Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Why San Diego???

Hey everyone! Hope you guys are finishing up the school year and are getting ready to jump into summer. Summer is starting to set in here in San Diego. Its a bit warmer, days are longer and the beach is staying busy. Speaking of San Diego...

We wanted to give you some information on San Diego & the particular area that All People's Church is serving in. Also, some information on what we are doing in San Diego. Here are some things about our new city that you may not know:

* San Diego is one of the most diverse cities in the United States.
* 56% of people in San Diego do not claim any religion
* Less than 5% of people attend a church
* Over 100 languages are represented within the city
* The greater San Diego area has 2.8 million people and is located on the border with Tijuana, Mexico.
* It is the 6th most expensive city in the United States. (thank you supporters!)

All People's Church has been in San Diego for 3 years. It is located in the City Heights neighborhood. This particular area is one of the nations poorest with the average income of $11,000 per capita. The area is full of immigrants, refugees and the poor. Our Sunday Services are in Horace Mann high school. It is one of the most diverse high schools in the United States.

Jady has his hands in a lot of things. He is one of the senior leaders and is working with the different ministries helping them develop and grow. He leads worship on Sunday mornings. This coming fall we are both going to be very involved in helping launch the college department forward. We live very close to San Diego State University and will focus our time reaching out to students who attend SDSU and Point Loma University as well.

We are so thankful to each of you who make this happen. Everyone who prays for us and our new home of San Diego...thank you! For those who support us financially, we are beyond blessed at your generosity and faithfulness...thank you!!! Love you all, and thought I would end with a few pictures of a church service, Sophie & her new friend Anna, & the kids at the zoo.

Blessings,
Jady, Elizabeth, Sophie & Tait


Monday, May 9, 2011

It's May!!!



It's May! Hope you guys all had a great Mother's Day. We had so much fun. Sophie was getting over strep throat, but she managed to pull of a wonderful dinner that she made with Jady. It was adorable watching the kids help cook, set the table and make cards for the grandmothers. Can't wait for Father's Day.

Things at the Griffin house have been good. There have been some big developments with Tait's speech. He is starting to try and tell stories. He hasn't even attempted to it before. Sophie started ballet. A girl from the church comes over once a week and they have class in the living room. Believe me, it is incredibly entertaining. Jady is still surfing every day he can & he is getting better every day. I (Elizabeth) am attempting to make her house look like Anthropologie on a budget...not quite there, but I have high hopes.

All People's Church has been great. We are building more relationships with people and getting excited about the things God has for us here. One of the things that we are going to be focusing on this fall is the college. Jady is going to take more of a role with the college service called "Awaken". There are tons of college kids in town and our church meets just a few minutes from San Diego State University. It's a hot bed for God to do something big & we can't wait to see what it is.

You may remember we told you guys about our adoption hitting a bit of a snag. Not just a time delay, but needing God to provide money to move the process along. Thank you for praying because it appears that our entire homestudy is paid for!!! Whoo!!! Now we can do the next step in this adoption and bring Ford & Etta home.

We love you guys. Thanks for being on Team Griff!