SOZO Real: Month #11: Here On Purpose

I’ve been here in LA eleven months already and every month anniversary I am always in awe of what God has done since my time being in this city. I am always reminded how God put this dream in my heart about seven years ago and now I get to live it out. Dreams have always been a topic that stir me up. I love imagining what could be with the help of God, persistence, and belief. With the birth of any dream, inevitably it is always glamorized. I’m not going to lie, since being here in the promise of God there have been many, many times that I doubted if this was really something that I wanted. With questions and conversations with friends and family, I often would have second thoughts about this whole thing. Questions would swirl in my mind like, “why do I even believe in the city of LA?” “Why am I even here?” “What if there’s something better out there?” “Maybe I heard God wrong?” “Maybe I should cut this experience short.” “Am I crazy for doing this?” (This one was the most common one).

I remember this month I got off a phone call and felt the weight of these questions so heavily. I was so conflicted and confused. That evening I attended a worship night at my church called “Hope Street Revival.” As the evening went on and the pastor spoke, he began to talk about how some of the greatest historical Jesus movements began in Los Angeles. He shared how God has placed all of us in LA for such a time as this to believe God can move in this city and to share His light in the darkness. I was so moved by this, and I believe through him, God reaffirmed my purpose in being in this city that is often deemed as dark, damned, and full of chaos.

This church has truly been a blessing to me and has been an answered prayer from God. This month I also attended the Next Steps classes to start serving in different areas. I mentioned on one of the forms that I enjoy writing. A few days later I received a text from one of the serving leaders asking if I would be interested in serving by writing the podcast summaries for the weekly church sermons. I quickly said yes and have been getting involved with the church in that way, which has been great having the accountability again to write well.

Additionally, one Friday my roommate and I went to eat at the restaurant she works at. As she mentioned that she works near UCLA (University of California Los Angeles), her alma mater, I asked if we could go take a tour of the university. Walking around the campus and classrooms, she shared different stories of the memories she made while attending the school. It was such a special time just hearing these fond moments and it made me reflect on my time at my university as well. While she was showing me around, it hit me that UCLA is a school of legends. Many pro and Olympic athletes, actors, and important people have attended this school. It was amazing to be at such a campus that is often glamorized in movies and many nationally and internationally dream of attending. I could tell the school was rich in history, as it is over 100 years old. Though it was a beautiful campus and impressive in status, it made me appreciate the treasured Oral Roberts University as it was a perfect fit for me. It’s crazy how where one attends college is such a pivotal decision.

Furthermore, for Memorial Day my roommate and I went to the Long Beach aquarium and then after rode bikes along the beach. As I mentioned in previous blogposts, bikes along the beach has definitely grown to be a favorite hobby of mine. It’s so thrilling, refreshing, and brings so much peace!

Also, month number eleven was all about savoring the moment, since it was near the end of my City Year experience. Although, my last day with City Year was not until a few days into month number #12, I officially graduated my Americorps program along with the rest of the City Year corps this month. That same day, my team and I attended the graduation for the high school we work at to see the seniors cross the stage. Sitting with my team in the bleachers and watching the class of 2022 students graduate brought me so much joy and pride. Hearing the parents with their blare horns, seeing a mom with a custom made dress with her child’s face on it, and even having all the bleachers filled with beaming and proud families, friends, school admin really blessed my heart.

After the official graduation, when families went to congratulate and take pictures with their graduate on the football field, I couldn’t help but stare at the interaction between a student and his family. As the student was greeted by his family, he embraced them as tears rolled down his face and continued to pour out. This touched me so much because that student was in one of the ninth grade classes I worked with this year (since he had to retake it) and I knew part of his struggle of getting to this milestone. In class, he would often say, “Eh, not sure if I’m even going to graduate?” It was as if he gave up on himself. However, knowing part of the journey he went through and seeing him in his cap and gown with the diploma in hand, blessed me so much. He made it and his tears were of joy and thanks that he crossed the stage. Even seeing the other graduates was something so beautiful. For many of these students, the community they come from consists of many immigrant families who came to the U.S. to provide their child with an education, to give them a better life, and many of these students were the first in their family to even graduate high school. So, it was such a sight to see these students and their families beaming with joy as graduating high school was one of the greatest accomplishments in their families. Many of these students don’t come from affluent households, and I could see the pride that was instilled in them as they met this milestone to do even greater things. Many of them mentioned they were going to attend barber school, trade school, and a few mentioned college. The struggles that these students faced such as taking two buses through public transportation daily just to get to school, managing jobs, and taking care younger siblings, while still graduating high school is something I commend them for. Growing up in South Central LA, let alone attending school in these schools is not easy. And for that, I will forever be proud of the resilience and courage of these students. They mean so much to me.

Furthermore, contrary to the popular opinion to other City Year members (lol), this program has been so enjoyable. I believe working with City Year has been such a blessing in my first year in LA as it provided many (FREE) cool opportunities to introduce me to the city since the organization has various partnerships with big companies such as Disney, the NFL Rams, and other athletic teams. This month I attended a screening at the famous El Capitan theater in Hollywood for the tv show Abbott Elementary. The theater was beautiful, and it was such a “Hollywood” experience. Before the premier of the screening, a man in a glittery tuxedo played on the organ, which felt like the opening of a movie. Once the screening was about the begin, he and his organ lowered under the stage as he continued playing. Then, curtains and stage production did their beautiful magic and the episode began. Supposedly, the event was basically a night to play the episode to get the audience's reaction and to gauge where the show stood. After the screening, the stage curtains closed, and the cast and directors came on stage to share their experience acting as the characters and to explain the inspiration behind the different episodes and character development. After the screening event, there was an “afterparty” celebration. This celebration was with many City Year members present, Hollywood directors, aspiring actors, and LA residents, along with the Abbott Elementary cast. Overall, it was such a great night that I knew in the moment I’d never forget.

A lot happened this month that made me remember why I came here in the first place and allowed me to grow even more in love for this city through its quirks, complexities, and experiences.

What a time it’s been. Stay tuned for month #12!

-Brittany Prada