The months all tend to blend together. Things from last week feel like months ago, and things from months ago feel like yesterday. The end of the school year is fast approaching, and the excitement of the summer months is barreling forward.
BLOCK Middle School Program - All are uniquely made and loved by God. Our middle schoolers are still learning and growing in who they are and their understanding of themselves. We took some personality tests in order to affirm each person's special attributes and not belittle them. I used to think that in order to be useful, I needed to fit a certain mold, a certain personality type of which I often felt that I fell short. It was encouraging to see them start to see their worth and possible place in the world. In the middle of April, we attended The Stomp Experience, and performance of different step groups from various fraternities, sororities, and alumni from different colleges. The atmosphere was super upbeat and the energy was wild. Even students in the audience would get up in the aisles and do a step routine to the dj's music. For more video, you can check out our instagram page @block_brentwood. Probably the most impactful part of BLOCK this month was a viewing of The Passion of the Christ. It was the first time the students have seen anything like it and the mood was heavy after the movie. There was frustration at seeing the unfair treatment of Jesus, anger, disgust. We then discussed if this changed what they thought about Jesus. A couple students said their love for Christ grew, knowing that he went through all that for us. Admittedly hard to watch, The Passion will no doubt be something they can look back on remembering the brutality and intense love of God.
Finally, one of my favorite art projects in a long time, we did some paint pouring. It's difficult to make this project look bad at all. It's pretty simple and the results are awesome. We've even done this with our elementary school students and they also turned out well.
With one month left of BLOCK, my prayer request is that they'd leave the school year knowing that they were cared for, loved, and that their hearts are desired by God. We had a small group of committed students this year and we hope and pray that the number grows next year.
Action Day(s) - With all the preparation from previous months for making improvements to the garden, those plans materialized into actual materials and action. We received two grants allowing us to buy lumber, a grill, a little library, cement pavers, paver base, garden signs, shears, and lots more. We were lucky to have multiple action days the past few weeks in order to try and get these tasks done. We received help from volunteers from the Mayo Clinic, current and former students, and The Ville Church. The hours we got in volunteer work also help contribute to the number of dollars that these grants award us. There's something special about having a vision, then making it happen. It's like painting on a canvas. You can have an idea, but until you get the paint, the canvas, and the brushes needed, it just stays an idea. Taking one step closer to your goal, no matter how small, helps steer momentum towards completing it.
2022 Vision Dinner - When there's no pandemic, 2nd Mile usually holds an annual Vision Dinner and a rummage sale to help raise funds for our Summer Day Camp and other supplies. Our last Vision Dinner was back in 2018 for our 15th Anniversary of our ministry. We planned a dinner for 2020, but as you might already suspect, it got nixed. On May 21st, we will have our vision dinner. Tables are being filled, plans for the evening are coming together. We trust that God will provide the rest for us and I ask for one of two things from you, if possible or desired. One, if you'd like to make a one-time donation to 2nd Mile in order to help out our Summer Day Camp, the cost to have each camper there for a summer (total cost divided by number of students) is usually a little over $100. If willing, you can make a donation to 2nd Mile donation to help with camp. Two, we believe in a God who responds to our prayers so would you, could you pray, even right now as you are reading this, that God would display his abundant provision at our Vision Dinner.
Thank you for reading this blog. It's consistency helps me reflect on God's goodness even when I sometimes forget the good with the bad.
