Wednesday, February 28, 2007

You Can't Out-Give God!

The youth group from Wesley United Methodist Church in Selinsgrove, PA has been actively serving with CSM for over 7 years. Though they have hundreds of stories about lives changed, relationships formed and worldviews altered, one of the biggest experiences that happened through a CSM connection occurred after their trip, not while they were in the city.
While back in Selinsgrove, the youth group had raised some money to buy sound equipment for one of their ministries. Just about that time Dale Long, their youth leader, was contacted by their first CSM host. They had kept in contact over the years and she was wanting to let Wesley UMC know that she was heading to Africa to begin working in an AIDS orphanage. She would be selling her piano and keyboard to raise the funds she needed - would they be interested?
The youth group was so touched, knowing how gifted their former host was musically. They decided to buy her piano using the $800 they had raised for their sound equipment, adding one stipulation - that she keep it and promise to never sell it again!
Knowing that they had done the right thing, the youth group proceeded in faith. Shortly thereafter, they were contacted by a local DJ looking to donate his sound equipment (worth thousands!!) The Lord provided and Dale learned one major lesson "You can never out-give God!"

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Street News from Toronto!

This spring we have been facinated by the Toronto Street News paper. During
our daily routine we will often find guys throughout the city selling the
paper at various locations. The following is a little we would like to share
about the paper.

The Toronto Street News is written from a street perspective. It has
articles of the issues facing people on the streets. It also contains
articles that contain many issues that are often not addressed, for example;
global, social, racial. It is a good paper to draw on for issues that people
on the streets are concerned about.

The papers are printed every couple of weeks and are sold to the homeless
who sell the papers to the public. The sales provide a little income for the
homeless to use for shelter and other necessities until they can aquire
further assistance. We have found it a really good way to help the homeless
finacially.

We have found it a really good way to connect with the homeless. Even though
the faces change, it has been good to try and get to know these guys. They
are always greatful and thank us for buying the paper. This paper has been a
lot of fun and we intend to pursue more interaction with the guys who sell
it.

-Mark, CSM Toronto 2007 Spring City Host

Thursday, February 15, 2007

San Francisco Weekend Trip

Want to know what it would be like to go on a weekend mission trip to San Francisco with CSM? Follow the link below to read about one trip participant's experience. (Ben is now working with us in Los Angeles for the spring!)

FRIDAY
Located a half block up off of Market on Octavia, First Baptist Church serves as CSM SF headquarters. This is a really neat location as they are just outside of the Tenderloin and within ear shot of the homosexual community's famed Castro District and eye shot of the huge buildings marking the Financial District. We met with Andy the director, his wife and asst. director Hedi, asst director Leana, and interns Stacey and Angela when we got there and quickly went to dinner at a very good Vietnamese place.
Read on...

Friday, February 09, 2007

How many homeless people live in...?

Have you ever wondered how many homeless people live in certain states? Well we found a clickable map that helps answer that question!
To learn more about serving the homeless of North America, please visit our website. We hope you'll serve with us!