Unlike Me

This is unlike me, but I'd like to talk about a couple of movies I've seen in the past couple of weeks.  This is not necessarily a summary, recommendation, or critique, but rather an explanation as to how these films communicate so much about what I believe God's heart is for the lost, and I'm not only talking spiritually either.

Our two:fiftytwo After School Program was named after Luke 2:52, "And Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with man."  This communicates a desire to not only teach our students about God, but also focus on "total" growth, physically (in stature), intellectually (in wisdom), and socially (in favor with man).

The first film I'd like to talk about is Disney's "McFarland, USA."  Kevin Costner plays Jim White, a football coach who gets fired from his job and relocates (somewhat unwillingly) to McFarland, California, a predominantly Latino community.  Being of similar race as Costner, I found it compelling to see this culture change through his eyes, the challenges, the unfamiliarities, the lack of comfortable situations or acquaintances.  As he becomes McFarland High School's gym teacher, he often seems discontent with his situation and just lazily suggests to his class to "take a lap and we'll call it a day."  Through watching his class run and by randomly driving around town and seeing some of his students running to and from school, from early morning jobs (picking in fields), he starts to see some untapped talent.  With no experience of his own, "Blanco" (Coach White's given nickname by his students) decides to start a cross country team.  Perhaps the reason I loved this movie so much was because I used to run in high school, or maybe it's the fact that it reminds me of my own choice to live in a community unlike my own culture and race, but I think the main reason I enjoyed this movie was because of the growth you could see in the runners' character as a result of someone pouring in their time, love, and energy into them.  Any family struggles the students had, they had running as an outlet.  They could take pride in working as a team to achieve some amazing goals.  This film has real heart and determination.  It wasn't that Coach White came in and saved the souls of these poor Latino kids, it was Coach living their world and finding the merit in them as hard workers, fast runners, and very family-oriented.  Cross country was just the key to unlocking what they already had.

The second film is a different setting but a similar premise.  "The Chorus" is a french film about a Clement Mathieu, a new school teacher at a very strict all-boys boarding school for trouble-makers who is more kind-hearted than his harder-hearted colleagues.  He covers for the boys when they get in trouble, peeking their curiosity as to why he would defend them.  As the boys find out more about Mathieu's music background, they want to learn more.  This gave Mathieu the idea to start a chorus.  Rough at first, the chorus grew more and more support from his colleagues and even outsiders who didn't think anything good could come out of this particular school became interested in hearing the boys sing.  A boy named Morhange (pictured below) has been labeled "an angel on the outside but a devil on the inside" by previous teachers.  Often quiet in the movie with glitches of defiance, Mathieu overhears Morhange singing while cleaning for a punishment.  Inspired, Mathieu begins to teach him everything he knows and invests in him.  The film begins with Morhange as an accomplished conductor reflecting back fifty years prior on his times as a student at the boarding school.  It was no doubt Mathieu's influence that led him on a path towards a prestigious career in music.  It was a powerful film with some beautiful singing which you can see/hear by clicking this link.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya2mPO0f-uk&list=PL923B7CA2360CA7F1&feature=iv&src_vid=EXS5TiBYESk&annotation_id=annotation_199368

Those boys in the movie were not lost causes, although probably written off by many.  It's easy to not invest time, love, and energy in people when you are not around them, but even when you are living among them, a choice has to be made.  You could pout, hoping for better days, hoping for more money, a comfortable and prolonged oasis of peace and rest.  I pray that my eyes would not be blinded by bad behavior, imperfections, sin, but rather the love of Christ would allow my to see in people beauty and potential for great things.  Lord, help me take a chance on somebody that I wouldn't normally take a chance on.

Think in your own life someone that God wants you to pray for.  If you've been praying for this person, ask in what ways you can show a Christ-like love in order to bring them to the Lord and be used in beautiful ways.  They may be different from you in age, race, spirituality, cultural norms, or political opinions.  Pray for a listening and watchful heart, also a slow-to-speak or assume attitude.

Christian helping plant seeds at the Nutritional Garden

This is Christian with the light blue "And One" shirt on.  He's in 4th grade and this is his first year in our program.  I got the privilege of hanging out with him yesterday.  He gets headaches/migraines often and he takes medication for it.  Pray for his health.  He's very athletic and active so we make sure he stays hydrated.  He's always helpful and is quick with a "Yes sir" or "Yes ma'am."  He is cousins with Challah and Diallo so the family aspect is pretty fun to experience.  Please pray that his worth and identity is not in sucking up to people so that they like him.  He can be very nice but sometimes in selfish ways.  Pray that God would use him in my life to help me show grace, love, time, and energy in order for his betterment.

Our Duty

The first Action Day of 2015 was Jan. 31st, yesterday.  Action Day is where anyone can come and help make the Brentwood cleaner, either by mowing lawns, picking up trash, and sometimes both.  Nine of us walked on over to the Nutritional Garden to help Mr. Ron with whatever he needed help with for this particular Action Day.  We showed up and saw the above.  What's in the black buckets you ask?  That would be a mixture of dirt and poop.  What kind of poop?  Well, when you have the hookups like Mr. Ron, you can get all the free elephant and rhinoceros poop you need from the Jacksonville Zoo.  Luckily it had been sitting in compost for over a year so the smell wasn't quite as fresh.  Our task for the morning was to redistribute this...stuff into the different plant beds.  It was quite a bit of work, but it was great to see something considered "waste" to help in the growth of many fruits and vegetables to come.

Diallo getting creative with spray paint

In anticipation of Action Day, I thought I'd take advantage of the opportunity to invite some of my younger friends.  I invited Diallo and his older brother Shavez, as well as Ferrell.  Diallo and Ferrell would compete to see who could carry the heaviest load of manure on the dolly.  They did a great job.  Afterwards, I invited them over to my house where we ate pizza, had a Nerf gun war, played some Sega Genesis, and got creative with some spray paint.  It was a ton of fun!  They seem to have an endless supply of energy.  Despite loving to have fun, it was also a ton of work to keep up with them.

Diallo and Ferrell.  It's about to go down!

Recently, 2nd Mile staff members have been reading "The Master Plan of Evangelism" by Dr. Robert E. Coleman.  This is a book about how Jesus discipled his disciples.  It explains his intentionality, his methods, his plan to teach on the Kingdom and have it shared to every tongue and every nation.  Not only does it teach on how Jesus discipled, but it also shows how Christians today should disciple.  From growing up in the church, I'd say this fundamental concept of discipling was often neglected and difficult to find in action.  Church to me was a bunch of believers coming together to sing songs, listening to a message, giving a little money, and going home.  In the past few years, I've repeatedly been asked these two questions by pastors, books, friends, etc.  "Who is discipling you?" and "Who are you discipling?"  I couldn't answer either of these questions.

I'm not trying to put any judgment on you, but I just want to ask you two simple questions.  If Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, that relationship and knowledge shouldn't go with you to the grave.  Who is discipling you? (And I don't think you can count the pastor you hear every Sunday from a distance)  Who are you sharing the love of Christ with?  We should be a reflection of Christ.  These disciples of ours are not following us but rather, Jesus.  I still don't know how to answer these questions myself, but in the past couple months it's becoming a little more clear who I should be investing time and life into, and those people include the above.  Please pray with me as I figure out the answer to the other question.  It's one thing to be intentional to seek out people to disciple, but for me it's another thing to seek out someone to disciple me.  I'm not picky, probably just prideful/shy.  Weird combination I know.

If you couldn't answer those two questions, just think about family, friends, coworkers, neighbors that you already interact with regularly.  Perhaps God wants you to build that relationship so you can tell them the good news that Jesus is alive and wash every single one of your sins away.

Agel trying to karate-chop a stone bench

This is Agel (pronounced like "Angel" but without the "n").  He's in 2nd grade and this is the first year I've known him.  His mom wants him to be around older guys as a role model.  I'm hoping that I can take him to the park every once in a while.  He's very active, sometimes doesn't know when to stop playing and running around, but he's fun.  He gets on some of the other students' nerves sometimes.  He isn't doing well in school.  He's gotten into some fights this year but he has more of a joyful heart rather than a mean one.  Please pray that our relationship with this family continues, as it's unknown when or if they'll move due to financial reasons.  Agel is 9 but is still in the 2nd grade.  Also in the 2nd grade with him is his younger sister Amaria who also is struggling academically.  She sometimes talks like an adult and can have a sassy attitude, but she can also be very kind and sweet and giggly.  Keep them in your prayers.  Pray that we'd find smart ways to help them improve both behavior as well as their grades.  Pray they learn more about who their maker is.  Their family is bouncing around the idea of going to church, but with two more small children (four total), I understand the struggle.

Blog post #100!!!!

Reflections

I've been told by music teachers that thinking about musical mistakes you made earlier in the song while you're still playing the song is a lot like going for a run but turning your head backwards; you might run into a pole, or make even more musical mistakes.  If life is one big song, I think there is something to that, not letting the past control your present.  But if I don't look back ever, I might not know where I'm going.

On New Years Day, 2015, the staff members of 2nd Mile Ministries went on our annual retreat where we discussed what we've seen God do in 2014 and what we hope to see happen in 2015.  Being a person that focuses much of his energy on what is going wrong and how to fix it, I was blessed with the time to reflect on all the good God was doing.  As I meditated and created a list, I realized that not everything on my list would be considered "good".  Let me explain.  After Thanksgiving, I could barely use my right wrist (from an intense racquetball competition with my brother).  That meant I couldn't shoot a basketball, throw a football, lift even mildly heavy objects, play piano for longer than a few minutes.  It was bad...but it wasn't.  About a month later, I went to the basketball court to just try and shoot around.  My wrist felt a lot better and I praised God for allowing me to go through so much physical and mental pain.  I would've never been thankful for God giving me a functional wrist otherwise.

When God revealed my idols to me.

Providing many new and interested families to the ministry.

Getting to experience the best day of my life, June 21, 2014.

Two new healthy nieces in my life.

Getting to experience a terrible 2013-2014 school year, contrasted by a great 2014-2015 school year.

Building relationships with many kids in our programs.

Seeing some improving and visible reconciliation with family.

These are just a few of them.  When I take time to reflect on God's goodness, man!, it's awesome.  None of these things I can say, "Yeah, I did that.  I made that happen."  It's all God.

At the library

Before winter break, we took our kids to the Brentwood Library where presentations were given about how different countries and cultures celebrate the holidays.  It made me think a lot about how I celebrate Christmas and why.  Why do we do the things we do?  Open presents, put a tree in the house, etc.  Although it may have legit reasons, I doubt we eat candy canes to remember Jesus.  The students had a great time learning, and especially eating all the different kinds of treats.  I feel very blessed to be working in a place that allows for so much conversation about God and who he is.  Pray that the kids would grow to learn not only what the gospel is, but that God would come into their lives and redeem them in some beautiful ways.

For the days leading up to Christmas, I got to spend them with Missi and her parents in Naples, FL.  This was my first non-Wisconsin Christmas in my life.  Sure I missed the snow and our traditional family gatherings, but it was very enjoyable.  We went to see the Packers play the Bucs in Tampa Bay.  As a family, we played some golf (also a first), and best of all, just got to spend more time with each other.  Getting married has been an amazing experience so far, joining two lives, two families, two different worlds together.  I'm excited to see how the journey continues.  On January 9th, 2015, Missi and I got the privilege to see my baby sister get married.  Erin and Michael had a beautiful wedding, but not because of the baby blue colors, not the snow-covered photos (thanks Erin), not the gathering of family and friends, and not even because Erin and Michael are a beautiful and happy couple.  No.  Their wedding was beautiful for the perfect reasons.  "But Andrew, what reason is that?  I really really want to know.  Could you please tell me what that reason is?"  Whoa, slow down.  I'll tell you after a short elementary-level science lesson.

Do you know why it is dark in outer space?  There are stars and the sun (which is a star), so why so dark?  Perhaps obvious, but because there is nothing in space for the light to reflect off of.  The fact is, anything that you can see is either producing light, thus shining into your eyes, or reflecting off an object and into your eyes.  This computer/phone/ipad screen is shining into your eyes.  If you turn off all the lights in your room, it may appear dark, but after your eyes adjust, you might be able to faintly see objects because of a weak light source somewhere (maybe a distant streetlight).  Certain things produce light, other reflect it.  A great example of this is the moon.  Light appears to come from the moon, but really it's just the sun reflecting off the white rock and towards earth into our awe-filled eyes.  Last Friday, we learned about the basic principles of light, that it was created by God, how to use it for different purposes whether it be a sundial for time, a torch for visibility, or a bug zapper for--well, you know.  To the left is a picture of our light activity we did on Friday.  We turned all the lights out and tried to bounce light from one spot of the room into this tunnel of tables.  Using flashlights, a mirror, and a piece of glass, the students positioned themselves in order to pass the most light from one object to the next.  The student that got to be in the tunnel did nothing but lay back and witness the light.

Me and mah wittle sis

What I saw at the wedding was not Erin and Michael's wedding.  They were more like the rocky surface of the moon, or the steady water from a lake that reflects beautiful mountains.  Although a long ceremony, every moment of it was beautiful.  I love you, Erin.  It's amazing to see how you've grown from an annoying tattle-tale who was destined for eternity without Jesus to a humble follower of Christ.  I was watching the image of the eventual marriage between Christ and the church, what marriage is a symbol of in the first place.  Why we throw bouquets and have flower girls and do the chicken dance is similar to hanging peppermint and glass balls on pine trees.  Not sure why we do it, but their wedding definitely brought attention to "why a wedding?", "why a marriage?".  "Glad you asked, this is about Jesus, not us."  Thank you guys for reminding me and letting us see something more beautiful and eternal.

Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me

Let me introduce you to my gods.  They help me feel better when I have a bad day.  They give me just what I need and they are very close and accessible.

This one's name is Acceptance.  I started worshiping him at a young age.  If I had better grades, ran faster, performed better, Acceptance was sure to be close by.  I hoped for Acceptance everywhere and in anyone that I felt I needed love from.  Most of the time, I felt I could only be loved and accepted by people if I had something skillful or interesting to offer.  I'd live for the "attaboy"s and the "wow you're smart"s.  Acceptance gave me affirmation that he was all I needed in order to feel complete.  Acceptance made sure to get my attention especially when I wasn't as good as others in certain things.  "Sssomeone is more athletic than you.  Become hisss friend and show off what you got," my god would sssay.  "Surely others will like you then."  "Your music sssounds okay, but imagine what others would think if you played faster, louder, and with more heart."  My god was always there at the right moment to push me to be better and better and better.

Ah, yes.  Hoops.  This god has shown both power and resilience in my life.  Ever since I can remember, Hoops has rocked my heart to sleep, cooed its lullaby when the world seemed chaotic.  Basketball annihilated enemies such as Boredom and Humility.  I could get creative and therefore show off my ability in front of others that weren't as good.  I could even cement thing feeling of power by keeping track of my statistics compared to others on my team.  Hoops has been there when I'm bored.  There's nothing like hearing the khhh of the net after making a shot, feeding my own pride.  It was amazing to find out later in life that both the gods Acceptance and Hoops were brothers and worked together in my life a bunch.  "You khhhould be great someday.  If Boredom ever tries to take you, I'll always be there and you khhhan ssstroke your ego...I mean build your confidence with every shot."  Hoops was always there at the right times to keep me from feeling worthless and bored.

Sometimes Hoops wouldn't be enough.  Sure, he offered power and a means to get closer to Acceptance, but specific sports teams offered an endless knowledge of facts that could also impress everyone, thus praise and love would come my way.  Probably the two biggest gods like this that I worship are called the Bucks and the Packers.  If I couldn't convince you that I actually was a follower, I might point to my shirt with their symbol on it, or my hat, or even my rip-off pants (yes even those).  Still not convinced?  Check this out.  Did you know that Brett Favre's first NFL pass was to himself?  I'm pretty smart, huh?  How about the fact that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was drafted by the Bucks because of a coin-flip?  Interesting, huh?  Did you see the game last night?  Our defense needs to pick it up.  No, I'm not part of the team, but my worship really gives the Bucks and the Packers the extra power they need.  I must know when the next game is and who they are facing.  When these gods succeed, my praise and sense of worth grows, thus growing their power, thus growing my praise and sense of worth, etc.  It's basically a great symbiotic relationship that we have.

I can't believe I haven't even introduced you to my favorite god, Music.  Please accept my apologies.  Music is so beautiful and powerful to me.  The way that different instruments blend their melodies and sounds to help me express just what I'm feeling.  If I need inspiration, Music is there for me.  Creativity?  Music is there again.  She is loved by so many people across the world and she has been for thousands of years.  Music is so flexible and interchangeable that there's really no one way to define her.  She's indescribable.  Sometimes I wonder if Music created me, since when I perform, something on my inside resonates and I feel like my soul is being strummed.  Music is on in the background of movies, in the grocery store, even in some fancy elevators.  She's everywhere!  Maybe I didn't even need to introduce you to Music because she is already worshipped by you.

I have so many more gods to tell you about, but because Time may be one of yours, I'll attempt to be brief.  The mighty Entertainment has many heads.  Although part of one body, each head has their own identity.  Internet, Movies, TV (an oldy but a goody).  Nowadays, with the combination of Money and Technology, you can get Entertainment however, whenever, forever.  Entertainment, like Hoops, also is great at defeating Boredom.  He helps me forget when I have a bad day at work, or if the things on my to-do list seem too giant and unconquerable, he gives me a break and fills my eyes.  If I don't like what my eyes are consuming, I don't need to keep watching.  I can change the channel, change the movie, or change the website.  There are literally millions of videos online to watch and probably trillions of views to legitimize his existence.



Growing up going to church, hearing the Ten Commandments often, I never thought that I was guilty of any of them.  I'm not a bad guy, right?  Getting older and more mature in my faith, I realized that the ones I thought I was innocent of, I was most guilty.  I've never committed murder, but "Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer" (1 John 3:15).  I waited until marriage to be with a woman, but "Everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).  Despite all these new realizations of my inaccuracies, I still think that the first commandment has been overlooked and underestimated in my life, I am the LORD your God....you shall have no other gods before me (Exodus 20).  Gods?  I'm not like the Israelites who made a calf out of gold and started bowing to it.  I'm doing way better then those guys.

Recently, I've been going through Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller.  When asked questions such as "What things in your life do you feel give you significance and security or are ultimate things that give you safety and fulfillment?", "What can't you live without?", or "What is more important for you than God?", I didn't think that my answers would reveal things about my life that were replacing God.  When bored, I go to one of my above gods.  When I have a rough day, I'll, without thinking, go to something other than God.  Now, I may not talk about basketball, music, or the other things quite in the way I described them above, but remove the parts that call them a god, and you'll be pretty close to accurate.  My flesh is weak.  When I rely on my own strength, bad things happen.  I make myself out to be my god.  I praise this guy on the right and hope others will do the same.  It was difficult to discover just how much time and energy goes into my flesh and my gods.  I realized that I don't even daydream anymore.  It's like when I start to feel like daydreaming, I might as well just bring out my phone and allow youtube to suggest my daydreams for me.  It's kind of scary when you think about how technology can be like a virus to your mind, body, heart, and soul.

I want to be unashamed of the gospel, even in front of my Christian friends and family.  I can more easily talk about what the Packers are doing in my life than what God is, and that's not right.

-What things in your life do you feel give you significance and security or are ultimate things that give you safety and fulfillment?

-What can't you live without?

-What is more important for you than God?

Don't look away from your answers.  Face them.  Confess them to God.  He hears you.  He loves you.  He wants nothing more than for you to be near Him.

Here are two of our students, Dionte (left) and Jovan (right).  They are brothers in our After School Program.  Although this is their first year in the program, people at 2nd Mile Ministries have been familiar with them and their family because of their attendance at Summer Day Camp the past couple of years.  Dionte is in 5th grade and Jovan is in 3rd.  Jovan is very high-energy and would get into trouble often at camp, as well as the beginning of the school year.  However, when asked to change his behavior, he usually follows directions.  He's got a great throwing arm and might be the first kid in our program to actually like playing basketball.  He's very playful and sometimes gets too in other kids' faces.  I get to talk to Jovan often when he gets into trouble and he sincerely wants to make right choices, but sometimes he forgets to.  Dionte is difficult to describe.  He's low-energy, doesn't talk as much, is kind of shy, but he's brilliant at math.  Dionte and I have had a couple of difficult days as far as him not following directions, whining, complaining, even crying and crawling underneath tables.  Despite some of these new experiences I'm dealing with, I was encouraged after one of our devotional times when he showed me what he wrote.  We were talking about gratitude and the kids were asked to write a letter to a friend thanking them for something.  His said something like, "Dear Mr. Andrew, thank you for cheering me up when I'm upset."  Having no idea that I was cheering him up during my talks with him, I was encouraged by the fact that I don't always know the ways that God is going to work.  My trust HAS to transfer from these gods to the one and only God.  I must trust that God is going to work things out for the good of those who love him, even if I don't get to see what those things are.

Dionte and Jovan at the Family Fall Festival

Please take time to think about your life.  Whatever you plan on doing immediately after reading this blog could possibly be an idol in your life.  All the things I mentioned above (basketball, music, acceptance) are not bad things in themselves, but if I go to those things to meet my needs, I've crossed over into idolatry.

Maybe

"
Once upon a time, there was a Chinese farmer who lost a horse.  It ran away.  All the neighbors came around that evening and said, "That's too bad."

And he said, "Maybe."

The next day the horse came back and brought seven wild horses with it.  All the neighbors came around that evening and said, "That's great isn't it!

And he said, "Maybe."

The next day his son, who was attempting to tame one of these horses was riding it and was thrown and broke his leg.  All the neighbors came around that evening and said, "Well, that's too bad isn't it."

And the farmer said, "Maybe."

The next day the conscription officers came around looking for people for the army and they rejected his son because he had a broken leg.  All the neighbors came around that evening and they said, "Isn't that wonderful!"

And he said, "Maybe."

"

When I [Andrew] first heard this parable, I was struck by how much I see life on the surface just as the farmer's neighbors.  If God allows me to go through a terrible day at work, I'm quick to say, "That's too bad."  It's amazing how influenced I can be by outward circumstances.  If everything is going my way, I'm being productive, the kids are behaving, I'm feeling great and feel, "Man, things are awesome!"  I wonder how often God says, "Maybe," to our nearsightedness.  I know God intends to bless us and have us enjoy and be thankful for the things he has created and given us, but how often do we misinterpret his blessings?  Isaiah 55:8-9 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways.  As the heavens are above the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

When I'm leading two:fiftytwo (our after school program), there are times when I give kids consequences for their behavior.  Over the years, as I'm sure parents do, I've been growing in knowing which of the kids' requests I say yes and no to, depending on what the long-term effects will be on me, them, and the program.  They may not understand why I give a certain answer, and I don't always feel like explaining myself for every little response I give them is necessary or helpful, but I know in some ways what will be best (or at least better) for them.  Is this not how God is with us?  Are we not like children in his eyes, having little to no clue what is around the corner for us?  So, you got a promotion.  Great!  Or will it feed your pride and make you look to your own self for provision and strength and not the Lord?  So, you got in a really bad car accident.  That's a bummer!  Or is God trying to get your attention by bringing you to utter reliance on him for life?

The truth is, I've been a little thrown off since hearing this parable.  I don't want to confuse you and say bad things are actually good and vice versa, but I would urge you to give thanks to God in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5) because you may have no idea if God is using manure to have you bear fruit.  Since there's a very good chance you don't have your bible with you as you read this and probably won't get it to look up these verses, let me give them to you right now.

Another parable.  Luke 13:6-9 says, "And he told this parable: 'A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none.  Cut it down.  Why should it use up the ground?  And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure.  Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"  Jesus, has interceded on our (the fig tree's) behalf when we should have been cut down and destroyed.

Challah and Missi at the Family Fall Festival
last year in 2013

There's a family in Brentwood that I've known for most of my time down here.  I've talked about them before in many previous blogs.  This family has been very special to me.  I've been around two of the kids in the family at the after school program.  Currently, Challah is in 5th grade and has been in the program since she was in 2nd grade.  She and her older brother Diallo were able to be a part of our wedding back in June.  Challah was the flower girl and Diallo, an usher.  What to say about Challah.  I have had so many fun experiences just being around her.  I can remember her attempting to read Dr. Seuss while she had duct tape over her mouth.  She and I played a vocabulary game called "Granny's Garden" and we asked questions in our old granny voices.  We were laughing so hard we cried.  Sometimes I get stern with her for no reason and she laughs since she knows I'm just playing around.  She is incredibly friendly and likes to play with the other kids, especially the younger girls.  She used to love playing teacher in 2nd and 3rd grade and this year has had the opportunity to help younger students when they have difficulty with their homework.  In a nutshell, she is a goofball and a ton of fun to be around.  She can get frustrated with her homework and sometimes will keep anyone from helping her or seeing her struggle.  I don't know how big of an impact I've had on this family's life in relation to eternity, but I can say that if I "up and moved" somewhere else, I'd probably miss them most in Jacksonville.  They have felt like family even though they have so many people pouring into their lives.  I feel very blessed and can say, "Isn't that wonderful," without worrying about God replying, "Maybe."

Challah helping with decorations for the Family Fall Festival
at the two:fiftytwo after school program

Please pray that Challah would do well enough in school to go on to middle school next year, that she'd learn more and more about her savior, and that her relationships at school, at home, at church, and in her neighborhood would grow.

Also, please pray for our Family Fall Festival tomorrow from 1-4pm.  This could potentially be the most people we've ever had attend.  Last year was close to a thousand people.  This year we're hoping for 1,200.  There will be hot dogs, giant pickles, boiled peanuts, candy, a trunk or treat, a bounce house, the Jacksonville Jaguars kicker, Josh Scobee will be in attendance signing autographs, and I'll be running the kickball and field games.  Pray that no matter how many people come or whatever weather there is that God would be glorified, and the people of Brentwood would feel loved through all the free and safe fun.

And, finally please pray for me.  I don't want to know God on the surface like I know an acquaintance.  No simple, "How's it going, God?" "Good, how is it with you?"  "Good."  I want to know God's heart for his people more intimately, his heart for those that are lost without him, dead fig trees without his digging and working around their roots.

God loves you, and there's no maybe about that.

No Quick Fixes

Every month, we on staff with 2nd Mile Ministries have a personal retreat day.  This is not an off day, but it is different from our normal responsibilities.  With so much going on at work, it is our intention to take a purposeful day to process how we are doing personally and how work has been going.  I often take these days to go on long walks, either on the beach, in a park, or on a frolf course.  These times of solitude have been great times to step back and pray and really enter into God's presence.  On my last retreat day, I answered the question, "Are there any roadblocks in ministry that you are facing?"  I chose to rather answer the question, "What is in your life life that has been wearing at your soul?"  My answer disappointed me.  My answer was technology.  In my down-time, my almost natural reaction is to pick up my phone or sit with the computer on my lap and just become a vegetable.  What's going on in the world's of the NBA, the NFL, the MLB?  What youtube video will satisfy my desires to laugh or be in awe?  What game on my phone will allow my brain to forget about the day's problems?

There's something satisfying in watching a time-lapse video of a plant growing.  Normally, we walk past trees, flowers, and grass and maybe we'll stop to smell the roses, but usually we proceed with whatever is on our schedule that day.  You might notice the sprout of a plant after a few days, but actually growth is hard to see.  Time-lapse videos help you see growth as if it were a moving living thing.  Reflecting every month is just a way to track growth or even places of no growth.

I fear for the next generation.  Delayed gratification is an unfamiliar term.  Why read a book when you can watch the movie?  Why waste time watching a 10-minute video when you could watch an entertaining Vine for six seconds?  Why meet someone for coffee and deep conversation when I could send a three-word-long text?

In the ministry world, I can have a similar hope to try and abbreviate or shortcut to get to the delicious fruit of ministry.  I hope for quick behavior changes when a kid acts out.  Can't there be a button I can push to make them smarter, more loving, more caring?  It takes time.  It takes even more time especially if those I'm ministering to are of a different culture, a different race, and/or different economical mindset or class.  

In keeping with my hope to introduce to you the kids of our program, I'd like you to meet Chassidy.  She is in 5th grade and is one of two students that have been in the after school program since the beginning.  She was only in 2nd grade at the time.  This is her first school year without her older sister Charity at school or in the program.  Without giving too many details about what exactly she has gone through in her life already, just know that there's a good chance that it's much more complicated and difficult than your childhood was.  I am amazed at how much she's grown the past few years despite having so many life changes thrown at her.

Chassidy in front of me in the red shirt back in spring 2012

While volunteering at North Shore Elementary three years ago, I used to occasionally help a 2nd grade teacher named Ms. Beam in her classroom.  Ms. Beam was Chassidy's 1st grade teacher the year previous and she would tell me that Chassidy would often get sent to the principal's office, have to take timeouts in other teachers' rooms, etc.  Her behavior was reflected in our after school program often.  When she was in 3rd grade, I remember a couple times where she couldn't handle any kind of correction or discipline and thought there was no other alternative but to scream, kick over chairs, scratch, bite, anything to get away or feel safe.  I'd never seen kids do the things she did.  Fourth grade comes along, the chair-kicking ended, the screaming too.  In fact, the problem in her 4th grade year was really just talking back and the occasional attitude.  Oh yes.  She is probably the most vocal child I've ever seen.  Also, the loudest when she wants to be.  Probably the most encouraging thing I've noticed over the past few years has been her focus, attention, and retention of Bible lessons and verses.  Her hand was always up when a review question was given during a Bible lesson.  Her understanding of the gospel has skyrocketed in even just the past year.  I've heard her show compassion to others in the program that were going through something tough at home that she has experienced already.  Last year, a girl was crying because her electricity had to be turned off.  Chassidy consoled her and looked at one of our staff saying, "It's her first time," meaning her first time with the electricity cut off.  Chassidy has experienced cut off water, electricity, times with little food, and yet can see that God has blessed her.  Amazing!  She helps younger kids with their homework.  She loves reading with the younger girls and help them grow.  She loves to sing worship songs with as much heart as she can, despite the skill of her voice.  You can see a desire for justice in her that she gets very upset when she feels she or someone else is being wronged.  She stands up for others and is very defensive of those that get picked on.

Chassidy's baptism

Recently she has moved around a lot, staying with friends, her dad, and even with some in our ministry over the summer.  All these adjustments can mess with a kid's sense of safety, protection, and comfort.  I'm happy to say she and her sister are in a stable situation now, able to see their dad whenever they want and not having to worry as much about lack of food, water, or electricity. 

A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of watching Chassidy, among four other elementary and middle school students get baptized.  It was great to see her dad and sister in attendance as well as many in the church and ministry that have known and supported her for years.  No matter how slow it might seem, God does work to transform those that he would call his own.  It was a beautiful thing to witness.  It's hard to tell in the picture on the left (because of the shortness of the pastor), but Chassidy has grown so much.  We rarely do push-up competitions, but when we do, Chassidy is the only one (including the boys) that can do any with proper form.

Websites are bombarded with unwanted advertisements promising the next get-rich-quick scheme or a pill that transforms you from a hippo into the hulk.  The Lord of the Rings trilogy would've been terrible if Mordor was in Frodo's backyard rather than across the entire Middle Earth.  I'm not going to get any endurance by running one time every year.  There's something about work, about relationships that grinds us into who we will one day be.  Proverbs 27:17 says, "Iron sharpens iron, as one man sharpens another."

If you are a person who prays and doesn't just say you'll pray for someone, please hear these requests.  Please pray that Chassidy continues to grow as a leader, a Christ-follower, as a student, a friend, and a sister.  Please pray for me to get off my phone, get off the computer, and make Christ my pursuit when I have downtime.  Worldliness is a deadly distraction to our relationship with Christ.  I feel it is the devil's most deceitful way in getting us to think that we are comfortable, blessed, and more important than others.

TTYL

Anyone know when I'm supposed to spell out numbers?

For those of you who like numbers, here are a few from our After School Program over the years.  If you don't like numbers, skip this next paragraph because it will bore you.

This school year is the 4th year of our program!  It started back in the 2011-2012 school year.  Although 12 total kids were a part of the program that first year, the most kids we had on any given day was 10.  In the 2012-2013 school year, we had 11 kids, but two of them left the program, so a typical day meant about 9 kids.  The next year, 2013-2014, comes around and 15 kids at some point were in the program.  Due to kids signing up and leaving at various points of the school year, we maybe would have 10 or 11 at most on any given day.  This school year, although it's difficult to say if all the students that are signed up will be in the program the entire year, we have 17 kids signed up, and on most days they all show up!

Why is having 17 kids such a significant difference from last year?  Well, those of you who are teachers may have anywhere from 15 to 25 students in their classroom that you need to teach.  This year, we decided to open up registration to students that attend neither Brentwood nor North Shore Elementary.  The only requirement would be that they live within our ministry's target area, the Brentwood neighborhood.  Our 15-passenger van can seat 13 students, a driver (me), and a passenger.  This is the first year that all of the seats are full.  The remaining 4 students get dropped off at the program because of this new rule of being allowed to attend different schools.

I've been a volunteer of the program for two years, and this is my second year directing/co-directing.  With three years under my belt, this fourth year has thrown me a few curve balls.  First, both Brentwood and North Shore are in session for an extra hour this year due to test scores last year.  This means the after school program had to be designed to still carry out our mission to Live the truth of the gospel, Learn as scholars, and Lead their community forward, with an hour less of program time.  Second challenge, we have 17 kids!  Seven of them are in 2nd grade (the most we've ever had) and five of them are in 5th grade (the most we've ever had).  With a wide range of behaviors, grades, skill levels, leadership abilities, and knowledge, it can be difficult to expect similar things from everyone.  With each student being so unique, so much attention of them is required in order for them to thrive in every way, intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially (Luke 2:52).

My responsibilities during the program consist of running the schedule, transitioning the kids to the next parts of the program, and talking to the kids who have moved their clips down twice.  On some days, I can go home feeling disheartened about the result mainly because I've had to talk to three or four kids that have been displaying disrespect or attitude problems.  I often forget about the other twelve kids having a good day because I don't get to see them as much.

In my efforts to blog and update more often, it is my hope that at some point from now until June 2015 that I will talk about each of the 17 students in more depth, how you can pray for them, and also praise God for them.  Hopefully this will keep me accountable to continue writing.

To start, I'd like to introduce Ferrell to you.  In one word, awesome.  I knew Ferrell when he went by his first name Jai'Juan back in 2010 when I was an intern.  He was 5 at the time.  He's in fourth grade now and this Tuesday, he turns 10.  This is his third year in our program.  He is hilarious and friendly.  He's a big kid who loves science experiments, has a killer football throw, can sing on pitch and rap like nobody's business, and has an incredible imagination.  He once told me that in his science class, he taped a small cape on the back of an ant, flung it in the air with a spoon, and it landed in a puddle.  But don't worry, it landed on its back so it wouldn't drown.  Ok, so, he may try to convince you that one of his made-up stories actually happened, but he still is fun to talk to.  I got the opportunity to spend time with him today during our Action Day, where our ministry, as well as people from churches around Jacksonville help mow lawns, plant in a garden, pick up garbage, and be a loving presence in Brentwood.  I decided to invite Ferrell because I thought he'd enjoy being around a lot of new people helping out in ways he's never experienced before.  He was raking, bagging garbage, and cutting weeds and branches when he wasn't encouraging and humoring the other volunteers.  He loves making people happy and is great at it.  Please pray that as Ferrell continues to grow, that he'd see Jesus Christ as his savior and want to live to make Him happy and bring glory to Him.  Pray also that the things in his life that try to get a firm grip on his heart and pull him away from God would be unappealing to him and would be as slippery as the stairs that he raked leaves off of today.

I hope you have a blessed weekend.


More numbers!!!
-37 different students have been through the two:fiftytwo After School Program since 2011 (18 boys, 19 girls).
-24 of those 37 have had either a sibling, cousin, or relative in the program with them at some point (we intentionally try to build relationships with families).
-9 of the students have been in the program for more than one school year (Six for more than two years, two since the program's inception).