I want to spend my life
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mending broken people.
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I want to spend my life
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removing pain.
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Lord, let my words
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heal a heart that hurts.
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I want to spend my life
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mending broken people...
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I want to spend my life
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mending broken people.
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Hello and welcome to
another 3ABN Today program.
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I'm Jason Bradley, & I'm so glad
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that you decided to tune in.
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Once again we have a power-
packed hour in store for you.
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We are going to be
talking about SALT on the Hill.
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And you're probably saying:
"Well, OK, I still don't know
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what you're going to be talking
about. " That's why you have
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to stay tuned to find out.
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Before I
introduce my guests to you
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I want to share
this scripture with you
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and maybe it will
help give you a little hint
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of what we'll be talking about.
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It's taken from Matthew
ch. 5 beginning at verse 13.
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"You are the salt of the earth.
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But if the salt loses its flavor
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how shall it be seasoned?
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It is then good for
nothing but to be thrown out
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and trampled underfoot by men.
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You are the light of the world.
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A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. "
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My guests are not
hiding their light.
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They haven't lost their savor.
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And God is multiplying
their efforts in a mighty way
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to reach the
community. I have here with me
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Eric Camarillo,
president of SALT Outreach.
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It's great to have you here.
Yes, no. Thanks for havin' us.
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Yes sir! Then we've got
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Pastor Wilfredo Montalvo.
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Did I say it right?
You have accent too!
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I'm workin' on
it... I'm workin' on it.
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It's great to
have you here, too.
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And you're the SALT
Outreach pastor. Yes sir.
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And then we have Blessings Winn.
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And Blessings, you've
been on before - yes -
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but now you're here
in another capacity.
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And we're going to
dive into that as well.
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You're the SALT Outpost
Director - yes - of the Hill.
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Of the Hill, yes. Pleasant
Hill Adventist Church, yep.
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Yes. Beautiful! Beautiful!
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Well before we
dive into your stories,
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backgrounds, all of that stuff
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we're going to be
blessed in song. ET Everett
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will be playing
I Will Serve Thee.
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And that's so
appropriate for this occasion.
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Let's take a look.
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Wow! That's a
beautiful, beautiful song.
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I Will Serve Thee.
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Eric, you've been here
before several times - I have -
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and there are always
great things going on with SALT.
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But for our viewers
and listeners that may have
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not been introduced to you
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share a little bit
about your background.
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Yeah, so... Yeah, I
love coming here by the way.
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It's always a
blessing to be here at 3ABN.
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And when I first became...
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I mean I grew up as a Catholic.
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I was raised just kind of
going through the motions:
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going to church on
Sunday once in a while.
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Not necessarily
believing in a God.
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You know, sometimes I
will sometimes I won't
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depending on if it was
convenient for me or not.
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You know, and one day
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I was just going
through a downtime.
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I flipped through a
Bible and the words in red
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caught my attention.
And the most red I saw was
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in the Sermon on the
Mount: Matthew 5, 6, and 7.
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And I started to read
that and I started to feel
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a sense of comfort I
had never felt before.
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Um-hmm. And when that happened
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I just couldn't stop... I
couldn't put the Bible down.
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I just kept reading and reading.
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And eventually, I called up some
friends I knew were Christian
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and did some
Bible studies with them
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so I could learn more.
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School to church. Walked in.
Said: "I want to be baptized. "
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The next thing you
know I'm a SDA Christian.
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So that's... Wow! Praise God!
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Now you said the words in red.
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Now for someone who may
have never picked up a Bible
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what are the words in
red? Whose words are those?
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Yeah. So the words you
know in some Bibles they put
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Jesus' words in
red in the Bible.
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And I didn't know that.
You know, I'm just looking.
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I'm like: "Why
are there red words?
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Is this a
warning or something? "
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We see red words
we're like: "What? "
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So... But I saw the most
red in those three chapters.
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It was like pages of red.
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And I'm like: "I need to
see what this is about. "
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And yeah, next thing you know
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my life changed you know.
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It's been a
blessing... yeah. Amen!
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Pastor Wilfredo, what about you?
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So I came from a Puerto Rican
background; lot of siblings.
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Four older
brothers; one younger sister.
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And my grandfather was a
minster for an Adventist church.
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And my father... Kind
of growing up there was
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in church and out of church
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in church... kind of
back and forth. Um-hmm.
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And I definitely would say
growing up it was more of like
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raised in church but
not really raised in Christ.
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Unpack that. And so
the unpacking of that
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is pretty much I went
through the list of things
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like "Hey, we go
to church on Saturday.
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On Sabbath you've
got to do this here. "
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"If you don't do
this, then you don't go out
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for the rest of the week. "
So it was kind of like forced.
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It was no relationship. OK.
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Really it was kind
of like: "This is it"
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and nothing is explained.
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You know: "Why did
we get rid of the TV? "
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"Don't worry about
it... this is it. "
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"Why don't we
eat meat? " You know?
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So there was nothing
that was really like: "OK. "
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For me, nothing was
ever truly explained.
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Nothing was truly
based on like relationship.
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So it was easy for
me to pack and leave -
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yes - because I was
never leaving a person...
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I was just
leaving a church. Um-hmm.
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And so for years I
kind of did my own thing.
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Went out into the
world trying to find meaning
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and satisfaction
in any and everything.
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And I remember one time
kind of just hitting a low point
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moving away, moving to
Massachusetts, and hitting
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a low point and realizing
"Like man, I'm doing everything
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I want and I'm not satisfied.
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And if this is life
then this is meaningless. "
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Yeah. And at that
moment I was kind of like well
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I feel like God was beginning
to lay down the foundation
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you know to come back to Him.
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To respond to Him, 'cause I feel
like He's calling everybody.
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And one day I
moved back to Florida.
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Started working with my
family again in construction.
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And my older brother asked me:
"Do you want to go to heaven? "
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And I was like: "Man,
that is such a dumb question
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because I know I'm not going
if it exists how I'm living. "
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But because he asked
that question it began to...
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to get the
wheels turning. Um-hmm.
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And I was like: "Man, what do
I really know about the Bible? "
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You know, I grew up
with this kind of rocky rough
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relationship with church
and what they've taught me.
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"Let me look into it. "
And when I began to study
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it was like man! We
had a conversation about it
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for like 8 hours. I
didn't know much about the Bible
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but we had a conversation
and I felt that weightlessness.
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I just felt full. I felt
"let me dive into this. "
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Yeah. That search started a
journey of me going to Oakwood
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getting a bachelor's in theology
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and stepping out. It's been ten
years now walking with the Lord.
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Praise God! So
that void was filled.
00:12:05.09\00:12:06.89
You found what you were missing.
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And that was a
thought- provoking question that
00:12:08.76\00:12:11.89
your brother asked you - yeah,
00:12:12.09\00:12:13.60
definitely - and led you
to the Lord. That's amazing.
00:12:14.10\00:12:16.90
And Blessings, I
want to come to you now.
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Tell us a little bit
about your background.
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Yeah, sure. I grew
up Seventh-day Adventist
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and had two older siblings
that were living with me.
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And they were a little bit more
00:12:26.98\00:12:30.41
on the adventurous side
00:12:30.61\00:12:32.11
and not necessarily abiding by
00:12:32.31\00:12:34.82
the rules of the SDA faith.
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And so I was able to see what
a life like that would lead to.
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And so I adhered to the rules:
Sabbath and all those things.
00:12:41.29\00:12:45.09
But then when I
finally got my own freedom
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and I went to college I started
to become wooed by the world.
00:12:47.53\00:12:50.73
Hmm. And I ended up
going to a Catholic university.
00:12:50.93\00:12:54.57
Had a full ride... a
chemistry scholarship.
00:12:54.77\00:12:57.34
And I thought: "I'm
going to be a doctor.
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I don't have to
worry about anything
00:12:59.44\00:13:02.24
because my life is already
planned for me for the next
00:13:02.44\00:13:04.35
10 to 13 years in
terms of education. "
00:13:04.55\00:13:07.38
And along that
route I started to let go
00:13:08.15\00:13:11.05
of a lot of the principles
and the things that I was
00:13:11.25\00:13:13.56
raised with. And in a lot
of ways I started to adulterate
00:13:13.76\00:13:19.23
the religion that I was given
00:13:19.43\00:13:20.83
accepting theologies that
weren't necessarily Biblical
00:13:21.23\00:13:24.47
but that allowed me to have
the lifestyle that I wanted.
00:13:24.67\00:13:27.90
So letting go of Sabbath
and just becoming more worldly
00:13:28.10\00:13:31.84
in general. Um-hmm. And
I became very successful
00:13:32.04\00:13:36.38
you know using the
patterns that they tell you.
00:13:36.58\00:13:38.71
You do X and you get
Y. You do X you get Y.
00:13:38.91\00:13:41.95
Um-hmm. And then I
launched into Hollywood
00:13:42.15\00:13:44.39
you know and worked
with A Band Apart...
00:13:44.59\00:13:48.22
which is now a defunct company.
00:13:48.42\00:13:50.49
But they were responsible
for really great movies
00:13:50.69\00:13:52.63
at the time like The
Mexican, Usual Suspects.
00:13:52.83\00:13:56.36
And I worked in a commercial
and new big video department.
00:13:56.56\00:13:59.47
Um-hmm. And I enjoyed that.
00:13:59.67\00:14:01.47
But again, started to
get even more pulled away.
00:14:01.87\00:14:04.67
And then got married.
Lived a baseball-wife life
00:14:05.74\00:14:11.21
so to speak for 12 years.
00:14:11.41\00:14:13.85
Had kids and of
course I introduced them to
00:14:14.05\00:14:16.69
the Bible and had them
studying. Kind of like Wil said.
00:14:16.89\00:14:19.75
You give them this metric-type
of list of what they should have
00:14:19.95\00:14:24.66
and what they should know
00:14:24.86\00:14:26.19
but are they
actually, living in Christ?
00:14:26.23\00:14:27.60
Is Jesus actually
the Lord over their lives
00:14:27.80\00:14:30.73
or our lives? And I couldn't
really say that with my case.
00:14:30.93\00:14:35.07
And then when my father died
00:14:35.27\00:14:36.77
I started searching
in the world for answers
00:14:36.97\00:14:38.97
instead of going
to the "Good Book. "
00:14:39.17\00:14:40.74
Um-hmm. And found
myself kind of in spiritualism
00:14:40.94\00:14:43.88
and things that weren't
really aligned with God.
00:14:44.08\00:14:47.15
And in the end COVID
was really what broke me.
00:14:48.28\00:14:51.92
You know? Really? Yeah, so
00:14:52.12\00:14:54.22
COVID - that isolation -
and realizing that regardless of
00:14:54.42\00:14:58.66
what I had attained...
00:14:58.86\00:15:00.26
I had everything:
the cars, the house,
00:15:00.46\00:15:02.13
the diamonds, you
name it, the social life,
00:15:02.33\00:15:07.04
the perfect picket
fence with the two kids.
00:15:07.24\00:15:09.70
You know, all of
those status quos. Um-hmm.
00:15:09.90\00:15:12.54
But none of those
things were really
00:15:12.74\00:15:16.85
filling the void so to speak.
00:15:19.11\00:15:21.38
Yes, my family
is important to me.
00:15:21.78\00:15:23.49
Yes, I love them
without a doubt beyond anything.
00:15:23.69\00:15:26.09
BUT there was
something missing. Yeah.
00:15:26.49\00:15:29.69
And so I was corrupted
by fear and then eventually
00:15:29.89\00:15:33.80
started to have anxiety -
um-hmm - and restlessness.
00:15:34.00\00:15:36.87
And I couldn't even enjoy
all the things that I had.
00:15:37.07\00:15:40.14
And when God
stripped all those things away
00:15:40.34\00:15:42.40
I really saw the
value of material things
00:15:42.60\00:15:44.64
including the body.
00:15:44.84\00:15:46.37
And I just prayed
relentlessly and begged God
00:15:46.74\00:15:52.11
"help me;
restore me. " And He did!
00:15:52.31\00:15:55.22
And not only did
He take away my fear
00:15:55.42\00:15:57.79
but He gave me faith - Amen!
and I've never looked back.
00:15:57.99\00:16:02.09
You know, I started like
Wil started to search the Bible
00:16:02.29\00:16:06.43
and like Eric and really diving
in and finding out the truth
00:16:06.63\00:16:10.80
for myself... which is something
that many of us don't do.
00:16:11.00\00:16:15.54
And when I did that you
know God was speaking to me
00:16:15.94\00:16:20.11
and He led me to Matthew 24...
00:16:20.31\00:16:22.28
24, 45 through 50
00:16:22.48\00:16:24.98
which talks about
His legacy, Jesus' legacy
00:16:25.18\00:16:28.58
that He's left behind. He said:
00:16:28.78\00:16:30.15
"You know, the poor
will always be with you.
00:16:30.35\00:16:31.95
I will only be here
a short while and these
00:16:32.35\00:16:34.79
are things that you
need to be concentrating on.
00:16:34.99\00:16:37.09
And what you don't do for
them is equally what you've done
00:16:37.29\00:16:40.73
to Me. " So... here I am.
00:16:40.93\00:16:43.06
Praise God! That's
a powerful testimony!
00:16:43.47\00:16:46.03
And you know I
think it really speaks to
00:16:46.23\00:16:49.20
those that are seeking
the things of this world.
00:16:49.40\00:16:51.54
Who are really dedicating
their lives to attaining those
00:16:51.74\00:16:55.78
things they're going to realize
that's an empty lifestyle
00:16:55.98\00:16:59.65
and that there's a void
that only Christ can fill.
00:16:59.85\00:17:02.98
Amen. Absolutely. You
know, it's so interesting
00:17:03.18\00:17:06.65
just reflecting on
all of our testimonies.
00:17:06.86\00:17:09.66
Obviously the common theme
was we picked up the Bible.
00:17:10.69\00:17:13.60
We started reading it. We
started really experiencing
00:17:13.80\00:17:17.47
God through His Word you know.
00:17:17.63\00:17:20.14
And that's just a
beautiful thing, man.
00:17:20.34\00:17:22.10
His words have so much
power to transform and to just
00:17:22.30\00:17:27.48
fill those voids in our hearts.
00:17:27.68\00:17:30.18
So yeah, I just want to
encourage anyone that might be
00:17:31.75\00:17:33.68
watching today: like,
pick up the Bible. Read it.
00:17:33.88\00:17:37.42
It changed our lives and
can change your life too.
00:17:37.82\00:17:41.12
So... Absolutely.
00:17:41.32\00:17:42.82
Let's talk about how
SALT is changing lives,
00:17:43.02\00:17:46.03
how God is using
SALT to change lives.
00:17:46.23\00:17:48.26
How did SALT get started?
00:17:48.76\00:17:50.50
So SALT Outreach...
when we started it was...
00:17:51.20\00:17:54.27
was something that we
felt a strong impression -
00:17:54.47\00:17:57.81
um-hmm - to create something
that brought young adults
00:17:58.01\00:18:02.11
together. Not just for the sake
00:18:02.31\00:18:04.25
of getting together
but to do service...
00:18:04.45\00:18:06.61
various service
projects in the community.
00:18:07.02\00:18:09.95
To really be the
hands and feet, right?
00:18:10.35\00:18:11.89
Not only... To
act out the things
00:18:12.09\00:18:15.76
that God is asking us to do.
00:18:15.96\00:18:17.29
And so... so
that's how it started.
00:18:17.59\00:18:21.00
One of the outreach projects
we had in the beginning was
00:18:21.20\00:18:23.47
with the unsheltered... people
experiencing homelessness.
00:18:23.67\00:18:26.17
And that started with just
two people feeding fifteen.
00:18:27.04\00:18:30.87
And you know it
started to grow from there
00:18:32.14\00:18:34.94
where it grew to hundreds of
people feeding 200 to 300 people
00:18:35.14\00:18:39.68
bi-weekly. Um-hmm.
And we decided to survey
00:18:39.88\00:18:44.92
our friends. Because I think
that's where when it comes to
00:18:45.12\00:18:48.99
serving people
experiencing homelessness
00:18:49.19\00:18:50.89
we always... food is
always a given, right?
00:18:51.09\00:18:54.46
Everyone needs food.
That's just a basic necessity.
00:18:54.66\00:18:57.23
That's a great place to start
00:18:57.43\00:18:58.87
but that's just it: it's
a starting place you know.
00:18:59.27\00:19:02.64
From there we
surveyed the community
00:19:02.84\00:19:06.47
and we found out that clothing
& hygiene was another big need.
00:19:06.68\00:19:09.71
So we fundraised about
$4,000 for a clothing trailer.
00:19:09.91\00:19:13.08
Wow! We call that
our change trailer. 2016.
00:19:13.28\00:19:15.78
So we launched that
to distribute clothing
00:19:16.18\00:19:17.82
and hygiene products.
00:19:18.02\00:19:19.35
Then we said: "OK, this
survey thing is working. "
00:19:19.39\00:19:21.26
Right? We're not just...
And that's something I want to
00:19:21.46\00:19:23.93
emphasize is instead of
assuming the need for somebody
00:19:24.13\00:19:28.50
just ask them. Right?
00:19:28.70\00:19:30.13
Do surveys. Ask and
study that need for yourself.
00:19:30.33\00:19:33.50
So we continued the
studying and the surveys
00:19:33.70\00:19:37.27
and we found out that over half
of them were looking for work.
00:19:37.47\00:19:39.91
That some of those people
hadn't showered in up to 3 mos.
00:19:40.11\00:19:44.58
and on average
hadn't showered in 3-7 days.
00:19:44.78\00:19:47.32
Wow! And so that's when
we fundraised about $40,000
00:19:47.52\00:19:50.39
at that time in 2018
for a shower trailer.
00:19:50.59\00:19:52.69
Hmm. So and then from there
00:19:52.89\00:19:56.02
our mobile
drop-in center started
00:19:56.22\00:19:58.46
once a month then twice a month.
00:19:58.66\00:20:01.06
And it just kept kind of
growing from there, yeah.
00:20:01.26\00:20:03.57
That's incredible to
see the growth of SALT
00:20:03.77\00:20:07.57
because you've been coming on.
00:20:07.77\00:20:09.10
You've been on 3ABN Today.
You've been on Urban Report.
00:20:09.20\00:20:11.87
So like we've been seeing
the growth and all of that.
00:20:12.07\00:20:15.24
You needed a shower trailer.
00:20:15.44\00:20:16.78
Boom! You got
the shower trailer.
00:20:17.18\00:20:18.58
You needed a change
trailer. You got that.
00:20:18.78\00:20:20.98
And so just seeing how
God has been growing every...
00:20:21.18\00:20:24.15
every step of the way.
00:20:24.35\00:20:25.69
Since you got SALT started
00:20:27.26\00:20:30.26
and everything
transitioning into the pandemic
00:20:30.46\00:20:33.09
how did SALT function
00:20:33.29\00:20:35.16
through that time? Yeah, so...
00:20:35.36\00:20:37.27
so a lot of things changed
during the pandemic, right?
00:20:37.47\00:20:40.77
So we were operating 2-3
times a month during that time.
00:20:40.97\00:20:44.37
And when the pandemic
hit all the organizations
00:20:44.57\00:20:48.78
serving the
unsheltered they closed down.
00:20:48.98\00:20:52.75
And so there was one that
was doing food in the evenings
00:20:52.95\00:20:56.58
still and trying to
navigate how to do this
00:20:56.79\00:20:59.45
in this new
COVID/post-COVID world, right?
00:20:59.65\00:21:04.13
Um-hmm. And so
what we ended up doing
00:21:04.33\00:21:07.00
is we have some relationships
we were creating with the city
00:21:07.20\00:21:09.66
of Orlando. And they
actually that year - in 2020-
00:21:09.86\00:21:13.74
gave us about $200,000- wow -
00:21:13.94\00:21:17.54
to change our operation
from operating 3 days a month
00:21:17.74\00:21:20.58
to three days a week.
00:21:20.78\00:21:22.11
And on top of that we
raised an additional $160,000
00:21:22.28\00:21:25.61
so that year was about $360,000.
00:21:25.81\00:21:28.32
And some of those donations
came from 3ABN viewers.
00:21:28.52\00:21:31.32
So that was... that
has been a huge blessing.
00:21:31.52\00:21:33.52
And then from there, we started
a case management program.
00:21:33.92\00:21:37.59
And we added storage services.
00:21:37.79\00:21:39.83
We fundraised for a
laundry trailer about $90,000.
00:21:40.03\00:21:43.37
We ended up growing to
in 2021 five days a week.
00:21:44.27\00:21:47.90
Now we're seeing 200 people
a day experiencing homelessness
00:21:48.10\00:21:52.94
and we're serving them
with 12 different services.
00:21:53.14\00:21:54.94
It's pretty crazy and it just
continues to rise... the need.
00:21:55.34\00:21:59.41
Yeah, it's amazing
because they can depend on you.
00:21:59.61\00:22:03.05
They know that SALT
is going to be there
00:22:03.25\00:22:05.55
and going to be consistent...
and that's important.
00:22:05.75\00:22:08.69
So what is SALT
currently, doing now?
00:22:08.89\00:22:11.39
So with SALT up till now
00:22:11.59\00:22:13.70
we actually are serving about
200... upwards of 250 people
00:22:13.90\00:22:19.03
per day at our spot
in downtown Orlando.
00:22:19.23\00:22:21.57
So we have our shower
trailer doing showers.
00:22:21.77\00:22:24.77
Our laundry
trailer doing laundry.
00:22:24.97\00:22:26.44
We're doing storage
services, charging stations,
00:22:26.84\00:22:30.35
food, haircuts,
hygiene products.
00:22:30.55\00:22:32.75
We're doing case management,
mental health counseling.
00:22:32.95\00:22:35.58
So every basic need
that someone might need
00:22:36.58\00:22:39.79
experiencing homelessness
we're that front door.
00:22:39.99\00:22:42.49
They come to us first
00:22:42.69\00:22:44.16
and with our mental health
counselors and our case managers
00:22:44.36\00:22:46.49
they get them to the
next place they need to go
00:22:46.70\00:22:48.83
if it's another
organization or whatever
00:22:49.03\00:22:52.13
to eventually help them
to end their homelessness.
00:22:52.33\00:22:54.74
So we've seen last
year about 3 in 4 people
00:22:54.94\00:22:58.64
took the next step
toward ending their homelessness
00:22:58.84\00:23:00.71
and one in five
transition to shelter housing
00:23:01.11\00:23:04.61
after working with
our case management team.
00:23:04.81\00:23:06.51
Wow! So since the
start of the pandemic
00:23:06.72\00:23:08.68
we've actually
seen about 1,000 people
00:23:08.88\00:23:13.19
end their homelessness that we
have been involved in serving.
00:23:13.66\00:23:16.89
So we just launched a
bridge housing program
00:23:17.09\00:23:19.79
which is offering shelter to
people through hotels. Um-hmm.
00:23:20.00\00:23:22.66
And our case managers are
actually stationed in one of the
00:23:22.86\00:23:25.00
rooms in the hotel. And they're
providing all three meals,
00:23:25.20\00:23:28.50
coaching them
through their housing plans
00:23:28.70\00:23:31.01
and so hopefully in a month
or two they can get out of there
00:23:31.21\00:23:33.21
and into housing of their own.
00:23:33.41\00:23:34.94
And then we just opened
an administrative office.
00:23:35.34\00:23:37.11
So we have our HR
and our data person
00:23:37.31\00:23:40.45
and you know our
accounting person
00:23:40.65\00:23:43.42
all in that
administrative office.
00:23:43.62\00:23:45.25
It's helping with that. So
a lot has changed and grown
00:23:45.65\00:23:48.19
over the years. And so we have
to have a quick video of that
00:23:48.39\00:23:51.83
I'd like to show just
to kind of give a visual
00:23:52.03\00:23:53.86
of what's been going on.
Absolutely. Let's take a look
00:23:54.06\00:23:56.56
at that video right now.
00:23:56.77\00:23:58.30
Wow! That's incredible.
You guys are really really
00:26:16.67\00:26:20.58
meeting the needs. And I
can only imagine how many
00:26:20.78\00:26:23.41
moving parts are involved
with making that happen.
00:26:23.61\00:26:26.88
A ton... a ton of
stuff. We have thirty...
00:26:27.08\00:26:29.25
I mean we started
all-volunteer in 2020
00:26:29.45\00:26:31.39
and now we have
35 staff members.
00:26:31.59\00:26:33.36
That's a lot of resources.
00:26:34.56\00:26:37.63
But we need to
grow with the need.
00:26:37.83\00:26:40.26
You know, there's
such a big need out there.
00:26:40.46\00:26:41.80
And not only this physical
00:26:41.86\00:26:43.93
need that we meet but we
actually had brought on Wilfredo
00:26:44.13\00:26:47.17
last year to help
meet the spiritual need
00:26:47.37\00:26:49.60
of the unsheltered.
'Cause it's so easy to get
00:26:49.80\00:26:51.34
bogged down with
logistics. Um-hmm.
00:26:51.54\00:26:53.17
And so we wanted to
bring people in intentionally.
00:26:53.38\00:26:57.55
He and Gerard both are outreach
pastors for the organization.
00:26:57.75\00:27:02.02
So not only are
they the pastors for the
00:27:02.22\00:27:03.99
unsheltered but also for our
staff and that kind of thing.
00:27:04.19\00:27:07.46
I'll let him talk a
little bit more about that.
00:27:07.66\00:27:08.99
Yeah, it's really
been an experience
00:27:09.02\00:27:11.29
pastoring in a
very different capacity.
00:27:11.73\00:27:13.90
And more than just that but
one thing I've realized, too,
00:27:14.10\00:27:17.03
is you're redefining
what a pastor looks like -
00:27:17.23\00:27:19.57
um-hmm - to a lot of people.
00:27:19.77\00:27:21.60
I've had moments where
00:27:22.00\00:27:23.47
I'm cleaning the shower
00:27:23.67\00:27:25.01
getting it ready for the
next homebound to come in.
00:27:25.11\00:27:27.34
And someone will be
like: "Oh! I'm sorry. "
00:27:27.74\00:27:31.55
"Hey, how're you doing?
I'm the pastor. I'm just
00:27:32.01\00:27:33.45
cleaning. Hey, I'm
getting ready for you. "
00:27:33.65\00:27:35.88
I remember one time someone
said: "Oh, you're a pastor.
00:27:36.08\00:27:37.52
You're having Bible studies
today. " I'm like: "Yeah. "
00:27:37.72\00:27:39.79
And the guy just looked at
me like "You're a pastor? "
00:27:39.99\00:27:43.36
I was like: "Yeah. " He's like:
"What are you doing out here? "
00:27:43.56\00:27:45.89
I'm like: "What do you mean? "
00:27:46.09\00:27:47.63
Like: "You're cleaning.
What are you doing out here? "
00:27:47.83\00:27:49.16
This is it. "And
where's your church? "
00:27:49.36\00:27:52.90
I'm like: "You're here. "
00:27:53.10\00:27:54.44
"This is... I'm YOUR pastor. "
00:27:54.47\00:27:57.31
And so we are re-defining
what a pastor looks like.
00:27:58.37\00:28:01.24
Many times some of our
homebound friends don't have
00:28:01.44\00:28:04.55
the capability or accessibility
to get into a church.
00:28:04.75\00:28:07.88
Sometimes they're not
welcomed. Just being honest.
00:28:08.08\00:28:11.52
And then being able to actually
00:28:12.02\00:28:13.76
sit down and have like man
00:28:13.96\00:28:15.96
you know: sit down, pray, talk,
00:28:16.16\00:28:19.63
ask questions about the Bible
00:28:19.83\00:28:22.16
and kind of
facilitate and create a space
00:28:22.36\00:28:24.57
you know is what we do.
00:28:24.77\00:28:26.10
We started out with
one Bible study a week
00:28:26.23\00:28:28.27
last year when we first came.
00:28:28.47\00:28:30.31
The second family
that we visited it was for
00:28:30.87\00:28:33.01
2 Bible studies a week. Um-hmm.
00:28:33.21\00:28:34.54
And now we're doing
Bible studies every day
00:28:34.64\00:28:35.98
Monday through Thursday
00:28:36.18\00:28:38.35
and trying to plug
into churches to come.
00:28:38.75\00:28:40.85
That's the other
thing I try to do as well
00:28:41.05\00:28:42.38
is try to link in with
churches that are in the area.
00:28:42.52\00:28:45.39
Try to get them to
come out and volunteer
00:28:45.59\00:28:47.46
or come do a
worship, come do a study.
00:28:47.66\00:28:49.82
And it's been truly a blessing.
00:28:50.76\00:28:53.23
One of the things that
really sticks out in my mind is
00:28:54.26\00:28:56.53
just building
relationships. Um-hmm.
00:28:56.73\00:28:58.93
You can't be like...
For you to be relevant
00:28:59.77\00:29:03.87
you need to be present. Yes.
00:29:04.07\00:29:05.41
And if you're not
present, it doesn't matter -
00:29:05.57\00:29:08.54
that's right -
what you have to say
00:29:08.74\00:29:10.48
it's never
going to fit or stick.
00:29:10.68\00:29:12.58
And so one of the biggest
things - and you mentioned it -
00:29:12.98\00:29:15.58
is the fact that we are
there every day. Um-hmm.
00:29:15.78\00:29:17.79
So we're there. Unless
there's some catastrophe.
00:29:17.99\00:29:21.36
It may be a catastrophe...
we'll still be there
00:29:21.56\00:29:23.22
'cause we've got shower
trailers you know. So, uh,
00:29:23.43\00:29:25.19
being there every
day, talking every day,
00:29:25.39\00:29:28.50
learning the names -
yes - hearing the stories.
00:29:28.70\00:29:31.30
I've seen the change in
some of our homebound friends
00:29:31.70\00:29:36.77
where one day like: "Hey listen
man, I want to go to church
00:29:36.97\00:29:41.01
but I just don't feel
comfortable enough to go. "
00:29:41.21\00:29:44.08
So: "Cool, I going
to go with you then. "
00:29:44.28\00:29:45.61
You know? "I'll meet you.
I'll pick you up and we'll go. "
00:29:45.81\00:29:48.25
And I remember
going and I went with
00:29:49.15\00:29:52.25
shorts, a tie-dye
shirt, and some clogs.
00:29:52.45\00:29:55.56
And when I picked
him up he was like: "Man!
00:29:55.96\00:29:57.59
I was so worried about
what people would think
00:29:57.79\00:30:00.26
about how I was dressed. " Yes.
00:30:00.46\00:30:02.13
"But looking at you... "
00:30:02.33\00:30:03.67
And I'm like: "I know.
" And I did it purposely.
00:30:05.53\00:30:08.70
So we walked into
the church. We sat down
00:30:08.90\00:30:12.41
and we got some
looks. I got most of them.
00:30:12.61\00:30:14.84
And that's fine.
00:30:15.04\00:30:16.81
But we actually got to
have a worship experience
00:30:17.01\00:30:18.85
you know in him
coming to the church.
00:30:19.05\00:30:20.62
And that little push was
enough for him to be like:
00:30:20.82\00:30:22.65
"You know what? I'm
going to come back. "
00:30:22.85\00:30:24.49
I like the fact that you're
implementing Christ's method
00:30:24.99\00:30:28.22
of evangelism. And
that's His method right there.
00:30:28.42\00:30:31.73
SALT is embodying that
00:30:31.93\00:30:34.06
and I think that's so powerful
00:30:34.26\00:30:35.60
and so many souls are being won.
00:30:35.93\00:30:37.60
Speaking of souls being won
00:30:37.80\00:30:39.20
for Christ, what is
00:30:39.40\00:30:41.47
the S.O.S.
weekend? What is that?
00:30:41.67\00:30:44.57
So S.O.S. is something
that also the meaning of it
00:30:44.97\00:30:47.88
is Season of Service.
00:30:48.08\00:30:49.64
And this is something that me
& Eric were discussing last year
00:30:50.05\00:30:53.68
and it's amazing to
see it coming to fruition.
00:30:53.88\00:30:55.38
It's where we go to a church
00:30:55.58\00:30:58.79
and we kind of
develop a very custom plan
00:30:58.99\00:31:02.66
with that church.
OK. And so I come in
00:31:02.86\00:31:05.13
speaking, preaching...
pretty much talking about
00:31:05.33\00:31:07.80
the reasons why we
should be out in the community.
00:31:08.00\00:31:10.23
Um-hmm. Right? Christ's
hands and feet in the church
00:31:10.43\00:31:13.57
and in this world.
00:31:13.77\00:31:15.47
It's kind of based
on Matthew 24 and 25.
00:31:15.67\00:31:17.87
And then what Eric does is
00:31:18.87\00:31:20.28
is you know he goes into let's
say a particular county that
00:31:20.48\00:31:24.81
the church is in. And so
we then research that county
00:31:25.01\00:31:27.75
and find the data as to
how best to take the next step
00:31:27.95\00:31:32.75
to develop you
know... either develop
00:31:32.95\00:31:36.59
a homeless ministry or
take it to the next level
00:31:36.79\00:31:38.79
if it's already there.
00:31:38.99\00:31:40.56
So it's trying to find
a way to fill in the gaps
00:31:40.76\00:31:42.40
and kind of give a
special plan for the church
00:31:42.60\00:31:44.60
that we're going to - OK -
to just move forward with it.
00:31:44.80\00:31:47.70
Now would this be
like a SALT Outpost?
00:31:48.24\00:31:53.14
Or what is a SALT Outpost?
00:31:53.34\00:31:55.74
So the S.O.S. weekend kind
of happens before the Outpost.
00:31:55.94\00:32:00.35
So the weekend is
more of an introduction.
00:32:00.55\00:32:02.48
More of a "let's
create a plan" with you.
00:32:02.68\00:32:04.85
Let's figure this
thing out together.
00:32:05.05\00:32:06.49
in your area to duplicate
what we're doing where you are.
00:32:06.69\00:32:10.89
The Outpost is
more of ongoing support.
00:32:11.23\00:32:14.13
It's more of a... it's
really a branch of SALT -
00:32:14.33\00:32:17.73
um-hmm - that is now
officially started there.
00:32:17.93\00:32:19.83
The S.O.S. weekend is an event
00:32:20.04\00:32:21.70
where the Outpost is
almost like a franchise
00:32:23.04\00:32:24.54
or another arm
of the organization
00:32:24.74\00:32:28.91
but in a different area.
00:32:29.11\00:32:30.51
And so that's... what's
really exciting about this
00:32:30.71\00:32:33.82
having gone to Blessing's
church. Yeah, that was our first
00:32:34.02\00:32:37.12
S.O.S. weekend actually.
And it was such a blessing.
00:32:37.32\00:32:41.29
I was thinking maybe
we can show a quick video
00:32:41.69\00:32:44.99
of how that event went. Yeah.
00:32:45.19\00:32:46.63
We'll have maybe Blessing talk
a little bit more about that.
00:32:46.83\00:32:48.93
That'd be wonderful.
Let's check that out right now.
00:32:49.13\00:32:51.33
S.O.S. is a Season of Service
00:32:52.50\00:32:54.27
and it's pretty much reaching
out to other communities,
00:32:54.47\00:32:57.24
other churches
in-state/out of state
00:32:57.44\00:32:59.54
really just that are
wanting to partner up with SALT
00:32:59.94\00:33:03.48
and start something
like SALT in their community
00:33:03.68\00:33:05.78
to help their community.
00:33:05.98\00:33:07.62
This is a practical way.
It gives us a place to start.
00:33:07.82\00:33:11.65
So I think that's a
beautiful ministry to look at
00:33:12.05\00:33:14.82
and that we can definitely model
what our church wants to do
00:33:15.02\00:33:18.56
here in this local community
and in Contra Costa County
00:33:18.76\00:33:22.33
and have great success
with the ministry of the Lord
00:33:22.53\00:33:25.53
in helping people.
00:33:25.73\00:33:27.07
I just praise God that
SALT already has the template
00:33:27.10\00:33:30.67
and a working model
00:33:30.87\00:33:33.24
for the things that we want
to do. And what I've learned
00:33:33.44\00:33:36.68
is that we don't have
to re-invent the wheel.
00:33:36.88\00:33:39.28
I think one of the key
things: let's just do it.
00:33:39.68\00:33:42.48
Just try it. It
doesn't hurt to try;
00:33:42.68\00:33:44.52
it doesn't hurt
to do it. Just do it
00:33:44.72\00:33:46.82
and learn from
those experiences.
00:33:47.02\00:33:48.79
And we are just so grateful
for SALT that has given us that
00:33:48.99\00:33:51.96
platform to be able
to just go right in it
00:33:52.16\00:33:56.03
with something behind our back.
00:33:56.23\00:33:58.60
Just thinking about we
don't know what we're doing
00:33:58.80\00:34:00.44
but God does, and we're just
going to trust Him with that.
00:34:00.64\00:34:03.84
Individually we
can make little changes
00:34:05.54\00:34:07.38
but if you want to change this
whole situation for the people
00:34:07.58\00:34:09.64
then we have to act as a
group, as an organization.
00:34:09.84\00:34:12.41
So I think acting collectively
00:34:12.81\00:34:15.82
is what I learned today.
00:34:16.02\00:34:17.62
So my thoughts on
the outcome of this trip
00:34:18.02\00:34:20.32
are actually extremely positive.
00:34:20.52\00:34:22.39
Coming in seeing the hearts...
I feel like God was already
00:34:23.53\00:34:27.70
working in the people's hearts.
00:34:27.90\00:34:29.23
There was already a sense
of wanting to do something
00:34:30.10\00:34:33.40
for the community... just
not knowing how to start it.
00:34:33.60\00:34:35.57
And so coming in it was
really just sharing a testimony,
00:34:36.30\00:34:40.21
sharing the stories,
sharing how we could build
00:34:40.41\00:34:43.38
something like SALT here.
00:34:43.58\00:34:46.15
And the outcome was, man, I
think when Eric was preaching
00:34:46.35\00:34:49.38
he shared the questions of
like: "Who wants to be committed
00:34:49.58\00:34:53.79
to this? Who wants to stand
up and be a part of this? "
00:34:53.99\00:34:55.76
Seeing the whole
church stand was #1 amazing.
00:34:55.96\00:34:59.49
But them coming Sunday morning
which was like the real test
00:34:59.69\00:35:02.20
coming Sunday morning and
seeing the whole room full!
00:35:02.40\00:35:05.70
Right? The whole table was full
00:35:05.90\00:35:08.24
of people that are willing
and committed to be a part of it
00:35:08.44\00:35:11.14
was definitely a
success for me in my eyes.
00:35:11.54\00:35:14.64
We have learned so much.
First of all, we are excited
00:35:15.74\00:35:18.48
about the enthusiasm of
our community to do something
00:35:18.68\00:35:21.75
in the greater
community. We've learned that
00:35:21.95\00:35:24.72
SALT Outreach really has
a template for us to follow.
00:35:24.92\00:35:28.92
We don't have to
re-invent the wheel.
00:35:29.12\00:35:30.73
We can partner up with them
00:35:30.93\00:35:33.73
and be mentored, be taught,
00:35:33.93\00:35:36.16
be shown what is the best way
00:35:36.36\00:35:39.90
to reach the
unsheltered in our community.
00:35:40.10\00:35:44.11
So the S.O.S. Weekends
we started mainly because
00:35:44.51\00:35:47.78
we got so many churches
outside of the state of Florida
00:35:47.98\00:35:51.05
that were requesting to learn
how to duplicate SALT Outreach
00:35:51.25\00:35:55.45
in their church.
And so we realized
00:35:55.65\00:35:58.52
that many times it's
just a small group of people
00:35:58.72\00:36:01.99
that maybe have that interest.
00:36:02.19\00:36:03.63
But we developed the S.O.S.
Weekend so that we can come out
00:36:03.83\00:36:06.29
and empower the whole
church to be a part of that
00:36:06.49\00:36:09.70
and to really
catch the same vision
00:36:09.90\00:36:13.40
as that small group so
that together the church can
00:36:13.60\00:36:16.37
come together,
combine their resources
00:36:16.57\00:36:19.11
and their experience to
duplicate this in their city.
00:36:19.31\00:36:24.61
So we will come; we
will do a series of messages,
00:36:25.01\00:36:28.58
seminars, and even a workshop
00:36:28.78\00:36:31.65
to help go through
the practical next steps
00:36:31.85\00:36:34.52
for them to start it and
start impacting the unsheltered
00:36:34.72\00:36:38.03
in their community.
00:36:38.23\00:36:39.76
Wow! That's awesome.
Blessings, it looks like
00:36:43.47\00:36:45.47
that weekend was
very impactful for you.
00:36:45.67\00:36:48.54
Where does your passion
stem from for the unsheltered?
00:36:48.74\00:36:53.51
So I grew up in Berkeley, CA.
00:36:53.91\00:36:56.34
And if anyone has been
there before they know that
00:36:56.54\00:36:59.68
Berkeley is not
00:36:59.88\00:37:01.28
somewhere that is a
stranger to homelessness.
00:37:01.48\00:37:04.19
Um-hmm. And growing up
00:37:04.39\00:37:06.09
my mother used to actually
take people in off the street.
00:37:06.29\00:37:08.96
Oh wow! And they would stay
with us for a period of time.
00:37:09.16\00:37:12.16
Some people would
stay for three months.
00:37:12.36\00:37:13.70
Some for two years.
00:37:13.83\00:37:15.16
And she would also
have political refugees from
00:37:15.63\00:37:17.70
her country come
into our home as well.
00:37:17.90\00:37:20.67
And every weekend we
would make enough food
00:37:20.87\00:37:23.41
so that we would be able
to go out and help people
00:37:23.61\00:37:25.64
who you know
didn't have. Um-hmm.
00:37:25.84\00:37:27.84
And it's not that
necessarily we had a lot
00:37:28.88\00:37:31.05
but it didn't matter. We showed
up in the ways that we could.
00:37:31.25\00:37:34.22
Um-hmm. So definitely
my passion started there.
00:37:34.42\00:37:37.72
And then as a teenager, I
got involved in what was called
00:37:37.92\00:37:40.72
The Ambassador
Program in Berkeley. Um-hmm.
00:37:40.92\00:37:43.02
And it was a bunch of teenagers
who worked with grassroots
00:37:43.22\00:37:45.76
organizers who were
looking after the community.
00:37:45.96\00:37:48.66
And so there's a park up
on Telegraph Ave. which is
00:37:48.86\00:37:53.03
near the
university - UC Berkeley -
00:37:53.23\00:37:54.80
and it has always been
kind of the "watering hole"
00:37:55.00\00:37:59.57
for the unsheltered
people in our community.
00:37:59.77\00:38:02.24
And at times that
area would become tense.
00:38:02.64\00:38:05.58
And so they would have
us get to know these people
00:38:05.78\00:38:09.15
You know, be on a
first-name basis with them.
00:38:09.35\00:38:12.32
Be able to just be present
00:38:12.52\00:38:14.96
and make them feel like
they were ordinary citizens
00:38:15.16\00:38:17.66
and not these outcasts. Um-hmm.
00:38:17.86\00:38:19.19
And that was a
great experience for us:
00:38:19.43\00:38:22.06
being a part of the community,
00:38:22.26\00:38:23.60
being able to liaise between
the needs of the homeless
00:38:23.63\00:38:26.87
and also the needs of the city
00:38:27.07\00:38:29.17
and the programs
that they were running.
00:38:29.37\00:38:30.71
And as a young adult
showing up for volunteering.
00:38:31.07\00:38:35.98
And then finally when I
was married and able to give
00:38:36.18\00:38:39.11
monetarily I was definitely
supporting a lot of the
00:38:39.31\00:38:41.92
different community
services that were out there.
00:38:42.12\00:38:44.85
Um-hmm. And
during the time of COVID
00:38:45.05\00:38:47.29
one of our favorites...
I won't name them because
00:38:47.49\00:38:49.82
I don't want to shame
them... OK... we were giving
00:38:50.03\00:38:52.69
monetarily and
making these big COSTCO runs
00:38:52.89\00:38:56.97
and dropping food
off with my kids. Um-hmm.
00:38:57.17\00:38:59.17
And one day I approached
a staff member and I said:
00:38:59.37\00:39:01.17
"I just want to
be able to do more.
00:39:01.37\00:39:03.00
You know, I see the
line of people. Can I help? "
00:39:03.20\00:39:05.24
And they ended up
refusing me for medical reasons
00:39:05.64\00:39:08.91
unfair practices which
is... Again, I'm not going to
00:39:09.11\00:39:11.81
shame them on that. Yeah.
00:39:12.01\00:39:13.35
But you know, a lot of
times when God closes a door
00:39:13.42\00:39:16.38
He's opening another one.
And so we shouldn't get stuck
00:39:16.58\00:39:18.89
looking at that door
shutting in our face.
00:39:19.09\00:39:20.92
We should be relieved that He
had the grace to shut that door
00:39:21.12\00:39:25.13
so that we can go in the path
that's going to work for us.
00:39:25.33\00:39:27.50
So I started praying
and I just said: "God,
00:39:27.90\00:39:31.00
show me a place that's going
to accept not only my money
00:39:31.20\00:39:34.94
but my service. " Hmm. And
I continued with that prayer.
00:39:35.14\00:39:38.61
And at this time... this was
around the 2nd year of COVID...
00:39:38.81\00:39:43.14
we found out that
Granite Bay had just opened up
00:39:43.35\00:39:46.51
and Pastor Doug was
holding services, you know.
00:39:46.72\00:39:49.35
And so my family and I we
would do a 4-hr. round trip
00:39:49.55\00:39:52.45
all the way to Sacramento.
00:39:52.65\00:39:53.99
And we did this for
seven months straight.
00:39:54.29\00:39:56.36
And one day after
potluck one guy says to me, Tom,
00:39:56.56\00:39:59.69
he says: "Hey, have you ever
heard of Pleasant Hill SDA? "
00:39:59.89\00:40:03.60
And I said: "Tell me more. "
00:40:03.80\00:40:05.13
And he says: "Well I love it!
00:40:05.33\00:40:06.67
I sometimes do the
reverse commute. You know,
00:40:06.74\00:40:08.37
I think you'd really enjoy
it. They have a great pastor. "
00:40:08.57\00:40:10.84
And at that time my
husband had said to me:
00:40:11.24\00:40:14.44
"If you would go to a closer
church, I would be able to
00:40:14.64\00:40:17.21
join you more. " So
I'm listening. I'm saying:
00:40:17.41\00:40:19.71
"God, what are You saying? "
00:40:19.91\00:40:21.25
I'm hearing this. "OK, I'm
going to step out on faith.
00:40:21.28\00:40:23.79
I'm going to go. "
00:40:23.99\00:40:25.32
So that very next Sabbath
I showed up with my family
00:40:25.45\00:40:28.16
and Pr. Mitch Williams himself
00:40:28.56\00:40:32.46
showed me around and sat me down
00:40:32.66\00:40:35.50
next to a woman.
And unbeknownst to me
00:40:35.70\00:40:38.50
this was the
Community Services Leader
00:40:38.70\00:40:41.64
at the time, the
Director: Gertie Warnick.
00:40:41.84\00:40:45.27
And I opened up the
bulletin and I looked over
00:40:45.47\00:40:49.18
and I said: "Is this
you? " And she said: "Yes. "
00:40:49.38\00:40:51.41
I said: "I'll be there. "
So I started volunteering.
00:40:51.61\00:40:54.32
And then I opened the
right side of the bulletin
00:40:54.72\00:40:57.72
and Pastor Lomacang' s
face was on there. Wow!
00:40:57.92\00:41:00.59
So if you heard my testimony
that I gave here at 3ABN
00:41:00.79\00:41:04.73
you'll know that
during the first year of COVID
00:41:04.93\00:41:07.76
we worshiped solely online
with Thompsonville church.
00:41:07.96\00:41:11.87
And I had reached out to
him but apparently, I'd gotten
00:41:12.27\00:41:15.10
a defunct e-mail and
so I never heard from him.
00:41:15.30\00:41:17.61
And then all of a sudden
God's providing the opportunity
00:41:17.97\00:41:21.01
for me to come
face-to-face with him.
00:41:21.21\00:41:22.88
So that did happen. Um-hmm.
00:41:23.08\00:41:24.41
And we got in touch
and started e-mailing
00:41:24.48\00:41:26.38
and I shared with him my
passion and how I wanted to help
00:41:26.58\00:41:29.18
and how it was
equally met by Gertie Warnick
00:41:29.38\00:41:32.62
and other members of the church.
00:41:32.82\00:41:35.66
And he said: "Well, I've
got just the guy for you. "
00:41:36.06\00:41:38.13
And this is how Eric
came into my life. Praise God!
00:41:38.33\00:41:42.86
And so God was
answering all these prayers
00:41:43.06\00:41:45.87
all at once. You know, the
request for a closer church.
00:41:46.07\00:41:49.04
The request for an
avenue to actually execute
00:41:49.24\00:41:54.24
a more powerful
ministry to the homeless.
00:41:54.44\00:41:56.21
And so I called
him and vetted him.
00:41:56.41\00:41:58.88
Unbeknownst to him, I'm
asking all these questions.
00:41:59.08\00:42:01.72
They're in Florida so I don't
know too much about them yet.
00:42:01.92\00:42:05.09
And I just loved what he said.
00:42:05.85\00:42:08.02
And he said to me:
"Your timing is impeccable.
00:42:08.22\00:42:11.39
We get so many calls from
so many different churches
00:42:11.79\00:42:15.16
wanting to know how they
can have what we're doing
00:42:15.36\00:42:18.70
in their own city. "
00:42:18.90\00:42:20.34
And he goes: "And
we've just finished literally
00:42:20.54\00:42:23.17
an S.O.S. Weekend plan
00:42:23.37\00:42:25.97
and we'd love for you to
be our first pilot program
00:42:26.17\00:42:30.01
out of state. "
And I'm thinking:
00:42:30.21\00:42:32.21
"Lord, if You're not speaking!
" Right? "Providential. "
00:42:32.41\00:42:35.88
God's timing is amazing because
imagine if Pastor Lomacang
00:42:36.08\00:42:39.59
would have received
your e-mail earlier -
00:42:39.79\00:42:41.52
exactly - things
could have gone differently.
00:42:41.72\00:42:43.59
You never know...
so that's incredible.
00:42:43.79\00:42:45.76
So what has been going on with
the SALT Outpost since then?
00:42:45.96\00:42:50.33
Yeah, so because of the S.O.S.
00:42:50.53\00:42:52.70
it definitely
gave us more direction.
00:42:53.03\00:42:54.40
They were able to take all the
data from our particular area
00:42:54.60\00:42:58.91
and put it in from their
side and matriculate all this
00:42:59.11\00:43:03.35
information for us so that
we could be more intentional
00:43:03.55\00:43:06.48
and directed you know.
Understanding the demographic,
00:43:06.68\00:43:09.65
understanding the need,
00:43:09.85\00:43:11.19
and then also supplying us
with access to their databases
00:43:11.22\00:43:14.82
and their surveys. And
honestly, when I looked at
00:43:15.06\00:43:16.83
their surveys I was like:
"I would have never thought
00:43:17.03\00:43:18.93
of any of this
stuff. Thank goodness!
00:43:19.13\00:43:21.10
You know, thank God I don't
have to re-invent the wheel. "
00:43:21.30\00:43:23.50
Um-hmm. And so it's
just a powerful tool,
00:43:23.70\00:43:26.40
it's a powerful ministry that
they've already gone through
00:43:26.60\00:43:30.41
all the bells and
whistles, jumps and hoops
00:43:30.61\00:43:33.31
and everything you can imagine
00:43:33.51\00:43:34.84
to create a functioning
service, a ministry that works.
00:43:35.01\00:43:38.41
Yes... absolutely.
00:43:38.61\00:43:40.08
You know, there was
somebody named Joseph
00:43:40.28\00:43:43.12
that you talked to and kind
of interviewed a little bit.
00:43:43.32\00:43:47.19
We have that video. I'd like to
take a look at that right now.
00:43:47.39\00:43:50.93
How you doing? My
name is Joseph Williams
00:43:53.90\00:43:55.96
and I'm from Oakland, CA.
00:43:56.36\00:43:58.23
Right now God blessed me
with a place right there on
00:43:59.73\00:44:02.44
30th and Telegraph.
00:44:02.64\00:44:04.01
Before that, I stayed
in my car for two years.
00:44:04.41\00:44:06.64
I helped people
and I used to wonder
00:44:07.54\00:44:10.51
why was I here?
But God blessed me.
00:44:10.71\00:44:13.58
I got tired while I was out here
00:44:13.98\00:44:16.92
and I read my Bible and
He took me to the book of Job
00:44:17.12\00:44:19.92
and He said: "I made you. "
00:44:20.12\00:44:23.32
There's a reason you're still
here. " And I see the reason
00:44:23.53\00:44:27.63
I'm here: to help people.
00:44:27.83\00:44:29.16
And so with that I just
say "Keep up the good work
00:44:29.33\00:44:32.97
and help people. Go to
the byways and highways. "
00:44:33.17\00:44:35.24
I'm out.
00:44:35.44\00:44:37.84
Wow! Is there anything you want
to add, Blessings, to that video
00:44:39.91\00:44:43.18
that we just saw? Yeah.
So because of S.O.S. Weekend
00:44:43.38\00:44:46.61
what we learned is that you
have to understand the need.
00:44:46.82\00:44:49.32
You can't just
show up and serve.
00:44:49.52\00:44:50.95
I mean, you COULD...
00:44:51.15\00:44:52.49
but it's just not as effective.
00:44:52.55\00:44:53.89
And so what my partner
00:44:53.96\00:44:55.59
Sherry and I, who's now the
00:44:55.79\00:44:57.33
assistant director for
our SALT Outreach at the Hill,
00:44:57.53\00:45:02.13
what we did is we
went out and started to do
00:45:02.33\00:45:03.93
recognizance. And so we
canvassed different areas
00:45:04.13\00:45:07.84
and we found some encampments.
00:45:08.04\00:45:09.37
And we actually started to
make friendships with the people
00:45:09.44\00:45:12.34
who live there. Hmm. And
we were able to ask them:
00:45:12.54\00:45:15.11
"What are your needs? How
can we be of service to you? "
00:45:15.31\00:45:18.51
And surprisingly
it wasn't just-food
00:45:18.71\00:45:21.45
which is like you said
earlier. It's the go-to.
00:45:21.65\00:45:23.95
It's not just food. There's
other real tangible things
00:45:24.42\00:45:27.66
that they need
in order to survive
00:45:27.86\00:45:29.26
and things that you
don't necessarily think of.
00:45:29.76\00:45:32.29
You know, toilet paper.
00:45:32.49\00:45:34.06
Yes. Went to COSTCO; got some
00:45:34.26\00:45:36.46
you know the bulk-size Kirkland
brand toilet paper rolls.
00:45:36.67\00:45:41.24
They asked for jeans,
T-shirts. Very specific needs.
00:45:41.44\00:45:44.91
One gentleman said:
"You know, my granddaughter
00:45:45.11\00:45:48.44
who's 8 and her mother
are moving in with me. "
00:45:48.64\00:45:51.38
And it just broke my heart.
00:45:51.78\00:45:53.11
And when I looked
into what he had to offer
00:45:53.28\00:45:55.02
it was literally
a tarp and a door.
00:45:55.22\00:45:57.35
So he says: "Could you get me a
tent big enough for 8 people? "
00:45:57.75\00:46:00.96
Wow! And we provided that.
00:46:01.12\00:46:02.59
So these are some of
the things that you find out
00:46:02.79\00:46:04.79
by being intentional...
and getting to know the people.
00:46:05.43\00:46:08.20
So what is the vision
for SALT in the Bay Area?
00:46:08.40\00:46:12.20
So we want to replicate what
has been happening in Orlando.
00:46:12.60\00:46:16.40
You know, the need in
the Bay Area is really great
00:46:16.81\00:46:21.11
and it's growing day by day.
00:46:21.31\00:46:23.08
When you think about the
Baby Boomers and them living
00:46:23.28\00:46:25.91
off of Social Security...
On average they make $1,600/mo.
00:46:26.11\00:46:29.32
Now the average rent
in our area is $2,300
00:46:29.72\00:46:33.29
and that's just for one
person maybe a studio apartment.
00:46:33.49\00:46:36.62
But the requirements to
actually, secure an apartment
00:46:36.83\00:46:39.63
of this nature: you
have to make three times
00:46:39.83\00:46:42.96
the rental fee. Now
that's virtually impossible.
00:46:43.16\00:46:47.17
Most people in the Bay Area
are paying half of their income
00:46:47.37\00:46:50.47
in rent, and besides
those people there are
00:46:50.67\00:46:54.31
many that are living in their
cars 'cause they can't afford
00:46:54.51\00:46:56.64
the rent. Um-hmm. So
homelessness is growing
00:46:56.85\00:46:59.81
because of the Baby Boomers
and it's growing because of
00:47:00.02\00:47:03.42
the COVID pandemic and
the strain that's been caused
00:47:03.62\00:47:06.69
you know economically.
And it's also growing because
00:47:06.89\00:47:09.52
the housing rates
just keep going up.
00:47:09.72\00:47:11.16
There's not enough
low-income housing. Yeah.
00:47:11.36\00:47:14.13
$2,300 a month!
Whoo! That's pricey!
00:47:14.33\00:47:18.93
What would you say
is the biggest need
00:47:19.13\00:47:21.37
for the SALT Outpost on
the Hill? Yes, so we currently
00:47:21.57\00:47:25.64
at our Community Services
we have essentially the food,
00:47:25.84\00:47:30.65
the pantry services,
the clothing services,
00:47:30.85\00:47:33.65
we even have a
bathroom that they can use.
00:47:33.85\00:47:35.92
But of course, this is
selective. This is a little bit
00:47:36.12\00:47:39.02
too privy. It services
those who can get to us
00:47:39.22\00:47:42.56
and we live in a suburb
00:47:42.76\00:47:44.46
and it's pretty
difficult to get to.
00:47:44.66\00:47:46.46
We have gentlemen
who have prosthetic legs
00:47:46.86\00:47:50.20
and they walk many miles
to come to have our service.
00:47:50.40\00:47:53.80
And what we would
desire and need greatly
00:47:54.20\00:47:57.51
actually is to become mobile
00:47:57.67\00:47:59.54
to actually have
a drop-in center.
00:47:59.74\00:48:01.08
So right now we're doing a
fundraiser for a shower trailer
00:48:01.18\00:48:05.05
and it would have 6
bathrooms and 6 showers
00:48:05.45\00:48:08.28
and also be
accessible for the handicapped.
00:48:08.48\00:48:11.82
And we would want to
launch within six months -
00:48:12.89\00:48:16.26
um-hmm - to be able to
go to these encampments,
00:48:16.46\00:48:19.69
go to the people to
help them, you know?
00:48:19.89\00:48:22.93
Most of them like
I said aren't working
00:48:23.13\00:48:24.73
and they maybe
see 1 shower a month.
00:48:24.93\00:48:26.97
Wow! They may be see...
they chase the other services
00:48:27.17\00:48:30.67
It's not guaranteed, you know?
00:48:30.87\00:48:33.14
Yeah. The unsheltered
ministry in the Bay Area
00:48:33.34\00:48:37.25
is just as important as
the unsheltered ministry
00:48:37.45\00:48:40.45
in Orlando. And we need to
have more of these unsheltered
00:48:40.65\00:48:43.72
ministries - right -
taking place: the SALT Outposts.
00:48:43.92\00:48:47.92
I want to see that everywhere.
I love it. That's the vision.
00:48:48.12\00:48:51.29
Absolutely. And we have a video
and I want to go to that...
00:48:51.49\00:48:55.30
that video right now.
00:48:55.56\00:48:57.10
Wow. I definitely want
to see you guys get that
00:50:29.39\00:50:31.83
shower trailer. I see
that you have to raise $90,000
00:50:33.19\00:50:36.00
for the shower trailer. How
much has been raised so far?
00:50:36.20\00:50:38.33
Yeah. So God has
through two private donors
00:50:38.53\00:50:42.37
has raised $30,000
toward that trailer already.
00:50:42.57\00:50:45.74
Wow! Praise God! We're
a third of the way there.
00:50:45.94\00:50:47.64
That's crazy
'cause with inflation
00:50:47.68\00:50:50.95
and the supply chain the cost
of trailers is going up and up.
00:50:51.15\00:50:53.98
When we first fundraised
for a trailer here on 3ABN
00:50:54.18\00:50:56.38
the 3ABN viewers actually raised
00:50:56.62\00:50:59.22
90% of those funds
almost. Wow! Praise God!
00:50:59.42\00:51:03.16
You know, it was only $40,000
00:51:03.36\00:51:05.99
and now we're looking at
almost double that price.
00:51:06.19\00:51:08.66
So we really need
support of the community,
00:51:09.06\00:51:11.97
3ABN viewers, to really
make this a reality here.
00:51:12.17\00:51:15.80
So California...
there's a huge need there
00:51:16.00\00:51:18.54
and we all can be a part of
that you know? Yeah, absolutely.
00:51:18.74\00:51:23.71
And you know I just kind
of want to claim it in faith
00:51:23.91\00:51:26.31
that it IS
going to happen. Amen.
00:51:26.61\00:51:28.88
And I want you to
come back, Blessings,
00:51:29.08\00:51:31.59
and I want you guys to come back
00:51:31.79\00:51:33.62
because I want us
to talk about this day
00:51:33.82\00:51:36.39
when we were talking about
raising the funds for the shower
00:51:36.59\00:51:40.10
trailer and then I want
to find out what happened
00:51:40.30\00:51:43.40
as a result of getting that.
00:51:43.60\00:51:45.93
I don't want you to go anywhere.
00:51:46.13\00:51:47.47
We're going to
take a brief break,
00:51:47.50\00:51:48.87
get a little
address roll newsbreak
00:51:49.07\00:51:51.44
and we'll be right back.
00:51:51.64\00:51:52.97