Hello all!
I am having a fabulous time down here in Miami. We have now completed three days of camp and although it has been a VERY stressful three days, I have enjoyed every minute of it. I have enjoyed some of those minutes moreso than others, but I have enjoyed them all to some extent.
So now that I am have been doing my job for awhile, here's what I do...
One of my primary jobs is to take care of the lunch and breakfasts that the children receive each day through a federal program. A community is eligible to receive this free lunch program if over half of the students in the area receive free/reduced lunch during the school year. Well... in Overtown, EVERY student gets free lunch at school. Wow. Thats an astounding statistic. So we all know that federal programs have ridiculous rules... we just dont ever know how ridiculous they are until we are thet ones that have to follow them. This past Thursday I had to attend a 2 hour training session in order to be able to serve the food to the children. 2 HOURS?!?!? I didnt realize that serving food was that complicated. Really? So here are just a few of the ridiculous rules with which I am forced to comply each morning at 8:30 am and 11:30 am, and my interpretations:
1. The food servicer may not begin until the time posted on your application and may not end until the time posted on your application. This means that if start serving breakfast at 8:28, our food service will be discontinued for a week. INTERPRETATION: We dont care if you have a hungry child that shows up late for camp. We care more about you following our rules than we do about the well being of a child.
2. Every child must be served every component of a meal. They may not take part of a meal and leave the other part at the serving area. We dont really care whether or not they want the carton of milk. They are gonna take because we say they are. Non compliance in this rule will result in the discontinuation of your food service for one week.
3. Because of "budget cuts", no child may receive a second serving of food. Even if there is leftover food, no one can eat it... not even the 20 hungry people that are too old to receive the lunch. Non compliance with this rule will result in the discontinuation of your food service for one week. INTERPRETATION: We enjoy watching you waste food every day. What we enjoy even more, though, is watching those children come up to you and ask for another peach, and then you telling them no even though there are still 44 peaches in the box. Dont let the food go to a good cause. Let it sit in your refrigerator and rot.
Besides those crazy rules, I must stand at the end of the serving line, verify that each component of the meal is there, and literally mark a box each time a child comes through the line.
Another part of my job is coordinating field trips. Last week, I was calling to confirm them all... have I ever mentioned how much I hate talking on the phone? ha. I called one place, and after I explained why I was calling, the woman said that we had no reservation there. WHAT do mean we have NO RESERVATION? You should also know that this wasnt the only place where I called and this happened.
So, as you can see, much of my job is behind the scenes, office type work. I must admit that it is very depressing that I do not get to spend much time with the kids here, and its really easy to get down about that... Here I am sitting in the office while my fellow interns are having fun playing with their group of kids. I realize, though, that this camp could not go on if there were no one to do the jobs that I do. The kids wouldn't have food and and they wouldn't get to go somewhere special every Thursday. Someone has to do it. Why should I think that I am too good to do the jobs that no one else wants to do. Several years ago, I would have told you that I had a servant's heart. Lately, I dont think that has been so true in my life. I pray that this experience will help me to regain the servant's heart that I once had, and that ance again, I would be just as happy to be behind the scenes as I am to be on stage. At first I didnt think my job was that important... now I am finding that it is so important and I and finding more and more joy in doing it every single day... even on the days when our lunch delivery guy doesnt show up until 1.5 hours after our serving time.
Just think though... at the end of the day, what could be more fulfilling than to know that you helped to provide 2 nourishing meals to a hungry child who may not have had food otherwise and that you helped give a child what may be the only opportunity they have ever had to exeprience life outside of the streets of Overtown? Who am I to say that these jobs are simply menial, unimportant tasks? My eyes tell me otherwise. My eyes tell me that every single time I look at one of those children, I am looking at the image of God. That's pretty sweet! Getting to see 80 little images of God around me every single day. What greater joy could there be in life?!?!?!
On a side note, our mission team from Oxford Baptist Church has been super fun to hang out with this week... we got to go on a duck tour of Miami with them on Saturday... we have been to South Beach/Ocean Ave/Lincoln Road several times already (Hint: Going at night probably isnt a very good idea. It is not rated PG 13. It is not rated R... I will leave the rest to your imagination.)
There is much more I would love to sharewith you all and reflect upon pretty soon on here, and hope to be able to do that in the near future. However, we start working at 730 and end at 5, and there is no internet at our living quarters. I'll do my best!! As for now, I am off to our first Community Cookout. Then tomorrow is field trip day... ChuckECheese here I come!!!!
Please continue to pray for:
- rest, strength, patience
- unity and community among our team
- that our mission teams would be changed through their experience at TML
- that we would see Jesus Christ in our 80 campers every day
- that our 80 campers would see Jesus Christ in us every day
- my fellow summer missions friends all over the world
Grace and Peace :)
24 June 2009
16 June 2009
Ohhhh Miami!!
Hello friends! I am finally here in Miami and I am having a blast so far!! However, please know that my Internet access and free time to get on the Internet whenever I do have free time are both extremely sparse. So, I wont be able to update you all as often as I had hoped, but I will do my best to give an update when the opportunity arises.
So far, my team and I are having an awesome time getting to know one another and immersing ourselves into the culture of Miami and Overtown. Although Overtown is a part of Miami, the culture is so different that it seems like two completely different places. If you've ever wanted to go to Puerto Rico but dont want to cross an ocean to get there, Miami is your place. I am pretty sure I wouldnt know the difference if no one had told me. The people are extremely friendly, the weather is very tropical, and there are many Spanish signs around the city. On the other hand, Overtown is a predominantly African American neighborhood. (I have already used my Spanish on several occassions though!!!)
My team and I have been determining what each of our roles will be throughout the summer over the past few days. Because of how many of us there are, as well as a sudden decision by one of our interns not to join us this summer, I have actually taken on the role of Assistant Camp Director instead of being in charge of one of the age groups. I am not exactly sure of everything that entails yet, but I know that God has prepared me specially for whatever may be in store for me. It should be a great challenge and I am looking forward to it!
On Sunday, Amanda, Colby, and I went to the Christ Fellowship Dowtown Mission and shared breakfast, supper, and worship with the homeless. It was a great experience! Rather than volunteering and helping to serve, we simply sat with the people, talked with them, and did everything they did. I met some really great folks and I hope to be able to go back and share that time with them again. As I sat and observed the things around me, I began to think about what I had challenged myself to this summer- seeing Christ in those that I meet. One man I met, Benjamin, really helped me begin to put this concept into practice. He told me about his life on the streets and how he had made several trips through jail in his life. But he also told me about how he had finally discovered that violence and drugs were not the way to solve his life's problems. Ever since he discovered that, he has stayed true to his vow to not ever return down that path, and has also made it his job to help his fellow friends to discover this as well. As he listened to those around him talking about fights they had been involved in, he questioned them and talked to them about why they felt it necessary to fight and tried to help them find another way to resolve their problems. I found this to be very admirable, and I feel that I was truly able to see Christ in Benjamin through hearing his story and seeing the impact he has on those around him. It was really interesting for me to compare this church with Church Under the Bridge. Of course there are positives and negatives you can find in everything, but I feel that seeing these two ministries is helping me to better grasp onto my own ideas and thoughts about ministry to the poor and homeless, as well in reflecting on what Jesus has to say about this topic.
It has also been exciting to visit some of the places around Miami where I may have the opportunity to visit frequently. My team and I have been able to start some awesome conversations with cashiers we have met in stores. Whenever we start talking to these people, it is like they have just been waiting for someone to talk to--someone to listen to them-- someone to act interested in who they are. I hope that we are able to go back to those places and continue those relationships even though we will be so busy with summer camp during the day.
Today, a church came and had a Summer Kick-Off Party for the neighborhood. There was nail painting, face painting, crafts, cookie decorating, basketball, and lots of energy in the air. It was awesome to see everyone interacting and playing together just like they had known one another all their lives. I am excited to see this energy carried over into Summer Camp every week this summer.
A few important side notes:
1. I have already located Pollo Tropical. I am looking forward to a taste of Puerto Rico!
2. People's Drug in Overtown has some sick nasty soul food!
Please pray for: the mission teams that are coming to Overtown to run Summer Camp, the children who will be attending Summer Camp, that God would open doors for us to share his love all over Overtown and Miami.
Grace and Peace.
So far, my team and I are having an awesome time getting to know one another and immersing ourselves into the culture of Miami and Overtown. Although Overtown is a part of Miami, the culture is so different that it seems like two completely different places. If you've ever wanted to go to Puerto Rico but dont want to cross an ocean to get there, Miami is your place. I am pretty sure I wouldnt know the difference if no one had told me. The people are extremely friendly, the weather is very tropical, and there are many Spanish signs around the city. On the other hand, Overtown is a predominantly African American neighborhood. (I have already used my Spanish on several occassions though!!!)
My team and I have been determining what each of our roles will be throughout the summer over the past few days. Because of how many of us there are, as well as a sudden decision by one of our interns not to join us this summer, I have actually taken on the role of Assistant Camp Director instead of being in charge of one of the age groups. I am not exactly sure of everything that entails yet, but I know that God has prepared me specially for whatever may be in store for me. It should be a great challenge and I am looking forward to it!
On Sunday, Amanda, Colby, and I went to the Christ Fellowship Dowtown Mission and shared breakfast, supper, and worship with the homeless. It was a great experience! Rather than volunteering and helping to serve, we simply sat with the people, talked with them, and did everything they did. I met some really great folks and I hope to be able to go back and share that time with them again. As I sat and observed the things around me, I began to think about what I had challenged myself to this summer- seeing Christ in those that I meet. One man I met, Benjamin, really helped me begin to put this concept into practice. He told me about his life on the streets and how he had made several trips through jail in his life. But he also told me about how he had finally discovered that violence and drugs were not the way to solve his life's problems. Ever since he discovered that, he has stayed true to his vow to not ever return down that path, and has also made it his job to help his fellow friends to discover this as well. As he listened to those around him talking about fights they had been involved in, he questioned them and talked to them about why they felt it necessary to fight and tried to help them find another way to resolve their problems. I found this to be very admirable, and I feel that I was truly able to see Christ in Benjamin through hearing his story and seeing the impact he has on those around him. It was really interesting for me to compare this church with Church Under the Bridge. Of course there are positives and negatives you can find in everything, but I feel that seeing these two ministries is helping me to better grasp onto my own ideas and thoughts about ministry to the poor and homeless, as well in reflecting on what Jesus has to say about this topic.
It has also been exciting to visit some of the places around Miami where I may have the opportunity to visit frequently. My team and I have been able to start some awesome conversations with cashiers we have met in stores. Whenever we start talking to these people, it is like they have just been waiting for someone to talk to--someone to listen to them-- someone to act interested in who they are. I hope that we are able to go back to those places and continue those relationships even though we will be so busy with summer camp during the day.
Today, a church came and had a Summer Kick-Off Party for the neighborhood. There was nail painting, face painting, crafts, cookie decorating, basketball, and lots of energy in the air. It was awesome to see everyone interacting and playing together just like they had known one another all their lives. I am excited to see this energy carried over into Summer Camp every week this summer.
A few important side notes:
1. I have already located Pollo Tropical. I am looking forward to a taste of Puerto Rico!
2. People's Drug in Overtown has some sick nasty soul food!
Please pray for: the mission teams that are coming to Overtown to run Summer Camp, the children who will be attending Summer Camp, that God would open doors for us to share his love all over Overtown and Miami.
Grace and Peace.
10 June 2009
Seeing and Being?
Many of you may be wondering about the title I have given my blog, "Seeing and Being". The following post is my rambling thoughts about this topic and my focus/goal for my summer in Miami. Hopefully, it makes sense!! :)
This title simply refers to God's command for each and every one of us as we live life daily. I think that all God commands of us in the Scriptures could be summed in two simple statements: 1) Look for Jesus Christ in all things by which you are surrounded. 2) Be Jesus Christ for all of those by which you are surrounded. Just think... Wouldn't the world be a much more peaceful place if everyone lived by these principles? I certainly think so.
This is a theme that I have been thinking about for quite some time. It enters my mind occassionally, and it re-enetered my mind as we talked about this very principle at our Orientation session in Birmingham, AL last week.
Here's the issue. It's really easy for us, as Christians, to focus a lot on being Christ for others. We talk about it all of the time. I mean, isn't this essentially the main or underlying theme for many of the Bible Studies we attend? The concept is nothing new for us. There has not ever been a mission trip I have attended where I haven't heard the "You are here to represent Christ." sermon. I don't want to give the impression that this is a bad thing. It's not! It is crucially important that we be reminded of this as often as possible.
However, I would like to pose a question. We, as humans, are creatures of habit. We learn things from someone modeling them for us. Doesn't a young child spend much time mimicking his parents and the people around him? And isn't the same true in our daily Christian walk? How can we be Christ for someone if we haven't ever seen Christ in someone else? How are we supposed to be Christ for someone if we haven't ever taken the time to observe what is around us and find Christ in his very own marvelous creations? We could just open up our Bible and read about the nature of Christ and what it looks like, as well as what fruits should be present in our lives in order to be Christ for another person. In fact, we should do this... a lot! After all, Christ is the most perfect example we have to follow. But doesn't a real, physical illustration- something that you can see- make everything that much more real for us? Doesn't it help a concept that you've read about or talked about become that much more real to you? Although Christ may present himself in different ways through each person that He has created, I believe that I can learn from others, even though Christ in them will look drastically different from Christ in me.
This is something I am going to challenge myself to do this summer. I would like to challenge you, wherever you are, to do it as well:
Take some time and try to focus on SEEING Christ in those by which you are surrounded. Don't just talk about it. Really do it!
I dont want to become so focused on BEING Christ for those around me, that I forget to look for Him. I hope that this will: 1) Help me begin to live seeing Christ in others at all times. 2) Become a better example of Christ around me.
Here are the lyrics to the song "Face of Christ" by Chris Rice. They are sure to make you think.
He shares a room outside with a dozen other guys
And the only roof he knows is that sometimes starry sky
A tattered sleeping bag on a concrete slab is his bed
And it's too cold to talk tonight
So I just sit with him instead and think
(Chorus)
How did I find myself in a better place
I can't look down on the frown on the other guy's face.
Cause when I stoop down low, look him square in the eye
I get a funny feeling, I just might be dealing
With the face of Christ
After sixteen years in a cold, gray prison yard
Somehow his heart is soft, but keeping simple faith is hard
He lays his Bible open on the table next to me
And as I hear his humble prayer
I feel his longing to be free someday
(Chorus)
See you had no choice which day you would be born
Or the color of your skin, or what planet you'd be on
Would your mind be strong, would your eyes be blue or brown
Whether daddy would be rich, or if momma stuck around at all
So if you find yourself in a better place
You can't look down on the frown on the other guy's face
You gotta stoop down low, look him square in the eye
And get a funny feeling, 'cause you might be dealing ...
How did I find myself in a better place
I can't look down on the frown on the other guy's face
'Cause when I stoop down low, look him square in the eye
I get a funny feeling, I just might be dealing
With the face of Christ
Please continue to pray for the community of Overtown and the people that I will be working with. Pray that I would be able to see Christ in them, and that I would be able to be Christ for them. Also, please continue to pray for the students that God has placed all over the world this summer (a short list can be found at the bottom of my first post!!).
Grace and Peace!
This title simply refers to God's command for each and every one of us as we live life daily. I think that all God commands of us in the Scriptures could be summed in two simple statements: 1) Look for Jesus Christ in all things by which you are surrounded. 2) Be Jesus Christ for all of those by which you are surrounded. Just think... Wouldn't the world be a much more peaceful place if everyone lived by these principles? I certainly think so.
This is a theme that I have been thinking about for quite some time. It enters my mind occassionally, and it re-enetered my mind as we talked about this very principle at our Orientation session in Birmingham, AL last week.
Here's the issue. It's really easy for us, as Christians, to focus a lot on being Christ for others. We talk about it all of the time. I mean, isn't this essentially the main or underlying theme for many of the Bible Studies we attend? The concept is nothing new for us. There has not ever been a mission trip I have attended where I haven't heard the "You are here to represent Christ." sermon. I don't want to give the impression that this is a bad thing. It's not! It is crucially important that we be reminded of this as often as possible.
However, I would like to pose a question. We, as humans, are creatures of habit. We learn things from someone modeling them for us. Doesn't a young child spend much time mimicking his parents and the people around him? And isn't the same true in our daily Christian walk? How can we be Christ for someone if we haven't ever seen Christ in someone else? How are we supposed to be Christ for someone if we haven't ever taken the time to observe what is around us and find Christ in his very own marvelous creations? We could just open up our Bible and read about the nature of Christ and what it looks like, as well as what fruits should be present in our lives in order to be Christ for another person. In fact, we should do this... a lot! After all, Christ is the most perfect example we have to follow. But doesn't a real, physical illustration- something that you can see- make everything that much more real for us? Doesn't it help a concept that you've read about or talked about become that much more real to you? Although Christ may present himself in different ways through each person that He has created, I believe that I can learn from others, even though Christ in them will look drastically different from Christ in me.
This is something I am going to challenge myself to do this summer. I would like to challenge you, wherever you are, to do it as well:
Take some time and try to focus on SEEING Christ in those by which you are surrounded. Don't just talk about it. Really do it!
I dont want to become so focused on BEING Christ for those around me, that I forget to look for Him. I hope that this will: 1) Help me begin to live seeing Christ in others at all times. 2) Become a better example of Christ around me.
Here are the lyrics to the song "Face of Christ" by Chris Rice. They are sure to make you think.
He shares a room outside with a dozen other guys
And the only roof he knows is that sometimes starry sky
A tattered sleeping bag on a concrete slab is his bed
And it's too cold to talk tonight
So I just sit with him instead and think
(Chorus)
How did I find myself in a better place
I can't look down on the frown on the other guy's face.
Cause when I stoop down low, look him square in the eye
I get a funny feeling, I just might be dealing
With the face of Christ
After sixteen years in a cold, gray prison yard
Somehow his heart is soft, but keeping simple faith is hard
He lays his Bible open on the table next to me
And as I hear his humble prayer
I feel his longing to be free someday
(Chorus)
See you had no choice which day you would be born
Or the color of your skin, or what planet you'd be on
Would your mind be strong, would your eyes be blue or brown
Whether daddy would be rich, or if momma stuck around at all
So if you find yourself in a better place
You can't look down on the frown on the other guy's face
You gotta stoop down low, look him square in the eye
And get a funny feeling, 'cause you might be dealing ...
How did I find myself in a better place
I can't look down on the frown on the other guy's face
'Cause when I stoop down low, look him square in the eye
I get a funny feeling, I just might be dealing
With the face of Christ
Please continue to pray for the community of Overtown and the people that I will be working with. Pray that I would be able to see Christ in them, and that I would be able to be Christ for them. Also, please continue to pray for the students that God has placed all over the world this summer (a short list can be found at the bottom of my first post!!).
Grace and Peace!
03 June 2009
MIAMI, FL!!!
I must warn you... Im not much of a blogger. I decided to start this blog upon the requests of like 2, 598, 356 people to do so. I also started it so that I would have a way to process the things I experience this summer. I promise to do my best to keep it updated frequently. Now, on to more important things!
One of the passions that God has given me is a passion for the poor and marginalized people of society. I first began to discover this passion as I watched my brothers minister to the people of places like East St. Louis, IL and Hamtramck, MI. However, it wasnt until I spent a summer at MissionWaco in Waco, TX that this passion truly started becoming my own. It was Waco that I learned, firsthand, what it feels like to be poor. I also learned how much the Bible says about loving and serving the poor, as well as how to be an advocate for the poor in my own community. After serving at MissionWaco, I just couldnt get that experience out of my head. Three years later, I still cant. I think about how it has impacted my life and the way I choose to live it every single day.
So now, three years later, God has presented me with the opportunity to serve in Miami, FL for the summer with Touching Miami with Love. I will be doing urban ministries in a neighborhood called Overtown (This community has a very interesting history. I reccommend that you research it if this type of thing interests you.), which is a predominantly African American community. My primary job will be to help run a children's day camp for children living in drug-infested and otherwise unsafe households. I will be working alongside my six teammates: Bo, Colby, Amanda, Molly, Rebecca, and Joy. I am very excited that God has given me this opportunity and I cant wait to serve alongside this group of folks as we attempt to love on some kids and a community in need with the never ending love of Jesus Christ with which we are overflowing. I ask that you pray daily for myself and my team, the beautiful people whose paths we will cross everyday, and that God would give us a spirit of courage, humility, and unconditional love as we seek to listen God's still small voice in all that we do.
In closing, I am very excited to be just a small part of how God is using college students to make an eternal diference around the world this summer. I am stealing this idea from a few of my friends and placing a list of friends and fellow servants here for you to see. Please pray for these people daily:
Lauren Allen- Boone, NC
Gwen Arsenault- Newfoundland, Canada
Bruce Bentley- Los Angeles, California
Andrew Blakeley-NC and Canada
Nathan Bost-Malaysia
Thomas Chavez-Los Angeles, California
Randall Dameron- All over NC
Mandy Henderson-Kenya
Lyndsey Herring- Alaska
Megan Keith-Sanford, NC
Josh Littlejohn-Los Angeles, California
Amanda Mitchell- NC and Canada
Kelsey Morris-Los Angeles, California
Storm Stewart- Los Angeles, California
Luke Summey-Los Angeles, California
Katherine Wiggins- Johannesburg, South Africa
Rebekah Street- Perry County, AL
Amber Myers- Perry County, AL
Carson Foushee- Uganda
Abby Pratt- Uganda
Anna- Uganda
One of the passions that God has given me is a passion for the poor and marginalized people of society. I first began to discover this passion as I watched my brothers minister to the people of places like East St. Louis, IL and Hamtramck, MI. However, it wasnt until I spent a summer at MissionWaco in Waco, TX that this passion truly started becoming my own. It was Waco that I learned, firsthand, what it feels like to be poor. I also learned how much the Bible says about loving and serving the poor, as well as how to be an advocate for the poor in my own community. After serving at MissionWaco, I just couldnt get that experience out of my head. Three years later, I still cant. I think about how it has impacted my life and the way I choose to live it every single day.
So now, three years later, God has presented me with the opportunity to serve in Miami, FL for the summer with Touching Miami with Love. I will be doing urban ministries in a neighborhood called Overtown (This community has a very interesting history. I reccommend that you research it if this type of thing interests you.), which is a predominantly African American community. My primary job will be to help run a children's day camp for children living in drug-infested and otherwise unsafe households. I will be working alongside my six teammates: Bo, Colby, Amanda, Molly, Rebecca, and Joy. I am very excited that God has given me this opportunity and I cant wait to serve alongside this group of folks as we attempt to love on some kids and a community in need with the never ending love of Jesus Christ with which we are overflowing. I ask that you pray daily for myself and my team, the beautiful people whose paths we will cross everyday, and that God would give us a spirit of courage, humility, and unconditional love as we seek to listen God's still small voice in all that we do.
In closing, I am very excited to be just a small part of how God is using college students to make an eternal diference around the world this summer. I am stealing this idea from a few of my friends and placing a list of friends and fellow servants here for you to see. Please pray for these people daily:
Lauren Allen- Boone, NC
Gwen Arsenault- Newfoundland, Canada
Bruce Bentley- Los Angeles, California
Andrew Blakeley-NC and Canada
Nathan Bost-Malaysia
Thomas Chavez-Los Angeles, California
Randall Dameron- All over NC
Mandy Henderson-Kenya
Lyndsey Herring- Alaska
Megan Keith-Sanford, NC
Josh Littlejohn-Los Angeles, California
Amanda Mitchell- NC and Canada
Kelsey Morris-Los Angeles, California
Storm Stewart- Los Angeles, California
Luke Summey-Los Angeles, California
Katherine Wiggins- Johannesburg, South Africa
Rebekah Street- Perry County, AL
Amber Myers- Perry County, AL
Carson Foushee- Uganda
Abby Pratt- Uganda
Anna- Uganda
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)