Valley Wesley students pose for a picture after a trip to Wesley Theological Seminary

Alternative Spring Break 2011: WASHINGTON D.C. March 13-18, 2011 Eleven Valley Wesley students and Rev. Rob Rynders spent their spring break in the Nation's Capital attending a seminar on "Human Trafficking," put on by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Valley Wesley joined students and leaders from the Northern Illinois University and Winthrop University Wesley Foundations to learn from various speakers and organizations about the 27 million human beings (mostly women and children) who are currently being coerced into forced labor and/or sexual slavery around the world. Seminar participants also met with legislators, including our own congressman, David Schweikert and a representative from Senator Jon Kyl's office to advocate on behalf of trafficking victims and to encourage our legislators to support legislation that combats human trafficking worldwide. Participants visited the offices of International Justice Mission, a Christian non-profit organization that supports and advocates for trafficking victims and also works with governments around the world to reform and train their law enforcement agencies to combat trafficking in their own countries. To learn more about IJM and to find vast resources on the topic of human trafficking, please visit their website. Overall students had a meaningful and transformative time in Washington through the seminar program, visiting historical sites, monuments, and museums, connecting with other students from around the country, and most importantly by connecting their faith to issues of human rights and justice. This trip would not have been possible with all of those who supported these students with their prayers and financial donations and, for that, all of us at Valley Wesley are very thankful.

During ASU's Spring Break, a number of students from the Wesley Foundation went on a mission trip to South Central Los Angeles through Sierra Service Project. We spent the week volunteering on a service project directly in the community and learning about local social justice issues. The work was hard, but extremely rewarding and the entire week was enlightening. Our work focused on Rakestraw Community Center right in South Central where we finished up sanding, painting, and putting in fixtures for several bathrooms. Demolition was another project upstairs, a chance for the Wesley folk to punch some holes in walls with sledgehammers. The surrounding community was incredibly supportive, and friendly, with visits from local residents often to bring food for the crew. The eventual goal is for the community center to re-open for use by a charter school that would fund activities and programs at the center for kids and teens in need of a positive place to go in the neighborhood. Venturing through LA, we participated in learning about various issues affecting the community. We took a “toxins tour” of Los Angeles, which comprised of visiting lower-income neighborhoods where manufacturing and industry surround their daily lives. There we held a discussion about environmental racism and justice. Immigration is also a key topic in LA, similar to what we see in Arizona. We participated in an open dialogue with members of the community about how, as United Methodists, we can change the lives and be a voice for our brothers and sisters. Additionally our group visited the local district building, the first completely sustainable government building and engaged with constituents about the progress being made locally on a variety of issues. Overall, the week was an amazing way to spend Spring Break. Trips like these can be difficult, when faced with the struggles many people go through in life. However, the experience is invaluable and everyone who participates walks away with a sense of appreciation and more importantly, feeling empowered by God and the example of Jesus Christ to make a difference in their respective community and the world. By Cara Coleman, Wesley Student/Intern and Freshman at ASU