LB Movement Planting #2

Disc Golf in Flagstaff, Andy Wood throwing through the trees to an unknown target...


We spent the summer planting spiritual movements in Long Beach, CA. I mentioned in an earlier post about the summer (LB movement planting #1) that we started by praying. Next we trsuted God to lead us to pockets of people to minister to.

This sounds easier than it actually is, most Christians have few if any friends that are not believers in Christ. So to find a group of people with a common interest that is NOT Christianity can be challenging. Personally I think that often in the Christian sub-culture we have no idea what we like to do because we are told what to do and what not to do rather than told to be who we are created to be...another thought for another time.

After a few weeks most students were plugged into people groups that either suited their gifts and abilities (playing soccer in a park with the same people wvery day, or joining a pottery club), or groups that they had compassion for (Homeless shelters or the Gay, Lesbian, Transsexual community center. I chose the former.

I chose a pocket of people that suited my gifts and abilities, I chose a group of Disc golfers. If you are unfamilier with the sport click this link...it will open your eyes a little to the game. Disc Golf.I met these guys at ElDorado park in Long Beach. I did not know what I was getting into when we first arrived, in fact I did not even know that there was a group of disc golfers to join. However, after visiting the park a few times we realized that there were about 60-150 disc golfers in the community that knew eachother well. They connected at tournements and local parks, during the week they met almost every day to play and smoke dope.

It seems as though it is fairly easy to get a medical marijuanna liscence in California so most of these guys were legal. It was strange to play disc and to be offered a hit regularly. When people ask about my summer I mention that I learned how to smoke pot (I did not smoke, just learned how to) this gives indication into my sheltered background. Anyway, this group truly had a shared interest, and we jumped into this group with the Gospel.

More to come.

Praying for the Rietema's

Please join us in praying for the following things:
1. We recently lost $800 in monthly support. A generous friend and donor told us that they would not bu giving financially to our ministry next year. We are grateful for their support for the past 10 years, and are sad to lose them. In the meantime we have the additional support to raise. We know that God is faithful and will provide.

2. Please pray for our transition. Both Erika and I are taking on more resposibility in our region and will need God's wisdom as we pursue 1,000,000 college students with the Gospel.

Life Change in Long Beach

These past two months we followed a vision the Lord gave to us to teach, train and encourage college students to plant spiritual movements all over Long Beach, CA.
On May 27, 32 students arrived eager to see God move in their lives and around them. We sent the students out into the city to work, live, and connect with the people of Long Beach. Our prayer was to see God raise up among the people of Long Beach leaders of new spiritual communities, new Bible study leaders and new churches. The faith steps were not easy but we learned a ton about our sin, our fears and the power of God.
The first week 3 students and a staff gal, Brandon, Brian, Chelsea and Tawnny adopted the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender community center as a place to serve and love and to beseech God to move. They participated in pool parties and some pretty sensitive discussions. During all their interactions our students prayed that God would break hearts and
minister to the people. Initially Dawn, the operations manager, was shocked that Campus Crusade would want to serve in her community center.
Three weeks ago Brandon and Tawnny initiated with Dawn, to talk and go out for ice cream. Dawn was too busy but still wanted to talk. They showed up at the center and the doors were locked but Dawn let them in. Dawn shared her pressures in life, hurts and then she started crying.

Our students were praying that God would do a miracle and then they shared the Gospel and Dawn expressed a deep desire to know Jesus. That night in the middle of the center she prayed to receive Jesus. Since then Chelsea has continued to serve, love and interact with Dawn. Dawn has many hurts, fears and questions that
have yet to be healed and answered by God. Please pray for her to trust God’s love. Hurts, fears, loneliness and doubts are experienced by many of the people we interact with. We know that God desires to transform Long Beach. Please continue to pray that God will use our students to plant spiritual movements and to share his love with others