Hello friends and family,
This week has been a very good experience let's just say. This past Monday was the first day of school for most everyone here, a lot earlier than I'm used to, and my fellow intern and I volunteered to help the first week with whatever the school needed. For me, that meant I had the privilege of helping out kindergarten. I volunteered from 8am-3:30pm Monday through Friday. In my head, I imagined a classroom of maybe 20-25 kids that may be a little out of control. Upon arriving, I found out that there were seven kindergarten classrooms! "Great," I thought as I anticipated a very long and stressful week. I figured I'd get to have lots of interaction with the kids but for most of the week, I organized books, wrote name tags for all kindergarteners every day for dismissal directions (walkers, car riders, van riders, bus riders, daycare), and at one 5 hour period stapled 11,200 pages of test material together (I counted). Although I didn't feel like I was directly loving on the kids and teachers, the mindless busy work was much appreciated by the staff. At moments during the days, there wasn't anything to do, so I'd go in the back closet and organize the books (something I got good at at my previous bookstore job in Madison). Going through these little kid books brought me back to times they were read to me in school or on Reading Rainbow (with actor Lavar Burton). Bored and with lots of downtime, I wrote the names of all those I remember. Hopefully this list, however long it may seem, reminds you of the books you read to your kids or had read to you at some point in your life. (Thanks Mom for all those times you read to me, seeing these books again reminds me how much you loved me and continue to support me).
Caps For Sale
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
The Mitten
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Where the Wild Things Are
Make Way for Ducklings
Katy No-Pocket
The Giving Tree
The Great Kapok Tree
A Very Hungry Caterpillar
Seven Blind Mice
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
Corduroy
The Snowy Day
The Little Engine That Could
Chrysanthemum
If You Give a Mouse/Pig/Moose a Cookie/Pancake/Muffin
I worked primarily with Ms. Bissett this week, making occasional rounds to all the teachers, trying to serve with a loving heart. I got to know the student's names, their personalities a little bit, but also got a small glimpse of imagining how they were raised. If you know a kindergarten teacher, pray for them, help them out if you can. In most cases, kindergarten is the first school experience for kids and it's the teachers of these students who have the responsibilities of instilling the discipline and creativity or the child. Living in a poor neighborhood makes me wonder if Genevieve will get the opportunities to become a writer (she narrated a Mickey Mouse book without knowing how to read), or if Herschel will get the personal attention he needs to be able to succeed in school in the future (when ignored, he will hit students and run around the classroom, but when given help, he's the most creative and able kid in the class), or if Jamari will still be in school to join organized sports teams and get a scholarship (that boy is gonna be a baller). Noah is going to be a construction worker or an architect (playing with a wheel barrow at recess) and might even build the next ark. I'm obviously making all this up but it's cool to think about the kids futures and begin to focus on making an effort to love and serve in small ways now.
Thinking more long term about our own lives, like how about our eternity, might change the way we live our "now". Due to a tiring and busy week, coming home from volunteering was not a time I intentionally spent time with the Lord. My own discipline was shaken this week and I'm paying for it by losing fellowship with God. He's been with me this entire week, but I would spend my time sleeping or eating or wasting time. This morning, I read 1 John 1 and verse 9 might be the most beautiful thing I needed to hear this morning. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I am imperfect. I will never be perfect. But if you have Christ as your savior, think about the day where you are face to face with your creator and He doesn't pour out His wrath on your sinful nature and sees Christ because of Jesus' blood which purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:7). That's crazy awesome.
I only read one more chapter of Generous Justice this week due to the busy week. It was titled "What Did Jesus Say About Justice?" Keller states, "While clearly Jesus was preaching the good news to all, he showed throughout his ministry the particular interest in the poor and the downtrodden that God has always had." If we are to live as Christ did, this should be prevalent in our lives. The poor will not come to us, therefore....... Jesus said whatever you do unto the least of these brothers, you do unto me. Keller says that "this meant that one's heart attitude toward the poor reveals one's heart attitude toward Christ." This is extreme stuff and I think tends to get overlooked a lot. I know living in a poor community doesn't mean I automatically live for the poor. Most of my cares remain on myself and how I'm doing. Please dwell on these verses if you are still with me.
Luke 14:12-13, Matthew 11:4-5, Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 58:6-7, Acts 20:35, and Acts 4:34-35
To end please pray for:
-Mrs. Thomas, Ms. Henson, Mrs. Reddick, Mrs. Johnson, Ms. Westcott, Ms. Bissett (who I think got stuck with most of the trouble-makers), and Ms. Peterson to lead their kids to the 1st grade with disciplines and good behavior.
-A vehicle for the after-school program. God has blessed us with more committed students to the program! Now we just need a way to get them there.
-More opportunities to meet people on the basketball courts. So far I've met Akwon, Travon, and Smurf and man can they play. Blessings. Feel free to call me anytime to chat. I'd love to know how you're doing.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Slow Me Down
To whoever may be reading, whassup!
For those who don't know, I will be living in Jacksonville for about 10 months, until the end of the school year in May, interning with an inner-city ministry called 2nd Mile Ministries. My main focus of the year will be working with a new after-school program geared towards 2nd-4th graders, in order to include more families with multiple kids (previously going to be just 1st grade). This first week here has been amazing. I have trouble with transitions in life, moving places, entering and exiting different economic statuses, etc. But miraculously, moving out of the MOB (mansion of brothers) in Madison, WI back home near Milwaukee went quite easily. Then we had a family road trip to Colorado for a week, and then the morning after I came back from that, I was on a plane for Florida. There was a lot more traveling in the past weeks than I've ever experienced. Transitions went well and I thank all those who were praying for them to go smoothly.
After arriving here last Sunday Aug. 14th, I was ready to go. Ready to go out and explore the neighborhood, ready to meet neighbors and build relationships, ready to get prepared for the after-school program. I'm still pretty anxious to do those things. This past week, however, has been one where I'm starting to realize that those desires are things that I want to do, things I want to make happen. After a long summer raising prayer and financial support (thanks to all who support me), relying on God for provision, I don't know why I choose to forget what He's done for me. Galatians 3:3 has come up "randomly" twice this week which says, "Are you foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Not having much to do this week has allowed me to slow down and read the Bible, get in God's word and really get close to Him. There are some beautiful words in Psalm 19 about how perfect the Lord's law is, which revives the soul, how radiant His commands are, which give light to the eyes, how trustworthy His statutes, which give joy to the heart. Why I don't look to the word or to God in prayer for my next step is ridiculous. His plan is bigger and better than mine. It might not be safer, easier, or more desirable, but it's His.
I'm currently reading "Generous Justice" by Timothy Keller and it's an amazing book. I'm only two chapters in but he talks about God's heart for justice throughout scripture. He writes, "Doing justice includes not only the righting of wrongs, but generosity and social concern, especially toward the poor and vulnerable." What I like about the book and why I recommend it is because Timothy Keller is not making his own case for why we as Christians should take more of a concern on the lives of the poor, but he is taking up God's case by showing scriptures that we might not take as seriously today. Just a few to name, Micah 6:8, Zechariah 7:10-11, Psalms 146:7-9, Deuteronomy 10:17-18, Psalms 68:4-5, Proverbs 31:8, Deuteronomy 27:19, Jeremiah 22:3, Job 29:12-17, Job 31:13-28, Psalm 33:5, (Ezekiel 18:5, 7-8a), Deuteronomy 10:18-19, Isaiah 58:6-7, Deuteronomy 15:7-8.
I know there are a lot here, but there are so many more. If you skipped down to this part without looking any of them up, I would challenge you to look up just three; if you're feeling ambitious, look up all of them. Go ahead, the rest of this blog can wait.
God's heart for justice is clear and I hope to never forget that while I'm here.
Being in "Pearl World" (nickname for the neighborhood I'm in), I've realized that I'm not going to be the one who fixes anything or anybody here. It is God who removes our transgressions from us, it is Christ's blood that washes ourselves clean. I am humbled to even be used by God in all of this. Keller writes, "What is takes to rebuild a poor neighborhood goes well beyond public policy or social programs. It takes the rebuilding of families and communities and individual lives." Please pray for the Lord to open hearts to Him through the after-school program. Please pray that the rights kids and the right families sign up. Please pray that God provides a vehicle for us to transport kids from school to the program. Please pray that through the Holy Spirit, a heart of boldness would be made in me (because I am one timid dude). Thank you for your time, I know this first one was long.
For those who don't know, I will be living in Jacksonville for about 10 months, until the end of the school year in May, interning with an inner-city ministry called 2nd Mile Ministries. My main focus of the year will be working with a new after-school program geared towards 2nd-4th graders, in order to include more families with multiple kids (previously going to be just 1st grade). This first week here has been amazing. I have trouble with transitions in life, moving places, entering and exiting different economic statuses, etc. But miraculously, moving out of the MOB (mansion of brothers) in Madison, WI back home near Milwaukee went quite easily. Then we had a family road trip to Colorado for a week, and then the morning after I came back from that, I was on a plane for Florida. There was a lot more traveling in the past weeks than I've ever experienced. Transitions went well and I thank all those who were praying for them to go smoothly.
After arriving here last Sunday Aug. 14th, I was ready to go. Ready to go out and explore the neighborhood, ready to meet neighbors and build relationships, ready to get prepared for the after-school program. I'm still pretty anxious to do those things. This past week, however, has been one where I'm starting to realize that those desires are things that I want to do, things I want to make happen. After a long summer raising prayer and financial support (thanks to all who support me), relying on God for provision, I don't know why I choose to forget what He's done for me. Galatians 3:3 has come up "randomly" twice this week which says, "Are you foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Not having much to do this week has allowed me to slow down and read the Bible, get in God's word and really get close to Him. There are some beautiful words in Psalm 19 about how perfect the Lord's law is, which revives the soul, how radiant His commands are, which give light to the eyes, how trustworthy His statutes, which give joy to the heart. Why I don't look to the word or to God in prayer for my next step is ridiculous. His plan is bigger and better than mine. It might not be safer, easier, or more desirable, but it's His.
I'm currently reading "Generous Justice" by Timothy Keller and it's an amazing book. I'm only two chapters in but he talks about God's heart for justice throughout scripture. He writes, "Doing justice includes not only the righting of wrongs, but generosity and social concern, especially toward the poor and vulnerable." What I like about the book and why I recommend it is because Timothy Keller is not making his own case for why we as Christians should take more of a concern on the lives of the poor, but he is taking up God's case by showing scriptures that we might not take as seriously today. Just a few to name, Micah 6:8, Zechariah 7:10-11, Psalms 146:7-9, Deuteronomy 10:17-18, Psalms 68:4-5, Proverbs 31:8, Deuteronomy 27:19, Jeremiah 22:3, Job 29:12-17, Job 31:13-28, Psalm 33:5, (Ezekiel 18:5, 7-8a), Deuteronomy 10:18-19, Isaiah 58:6-7, Deuteronomy 15:7-8.
I know there are a lot here, but there are so many more. If you skipped down to this part without looking any of them up, I would challenge you to look up just three; if you're feeling ambitious, look up all of them. Go ahead, the rest of this blog can wait.
God's heart for justice is clear and I hope to never forget that while I'm here.
Being in "Pearl World" (nickname for the neighborhood I'm in), I've realized that I'm not going to be the one who fixes anything or anybody here. It is God who removes our transgressions from us, it is Christ's blood that washes ourselves clean. I am humbled to even be used by God in all of this. Keller writes, "What is takes to rebuild a poor neighborhood goes well beyond public policy or social programs. It takes the rebuilding of families and communities and individual lives." Please pray for the Lord to open hearts to Him through the after-school program. Please pray that the rights kids and the right families sign up. Please pray that God provides a vehicle for us to transport kids from school to the program. Please pray that through the Holy Spirit, a heart of boldness would be made in me (because I am one timid dude). Thank you for your time, I know this first one was long.
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