Day 4: Project "Enrich L.A."

Today we had the opportunity to serve at two schools in L.A with an organization called Enrich L.A. This is an organization focused on growing gardens in schools around Los Angeles to teach students better eating habits and giving them access to better food. Among the numerous tasks we were able to serve them with were mulching, welding , and building "hugle" mounds (decaying matter mounds that create natural irrigation). Through these tasks we were led by two contrasting personalities. One man named Tomás and one named Jeff.
It was through Jeff that I "saw God" as we say in Hope Garden. He had such an obvious love for plants and Gods creation that even if he wasn't a Christian he inspired love of creation in me. The hard work taught me humility and the willingness to be a servant and respect authority.

~ Nic Veldhorst

A great way to start the day... Get up at 4:50 am and hike to the top of this small mountain.  The view is absolutely gorgeous.

Prayer before we head out for the day

Bekah and Angie getting ready for a day of gardening

Tanner and Nic getting the wheel barrows ready

Larissa, Emma and Luke getting their gloves

No caption needed;)

The nonprofit we helped out today.  The students worked really hard.

Fixing wheel barrows

Loading mulch and wood chips

Lunch time!!

 Working at the next school

Alycia and Jacob

Mrs. D on the move to the next job

Irrigation tubing...

                                          Time lapse of us taking care of business!

The wood chip crew

A few of our guys with Jeff.  Jeff's a great guy.

Group shot:)

Shopping for important things like junk food

Getting ready for worship 

Sharing our "Yay God" moments

Reflecting on what God did today

Carrie Budwine, Director of Hope Gardens, gives us a brief history of Hope Gardens and a background of the ministry

Beech shares her "Yay God" moment from the day

Jacob taking part in the activity.  Each of us was able to chip off a piece of wood.  The chip represented something God has removed from us as he continues to make us into the people he's calling us to be.

Larissa chiseling off a piece of wood.  We each did this at the end of worship as we considered what God is chiseling away in our lives as he continues to shape us into his masterpiece.