Thank you Henrietta

I read a lot.  Ahhhh lot.

I don't often put on here what it is that I am reading--It's a private thing for me.  Honestly, I don't read exactly what people would expect that I SHOULD read...

A couple weeks ago I was reading some brain candy....and wanted out.  I wasn't sure were to go next for a book--and was struggling with the 8 000 books in my e-reader -- not being enough.

I was wandering around the offices that week and wandered into the Clinical Research Manager's office and there it was.  My next new book.

When I joined "Research Row" the Business Manager recommended this book, I'd seen it around, but I didn't really think I'd like it.

So, I asked if I could borrow her book, she said yes, if I could make a way to "check out" the two books she had in her library.

So, I am reading:  The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks"

I was 20 pages into this book when I was so angry--I didn't think I would continue reading it.  I put it down for a couple weeks, while I was away in Los Angeles.  I picked the brain candy back up--then realized, I need to finish this book.

I can tell you I have been disgusted, angry, frustrated and hopeful all at the same time.  I am right now into a part of the book -- where hypocrisy is rampant.

The interesting thing--people often feel that there is hypocrisy in the church or in Christians.  You realize all over the place that the truth is-we are all hypocrites, some of us are more aware of our hypocrisy than others.

I am getting into a part of the book that has made me realize as a Cancer survivor, I owe my health to Henrietta Lacks and in Research Scientists.

Today marks a special occasion for me.  2 years ago yesterday was my last treatment at the BC Cancer Agency (Vancouver Island Centre).  I walked out of the building and thought, see you NEVER.  I didn't realize that I would be back every 3 months.

Today, is the 2nd anniversary of my day of freedom from BCCA and although I struggle on a daily basis with pain, fatigue, inability to handle stress.  I would rather be on this side of treatment than the other.

Thank you Henrietta, for your sacrifice.  

To the Lack's family who were treated so badly..thank you.  

To the Scientists who did horrendous things to many people in the name of "Research" what the hell were you thinking???  But thank you for learning what you did to invent Vincristine, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Rituximab and Prednisone so that today I can be healthy.

Thank you God for the strength to endure and for the remaining years I have here on earth.

And a special thank you to Kent, who cooked, cleaned, loved, helped me through and endured this all along with me.  You really are the best Kent.  I love you so, so, so much.

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.  

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

The United Nations--the Horie Home

I'm not kidding.

We have been renovating the basement madly this Summer.  When I say WE you know that I mean that Kent has been working like a DOG to get this all done and that I have been feeding him and helping paint. (I am the unofficial painter in the Horie House).

We had students living all over our house, but this year we decided that we should move them to the basement, then we all get a little privacy.  So, the 2 rooms upstairs would be free for guests and then the 3 down would be students.

Then, I got a call.  1 Mexican student's homestay family would be away until September 8.  Could we take him.  He moved in August 23.  Upstairs bedroom.  Did I cave, absolutely.  I can't say no to a stray.

August 24th our first official student for the Fall arrived from Germany, (Bode) .  Last night, our next student arrived from Brazil, (Rodrigo).  We are still waiting for one--He is stuck in Seattle waiting for the Mexican Consulate to issue his Student Visa, (Eduardo).

Last night, we were discussing when they had to get up and get to the orientations that have been happening this week.  At 8.15 am the bus would go by the house, so Bode (Germany) decided he could get up at 8.00 am, have breakfast, make his lunch and get out to the bus......

Kent went by the bus stop at 8.19 and there they were, waiting on the next bus.  Kent spoke with them briefly, and told them another bus would be by shortly.

He went home to find a brown bag full of buttered toast.

I guess tomorrow they will get up a little earlier.

LA Dream Center - Tuesday

My alarm went off at 6 am.  I wasn't easily woken this morning. We had a very early breakfast and loaded up the van and headed to the airport.

We got to the airport on time, and made all our connections with out any problems.  Our final connection Seattle to Victoria was delayed--we arrived about 30 minutes later than we had hoped.

We said our good byes at the airport--it was tough to let them go back to their parents.

I couldn't believe it was all over.

Tomorrow--I am up again at 6 am--and back to work.

Yawn.

LA Dream Center - Monday

I didn't sleep well.  I was up at 6, we had plans to leave the hotel by 8 for Disneyland.

On each of these trips we try to incorporate a day off for the teens.  Give them time to bond as a team, laugh.

I am not a ride person.  I have never enjoyed terrifying myself for fun.  I lived a lot of years in fear--I don't do it for fun.

I was determined to be on as many rides as I could muster.  To take one for the team.  And did I do rides.  I think I was on 10+ rides before lunch.  By then, I was done.  I had left myself get too hungry, a little "car sick" and I didn't know if I would be able to do much more.  But I did.

We went to the Rain Forest Cafe for dinner, all 13 of us, at one table.  It was a great way to end our time together in Disney.

We walked back to the hotel at midnight and I settled in to check us in for our flights -- and it wasn't as simple as I'd hoped.

I slid into bed at 1 am--setting my alarm for 6 am the next morning.  Really a very typical day for me on a trip like this.

LA Dream Center - Sunday

We woke this morning, the boys cleaned out the van, cleaned their room.  Then they came and took our luggage and swept our room.

We ladies, got ready for church.

We found a Starbucks that we could hang out in, we were about 1 hour early for getting to the church.

We arrived at Angelus Temple for the 10:30 service--early, we checked in as we were required to do so that the Pastor could acknowledge the teams that were in the service.  It was fun to get a shout out.

The service was great.  Really great.

We skipped lunch and headed straight to our hotel in Anaheim.  Then, we got hungry.  We stopped at a taco place, and a Starbucks....

When we arrived at the hotel, a group went to the pool and the balance of us went to Downtown Disney.  Our team had released us so that Kent and I could go on a date.  So as we wandered around Downtown Disney, the contrast was just too much to bear.

We left and went back to the hotel to hang out with the kids at the pool.

We divided up and went to bed.  I had a room with Hannah and Lindsay.  The other room, had 4 girls in it.  As a rule, we never share a bed with a teen--and that left poor Kiersten in a room with 3 girls.

The girls were all journaling and we were nestling down for bed when we heard banging and thumping.  We thought our neighbours were being jerks.  I got out of bed to say something, Lindsay said, You go sass them Kim!  When I got outside our hotel, I realized it was fireworks!  So I ran back and told the girls and we stood outside and watched.

It was a pretty spectacular end to a day.

LA Dream Center - Saturday

I really haven't had time to write this all down, and now it's been over a week, so I am hoping I can remember all the details.

Saturday morning we ended up loading a food truck, but we weren't guaranteed that we would be the team to unload it and hand it out.

You'd think that we would be disappointed about this, but the team had really grown to "do whatever it takes".

We then had a corporate prayer time with EVERYONE that was a team member at the LA Dream Center.

As I walked to the Gym, (which was quite a ways....) I had three prayer thoughts:

1.  That God would give us direction.  Both Kent and I.  Job/Career.  Do we keep this house?
2.  That God would break my heart and give me compassion for the people of Los Angeles.
3.  I was tired.  Being the only female leader was exhausting.  I was the last to bed and the first to get up.  I needed God to meet me and strengthen me.

So as the prayer time started I asked the teens to stand and walk over to an area of the gym and really participate in this--and they did.

As the first worship song started I lifted my hands in surrender and I heard the singer say, bow my knee.  So I did.  I want to always be obedient.

A few moments later, Kevin walked over and touched my head and I was a goner.  The Holy Spirit welled up in me, dumped himself upon me.  I was speaking in tongues--In my head I was able to think about my prayer requests...but that's about it.  So I thought about Kent.  My number 1 prayer request.

Then, I thought about the people of Los Angeles, and I was heart broken.  I began to weep--I could not stop the groaning.  I've never experienced anything like this.  God really broke my heart for the people of Los Angeles.

There was only about 1 hour allotted for the prayer time--It zipped past so fast.

We were then given the opportunity to sign up for the neighbourhood we were going into today and we were given the area Gilbert/Lindsey.  The projects.

I was expecting something that looked a little more like a project from New York, but I was wrong.  It was only 2 story housing units, with quite a bit of green space.  We unloaded our food truck and handed out the food.  They reserved 30 bags of the groceries for people who were shut ins.

We then delivered the food to people at their homes.  They were super grateful--and one woman asked to be removed from the list--she had recovered from surgery and could walk out to get her own groceries.  She wanted to make sure that those groceries went to someone else.  She was really concerned for her neighbours.

We played an epic soccer game--in the blistering heat.

We found a dead bird.  We seriously thought about bringing it back to the school--we're know as being the team that finds dead animals.  We left it there....it was stinky.

We went wend directly from there to Muscle/Venice Beach.  We hung out, swam at the beach and had some dinner.

It was a really great last day of ministry.  Tomorrow will be completely different.

LA Dream Center - Friday

Today, for the first day the teens got a chance to sleep beyond 6.30 am.

Kevin and I went to a Leadership Breakfast.  I have to say I was not looking forward to this.  They were looking to honour us as leaders.  I don't like the acclamation and I don't like meeting new people.  Both are terrifying to me.

So, I went to get Kevin at his room and Zach told me he had already left!  I went running to the 7th floor conference room....and no Kevin.  I was on my own.

Sigh.  Pull up your big girl pants.  You can do this.

I quickly got my breakfast--another thing...I don't like eating in front of people.

Sigh.  Pull up your big girl pants....

We had a great meeting, lots of great stories of working here.  I told our Snaps story, and I was asked to write it out in detail, they'd like to use it as a testament of what we are willing to do to ease the suffering of a man.

We then went with New Jersey to load the food trucks.  We had a time of testimony--then we had it loaded in no time.

Interesting note:  Each time someone speaks here to give testimony OR prays, a helicopter goes over our heads or a large truck rumbles by.  So, it's like this:  Dear God RUMBLE, RUMBLE, Thwaka-Thwaka Amen.  It's become humorous.

From there were were headed into a presentation about  the Discipleship Leaders School.  I looked at Noah and said, Infomercial!

I should know by now, that my lousy attitude is going to be pulled back into check in minutes....literally, minutes.

As the morning wore on, I was broken, in tears.  I now know what I need to go when I get home.  I have Kevin's blessing--in fact, Kevin is going to make phone calls as soon as we get back.

Here they have a program called Project Prevention.  They will go to families who have an open file with DFCS.  (Foster Care) and do their best to fulfill the needs of the families.  Sometimes they just need a bed for their children, it's the tipping point between getting to keep the kids or not.

In the US, 500,000 kids are put into foster care.  The statistic is 50% of those kids come from loving families, who want to keep their kids.  In the US there are 500,000 Evangelic Churches.  If half of the churches met the needs of 1 family--the need would be met.  Here, last year, they closed 200+ DFCS files.

Closed.

Kept Families together.

Kim is broken.  How easy would that be!  We have a HUGE God standing behind us ASKING us to be His hands and feet.

I can bet, I'd find free stuff.  I bet I could find discount stuff.

As I was walking out of that meeting we were talking about the Emancipation home (kids aging out of Foster Care), Project Prevention, (as described above) and Adopt-A-Block.  All very easy things to show the love of Jesus to Colwood.

Isn't that why we are there?

Right now, as I type this, our kids are on the Family Floor.  An extension of the Project Prevention.  The parents are all in classes this afternoon getting his/her GED.  Our kids are babysitting babies, playing with toddlers and doing crafts.

As, I am typing, Chloe is sitting next to me and she said, each of the Directors we have worked with have texted her raving about the Canadian Team from Victoria.  She said, it doesn't happen all the time that a Director will say, how great teams are, she said it definitely doesn't happen when EACH Director during a week will send her positive messages about a team.  She thinks we are a first.

And I sit here and think, the past year of Discipleship Training--every minute of it is worth it.  Our teens are God's Heroes.

And again, I am broken before the Lord, his goodness is overwhelming.

Isaiah 6:8

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

LA Dream Center - Thursday

How do you top a day like yesterday?

Well, we are getting a reputation around here:

1.  We find all the deceased animals.
2.  We are willing to do whatever it takes.

On our assigned duties today was going to pick up trash again in the neighborhood.  That's exactly what God had not designed for us today.

When we brought in Snaps last night, the leadership said that they had just gotten a phone call that Angelus Temple needed to be cleaned for the service tonight....they asked if we'd go.

The answer was yes.  We are willing to do whatever it takes.

They had assigned us to clean the "kids zone" a very large 2 story building.  Our team set to it and cleaned the whole building (to exacting standards!) in about 1 hour.

We then cleaned the outside, because we had time.

Then, we cleaned the sanctuary, because we had time.

Then, we cleaned the underground storage, because we had time.

At that time I heard an Angelus Temple employee calling Chloe at the Dream Center RAVING about our team.  "The Canadians were amazing.  They cleaned the basement in literally 10 minutes!"

Your Colwood team is impressive, hard working and showing the love of Jesus in everything they do.

In the afternoon, we were divided into 2 teams.  3 of the girls, Chantiel, Lindsay and Sarah went to a clothing drive--where they helped people pick out clothes and organize clothes.  The balance of us went to Gilbert/Lindsay a predominantly Hispanic community to deliver food.

That is where the team met Victoria.

Victoria was in a workplace accident over 6 years ago.  A bookshelf fell on her neck, fracturing 3 vertebrae and rupturing discs.  Her husband is in jail.  She has a law suit she has been battling for 6 year and she is due any day for surgery.  She is fearful and utterly alone.  Until today.  She was prayed over by our team--twice.  She then was given instructions on how to get support from the LA Dream Center.  She is now no longer alone, she understands that she can pray when she needs to and the Angel Armies of Heaven will be with her....and physically she has the Dream Center and Angelus Temple standing behind her.

She was so grateful, she hugged and kissed our team.

We then were off to church at Angelus Temple.  We were paraded on stage and asked to sing the Canadian National Anthem....which the teens did with gusto!

We heard Dr. Reginald Garvon--who had a doctorate in physics, mechanical engineering and theology.  Undoubtably the smartest man in the room.  He rocked us.  We all had take aways from his sermon that has deeply impacted us.

I can honestly say, we are being changed day by day on this trip.  A couple of thoughts:

If you don't give your 10%, 100% of your income controls you.

Enlarge my vision, faith dreams - Jabez.

Empty yourself of your plans so He can fill you with His plans.

I know that God is birthing in us dreams for Colwood.  I hope you all back there are getting ready....

LA Dream Center - Wednesday

Wednesday will go down in history as the longest, toughest and most rewarding day of the trip so far.

Wednesday morning we met at the tool shed yard where we loaded up and headed out into the neighborhood to collect trash.

A simple thing.

We realized very quickly how grateful people were to have us in their 'hood.  A small, simple gesture.  We realized that people love what we do in their 'hood, they will like who we are and then we can point them to our God.

Let me tell you, it wasn't an easy job.  It was tiring, it was hot.  Blood pressures bottomed out and we got thirsty, but not a person on the team complained about this task.

Not one.

I am super proud of this team.  They are growing and maturing right before my very eyes.  I stood back to take a photo and it came to me.  THIS is why we go.  THIS is why we do this.  We are facilitating a change in these students that will change them for life.

We wandered back to the Center and Anthony a DCD, (Dream Center Disciple) gave us his life testimony.  What a great story about redemption.

As we were listening, the team was asked to go to the Emancipation Home the 80 beds that were to be placed were here.  Our team, without hesitation, jumped at the opportunity to do more.

In the afternoon, we were to go to Venice Beach to do "Adopt-a-Block".  Basically we were going to do whatever they needed.  We decided since we'd be so close to the ocean, we'd stay for dinner and play in the waves.

As we gathered to get our directions and be given a leader....we were told that "things had changed".  They sent us to Skid Row.  Not a complaint, not a murmur of the change in plans.

We divided up into our groups and hit the streets of Skid Row.  The task:  Pick up trash and talk to people.  And did we hear stories.

In my group, I have Noah and Chantiel.  While we were walking down the street a bike patrol came to us to say that she had been talking all morning to a Muslim man, who's dog had died the day before.  In his faith, the Dog, Snaps should be buried in 24 hours.  Animal Control said they would take it and cremate it for him.  He was wounded.  He had his precious dog in a cooler, covered in ice, under a blanket with flowers atop.  His name was Sabat.

One thing I have learned here -- they say yes first, figure out the details later.  What a freeing way of living.  So, I said yes.  We finished our walk around Skid Row and found Sabat's blanket and cooler.  We talked to him, he told us how Snaps had passed.  He told us that Snaps was all he had.  With tears, he told us how Snaps had found him, been a closer companion than his Mother, Sister or Friend.

We again, told him we'd help him out.

So, for the 2nd time today, we were about to dispose of a dead dog.

Lindsay and Noah said, this is why we were here.  Why our plans were changed, we were answering a pray of a man.  God was using us to help him out.

We loaded Snaps into the car and headed back to the Dream Center.  When we got here there was absolutely nowhere to put Snaps.  The school told us, as with the other Dog we found this morning doing trash pick up, that Snaps would have to go into a Dumpster (like Noah said, it was a very nice dumpster).  At least, we were able to fulfill one wish, that his precious Snaps was not cremated.

As we finished our day, we then booked it to Venice Beach to watch the sun set, play in waves.  We had a good time of debriefing what we had seen and done today.

As many people as there are on this trip, there are 4-5 stories each of what happened at Skid Row.  Stay tuned for more stories.

A few DC quotes

Lindsay:  That's a good looking Kent.

Team:  PED XING!

Team:  Kent probably knows.

Team:  Where's Kent?

Tim:  Sunset Blvd.  Where have I heard of hat before?

Mr. Muscle:  YOU KNOW YOU KNOW!

Chantiel to Zach:  If you grew p with us you'd be cool.  You'd have fashion sense.  You'd be hipster.

Hannah:  I don't even like tacos.  and I don't want a Choco-Taco!

Kiersten:  We're not here for ourselves.  Were here to serve.

THE GREAT NOAH vs ZACH UNDERARM DEODORANT DEBATE--The takeaway.  Zach your right.  That is your.s

Sarah:  Turbulations.  As in:  I hate flying because of the turbulation.

Shanty-town.  :(

Guitarist at Angelus Temple with Australian accent:  You have got the best accent ever.  What are you on about?  I'm American!

Hannah to Kiersten:  If your nose was an animal.  It would be my favorite animal.

Tim:  I saw tents under the overpass.  it made me sad.

Noah:  Noticed one block Hard Rock Cafe, then next block, homelessness.

Kevin:  Where you go and where you walk you carry a light with you into dark places.

Homeless Lady with a Sign:  Anything helps.  Even a smile.  Eye contact is huge.

Noah:  It was a very nice dumpster--re: Snap.

Skid Row Quotes:

Philippe:  Stay in School  Don't go all Hollywood on me.

Elaine:  Holy Ghost Spirit in side of me.  Tell the Father!

Jesus:  What you are you doing?  Picking up trash.  Well, pick me up and put me in, cause I trash.

Finally-Team nicknames:

Abba Plumpton-Rob
Silk Plumpton: Noah
Stryper Plumpton: Kent
Petra Plumpton: Lindsay
Ruf Plumpton: Chantiel
Journey Plumpton: Kevin
Queen Plmpton:  Kim
Huuuuuuuah Plumpton: Hannah
Kiwi Plumpton: Jessica
Pink Plumpton:  Sarah
Fub Plumpton: Kiersten
Papa Plumpton: Tim
Bats Plumpton: Zach

LA Dream Center - Tuesday

We haven't finished today, but I have momentary access to a computer, so I am quickly going to tap out a message.

We slept well last night.  (Walking to get the van, playing in the surf, all a plan to wear out excited teenagers, so the adults could sleep!)

This morning we had a tour of the LA Dream Center.  When I saw the schedule, I couldn't see how we would need a tour for so long, but man, was I wrong.

This place is ah-mazing.

We started our tour on the roof, looking out towards the HOLLYWOOD sign and the Observatory.  It was then explained to us how this building came to be.  An amazing story of God calling a man to the area church that had about 30 people in it.  Eventually, he had no one coming to church.  Through brokeness God called Matthew Barnett to start the Dream Center by housing 1 homeless man, that turned into 60 and there are now 700 people housed within these walls.  Homeless, DC (Dream Center) workers and temporary teams.

They feed 1700 people per day.  If you can afford the $2.45 to eat you pay, if you can't you eat for free, spending 20 minutes in the chapel.

DC disperses 1 million pounds of food/month.  Not just here, but they give it out to area churches who feed people.  

They have a budget of 700,000 a month.  Soon that is going to swell as they open floors 6-15.

DC is about to open an "Emancipated Youth" Shelter, housing 80 teens that have aged out of Foster Care.  They are currently looking for a "House Mom and Dad".  My heart quickened with the thought.

As we wandered around the College, GED Program, The Project Protection housing, (Pre-Foster Care work), the music studio, the gym/yoga studio, the coffee shop....I hope you are getting the idea here.  They OWN a City Block in LA.  They are about to burn the mortgage.  I kept seeing example after example of 1 person saying, we should do this and Pastor Matthew affirming this vision and going for it.  He said YES, rather than let's see if we can afford/man/do this project.

After our tour we went out to the Food Trucks and loaded the trucks with food.  We drove into the area neighbourhood and gave out bags of groceries.  A hard view.  People needing the food were allowed to go through the line up more than once, but they had to go through then re-line up then go again.  People were RUNNING after they got through the line so that they could go again.

I was broken.  I was standing with Noah ready to pray for anyone who needed or wanted it.  I was struck with the fact that we don't have to do this.  After 7 months of Kent being unemployed God has been carrying us.  We haven't been in need, his provision has been there from month to month.

I wanted our kids to see this.  The people were in need, but being helped.  Not, come to the church and we will do something for you, but rather leaving our hallowed walls and serving where literally, the rubber hits the road.

Right now, our Dream Team are painting the ladies dorm in the College, some are doing construction work in the "Emancipated Youth" Dorms.

I am here in the hot office thinking about a few things:

1.  We are blessed beyond measure.

2.  Our Dream Team has been amazing.

3.  God is good.  All the time.

Thank you to the parents who have let us take their kids so far away.  To educate them better than by book or Sunday School lesson.  I believe this will change them in ways that is so profound.

Tonight, we are going to "Hollywood/Vine".  I told the girls where we were taking them and they got excited.  What will happen tonight?  The reality of what Hollywood looks like, not the glamourized version, Hollywood polished.  They will see the nitty gritty of life.

And I can't wait.

LA Dream Center - Monday

We are here.  It's a little hard to believe and I have had moments of "I have to pinch myself" to believe it.

We gathered at the Airport in Victoria at 4 am.  There was a crowd of great looking parents to see us off, we prayed and had our passports checked and went to security.

We took of promptly at 6 am, for a 22 minute flight to Seattle.  Timmy, our newest flyer, loved it.   There was a little nervous chatter, but we were completely stoked to be on our way to LA.

We arrived in Seattle and had a number of line ups to go through.  We grabbed breakfast and got into the cue for the next flight.

We arrived in LA without complication and walked from the Airport to the Van rental.  As Rob, Kent and I dealt with the rental -- Kevin and our Jr Leaders, Kiersten and Noah took the troop over to In and Out Burger, where we met another team headed to the Dream Center from Virgina.  Our first new friends.

We had a trip to Walmart where we stocked up on water and snacks then headed to the Dream Center.

We had our orientation at 3.30, settled into our rooms and made our way to dinner.  Yummy, yummy dinner.

We told the teens we had a surprise for them for the evening.  All day we heard, what is the surprise.  A few enterprising ladies asked me what to wear, I told them formal wear.

We got into Beach clothes and headed to Huntingdon Beach for the sunset.  It was glorious.  The teens and a few leaders were in the water for a while.

It was a blissfully easy start to a trip.

A big THANK YOU to the Board and Pastors of Colwood for allowing this to happen and to Craig, Sandy, Amanda and Tom for your help with fundraising.  We know that we would not be here without your help.