loving on and truly seeing our brothers and sisters on the streets. Please help me in praying for this incredible project. The shelter will open on January 8<sup>th</sup> and run through March 3<sup>rd</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-family: Sylfaen; ">Life in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Hollywood</st1:place></st1:city> is certainly an adventure and my faith life often feels like a roller coaster. I am simply working to focus on the greatest commandment, “Love God – Love People”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-family: Sylfaen; ">I miss seeing you all and hearing from you. Please e-mail me at <a href="mailto:alex.hartman.davis@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0000CC">alex.hartman.davis@gmail.com</span></a> or call me!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Sylfaen"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p></p><p></p>Alex Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417535431676713209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7346603318075799117.post-41711172169804866612011-09-05T19:54:00.000-07:002011-09-05T20:31:46.106-07:00Home... and back againThree weeks ago I finished my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">YAV</span> year and came home to Pittsburgh. I have had a wonderful time at home seeing family and friends and absorbing the beauty of Western PA.<br /><br />Unfortunately time is moving by so quickly and I find myself sitting on the front porch, listening to the rain, and thinking about my future. My bags are packed and tomorrow's plane ticket is sitting on my dresser upstairs. <br /><br />Am I crazy for going back? I seem to alternate between a state of calm reassurance that everything will come together and complete and utter terror that I will be unable to find a job.<br /><br />As it stands, I am moving back to Hollywood CA tomorrow. First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood has graciously offered to help me with housing for the next two months as I search for a job. I have ideas for what may be in my future, but nothing solid. I love working with people and helping them to become connected to their neighborhood. I'm not entirely sure if this passion <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">correlates</span> with a job that pays rent in Big Bad LA, but only time will tell.<br /><br />Until then, I will pray. I will seek a job serving in my community and pray about other job opportunities. I will pray if LA is the city where I will be staying for the next few years. Finally, I will continue to invest in my community. I am excited to continue building the relationships that I began to form in my neighborhood last year. I am excited to delve into learning how to grow a winter garden. I am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ecstatic</span> to meet with the high school girls and help the seniors with their college application process and post-high school plans. I can't wait to see what gets added by the guys to the graffiti mural wall at the community house. I am thankful and feel blessed by this opportunity to return to Hollywood.<br /><br />I don't know the entirety of God's plan for my future but I know that I have a charge to be present in my community as I strive to love God and to love my neighbor. More will be revealed with time. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Lord, Thank you for family and friends, green trees and rolling hills, rivers and rain. Help me to keep my calm as my future is revealed to me. </span>Alex Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417535431676713209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7346603318075799117.post-90630455427188778302011-06-09T15:04:00.000-07:002011-06-09T20:42:43.305-07:00Beauty in Vulnerability<p class="MsoNormal"><span>When I first signed up to serve as a YAV, I really felt that this would be an incredible opportunity for me to spend a year doing something completely different with my life. Now, my year is beginning to draw to a close, and I am realizing more and more that what I have been learning and doing this year is not simply a year-long project that I will look back on with fond memories, but rather a stepping stone to beginning the life I truly want to live. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; "><br /><br /></span><span><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">This year has been uncomfortable in many different ways. I moved into a house with five strangers (and four of them guys!) and was instructed to share my life with them. Together, the six of us share one car, about $80 a week for house groceries, living space and work together to run the community house where we live. </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; "><br /><br /></span><span><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">I’ve had roommates before and I love them all deeply, but I have never been challenged to share my life so intimately with others. We all come from different backgrounds and have different perspectives on politics, budgets, eating habits, cleanliness, disciplining methods, communication, God… (just to name a few). We work high stress jobs and live on a shoestring budget; we’ve gotten to see each other at our bests and worsts. You can’t fake it all the time or hide from people you share so much with. </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; "><br /><br /></span><span><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">I had never spent quite so much time with the same people… and it has been really hard for me. When the year started, I would daydream about having an apartment all to myself when the year ended. I’m not exactly sure when the change occurred, but my perspective has shifted. The house feels oddly empty when no one else is home. The house can even seem quiet with all six of us without the two or three house guests who always seem to be around. </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; "><br /><br /></span><span><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">I’ve also had incredible opportunities to build deep relationships with people outside of my house in LA, most notably the women in my small group Bible study. Each week the women pray for one another. We don’t just pray surface level prayers and joys, but we have begun to open up to each other about our fears, doubts, pains and mistakes. We lift one another up, text and e-mail updates, meet for coffee and fellowship. We have come to share one </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">another’s burdens. I have never been involved in a Bible study group so </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">intentional. Sometimes though, it’s really hard and uncomfortable. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">You open up and later wish you hadn’t. You wish you could have just </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">held everything in… been composed. Yet, I really don’t think that is a true </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">model of life. Life is messy. We all fall apart from time to time. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">To deny doubt and pain is putting on a front or showing others a lie. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">Sometimes opening up can help others feel better about their own pain.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">No one wants to be the only one suffering in a room full of people with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">perfect lives. And no one ever is. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; "><br /></span><span><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">This past weekend we had an incredible opportunity to help friends prepare for a major life change. They asked us to come over to their home and help them prepare to move. It was such a beautiful day for me. It was the first time I had been in their house when it wasn’t spotless and everyone perfectly composed. There were some dishes in the sink and toys on the floor. They were stressed, tired, and on one another’s nerves. They may not have wanted us to see them in the state, but I felt incredibly blessed to be there. I love that they felt comfortable enough and trusted us enough to share their stress with us. I don’t feel that Christianity means not having drama, pain or conflict, but rather Christianity is demonstrated in the way we respond to these universally experienced emotions. </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; "><br /><br /></span><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">Everyone has pain and struggles. Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone has quirks. The beauty is in sharing them with others and building relationships. We are not called to walk alone but to share our lives with one another. I am blessed to have had this year to begin to learn how to truly open up my life and love others. Now, I need to take what I am beginning to learn and step forward to create a community of love, openness and vulnerability, wherever I go next. </span></span><span style="font-size:13.5pt; color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Alex Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417535431676713209noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7346603318075799117.post-20189922785211118262011-05-11T22:38:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:42:11.550-07:00SiftingLast weekend my housemates and I went on a trip to Tucson, AZ for a long weekend. We travelled down with an organization called Borderlinks to learn about and witness firsthand the issue of illegal immigration. Before the trip, I thought that it would be the perfect opportunity to learn about border issues and to decide where I stand on the issue.<br /><br />We were asked to blog and share about our experience. Before the trip, I thought this would be an easy task. How silly of me. Unfortunately, things are never black and white. Because of that, this blog may seem a bit like an excerpt from a James Joyce novel, with no clear direction or focus. I saw and heard so much over the course of the weekend that it will take me a long time to process and further research. My heart and brain are both muddled messes right now. I cannot at this point say where I stand on the issue, but I invite you to join my internal conflict.<br /><br />Imagine with me for a minute: Travelling by foot through desert into a new land. To a country with a language you don’t speak or understand. Leaving family, friends, customs, comfort and security behind. You may not even really like the country you are going to. You simply know that you have a better chance of being able to support your family in this new foreign place. You barely have enough to feed your children each day, let alone pay for an emergency doctor visit or prescription.<br /><br />Now, imagine a second scenario: You are a recently laid off father of four (living in the States your whole life). You aren’t necessarily a “skilled worker” and now you can’t find a job paying more than $9.00 an hour because there are plenty of individuals in your city more than willing to work for this rate. You have a mortgage, car payments, a credit card and really hope to send your kids to college.<br /><br />so...<br /><br />How do I look at this issue with the eyes of Christ? He says to love my neighbor. Which ones? It seems to me what may help one neighbor here may hurt another. Or is this stupid worthless worry?<br /><br />Do I show my love to my neighbor by taking down all fences and walls?<br />But aren’t boundaries and fences sometimes good and necessary? (Think of fences around swimming pools that keep kids from drowning.)<br /><br />Am I to give amnesty to all people living in the country without papers?<br />What about my brothers and sisters who have been waiting for 14+ years to enter my country legally?<br />How much will that delay their entry?<br /><br />So…. If I don’t know where I stand, how do I get involved? Am I called to be involved?<br />How many issues can I be involved in at one time and earnestly care?<br /><br />…. I don’t know.<br /><br />I don’t have an answer, and I’m not sure I will for a long time (if ever).<br /><br />In the meantime, I know that it is my job to help those in need. To give a brother or sister their daily food if they are in need. To walk alongside. To love. But above all this, to <span style="font-weight: bold;">continue seeking</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Christ first</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Lord, give me your eyes for the world. Help me see where you want me to serve and help</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> me to always see my neighbors in need.</span>Alex Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417535431676713209noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7346603318075799117.post-35351459391766737552011-01-14T09:04:00.000-08:002011-01-14T09:06:27.721-08:00Surrendering Success<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I need to learn how to slow down and breathe. Slowing down is not something I am good at, but definitely something I need to learn. I need to learn patience and how to wait upon the Lord. Too often, when I get sick of waiting, I make my own plans. I argue with God. “You can’t seriously have brought me here just to …. (fill in the blank with any mundane task)…” But I think that is exactly why God has brought me here.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" >God doesn’t care as much about the “job description” as much as the attitude towards the work. God has called us to be present; to love His people as much as we possibly can, despite who they are or where they come from. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I have been reading a book called Tattoos on the Heart by Father Gregory Boyle. It is an incredible book (I strongly recommend it for anyone). This book is a collection of stories told by a man who has devoted his life to loving people our population often declares unlovable. The tattooed, the drug addicts, the incarcerated, the gang members… he walks alongside them all as they struggle to find their way. Towards the end of the book is a chapter titled Success. I have pulled a brief excerpt from the beginning of the chapter. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >…This work has taught me that God has greater comfort in inverting categories than I do. What is success and what is failure? What is good and what is bad? Setback or progress? Great Stock these days is placed in evidence based outcomes. People … want to know if what you do “works”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Salivating for success keeps you from being truly faithful, keeps you from seeing whoever’s sitting in front of you. Embracing a strategy and an approach you can believe in is sometimes the best you can do on any given day. <b>If you surrender your need for results and outcomes, success becomes God’s business.</b> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >-Father Gregory Boyle, Tattoos on the Heart</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Don’t worry mom. This doesn’t mean that I will surrender all plans for graduate school in favor of spending my days sitting on street corners. This simply means that I need to go through everyday focusing first on serving God and loving those around me as He would. </span></p> <span style="font-size: 12pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >As difficult as it is for me, I need to surrender my need for success to God. I need to simply focus on serving Him and let Him do His job of taking care of the outcomes</span></span>Alex Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417535431676713209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7346603318075799117.post-88176568931176868102010-10-18T22:14:00.000-07:002010-10-18T22:26:35.029-07:00"Jesus Saves"<p class="MsoNormal">I know that this blog entry is way overdue.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I apologize for my lack of updates.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I start blogs but can never seem to finish them or be happy with them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So… I’m not entirely sure where to go with this but I need to give you all some sort of life update.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have been here two months now?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This city is just so strange.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My neighborhood lies directly next to Paramount Studios between <st1:city st="on">Melrose</st1:city> and <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Santa Monica</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We are right in the heart of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Hollywood</st1:place></st1:city> (The Hollywood sign is visible from our street).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you have never been to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Hollywood</st1:place></st1:city> you may feel that this seems like a funny area for us to be situated as missionaries/volunteers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The truth is that people in LA typically do not want to live here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Most of our neighbors struggle to make ends meet monthly and our neighborhood has some drug and gang violence. But being the strange city of LA, if you walk just a few blocks south from us you find yourself in Hancock Park; a very quiet upper-class neighborhood where many TV show celebrities live. A neighborhood where you would not need to worry nearly as much about locking the doors.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The city is just an incredible patchwork of people from all different countries, cultures, social classes, ages and races.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My life here has been crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m still not sure why I am here or what exactly God has in store for me, but I do feel confident that this is where I am supposed to be.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have been working at Alegria for 6? weeks now.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am working with the nurse and social worker who head the department to write monthly education classes, translate, prepare to teach ESL, help students apply to college and prepare for our annual Christmas party.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am not really doing what I expected to be doing at work, but it is good.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We’ll see what happens!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We have also opened the community center on <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Gregory Ave.</st1:address></st1:street><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The kids are incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sometimes we wish we had more energy left after work for these kids.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They have so much energy!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We help with homework, teach ESL classes and really just hang out with the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We are primarily a ministry of presence, but we are praying for direction and volunteers to help with the center. I have been checking out different local churches and am hoping to be settled into one soon. Fortunately, I have found an incredible young adult small group to get involved with just a mile from our house. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I think that part of my lack for blogging may be due to an internal faith struggle that I’ve been going through since <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I can’t really explain what is going on in my faith life, just that I have been wrestling with things.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One of those is perhaps the image of Christianity in society.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sometimes I just get overwhelmed with “Jesus Saves” bumper stickers and what I have stereotyped as a sort of “in your face” Christianity.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sunday I had the incredible opportunity to see the positive power that this sort of Christianity can possess. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was walking with a team from Reality LA church in LA’s Annual AIDS walk.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our team name was JESUS.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was a little embarrassed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m not sure why.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am not embarrassed to be a Christian, but… well….<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The day of the rally we met up and began to walk.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I saw that we were not the only Jesus themed team.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was one team of about 50 young adults all in purple shirts declaring “Jesus Saves.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I wasn’t sure what I thought of those shirts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I didn’t dislike them but I didn't know that I really liked them either...<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As the walk began we came up against radical Christian protesters holding awful signs declaring things such as “Homo sex is a Sin” with scripture references posted… one of the verse references on a hate sign was <b>John 3:16 </b>(they didn't actually post the verse just the reference number)<b>,</b> “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">For God So Loved the World that He gave His one and only son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but receive eternal life.” </i>I am unsure<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> h</span>ow this verse of salvation and love supported their message of hatred and exclusion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Why they needed to come and protest a walk raising money to find a cure to a disease that is killing millions of people around the world I do not know or understand.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I do understand the gospel and the light that I have been studying it in.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The greatest commandment Jesus gave us was to love God and love our neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our neighbors are not geographical; our neighbors are all of God’s people; every tribe and every nation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As we walked past the protesters we also walked past the group in their <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Jesus Saves</i> t-shirts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Suddenly I loved these shirts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am a Christian, but I was not a visible representation of Christ at that rally.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It would have been easy for the Christian protesters to be to only side of Christianity that walkers saw that day. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Fortunately, there were people choosing to show themselves as Christians preaching a message of inclusion and love with their choice to walk as Team “JESUS SAVES”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">(I hope this could be followed by you all...)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Thank you God for showing me how what I often consider corny Christianity can be powerful, positive and inclusive.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I pray that you help me regain faith that I seem to be wrestling with and be with my housemates and I as we really dig into this year and a better understanding of you. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Alex Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417535431676713209noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7346603318075799117.post-57931303998764327642010-08-29T11:43:00.000-07:002010-08-29T12:24:28.421-07:00Catch-up & flash forwardHey all!<div><br /></div><div>Sorry that I was unable to update my blog during my summer trip to Egypt. My trip was absolutely incredible, but internet access was really limited. We spent six weeks traveling around Cairo, Alexandria and Hurgada (a town on the Red Sea). We met so many incredible individuals and were able to see so muchwork being done in the country! I would love to talk to you about my trip. Call me or e-mail me for details! </div><div><br /></div><div>Today is the last day of my orientation. I am in Stony Creek New York with 90 other YAVs (Young Adult Volunteers) serving both nationally and internationally this upcoming year. It has been incredible getting to know other young adults choosing to spend the next year of their lives serving everywhere from Miami and Chicago to North Ireland and India. Tomorrow I depart for this year's home in Hollywood!</div><div><br /></div><div>My work in Hollywood is a bit more clear. I will be living in a predominately Latin American neighborhood at a community center that has a 30 year relationship with the community. I will be living with five other volunteers Alayna, Brady, Robert, Kyle and Josh. Together we will run the community center's tutoring program, community garden (the neighbors want more peppers next year; I want cooking lessons!) and fellowship times at the center. In the summer we will frequently load up our community van with kids and drive to the beach to hang out and build relationships. I will also be working 32 hours a week as a case worker with Alegria. Alegria is a ministry in Hollywood that serves families who were previously homeless and have at least on family member affected by HIV or AIDS. The ministry provides these families with transitional housing, health care, and works to equip these families in the transition back to housed society (to the best of my understanding) 16 families are currently housed in our facilities. I am excited and also intimidated by the work expected of me at the agency. Please keep this ministry in your prayers. </div><div><br /></div><div>I really don't know what God has in store for me in Hollywood, but I truly feel that He has called me to serve here. I don't have plans for after my year of service, but for once I'm not concerned. I am just really excited to see where life is taking me right now. It's going to be a crazy, emotional, exciting journey. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks,</div><div><br /></div><div>Alex</div>Alex Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417535431676713209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7346603318075799117.post-23725348734909621542010-06-07T16:25:00.001-07:002010-06-07T16:33:53.559-07:00On our way!! If only I could post the entry.... We are off,I will get through technicaldifficulties soon! Sorry!Alex Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417535431676713209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7346603318075799117.post-84190854785607216622010-05-27T05:34:00.000-07:002010-05-27T05:45:50.211-07:00Details!Hey everyone!<br /><br />I finally have some details that I can share with you on my trip to Egypt! I leave super early on June 7th (6:30?) after a two day orientation in New Wilmington. I still haven't met everyone I'm traveling with so this will be awesome! Our first three days in Egypt will be transition days where we will have the opportunity to become adjusted to the culture and the food and be tourists. After this we are off! My first week I will be coaching soccer at a sports camp where we will focus on core values such as trust and endurance. The second two weeks will be spent at various conferences in Cairo and Alexandria. Next we will be off to the red Sea for two weeks? (I am so excited about this) and then we will end our time in Egypt helping with a talents camp in Cairo. If you know me this is not good; the talents they want help with include acting and singing and arts related areas.... haha I'll do my best. <br /><br />I am getting really excited by this trip, but I am still just overwhelmed with everything going on right now. I do however have faith that there is a plan in all the confusion and that everything will turn out.<br /><br />Oh! Not that I am awesome at responding to texts and e-mails and writing on here, but my communication in Egypt will be very limited. I will not have a central address where things can be mailed, and I may only have access to computers and the internet about once a week. I will do my best to keep everybody posted, but... it will be an adventure!<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />AlexAlex Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417535431676713209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7346603318075799117.post-12927173554490924122010-05-15T17:40:00.000-07:002010-05-15T17:49:54.163-07:00Hollywood!Hey!<br /><br />I was placed this week! I will be serving my year with YAV in Hollywood CA. I am so excited about this. I really don't completely understand why, but I know this is the right place. I will be living on Gregory Ave., just a few blocks away from the Paramount Studios and Hollywood Blvd. It seems like an awesome neighborhood. I'll be living with other volunteers in duplexes behind an active community center. I am so excited to meet the neighbors and become integrated into this neighborhood. I will have opportunities to practice and improve my Spanish, attend the youth Bible Studies, tutor, and may even be able to work with Young Life. I will also be working with a Hollywood based ministry four days a week. I have not been matched yet, but am praying for opportunities in health. I will also be getting involved with a local church in Hollywood. I will visit different churches for my first 6-8 weeks, then find one where I can become involved. <br /><br />I'm afraid I don't have much of an Egypt update. I still don't have many details on the trip. I will be coaching soccer at a camp, and well... I don't know what else yet. Details will be coming soon (We leave in three weeks; they have to!)<br /><br />Thanks for all your support!<br /><br />-AlexAlex Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417535431676713209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7346603318075799117.post-17180308117223884772010-05-09T18:58:00.000-07:002010-05-09T21:03:30.885-07:00CrazyHey Everyone!<div><br /></div><div>My life has been pretty crazy lately. In just the past few weeks some major changes have taken place. I learned that my previous summer plans to travel and do mission work in Puerto Rico through the New Wilmington Mission Conference had fallen through and that I am instead serving in Egypt for six weeks. This is overwhelming, surprising, and exciting all at the same time. I know nothing about the language, culture or religion, but am trusting that there will be something for me to do. My team still does not know exactly where we will be staying or how we will be serving. This is definitely a lesson in patience and trust. I will be leaving for Egypt in less than a month now!</div><div><br /></div><div>More recently, I have been completing the interview process to spend a year in service as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) through the Presbyterian Church. This is my reason for starting this blog. I will soon be placed in either Hollywood, California or Miami, Florida. Ironically, I hate heat (I love the Western PA weather!) and after visiting both places on different trips, swore that I would never live in LA or the state of Florida. God has some sense of humor! Both locations are absolutely incredible, and have so much to offer. (Check them out yourself at http://www.doornetwork.org/) In both cities I will living with other Christian volunteers in the program, have an opportunity to speak and improve my Spanish on a daily basis, and serve in a health clinic for the impoverished from the community. I am so excited! This is such an incredible opportunity for me, and gives me time to pray and discern where my life is taking me. I will be using this blog to keep you all updated on my year of service, and where it takes me. </div><div><br /></div><div>I do however need help. As much as I hate to be dependent on others, I am asking for support for this year of service. I need all of your prayers and support; I will be far from home. I also need to raise $6,5oo for my year of service, and if possible, I would love your help. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you so much!</div><div><br /></div><div>-Alex Davis</div>Alex Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417535431676713209noreply@blogger.com0