Day 11

Make sure that you check the day 10 pictures because I uploaded more and will upload more later.

(to be uploaded) Day 11 Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/dumcyouthgroup/Day11

Today we gather at Community UMC for our L.A. leg of the trip. We arrived at Dodgers stadium for our stadium tour this morning. We were able to go in conference rooms, suites, look into locker rooms, go on the field, get into the dugout, and more. We learned about the history of the team and the stadium. If you are ever in L.A. I recommend it. This is the team's 50 year anniversary. We got to see their World Series trophies and gold medals from the Olympics from the 1980's. Jackie Robinson's number is 42 and you see it through out the tour. If you see pictures of jerseys they are the real ones worn or given to players.

We only had a short time to eat lunch because we had to be at Paramount Studios for our tour. We decided to eat at In and Out Burger, which is a popular local burger joint that is family owned and run. There is only 4 things to eat on the main menu. They are also a Christian centered business. If you look at the bottom of one of their cups they have John 3:16 printed, almost hidden. We had only about 45 minutes to get 80 people "in and out". We did it and they also served the other 50 people who were there for the lunch hour. The youth loved it. The chain is something of a popular spot in Southern CA.

After our lunch, we made it over to Paramount. Our two hour tour included sets, movie secrets, city movie blocks, studio grounds, back lots, viewing rooms, projector room, and more. EVERYONE is very nice at Paramount. The industry is know for egos and divas, but people who work at Paramount are down to earth (at lease the ones we met). While on the set of "Everyone Hates Chris" (the Chris Rock show) I inadvertently disturbed some props. The show is set in the 1980's and so they had some 80's text books on the set. I picked one up and remarked, "Hey, I think I had this textbook in elementary school" as a joke. Thats when we found out that we were not supposed to touch the props... oops. We did not see any stars, but one group did get to see a scene filmed. Some of us were able to go into the private theater where directors and actors see films before they are released. We also were able to go to the projector rooms and were introduced to how films are displayed.

We were received warmly by the good people of Rachos Palos Verdes at St. Peter's by the Sea Presbyterian Church. They had a wonderful dinner prepared for us. Now, I am in the back of the sanctuary listening to the choir and they sound amazing. The youth have really hung in there on this two week trip. Please continue to pray.

Check back for my sermon text that I will be preaching on at FBC Glendale on Sunday morning, which is based on our tour theme "Many Gifts, One Spirit." My pastor, mentor, and friend Charlie Updike has graciously allowed me to share the Word on Sunday morning. Also, check back in the next few days and weeks for video. It takes a lot of time to upload video and I do not have that luxury of uploading for hours. When I get back I can upload tons of video.

Pastor Alan Rudnick