Love. Live. Act.

Since I posted last about what God has placed on my heart (Meals at J Square) I've been in the praying stage of it all. Praying that God provides and guides! That he would point me in the right direction of people who hold the same passions in their hearts that I do. Praying for the people in New Orleans that I will be meeting. growing close to. and loving on. And also praying/preparing for the yardsale and anything else I can do.

I'm getting super excited about what God's doing and how he's using me. And I'm adding something to it...a coat drive. I recently read Luke 3:11 and then I thought about all the jackets I have that I don't wear and about all the people on the streets that are not only hungry, but cold. I know it's Louisiana, but it still gets cold (hey, it snowed last night) 

I know a lot of people say "that's cool, I'll pray for you" while others say "that's dangerous, why do you want to do that?" Well, I challenge you to read these scriptures (at the bottom) and pray about it. I need your help with this. Whether it be you praying for me and the people involved, donating stuff for the yardsale (all money will pay for food for Meals at J Sqaure), giving up a coat or two, donating any kind of food that can be used, donating money, or even your time. I just ask you pray. and pray hard.

(if you would like to help email me at chelsea.broughton@selu.edu, shoot me a message or give me a call 985-768-2362)

Luke 3:11 "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise" 

Luke 12:33 "Sell your possessions, and give to the needy" 

Matthew 25:31-40 "....I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me...Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

James 1:22 "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

James 1:27 "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained form the world."

I also want to take this time to tell you about something my friend Brandt Russo is doing...Operation Starvation. He is going to be the voice to the 30,000 estimated invisible children who die every day of hunger. How is he doing that? He's going on a hunger strike to raise awareness and the funds that are needed for these children. Today (sunday) he will start until he raises $15,500. A lot of people probably think he's crazy after seeing that number, but we easily forget about the starving children that we don't personally know...but as soon as someone you may know or know of (who otherwise would not be starving) goes hungry we actually stop and think/act. I ask you to pray for him. pray for the kids. pray for Not Fashionable. And donate.  

Meals at J Square

Ever since I got home from New York I’ve been praying for guidance on what God wants me to do here, and everything He has thrown in my face, I have ignored using every excuse in the book. Recently, I’ve been spending more time with God, and He has been teaching me how to be more obedient and live a surrendered life. Teaching me what it really means to love like he has called for us to love. Living like Jesus.

This past week I hosted two screenings of the documentary “Adopt-A-Jesus” hoping to share it with many students on campus…to get them thinking…to give them an opportunity to question if we are all really living the way God wants for us to live. When only a handful of people came to watch the film, and many people at the football game, I saw what is really important to us“Christians” but I know that God sent the people he wanted to be there and I thank him for that. Through the film, hearing Brandt’s stories (and many conversations with him), and lots of time with God…He revealed so much more to me.

God has layed something on my heart and I’m ready to act on it. (I’m not waiting until I graduate. I’m not making anymore excuses.) I want to spend time building relationships with homeless and poor folks in New Orleans. What better way of doing this then having picnics with them in Jackson Square?...Meals at J Square.

I’m doing this by selling a bunch of my “junk” to pay for the food and I’m hoping you will join me. I’m going to have a yard sale within the next few weeks and I ask that you go through your stuff and help out. If not, you can help with the yard sale. And if you feel lead to, come hangout with the people with me. Pray about it. Seek God about it. I want to make a trip down there the week of Christmas and that is only the beginning.

Luke 12:33-34 “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”



Facts About The Homeless
In New Orleans Approximately:
• 33% are families; most being women with children
• 30% have jobs: part time; seasonal; minimum wage
• 23% have a chronic mental illness
• 50% have substance abuse problems
• 85% are natives of Louisiana, 15% are non-natives
• Less than 10% of the homeless population is homeless by choice or "hard core" homeless.

Homeless in New York City

Hey,
I know I never update this and I'm going to start because even though I'm back from New York (and have been for 3 months) I'm still learning from this summer.
I had the opportunity to write an editorial for my schools newspaper and I wrote about being homeless...so, here it is.
and I'm in the process of writing another one titled "Revolution" which I'll post soon.

Chelsea Broughton
“Homeless in New York City”

Imagine sleeping on a cold concrete floor, without a blanket. Awakened at 6 a.m., you’re kicked out of the shelter for the day. You discover that the sweatshirt you hid away the night before was stolen. Walking the streets of New York in the rain without an umbrella, your only meal for the day is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and forget about brushing your teeth or showering. That became reality for me and several other college students this summer.

This past summer I spent five weeks in New York City on a mission trip with Campus Crusade for Christ, and was part of the inner city track. Each week, teams of students worked at different ministry sites around the city ranging from preparing meals in soup kitchens, to conducting Bible studies and sharing testimonies, to spending time with the homeless. Little did I know I would experience being homeless first hand.

It was a Wednesday night only a week after arriving in New York. We were all gathered for a prayer meeting when the staff said those seven dreaded words; “You are now entering the poverty simulation.” They told us we had 15 minutes to run to our rooms and get three items. After grabbing a blanket, bottle of water, and a bag of pretzels I joined the other eighteen students and left our comfortable Manhattan apartments and headed to a warehouse in Queens. We had no money, no cell phone, no form of identification, and no idea what was in store for us or how long it would actually last.

So there we were nineteen college students, who barely knew each other, homeless in New York City. We spent that first sleepless night on the cold concrete ground of the warehouse huddled together to keep warm. The staff warned us that our belongings could be stolen at any point as if we were in a real homeless shelter, so everyone was clutched onto their items. Throughout the night there were disturbing noises, flashing of lights, and sounds of people crying. It was the longest night of my life, and finally at 6 a.m. we were kicked out onto the streets where we slept until we had to leave for our ministry sites.

That morning I slept on the subway while we made our way to Coney Island where we would be serving the working poor and homeless of the city. That’s when I realized the significance of the simulation: to gain compassion for them and understand how it feels to be homeless. That is exactly what happened. That first day, I looked at the people we were serving in a whole different way: Knowing how they felt after only one night of being “homeless.”

After a long day of working and walking through the rain, we got back on the subway where I truly felt homeless for a second time. Sitting there wet, hungry, and carrying a blanket I noticed the looks people were giving me. They looked at us as if we were homeless and some people even moved seats to avoid us. Little did they know, in real life, I am just like them, an educated middle-class college student.

At the time we did not know, but Saturday was the last day we would be homeless. That day was the best day of the entire experience. Two other girls and I sat in the rain in Bryant Park with my blanket over our heads begging for money. It was the only way we would be able to eat that day. With everyone avoiding eye contact, I then understood how it felt to be ignored when all we needed was a few dollars to eat. After the simulation was over the staff treated us to dinner at a nice restaurant. From then I could have went on living the way I did before, but instead I chose to live my life in a different way.

Growing up in a middle class family, I was never exposed to this kind of life, but that has changed. What did I learn from this experience? I learned to break my stereotypes of the working poor and homeless and instead of looking down on them, see and love them as people. Having gone through this experience has changed my life forever. Now that I can identify with being homeless, I feel a strong calling to working in the inner city. I recently read that 80 percent of the world has 20 percent of the “stuff,” and 20 percent of the world is hoarding 80 percent of the “stuff.” Think about that next time you walk past a homeless person and you avoid them completely.

missing

So, before leaving New York everyone wrote each other letters to read on the plane. It was sad just writing them let alone reading all the encouraging words everyone wrote to me. I found myself teary eyed writing Dayne's letter as I sat in the apartment alone. He had become one of my best friends and I hated thinking about not having him around. That whole week Nichole and I kept getting sad about leaving even knowing we will see each other again....we WILL make it happen. So, in the airport I began reading them....crying and laughing...all the encouraging things people said I was so sad to leave that community that I grew to love. I found myself crying reading every letter...saving a few for the plane rid where I thought I could cry more without being seen. However, on the plane I sat between two men, not next to Sam. I read Nichole's letter...she had become like my sister...and even reading about all our memories made me cry...wiping away the tears I began reading Dayne's and had to stop reading it twice because it made me cry too much. His words were so encouraging in different ways...knowing my heart and my past hurts. I'm so blessed to have all these brothers and sisters in my life. I love them all and I will miss them way too much.
The plane ride sucked being so tired and emotional. Being home makes the past 5 weeks feel like it was just a dream...like none of it ever even happened. I don't want that. I don't want to feel sad or lonely. Everything the staff told us will happen when we get home feels like it already happened in the past 24 hours.
I know I just need to stay in the word and need to keep busy...keep myself surrounded by people...not just sitting on my bed all day.

last two weeks in NYC

I know I didn't write about my last two weeks in New York, so I'm doing it now...sitting on my bed in Louisiana.
Our 3rd ministry site was at Love Gospel Church...they have a soup kitchen so we were able to actually serve the needy. They came in and sat at a table that had flowers in the center. We served them a nice meal...and it made me smile the entire time. That's how things should be...they saw us showing them Christ's love. We were able to see familiar faces through out the week which was really cool. I found it so crazy how ungrateful some people can be...getting mad about what we served them. One young woman even left before getting food saying "I'm bigger than this" that was probably the hardest thing to here. However, on the other end people were extremely thankful...smiling the whole time, saying "God bless you" singing along with the worship music, and one man got up and sang a song for everyone. It was my favorite week of ministry. That friday they weren't open so we had a homeless outreach...it was really weird because we had a hard time finding people to talk to and give food to, while every other day we would see a lot of people on the streets. So, about 20 minutes until we had to get ready for POD we saw a couple guys standing against a fence. Dayne ended up sitting on the ground with a drunk man from Puerto Rico...the man went from laughing to crying to punching Dayne and flexing. Nichole and I ended up talking to his friend Samuel that we would have just passed by. He was dressed in new clean clothes and just got out of jail that morning for fake checks. He didn't want to talk about God, but HE asked if we could pray together and he started! Nichole ended up pretty much sharing the gospel through her prayer which was amazing. He kept saying that he felt so good after we prayed. It was a great conversation and I just pray that he is doing ok.
The last monday night meeting it was the inner city's turn to lead it. We did a homeless outreach allowing the other tracks to see what we did this summer. I didn't realize how much I grew in that area until we took them into the city. Most of the other tracks were pretty nervous about it, but seeing that I wasn't made me realize the heart God has given me for the homeless. He allowed me to be strong with my faith and see how much He loves them just as much as He loves me.
That Sunday we went to the church where we would be working our last week of ministry...Rehoboth Open Bible Church...a Caribbean church that lasted 3 hours. Their community was amazing...spending all day together praising God through everything they did. During church we stood up to introduce ourselves and since I was sitting on the end, the pastor asked me to "testify"...I had no idea what was going on, but I stood there and told me shortened testimony. After church, a lot of the people told me how encouraging it was. That right there was super encouraging to me! So, that week at Rehoboth we worked at their summer camp with about 30 kids ranging from ages 4 to 15. I worked with the preschoolers who were just adorable. Even though a few kids gave us all a hard time the entire week, we had a hard time saying goodbye to them. It was the saddest goodbye since we had been there.

We still had 4 days in New York for debriefing, site seeing, spending time together, and parties. It didn't hit me that we were leaving until Saturday night at the 80s party. The staff made a slide show from the summer and I couldn't help but cry. I had spent 5 weeks with these 18 people and we became a family...a very unique family haha. Sunday and Monday night was spent staying up super late with my project family...playing games and talking. We ever took a late night trip to McDonald's which was super cool to see the city empty. Tuesday night we had our banquet which was a very nice dinner, a closing meeting with slide shows, and a dance party. The whole time I was just sad thinking that time Wednesday we would all be home. That night a group of us pulled an all nighter...not wanting to waste our last night together sleeping. We went to time square at 330am acting crazy...just to say goodbye to my roomie Kelly in just an hour. It was really weird. We watched the sun rise on the roof, layed around trying to stay awake, and played games. It was so hard to say goodbye to everyone...especially the few that I got super close with. Dayne and Nichole became like my brother and sister and I hated saying bye to them.

learning about myself

Things have been a lot slower since the poverty simulation. This week at our new ministry site (Salt and Sea) things were a lot different. The woman who run the ministry (pastor Debbie) is so encouraging. She used to be homeless herself, living under the board walk in Coney Island and 20 some years ago she started Salt and Sea doing food pantries and having church services. We got to lead the bible study for the people in the city that wanted to come. It was very different since half of the people didn't speak english but when we sang they had so much fun. We all got to share our testimonies which was really encouraging to hear everyones story in our ministry group.
I've been learning a lot about myself. Growing in ways that I wasn't expecting. I have so much compassion for the needy now...and I'm learning how to communicate with them better. It's hard being able to relate to them, but talking to them is so encouraging....and I wish they knew that. I find that the needy people in Coney Island have so much faith...more than you could imagine...and it's just so great.
I've been seeing new things in myself that I never knew were there...mostly in my personality. It's been a struggle accepting who I am...my personality...and I want to see myself the way God made me...the way He designed me.
There are 19 days left and I am so excited to see what else God has for me in this big City.

3 days 3 nights pretty much homeless

I've been having a hard time getting internet so this is a little late. so much has happened in the past week. we started our ministry sites on Monday but I won't even talk about the first couple of days.
It started Wednesday...It was the longest day at the ministry site and we had 20 minutes from the time we got back till we had a "prayer meeting"...I didn't even want to go to the meeting. Then they pulled something out of nowhere. A poverty simulation. They gave us 15 minutes to run to our rooms and get three items (I got blanket, water, and pretzels) Then we had 30 minutes to get to Queens at the Here's Life Inner City warehouse where we would be living for who knows how long. We had fake money and they could steal from us if we don't have a hold of our stuff. They would give us random chance cards to win or lose money, go homeless, or other stuff. So, we were shut in the warehouse. 19 people on the cement and one toilet. half of the people didn't bring their blanket and it was freezing...add that to sleeping on the ground. I ended up crying a lot because I was so overwhelmed and worrying about everything...Sam had to calm me down...It was just so crazy and surreal. I didn't sleep at all the first night and at one point there were 4 of us sitting in a circle with my blanket over our heads to keep warm. I couldn't help but complain...even knowing what the point is on the simulation. I also started wishing I would have called my mom and changed my voicemail bc I didn't know how long it would last. I continued to wonder why I chose the inner city track instead of Art or Campus. And why did God want me on this one? for the challenge? bc I don't like challenge.
The next day was super hard at the ministry site not having any sleep at all. We were so blessed being at that ministry site because they gave us love and food...otherwise we wouldn't have eaten. That night I had payed $6 of the $20 fake money they gave us for dinner...which was a banana and peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I paid $7 to sleep upstairs on carpet instead of on the cold cement ground. This is when I started thinking like a homeless person...thinking about just myself and being selfish....I get so sad thinking about how selfish I was...it's not like me. I took my blanket instead of leaving it for someone...I finally got 5 hours of sleep. I'll never again complain about the loud sounds that keep me up at school. The whole situation made me appreciate the little things...like a toothbrush and a pillow. I began feeling really bitter about it and didn't even want to look at the staff.
That next day (friday) we only had to be at our ministry site for 3 hours...within those three hours they had a fish fry...so my whole team smelled like fish the rest of our homeless life. People on the subways didn't want to sit by us...we were looked down on even. it was so humiliating. That night I was just so ready to go home. For dinner we got cards that either said low-class, middle-class, or wealthy...all but 6 people were low-class. We got different meals...cereal, sandwich, or spagettii. It was really interesting to hear the stats on the worlds poverty and actually experience it. Again, I spend $7 to sleep upstairs but we had to wait till midnight and when the time came, they told us to go on the roof. So, 2am came around and I finally went to sleep...6am they kicked us out and we were sleeping on the streets until 9...people were even using garbage bags to keep warm...It was so crazy literally sleeping on the streets. As if it wasn't bad already, they told us we would be on the streets for the day where we had to beg for food money, get something useful out of the trash, and a few other things. I found myself searching the ground for change and looking in the trash for dry bags because it was raining. Kasi, Kelly, and I ended up using a coffee cup out of the trash to beg for money. We were sitting at the park wrapped in my blanket in the rain. It was really awkward and embarrassing. Once again, we were so blessed...3 missionaries came and talked to us, prayed with us, and gave us money to eat. It was definitely a God thing. I think at that point I was ok with the situation because I got to actually be in poverty and have to put myself in their shoes. We had to meet up as a group and since we were late everyone got a change card...which said that the simulation was OVER! I was so happy. That night they treated us to a really nice dinner. I have never been that happy to brush my teeth and take a shower.

So, of course I left things out...it was a really crazy few days. Eventhough I would say that it was the worst experience I learned a lot. It brought out things in me that I never want to see again...including selfishness and bitterness.
now, we are starting a new ministry site and I just ask for a few prayers...
strength...physically, emotioanlly, and spiritually.
that the enemy doesn't get my down.
that I can grow and get past my struggle...and that I can leave the struggles here that I brought with me.

Team Building

yesterday we were told to wear clothes we can get gross in..and were given directions to a warehouse in Queens, which ended up being the Here's Life Inner City office/warehouse. I had no idea what to expect. Our first activity we were given a number and we had to get on our hands and knees and make the animal noise that was given to that number. I had to sound like a pig with my eyes closed listening for other pigs...that was so interesting. That's how we got put into our ministry groups. So, for the next four weeks I will be working with Dayne, Nicole, Kasi, and Katrina. Throughout the day we did different team building games and a few were quite uncomfortable for me, most of them I have done before with Southeastern's leadership team...overall we had really good communicaton and worked really well together.
I'm nervous but really excited about our group and the ministry sites. I know I was called here and put in certain groups so that I can grow. The majority of the group have dominant personalities and I don't...so that will definitely help me with being the student direction on campus next year.

Today we went to C3 Manhattan (Christian City Church Manhattan)...it was really good. We will be going to a different church every sunday...most likely the church in the ministry site we will be working in.
On our free time today 5 of us went to China Town which was super sketchy but I guess normal...shopping out of a van, suitcase, and secret doors in the shops...leading to fake designer bags. It was so strange.

So, tomorrow we start our ministry site and in an hour I find out where our first site is. Just pray that God works through us in every situation.
I'm praying He gives me strength and wisdom....and definitely patience.

First few days

My third day is coming to an end and so much has already happened. We haven't started the ministry sites yet, because we are getting to know the City and build relationships together....not only with my track(inner city) but also the epic (Asian American) track, art track, and campus track.
first day...arriving I had no idea what to except. I found myself getting really overwhelmed the first day from meeting everyone and walking around the city. My first thought walking to kmart was "dang these people are on a mission." Everyone is just go go go. I found myself missing the Southern hospitality. I'm praying that I get adjusted to this new culture.
second day...was so crazy and amazing. We had our morning meeting and we broke off into our dinner groups which are combined with people from each track. (I love them.) We ate Vietnamese food and immediately bonded. So this was our time to explore the city and learn the subway...which is crazy in itself. We got to visit Central Park and the top of the Rockafella building. I think the most interesting time was taking the subway to Brooklyn to find a pizza place which we didn't end up finding...I'm hoping I get the hang of this huge City trying to find my way around.
Today...was really good! We started our training learning about contextualizing and had cross culture training....learning how to reach people from different cultures. We started evangelism training as well. We then got to meet with just our track for the first time getting to know each other and I'm so excited to build relationships with all of them. We also had our first PODS (Purposeful, something(haha), Discipleship, Support) and I'm so happy with who God has put me with to grow so much this summer.
The end of my night was spent with two of my awesome roomates, Sam, Katrina, and Chaley...we ate at a famous pizza place and then went to Time Sqaure...which was like a migraine waiting to happen with all the lights but it was so beautiful. Sadly, the pizza made me sick but I luckily have amazing friends here already that were helpful. I came to Sam's apartment and as I was sitting with my head down from feeling sick her roomate Jenny came over, put her hand on my stomach and just prayed for me. 10 minutes later Sam was praying for Jenny....the fact that I'm already building these amazing relationships, surrounded by such prayer warriors and encouraging people and it just brings tears to my eyes.

so as I approach all the training and ministry sites I just ask that you continue to pray for me. That God be my feet and my hands. That he gives me wisdom and speaks through me. Thanks for all the prayer...it means so much to me.

It's time!

I leave tomorrow...well actually I will be on the plane in 7 hours! It's so surreal. There are so many emotions about this summer and I can't wait. God has provided in so many ways, even when I started to lose hope! I'm so thankful for everyone who has supported me financially and especially through prayer...that's the most important thing while I'm in New York...that I have a group of amazing believers willing to spend time in prayer for the ministry work we will be doing in NYC. I'm so blessed to have parents who are willing to help out as much as they have...and support me in so many ways.
I love you all and I ask that you continue to pray for me and all the other students who I will be spending the next 5 weeks with...growing and doing God's work.

:)

one week away

It's so close. Only a week until I leave on a jet plane to New York City for Summer Project. This past month has been a struggle being home. Not constantly surrounded by people who are going to encourage me. I wasn't spending time with the Lord...at all for that matter. And it showed. This past week I needed to change that and I'm now back to being excited about the summer that is ahead of me. Of course I still have over $500 to raise and only a week to do it, but I know it will work out. I'm filled with so many emotions...two being excited and nervous. I don't know what to expect when I get there but I just can't wait to see how God uses me outside of my comfort zone...way outside. I'm ready to grow closer to the Lord, grow close to the other students I'll be living with and fellowshipping with, reach out to the people of the inner city, and of course to be in NYC. I'm also really glad I'm sharing this experience with one of my closest friends and future roomie, Sam.
I'm so ready for the best summer.

Tomorrow will make 2 weeks until I'm on the plane from "the big easy" to "the big apple" and I'm super excited. It's been a crazy experience already and I'm not even there yet. Like any mission trip, I had to raise money which made me really nervous, because it's a large amount. So, after sending out my support letters all I could do was pray and trust that God would provide, and in a short time I had already raised half of the amount. I never realized the significance in support raising. My trust in God is at whole new level seeing how he provides in such unexpected ways-through people I would have second guessed.

About two weeks ago I started feeling discouraged, confused, and nervous knowing I had 4 weeks to raise $1,000. I stopped praying about it, started feeling down on myself in so many ways, and was questioning if this was what God really wanted me to do this summer. Satan was definitely pulling me down. It took talking to a few good friends to help me realize that. I needed encouragement and I'm so thankful for them. So, here I am 2 weeks away from going, $860 left to raise, and AGAIN trusting God will provide in amazing ways. Take that Satan!

Raising support was an experience in itself and I can not wait to see what God does in New York City. Until then, I will continue to pray, spend time with my mom, make some money, and PACK...because in 2 weeks I will be in NYC for 5 weeks! :)