October 2024 - Muscle Memory

Since March 2020, the pandemic has pushed me back into running. Eating a sleave of Oreos each night was beginning to catch up with me, and I knew I needed to more regularly and consistently exercise. I remember my first run. (Run for like 5 minutes, stretch, then see how far you can run). For someone who did track and cross country in high school, but then took like 15 years off from running, I could only run another 4 or 5 minutes before getting winded. I was at an unfamiliar running path, in unworn running shoes, wondering what I was getting myself into. With such a low benchmark for the next time I ran, my goal was, just run a little farther than I did last time. Each day got a little easier, the route more familiar, and pretty soon I was extending workouts, speeding up workouts, branching out to new paths and streets.

15th Annual Family Fall Festival - Smiles everywhere, some with more wrinkles than others, laughing, dancing, playing, enjoying the cloudless October day. Candy was won, hot dogs consumed. A time lapse of the parking lot would show emptiness, shadows shrinking, and then a quick explosion of activity, 40 or so vehicles, hundreds walking around, then emptiness again, growing shadows. It happened so fast which was sad, but it also seemed to happen so automatically, which was a huge unforeseen blessing. Many participants had lots of past experience with the event, and it sort of, just, happened. Setting up and cleaning up occurred with what seemed like the ease of pushing a button on a machine. With 15 years experience (and a pandemic speedbump), the Family Fall Festival has been able to expand what we do, and be more efficient in how we do it. Here's to looking for ways to branch out to bigger things for the next year.

As the students grow, as they continuously add on to the number of hours spent in our building, we see them mature and grow in understanding of themselves and right from wrong. We scatter the seeds, water, and leave the rest to God. And as someone who spends hours in our garden, not all seeds sprout, despite constant attention. Sometimes weeds choke them out, stray cats dig them out, some get not enough water, too much water. As we learn and grow ourselves, we still never quite know what words, activities, or actions will stick with a kid years down the line. It is my goal to daily affirm these kids as fellow humans with good days and bad days, but always with an attentive God by their side, desiring their hearts.

With Maximus being in the program as well, it is an interesting dynamic of treating him just like everybody else, with no special treatment, even though in my heart, I want him to do everything right and well all the time. Pray that the things I've seen this ministry do for students over the years would also impact Maximus in the same ways. With many teachers across the country (in Jacksonville too) quitting in the middle of the school year, I can't imagine how that might effect a child's trust in people sticking around. Please pray that our willingness to stay, our willingness to invest in their lives and love them is felt and taken to heart. I'm amazed what I get to do for a job. Thank you God!

September 2024 - Outside the bubble

The days fly by. Sometimes I forget what has happened in the last month. Days blend together. Interactions with others come and go. Just trying to keep going on the perpetual treadmill, careful to walk straight and keep the pace. 

I find myself most stressed when I don't surrender everything to God. God, you can have these hours of my life, but not those hours. I'll sacrifice this part of my life, but not that part.

The past few weeks, I feel unworthy to stress about the little things, because I've encountered so many that have been going through way worse. The two hurricanes that came through Florida caused schools in Jacksonville to close on two separate occasions, disrupting the routine and apparently making me parent nonstop; there were people who lost their lives, homes, livelihoods in those storms.

I saw a friend crying in church whose friend had died that morning.

I know someone whose sibling got convicted for something that will ruin the next chapter of his life.

I saw an older thin man late at night by the church looking on the street for any scraps of food or change.

I'm grateful that I get to work at a place that has been a safe bubble for so many over the years. However, I'm not oblivious to the pain and hurt that can easily be found in the corners of our community. I'm reminded that my "routine", however used to it I've become, is probably doing more than appears on the surface.

In September, we partnered with the Center for Children's Rights and had a mental health day at the garden for the community. My guess it that we probably had between 30-40 people.

At 252, kids enjoyed themselves making slime, painting hexagonal stones for our garden path, making it look just a little more inviting to walk amongst the plants.

BLOCK's monthly theme of "Who I Am?" allowed students to be creative with making Open Court flyers by themselves, which we'll utilize throughout the year. They also took a strengths finders test and painted self-portraits.

Getting the students to know who they are in God's eyes and how they can impact their community is the hope I have for their future, because I see God's heart in that. I believe God wants them to see how their redeemed lives can be used for his glory.

Please pray for me not to ignore what's outside the bubble, to be present where I'm supposed to be present. Please pray that God would show me his heart once again for his people who often get ignored that are right in front of me.

August 2024 - Taking Root

In our compost at the garden are growing some very interesting plants, interesting because nobody knows how they got there. Obviously, some seeds made their way into the compost and starting growing, but papayas?!? In a summer where not much work had been done in the garden due to the hot weather, these particular plants thrived, perhaps because of their "rich soil" location. I really want to move them to a more convenient location in the garden, one that still allows us to utilize the compost, but because they are already big and starting to flower, relocation would be devastating for the plant. Underneath the two or three healthy papaya plants are some tiny ones trying to make their way up to the sky. Now these plants can be moved and replanted in a new location. Will they grow? We never know, but we know that certain plants like certain areas of the garden better, dependent on shade, water, companion plants, etc.

It seems that there's a tipping point where the plants seem to experience a growth spurt, to adapt to the bed they're in, and produce to the best of its ability. They level up to where they require more attention and love in order to produce the most fruit (or vegetable). We do what we can, water, prune, weed, and God provides the growth.

Our momentum in relationships with students and their families really took a hit during the pandemic. Some moved, others scattered, but all were somewhat distanced socially. We did virtual programs for a year, mostly with students that wouldn't stick around. As we began to get back to in person, it felt in a way that we were starting over with relationships. The people on staff were changing, new people would come and go, constantly changing, distressing 2nd Mile as though a plant itself. With a few years of programming under our belts, we've seen not only a growth in the number of students in our programs, but also in its depth, seeing students begin to get more comfortable and familiar with us again. To our surprise, some students from before the pandemic would begin to pop back into our lives, requesting to volunteer or chaperone or donate or sign up relatives to our programs.

As these new students begin to build consistency and time spent in our doors, I've seen some amazing friendships, character building, and knowledge of what it means to be a leader in their community. Each and every day, my family grows, and I'm truly blessed to be put in a position, to have a job that allows me to be in close proximity to those who are often disregarded, dismissed, ignored, or rejected by society.

It's a beautiful thing to see the light switch on in a student's life, where they learn more about themselves and God, their place in the world, where they are no longer living to survive but in order to thrive and elevate those around them.

Please pray for the 20 students in the Two:fiftytwo After School Program, up from 14 last year.

Please pray for the 14 students in the BLOCK Middle and High School Program, up from 8 last year.

Please pray for the progress and momentum of our new building as we seek to get final renderings and price points for certain renovations.

Please pray for me. I dare you to text me some encouraging Scriptures, as God has used that so directly in my life. I would appreciate it.

Summer 2024 - Longer Phrases

 As I sit here in this office, I can hear kids joyously playing with games, bouncing basketballs, and interacting with guest speakers. I could tell you which kid is talking inside, shouting outside, and whether or not things are getting out of hand or just "happily loud" just by the way my body is responding to the sound waves. In week 6 of 7 of camp, tempers flare more easily, structures and schedules get less tight, and there's an overwhelming sense that the daily grind will be over soon. I finish each day feeling the mental and physical toll that my mind and body take influencing, teaching, inspiring, affirming, protecting, and loving the kids. It's very easy to remember the negative or the things that need to improve for the next day, but let me take some time right now to jot down some positives from camp that I often overlook. Do you ever overlook the blessings and focus on either what went wrong or what could go wrong? I've had no time to really reflect on summer camp because it has been GO GO GO since June 17th.

-Almost every time I ask a kid to help out with something, they are willing and excited to do something "special"

-LJ went from being bossy during 4-square to showing more sportsmanship when he or others get out.

-Ava sacrificed her Zoo Field Trip to watch over her sick little sister until they got picked up early.

-A'Jah helped clean up so many broken water balloons after everyone went inside after water day.

-David always offers to wash off the paintbrushes after a messy art lesson.

-Trinity saw a often bullied kid sitting in the corner of the courtyard crying and went over to make sure he was ok.

-When I told a 5 year old that I was feeling tired, they gave me a hug, saying, "Aww."

-Chance always raises his hand when we need volunteers to pray for the whole group.

-Kids who spent the first couple weeks of camp completely silent and sitting by themselves are now sitting with others and making friends.

-Juju, who had previously helped with camp as a high school student the past 2 summers, is now the camp director and doing a great job.

As another summer of camp comes to a close, we leave not knowing whether this is the last time we'll ever see a kid or if they will surprise us by coming back next year. The longer a student is with us at 2nd Mile, the more they're equipped to be leaders in their community, the more they know about God and themselves, and the more their lives are poured into to reach their God-given potential.

(A few weeks later)

Today, the first school bells ring in Duval County, and Maximus is now in 2nd grade. I'm excited to see our former and new students in our after school program starting next week, with Max included. I always wonder what Max's experience will be like, having lived his whole life in Florida, in Brentwood, growing up in the ministry. I'm convinced God will use Max's unique experience to His advantage. Looking back now at summer camp, I remember the grind, the sweat, the after-camp naps and I'm looking forward to a little respite in the school year.

Please pray as BLOCK begins this Friday, adding new students from camp, that they will feel welcomed, that they will feel as though they fit in and belong. As our programs grow, I pray the touchpoints don't get watered down. Pray that God's word would impact not just their minds but their hearts as well.

March 2024 - Blooming

The metaphor is clear. The darkness and cold of winter melt away, and the light and warmth bring forth new growth. Birds sing, flowers start to bloom, the light stays awake for longer, and those who hibernate come out to play.

March 2020, we hosted our usual spring break teams from various colleges around the country. Teams with a number anywhere between a dozen to a hundred came to serve the neighborhood and learn about communities like ours and God's heart for them. Then the pandemic began. Our first college group packed up and went home to Iowa. The next college group called us up and cancelled, much like many organizations and events around the world. Since 2020, we have not hosted a group for spring break, we've been in a sort of winter, if you will. Fast forward to the beginning of March 2024, Ball State (from Indiana) came to Jacksonville for their spring break. Although 2nd Mile Ministries was not their main host, we were able to facilitate one day of community projects as well as some educational discussions during lunch. We are hoping and praying that this was the first of many future college teams to come, like when you see one flower pop open, in anticipation of many more to come.

Back in the fall of 2023, Jacksonville had a few days off from school due to vicious wind storms. An unexpected result of said storms, a neighbor's tree was uprooted, fell over our garden fence, knocking over a telephone pole which dangled cables and exposed wires over our little tool shed. After many calls with the electric company, a tree removal company, and the telephone company, it seemed like a standstill where nobody wanted to accept responsibility for anything, no action was made, a box unfilled on a checklist that seemed to be in a forever hibernated state. "I can't remove that tree with those wires there." "I can't remove the wires with that tree there." Complaints were filed, requests were made within departments, but no movement. Finally, just a couple weeks ago, a bunch of people came with the proper tools, chopped the overhanging branches, removed the fallen pole, and installed a new one. Finally, some peace, no more wondering if, but now, remembering when. This has significantly improved how the garden looks, and has helped build positive momentum in getting things planted and improving the overall look of the garden. Where vegetables, flowers, and herbs and beginning to grow, bloom, and sprout, the look of the garden is as well.

Our after school program students and our high school workers went to the garden in March and planted pumpkin, okra, mustard green, and collard green seeds. With a fixed irrigation system now in place, these beds will get water automatically every morning, and are already beginning to sprout. The kids were excited to take home some aloe plants as well as sample the chocolate mint leaves in the garden. Every subsequent time we go to the garden, the more enthused the students are to help in any way they can. They also love finding snails, caterpillars, and worms. I'm excited to see whether or not the seeds they planted will bring forth successful produce.

I've learned that with some seeds, they sprout best after a dormant period where they either hibernate in the ground, or are refrigerated for a short while. They are then "woken" up and can be triggered to begin their growth. There are times at the BLOCK middle and high school program that I feel ill-equipped, unknowledgeable, and unconfident in how to direct the program. Do I focus on just fun activities? Do I solely focus on the Bible? On life skills? Leadership development? It's hard to know which Fridays will "hit different" and which ones are duds. In the past 5 or 6 years that I've been over either middle schoolers or high schoolers, this year has been my favorite.

I know all the students relatively well, many from summer day camp, and others from our after school program. Two of the BLOCK students work part time for us. Some of our activities are suggested and even planned by the students. There are lots of cool stories from the year, but I feel that some of the most impactful times are just when the students hang out as a group. During Duval County's spring break, BLOCK met up and took a field trip downtown and simply walked by the river, listening to different bands, watching street performers and just being. At the end of the night, a normally timid group of teens and pre-teens were unironically dancing together to some "We Are Family", a moment I'll cherish from this year. I also introduced spray paint art to the students, a hobby I've had for a while. Lydia, a sophomore and 2nd Mile veteran, was unsure at first at how well her painting would turn out. She was super thrilled with this medium that she asked if we could do spray paint again some Friday. Now, she may not become a professional spray paint artist for a career, but I've seen a once shy, timid, and unsure 2nd grade student, who had low self-confidence become one who others look up to, one who has tried new things, one who found her voice when she works with younger students. If that isn't a beautiful thing, then I don't know what is. I can see her making big impacts wherever she goes in life.

February 2024 - Building something bigger

Fifty years from now, Lord willing, I will be 85 years old. Regardless of where I am, I hope to look back at my time at 2nd Mile and see that Brentwood is left in good hands, is thriving and emanating the gospel so vigorously. I can see the organization being led by current students, their kids, maybe even their grandkids, and they will eventually forget the name Mr. Andrew, but will continue to speak of the love of Christ, to show love and kindness to those that live here, to maybe even playing the same games taught for years outside in the courtyard.

Snap back to reality, February 2024, the students in Block re-entered the building for a second time this school year, this time with no wooden pallets to contest for space, an even more blank slate to envision a future. Students wrote down their ideas for how to best utilize the space for future programming and for what would best serve the community. We returned to the current 2nd Mile location, and began to draw up plans like little architects. Some fun ideas they came up with were a meditation room to calm down, a computer lab, and a movie theater with a popcorn machine and vending machine. Groups then combined ideas and, using a shoebox, made dioramas of how the building could look. This was one of my favorite activities of the year. I can't wait to carry them along on the journey to a completed building. Quick update, we currently getting professional drawings made up to work out what is actually possible in the space, answering code related questions, renovation cost questions, etc.

At two:fiftytwo, February was our music month. In teaching the students about rhythm, pitch, and dynamics, I learned that the most engaging lessons were not the ones where I share my knowledge of music, the math behind notes, or even the emotions I get when I play, but rather letting the students make the sounds, create the rhythms, and touch and feel the instruments themselves. They got to try a keyboard, my viola (with extreme supervision), boom whackers, a kalimba (thumb piano), a cajon, and a guitar. It's fun to see which kids really get into which instruments. Are there any future musicians in our program? Who knows?

As students are currently on spring break as I write this, please pray that the students stay safe, that they are eager to come back and gather together, and that parents are given the strength, patience, and energy for a week that is more like a trial run for the upcoming summer.

Next month, I'll hopefully have some great updates about our summer camp. Spoiler alert, we've already hired two people for the summer and plans are already under way. Super excited!

Future architects?

Future contractors?

January 2024 - Hit the ground running

As we enter into 2024, we reunite with students coming back from a long winter break. Often times, we kick our time off with some added fun, usually in the form of a field trip or two. January also saw the return of Open Court, taking the previous two months off due to holidays and "cold" weather.

The two:fiftytwo After School Program got piled into our giant van and drove to the end of Pearl St. to a park near the St. John's River. We were definitely full of energy and taking over every part of the playground with excitement. Getting to spend time with students outside the four walls of our church always brings future memories and future conversations of, "Remember that one time we...." Our high school workers took on more leadership roles as they each planned an outer space activity for our January space focus.

The BLOCK Middle and High School Program started off the year with arcade games and laser tag. We also harvested some carrots from our garden that they planted in September and baked a carrot cake with them. I've been super impressed with not only how these students have embraced everything new we've done, but also how they've been growing in relation to each other. I can see friendships growing, no one kid is not included with the group, and everyone genuinely gets along, which has not often been the case across these many years of ministry.

Park field trip, high school BLOCK student in middle

Open Court returned, most people to come!

Getting on our game face for laser tag

Carrot cake!

New building, exciting things to come!