Arrival in Hollywood

Fifty-five young adult volunteers arrived at the Newark airport at various times last Monday. I arrived around 12:30 after spending a week in New York City catching up with friends from Honduras and my brother, Jeff. The excitement and nervousness could be tasted as we loaded into vans and headed to Stony Point Retreat Center. We began to share our stories with one another finding similarities along the way – friends who also went abroad, spoke Spanish, recently graduated from college, and had a passion for social justice.

I’ll admit that I originally thought, “I’ve already done the whole volunteer service thing, there’s not that much I can learn in an orientation week…”

I was wrong.

I met a supportive group of incredible people with riveting stories and an abundance of passion. I saw brokenness and pain in the hearts of those that would be serving alongside me and I witnessed healing and love. We listened, shared, sang, had a talent show, and broke bread with one another.

It’s a pretty amazing experience when like-minded young adults come together and are intentional about creating community even when knowing we will part ways and enter our own adventures in the coming year.  I will pray for these friends and hope that you too will pray for all of the YAVs heading to Guatemala, Kenya, Ireland, Denver, Nashville, New Orleans, Chinook, Tucson, Austin, San Antonio, Chicago, and Hollywood.

Fundraising Update: $5125 (goal: $6500)

How Can You Support Me?
Your Prayers: Pray for me and for the people with whom I will live and serve this year.
Your Financial Gifts:
- Make checks payable to “Door” and write “Hollywood and Karena Malmgren” on the memo line. Mail checks to:
Door
430 West 9th Ave.
Denver, CO 80204
- For online donations, go to http://www.doornetwork.org, select the link for “Donate”
- For phone donations, call the DOOR National Office at 303.295.3667

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