Friday 26 October 2007 at 8:42 pm
We had a great pizza party at Walnut Terrace today. It brought out both older and the younger youth. Dana was able to get feedback on some of the subjects we might teach in the near future by having them select many different topics available that interested them. I was also able to ask some of them a few questions about themselves and interact and have fun with many others while we were doing a great craft that Dana had prepared. One of the youth said that she really enjoyed writing. She wrote mainly poetry and short stories during her spare time and promised to bring me some of her work next week. Yet another girl said she really enjoyed making crafts. Many of the teenage guys enjoyed the crafts and were very involved as well! Afterwards, a handful that had never attended youth night were very interested in returning next week. I praise the Lord for giving us the opportunity to minister to so many old and new faces and really look forward to what God will do in the future!
Thursday 18 October 2007 at 5:58 pm
Many times in our lives, if not just mine, hindsight on what God is doing makes sense more then the present. But today at youth night, it was very different.
The rained poured down HARD at Valleybrook, and the kids, teenagers, residents, and myself ran for cover. I found myself running into one of the residents houses and ended up enjoying part of their evening meal with them and just talking about their lives and how the Lord was working in theirs and in mine.
I stepped back outside after the rain stopped, and 11 of my youth showed up at the mobile community center (bus) as if the rain didn't even happen. Though a lot of our time rained away sitting at home, there was still nevertheless a little time left to hang out and just mingle together, all 12 of us, under a light pole, no one singling out the other but seemingly enjoying each individuals company. We talked about how ghetto our community center was, how the Lord provided it for us to learn more about Jesus, how past youth since moved away use to hang out together with us all on that bus, and wondering where they are now and if they are doing well or up to no good...
It just seemed to go so smoothly, as if it had happened like that for the past several years I have been out there with the community center. Every subject of conversation we had seemed like a spiritual and teachable moment to the capitalized upon. So after that, we passed out snacks, said goodbye to each other, and left quietly each as if carrying something spiritually significant from the unusual youth nite we just had. At least thats what I'd like to believe and what I pray for.
As I am home now, how can I describe this evening but to say, God was at work, in their hearts and in mine. I am just glad He lets me be apart of it...
Friday 12 October 2007 at 10:47 pm
I praise the Lord for Clydes ministry at VB. He is such a blessing! Not only has he been a great help with the kids club and youth night at Valleybrook, but you shoulda seem him on the b-ball court this past Thursday! The brother can play some b-ball! As important as the scheduled lessons and programs are to the youth, I was so very excited to see him build relationships beyond that, cut up a little with the youth, and challenge their jumper!
Though a few very special families have moved away lately, I'm so thankful that His grace is truly sufficient for all my needs and how He lifts my spirits just when i need it.
Tuesday 02 October 2007 at 9:01 pm
Its happened again. Two long term families I knew just left Valleybrook, each with four
or more children/teens, all of whom I so desperately desire to track
down and contact just for my own peace of mind.
So the first time it happened, it tore my hear to pieces... but after several years of watching family after family in apartment after apartment pack their bags and move out as if overnight, I want to say it doesnt hurt as much. I want to say it, but that would be far from the truth.
Many families I have come to know and love as friends. Will I ever see them again? How will they fare in their new environment? Will the kids be ok? Will the youth make good decisions? Will they ever place their trust in Jesus eventually, sooner then never? Will they ever be able to ask God's forgiveness, forgive past hurts in their own lives, and grow in the Lord even more? Will anyone else around them even care about them enough to find out? Nevermind my own tears, but will anyone see theirs?
Some I am grateful to hear move into the next mission point, some say Garner, handful back up north, many I have no clue. Many children shuffled to grandparents, aunts, uncles, guardians, etc. with parents uncertain of how or where they will continue their lives...
Such it seems, are scenes in the life of those to whom we minister.
Such it seems, is the life of an inner city minister, the life of an
apartment minister. I would gather to say such is the life of any true and faithful Christian in general.
So how then can I go on to persevere in the Lord? How shall I minister knowing that such time is short given the relationships the Lord alots to me? How can I make the time I spend with these precious children and familes count? Better yet it seems, how then can I convey Christs message in such a way that will last an eternity in their lives?
Not that I've attained it, but I pray Lord with boldness in word and deed and a true sense of urgency will I make every given day count...
Monday 01 October 2007 at 7:18 pm
2 Corinthians 12:15 (Young's Literal Translation)
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
Public Domain
and I most gladly will spend and be entirely spent for your souls, even if, more abundantly loving you, less I am loved.
Thanks Paul I owe you dude. Can't wait to compare notes in heaven pal!
