Homeless Youth Outreach January 2005

"Drums and Easels" to the Florida Rainbow Gathering and Ybor City

Please be praying for Source and the outreach team that is going to minister to a national homeless gathering in Florida for the first two weeks of January. We are going to be keeping a journal on this web page. Check it out during the next two weeks and please pray!

click here for a picture gallery of our initial training time in Plant City. .

click here for a picture gallery of our time at the Rainbow Gathering

click here for a few pictures from Jan 11 and 12

NEW! click here for pictures from our Ybor City outreach

1.17.5... Corrie

sorry this was blank for so long! we ran out of internet time down in Florida, so i am doing this from Minneapolis.

like peter said in the last email, our outreach time in Ybor City was amazing. it was a wonderful redemptive time for Glen, as he was able to worship the Lord in the very venue he used to own. having the mural panels to paint was great in that it allowed an easy way to engage people and get into conversations. a couple of guys painted with us all night!

over the next few days, people began to depart for home and our numbers began to trickle down. we mostly spent the last days cleaning up, and spending time with the Clark family. they are dear to our hearts and are a part of our family. this trip was a great example of different Christians coming together under the banner of Christ. the Clark's, the bands, and our team of college students, staff, past interns, and other people who were strangers at the beginning of the trip- the unity was really encouraging and fueled our energy for worship and outreach.

Please continue to pray for us, when coming home from trips like this, there is a chance of encountering spiritual attack. hopefully soon there will be more stories posted here from individuals on the trip- so you can hear more about the people we met and relationships that were developed.

thank you again for your partnership with us in this adventure!

1.16.5...Peter

Quick Update...more later...last night was a very late night and we had part of the team flight out early this morning.

The evening went wonderfully. The concert happened without incident in the Ritz. the Psalters had powerful worship, Madison Greene performed, with Glen and his family, (including his 22 year old and 17 year old who used to asleep in the booths of the Ritz when Glen ran it) performed at the end. Our group was able to facilitate and interact with others creating 8 - 8 foot by 4 foot panels that depicted our mural of the kingdom of light comin into darkness.

It was a great night that represented much redemption for Glen and family as well as for Ybor city and the individuals who seek more.

Pray for the team as we process all that God has done. As people leave the tight community that was created in doing outreach these last two weeks,and return back to ministry in Mpls, schools, and jobs around the country. Pray that all the seeds that were planted in others and us would germinate and come into full potential.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PRAYING...There were times is was very evident and much needed

1.15.5....Peter

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY

So many wonderful and intense things have happened in the two weeks already..The tendency for our team and our prayer family is to sit back and reflect and let the guard down a bit. Please continue to pray as a bit of the climax of these two weeks will happen tonight with our Ybor City outreach in Tampa.

YBOR CITY: Known as an immigrant city at the dawn of the 20th century, Ybor City was notorious for organized crime: illegal gambling, and smuggling guns and liquor into the port of Tampa through underground tunnels. It was also know as a meeting place for high ranking organized crime families. It was desolate and virtually closed down in the 1980's. The Ritz Theater Complex opened up new opportunities for nightlife businesses. Now on the weekends, they draw 150,000 to 200,000 people with a nightlife scene rivaling Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

Glen Clark, Our host ministry and family, had an intigral part of establishing Ybor City by founding the Ritz before he was following God. The initial revitalization of this area was based on Death Metal, art that lifted up and promoted ungodliness, drugs, and anything that would sell lust for money. Last year at this time was the first time he went back into Ybor to set up an outdoor concert and outreach across the the street from the Ritz. This year the hopes were todo the same and the parking lot owner did not cooperate this week. However, it seemed to be in God's plan because once the parking lot fell through we began to search and pray for other opportunities. Through that a concert has been arranged in the last 2 days to actually be playing inside the Ritz. This very much feels like a significant thing to not only be doing worship through music, but to also to be doing Art..which was part of the format that was present when the revitalization began.

Ritz on corner where concerts will be held tonight, Sat, 1/15/5

Last night, friday the 14th was the night we origanally were hoping to be the first of a 2 day concert outdoors. however it proved to be instrumental in allowing us to go in and do some prayer walks and allow our team to get used to the area. It also was great in that, a coffee house 3 doors down from the Ritz ended up being a base for us for the night...our performers where given the stage for an hour and our artists began an painting two of the panels of the 8 paneled mural.... we even gained a lil more onfidence that we were to be there n that we recognized a young adult jugler performing right in front of the coffehouse. it was his first night in Ybor ever...he had performed at our the Fallout Art Fest 2003

.coffee house we were able to perform, do art, and get into conversations and begin to get a feel for Ybor

jugler that was apart of the Fallout Art Fest 2003 in Minneapolis that happened to be right outside the coffeehouse performing.

God seems to have opened up an incredible opportunity. Please be praying for

1) the team, as even morale is good, fatigue physically and spiritually is present after 2 weeks of intense outreach....for protection, discernment, boldness, and spiritual eyes and ears to know when to pray, listen, and share with others....pray for conversations, especially how they end
2) divine appointments ....revelation and conviction would come on those who are broken and hungry...even though they may be going to Ybor tonight to party
3) The bands...the Clarks, Madison Greene, and the Psalters will be performing
4) The Art work...mural that is to depict a revelation of the darkness that is present and the light of the kingdom of God...Pray that we get others to interact with us as we paint it...pray that it will be a piece of intercession in itself...and it brings conviction and revelation to others
5) The Clarks....Glen and Linda..our host ministry...they have lots of history with Ybor..and tonight will be part of the prayers they have been praying for 15 years
6) The Wohlers....Jessica and the kids have been with us since wed....pray for traveling and health mercies...also be praying as Peter will be speaking to churches, mission committees, and possibly a radio show next week
7) Team as we return home.....some of the college kids on our team have already had to return for classes..the rest will be returning Sunday and monday...idealing we would have liked to process all that happened this weekend longer...we have done some processing this week...pray as they return they are able to process this intense outreach...all of our lives have been changed from being here...pray against attack and time to process
8) Spiritual Warfare.....that tonight would truly be significant for many lives....even that tonight would somehow break strongholds and begin a new work in Ybor..Jer. 1:10...Is 49....Ps 33 have all been key scriptures for us
9) Back home in Minneapolis: praying for the work that continues with construction...the Greenhouse...new 4 plex.. The Fallout, Erica and Mark Burns our administrator as they have had anew baby in Dec and are there doing year end and holding down the fort...Also as we look to begin our weekly schedules of outreach and Bible studies at the end of January

1.13.5... Corrie

we are well into our second week of the trip. on monday we visited another ministry here in Florida called the Front, which sponsers a bible study for kids in the fringe cultures. tuesday we went to the University of South Florida (USF) to promote the concert that night at Skipper's Smokehouse. we took drums, art supplies, and lots of flyers to pass out, and planted ourselves in the middle of campus to connect with students and get them to the show that night. the concert was a great success, hopefully pioneering the way for other Christians to perform there. there was such a spirit of joy as we all danced and worshipped the Lord while the different bands played, and there was opportunity to talk to the different people who came to check out the music.

wednesday we spent the afternoon at the beach, a much-needed time of restoration and fun together. after watching the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico, we headed to the Royalty Theatre in Clearwater, Florida for another show. after that, we went to Ybor City to pray and intercede on location.

we are still in need of prayer, specifically in these areas:
1. health- several are sick, suffering from headaches, stomach problems, and overall fatigue
2. the concerts in Ybor- details are up in the air, pray that everything will come together, and we will be able to host a concert with an interactive mural
3. overall unity of the groups- the bands are now camping out with us on the Clark's property, pray that we can all come together to follow God's plan

thank you for all your faithful prayers. tonight was a wonderful night of worship together, which we finished by washing each other's feet. God is here and He is moving amidst His ragamuffin family. hallelujah.

1.11.5...Peter

just a quick note. Please do not stop praying as we are only 1/2 done with our outreach trip. We will be at Ybor City on Friday and Saturday night doing outdoor concert and interactive art to worship and engage individuals in conversation and prayer.

1.9.5...Peter and Corrie

well we are back safe and sound from the woods- we got in about 12:30am last night after a long day of traveling. our experience at the gathering was an amazing experience- we will try to report as much as possible over the next few days...

The Rainbow Gathering has always been known for the many alternative religions and spiritualities. As we entered the campsite we had reports of the camp being very Agro, meaning a lot of anger and hostility was there. The Gathering in Florida is different than the Rainbow nationals or regionals in other areas, in that, because of the weather, some people are there year around. As a result, this place becomes a refuge for homeless youth with warrants for all types of crimes. In December, there was a young adult who was murdered there.

On Wednesday we left for the Gathering, but it was already close to midnight by the time we got to the campsite, so we decided to camp on the outskirts of it, giving us a chance to pray for discernment about where to camp. The next morning, Jeremy and Lorelai, a married couple who were a part of the Rainbow culture and became Christians through ministries at the Rainbow Gatherings and now are called to be a permanent residence in the Rainbow Gatherings with two young children, came out to greet us. They offered a campground spot at the crossroads of the camping area that they thought would be ideal for what we wanted. Actually, some of the Rainbow Family themselves asked us to camp in that spot. We entered into the camp a bit nervous as we could sense the tension of our arrival. We made friends quickly as we set up our kitchen and began feeding people. Our campsite consisted of our kitchen, our tents, a school bus we painted with the theme of Psalm 33 and a large fire pit protected by two huge oak trees, which actually doubled as great balcony seats for the prayer time and worship. Each day we gathered after we made breakfast for a time of worship, sharing from the Word, and prayer. We also used this time to give and receive instructions for the coming day. We gathered wood, painted the bus, prepared food, get water - which we had to boil in order to drink - and we had FirstAid supplies available. We visited other campsites and invited in those who came to visit us to sit down and eat, talk, paint, or play with us. We were always looking for opportunities to share, converse and pray. The atmosphere of worship at our campsite was very prevalent. As a result, the presence of peace rested, not only on our campsite, but in the whole campground. Many of the Rainbows testified at there main counsel meeting the day before we left and at our last worship time together as we broke camp that we were ushers of peace into the Gathering.

That peace and the spiritual warfare seemed to be magnified the night of the concert. There were many practical things to be overcome doing an amplified concert in the woods with only battery powered amplifiers and sand as a stage. Madison Greene and Psalters, with their eclectic hand drums, world instruments and rhythms acted as a cultural bridge, but the source of their harmonic power was their true hearts of worship. Saturday was a real testimony to the previous days and nights of serving as the individuals had their hearts open to receive. The performers, who were followers or Christ, were able to worship in the cultural style that the Rainbows are accustomed to. We had a beautiful time of prayer before the concert during which our team that was there for the week gathered around the musicians and prayed for their performance and worship, followed by a time in which the musicians turned around and prayed for our team who would be serving and talking to people in the crowd as they played. While one of the bands was worshiping, the animosity of one individual towards us as a Christian group was brought to attention by his loud screams and dancing to Hare Krishna. Strangely ironic, as Hare Krishna's teachings are primarily about peace, this individual seemed very angry that a Christian concert could attract so many of the Rainbows. Many of us began to combat with prayer and after a couple songs he went on his way, but not without first screams some choice adjectives at us. It was a scene where the choice just to focus on prayer and worship, rather than confrontation definitely proved to be the right thing to do. The concert ended with more worship, scripture reading, and a drum jam as many conversations and prayers took place on the edges of the circle.

The next morning, there was much to do as we packed up camp, trying to get everything packed on the bus. Knowing that it always takes longer than we expect, we rushed to get everything done in time to leave and make it to St. Pete's for a concert at a mission that night. However in spite of the mayhem, we decided to have a quick worship time, planning to only include those in our camp. However, after we did a couple of songs, over 20 individuals from the Rainbow camp, including some of the Rainbow elders, gathered to express gratitude and thanks. Several individuals vocalized thanks to us for feeding them and bringing in peace. It was apparent that the time and efforts we spent there were valuable. they thanked us for bringing a positive vibe to the woods, one of the leaders of the other non-Christian kitchens came around and hugged each of us individually to express his thanks. after this we gathered around Jeremy and Lorelai to pray for their continued ministry in the Rainbow Gathering, and offered prayer to anyone who desired it. I was amazed at how many people were open to receive prayer and how deeply the Holy Spirit touched their hearts. we'll try to share more later but here is one particular story about a young man named Jimmy:

Jimmy is a nineteen year old kid who we met the first night we were with the Rainbow kids in the woods. He has five different children with a possible sixth on the way, and seemed to have little remorse about it. He was drawn in by our campfire - the times we would worship, share, bible teaching and fellowship together. He tried to give the impression that he was unconcerned about things of God and spiritual conversation, but during the time we were saying goodbye and praying for the Rainbow kids, he opened up to us. A lot of tears were shed as he shared that he had been abused by his dad. He lived in 13 different families - all which he left. He accepted Christ when he was six years old. He was trying to figure something out about why he couldn't be in anyone's family. He was drawn to the Rainbow Family, because he could be there in that environment, living with no rules. However, he went on to share that he felt very guilty about the lifestyle there and his sexual actions. We were able to have a prayer time to assure him that the Holy Spirit is dwelling inside him because he accpted Christ as saviour and lord, to talk about the need for discipleship in his life, an environment where he could grow, and a place where he could have fathers and big brothers to nurture him. We talked about his earthly fathers abuse has hurt him and the wounds that will not allow him to humble himslef and submit to authority..even though God would provide Godly authority and environments that would help him grow. We finished the prayer time by encouraging Daniel, telling him that he wasn't broken beyond repair, and that God still had a plan for his life. We also introduced him to Jeremy, who is a full time missionary to the Rainbow Family mentioned above, so they could continue the conversations in the up coming days and weeks.

please pray for Jimmy, as well as Jeremy and Lorelai as they continue to minister in the Rainbow Gathering. check back for more stories, and pictures from the gathering!

1.8.5....Jessica

I received a call from Peter yesterday in the woods the connection was choppy. They were going deeper into the woods today. Wednesday they headed for the Gathering the two hour bus ride took five hours, the bus broke down, they reached the campground safely. They set up camp at a good safe,location ;they have gained favor with those around them.They have set up the Jesus Village and are there to serve, they are also setting up a first aid tent. Each day the team goes out in groups to get to know people and gain trust and share their faith. In the evening our team stays at the campground and hosts a time of worship and those around the Gathering come and watch, eat and converse. The camp and those connected are known as "peace". They have favor with many.Friday-hosted an art event for all to participate in painting the bus.Tonight is a concert with various Christian bands. Please pray for our team and for significant spiritual conversations;divine appointments. Other prayer requests: Protection and safety (unlike other rainbows 90% at the Gathering are men, many who have spent time in jail for various crimes) Pray for the two groups on either side of our group who are having many conflicts with others at the Gathering. Pray for those on the team who have poisen oak. Pray for the Forestry Service,and that the bus/van work for the ride out of the woods. Pray for the following people with whom our team have had significant conversations: John, Teardrop, Baghdad, 12 year old Nick, Daniel (19 with 5 kids) pray for a couple in their 20's who are Christians with 2 kids who have come to do follow up and discipleship at the Gathering.

1.5.5... Corrie

we are about to head out for the Gathering. Below are a list of prayer requests that Peter wrote out last night-
please join us in prayer. here is a picture of our whole group!

1.4.5...Peter

We just finished two full days of training, team building, and praying. God has brought a great group together. The young adults that are with us have great hearts and came ready to serve. This is the type of outreach where young adults' energy, passion, and flexibility is a necessity.

In the morning we will be going into the gathering. Please pray for:
1) the exact site for the kitchen we set up
2) divine appointments from the very first day
3) unity with other Christian ministries (our heart is to join them, but there are others who seem a little unsure of the ministries we have joined)
4) protection, physically...today some poison ivy or oak showed up on a few people... including the children of Glen and Linda Clark, leaders of our host ministry.
5) that our team stay unified
6) for powerful worship and prayer times
7) for individuals see the real love of Jesus in us
8) against spiritual attack as the rainbow will have many in alternative religion, heavy drugs, and anti Christians
9) homeless youth that would break free from their pasts,
10) for the art we create as we paint a bus during the gathering around the theme of Psalm 33,
11) Psalm 33 & Isaiah are our 49 theme chapters
12) sat Jan 8th we will have an acoustic concert in the woods with Madison Green & Psalters, 2 eclectic Christian bands...heavy on the hand drums
13) a group of homeless kids came with Bruce Wright from the Refuge (a Tampa outreach similar to the Fallout)...we had a great time where they sat n some e of our training and then we had a prayer time with many of them after worship around the camp fire....pray for Migael and a young man named Duct Tape

14) Libby, our worship leader has just broken out in hives...she's allergic to something she came in contact with...please pray for her specifically

1.4.5...Corrie

this is our second day of training here at our base in Florida. yesterday was a combination of training sessions, prayer and worship, eating together, getting to know each other, playing together, and enjoying lots of oranges. we have a great group of people here- everyone is so excited to be here and ready to serve. tonight we will pack up, and early tomorrow morning we will head out to the Gathering. please pray for unity within our group, protection as we enter a spiritually dark environment, and boldness as we share Jesus with the Rainbow people.

Journal entry: Mon: 1.3.5...Peter

Our team of 21 staff and young adults have arrived in Tampa and have made our way to the Clarks property which will be serving as our base camp during the next two weeks. We have had a great day of training, worship, prayer, and team building. We are planning on going into the Rainbow Gathering, Ocala National Forest on Wed morning...so we'll have 2 full days together for preping.

More inputs and pictures to come

Initial Entry 12.29.4

Homeless Youth/Ybor City Outreach
We will be taking 25 young adults from January 2-17 to a National Forest in Florida where homeless youth from across the country gather every year at a Regional Rainbow Gathering. Homeless youth gather in the winter in the Florida forest. We will be going to serve food, music and art...to engage in conversations, share God's love and forgiveness, and pray with them. Be praying for divine appointments, revelation and conviction, spiritual warfare (as much of the Rainbow Gathering has spiritual strongholds), physical protection, physical strength and endurance (because we'll be camping primitively in the woods), pray for creativity, our worship times, and that God's power would be there as we love many who feel abandoned...

The second week we'll be in Ybor City. We will also be doing concerts at this Tampa Bay hot spot that is compared to Mardi Gras Bourbon Street. Pray for the final details to come together, pray for protection, and pray for provision for this trip.