When my brother commented on my lack of blogging... I knew it was time.
My lack of blogging is not because a lack of things to write about... it more like I have so much to say, that the idea of trying to write it all makes me crazy...
For now, I will give you pictures.... for some reason I got a burst of motivation around midnight to work on putting them all up... apparently it takes staying up until midnight. Dang you college habits! or it might have something to do with the fact that I committed to a 10-ish mile bike ride tomorrow and have to have the motivation to get up at 7 am... yes, I can do the math... which is why I give you this: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2019425&l=d9531af328&id=110801311 promise a post sometime in the near future and ask for your prayers for City Mission... we need them! and you if you want to send money, we'll take that too!
PS
If I picture speaks a thousand words, this is the longest post ever!
PPS
For all of you at home (MOM!), be thankful I have one yr left of school... its going to be hard to leave!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I should blog everyday...
I have so much to say its overwhelming... So I'm going to give you a bunch of mini posts.
--Its going around--
This past week at Urban Arts "the plague" made its way around... It started with one little girl who came to camp sick... and little by little people got sick. Including me. Really sick. I won't go into detail, but lets just say tacos and oreos... Friday I slept most of the day sleeping and traying to get healthy. Don't worry I had TWO mom's to bring me the things I needed to feel better :) I felt well enough (barely) to go watch the performance. I just sat on the side trying not to infect anyone... The kids were great! It is so fun to see them pull it all together in the end and perform.
--I saw Canada...from the other side of the river--
On Saturday it was decided that Donna and I needed to find something to do... We only got away with sitting around for so long, until Jessi "kicked us out." She sent us to the Riverwalk.
At first we headed in the wrong direction and the best thing we saw was the redwings stadium (Which was pretty cool...). On our way back we saw a party boat... with some very excited people. Donna took a picture... We waved... Then we realized... it was a gay pride cruise... haha. Other than that the River Walk wasn't too eventful... There was a walk for some disease going on. It would have helped to have someone who knew what there was to see... and for both of us not too still be weak from getting over being sick. But, I'm going to be honest, the Canadian side of the river looked a little more exciting... There may have been a carnival on that side... and that might have helped :) When we got back we went to see "My Sisters Keeper" with Jessi... so good!
--It's real life here--
At our church (lifechurchcanton.org) they're going through a series about the check engine light in your life... and this week was about not worrying. At home in Brainerd and at school in Orange City, you know that the economy is affecting people... lower enrollment at school, harder to get summer jobs, among other things... but it's nothing too drastic, from what I see... but being here in Detroit, in the Motor City... its real. The economy and the car industry affect everyone around here... seriously, everyone. It's not a poor people thing... The people we go to church with are some of the people who are losing their jobs. Its incredible... incredible worries, incredible struggles, incredible poverty, incredible faith.
Today Donna and I sat in on a meeting at City Mission (after at least 2 people told us we didn't need to go yesterday... and then this morning Dana called us at 8:30 to tell us to come to the 8:00 meeting... yep!). Really though, I'm glad we got to be a part of it. The meeting was about City Missions vision and their new and changing vision for Brightmoor. Right now they are focused on a small part of the neighborhood. Start small and focus there instead of spreading too thin and not doing any good. Now they want to extend there boundaries and really take over Brightmoor and they're starting a church. It's... well, incredible. City Mission doesn't have much money... and they want to expand... because God wants them to expand. They see the need, feel God's call, and are stepping up. Most of the staff isn't getting paid... or getting paid much and they still come in everyday and pour into the kids, work on the curriculum, write grants, do whatever needs to happen. wow.
--I miss the kids--
This week most of the kids are at camp with Jessi. After spending two weeks with them non-stop... two days without them has been a little lonely. There are still some kids around in the neighborhood but no programs at city mission. I don't know what I'm going to do when I leave them for good... but let's not talk about that.
Don't worry we still have plenty to do without Jessi and the kids. She left us a good sized list... which includes getting camp forms. This is a job and half. But really, if a few people don't get back to us soon... we're running down on the list. "Come back from camp!"
--Purity and Holiness--
This is the name of the Bible study we're doing. Honestly, the first week when we learned what the Bible study was, I wasn't too excited to do another purity study... been there, done that. But this is different... it is more about living a pure and holy life than just avoiding sexual impurity. I think I mentioned this... but the pastor of the church co-wrote the book, so both of them come in and talk with us... its pretty sweet.
A few things that stuck out from tonight:
- Purity is not about being perfect-> its about the intent of the heart to do things God's way.
- "There are better reasons to be pure and holy than to be impure and unholy."
- The way girls dress and the way it affects guys, is not just a girl problem. It's a guy problem too. [This is not said enough! Way too often girls are told that basically it is their problem that guys look at them when they dress in certain ways... tonight Bob said "guys this is your problem you need to learn to look away and walk away (II Tim 2:22)" I realize that this isn't something incredibly profound... its just not said enough and I was glad to hear it].
- For you Steggy girls... who have attended the sex talks only you will understand this: Sandi Kinnsinger special. We talked about it... for a long time.
--On a rant about something Bob asked if the women had ever felt uncomfortable because of the way I guy looks at you. Being a couple of white girls in the ghetto... yeah, Donna and I have felt that. Playing basketball in the streets is real common around here and today we drove through a game of about eight guys in their 20's-ish...yep, felt it!
Well its getting to be past my bedtime...
Pictures will come as soon as I get my camera cord back. I promise.
--Its going around--
This past week at Urban Arts "the plague" made its way around... It started with one little girl who came to camp sick... and little by little people got sick. Including me. Really sick. I won't go into detail, but lets just say tacos and oreos... Friday I slept most of the day sleeping and traying to get healthy. Don't worry I had TWO mom's to bring me the things I needed to feel better :) I felt well enough (barely) to go watch the performance. I just sat on the side trying not to infect anyone... The kids were great! It is so fun to see them pull it all together in the end and perform.
--I saw Canada...from the other side of the river--
On Saturday it was decided that Donna and I needed to find something to do... We only got away with sitting around for so long, until Jessi "kicked us out." She sent us to the Riverwalk.
At first we headed in the wrong direction and the best thing we saw was the redwings stadium (Which was pretty cool...). On our way back we saw a party boat... with some very excited people. Donna took a picture... We waved... Then we realized... it was a gay pride cruise... haha. Other than that the River Walk wasn't too eventful... There was a walk for some disease going on. It would have helped to have someone who knew what there was to see... and for both of us not too still be weak from getting over being sick. But, I'm going to be honest, the Canadian side of the river looked a little more exciting... There may have been a carnival on that side... and that might have helped :) When we got back we went to see "My Sisters Keeper" with Jessi... so good!
--It's real life here--
At our church (lifechurchcanton.org) they're going through a series about the check engine light in your life... and this week was about not worrying. At home in Brainerd and at school in Orange City, you know that the economy is affecting people... lower enrollment at school, harder to get summer jobs, among other things... but it's nothing too drastic, from what I see... but being here in Detroit, in the Motor City... its real. The economy and the car industry affect everyone around here... seriously, everyone. It's not a poor people thing... The people we go to church with are some of the people who are losing their jobs. Its incredible... incredible worries, incredible struggles, incredible poverty, incredible faith.
Today Donna and I sat in on a meeting at City Mission (after at least 2 people told us we didn't need to go yesterday... and then this morning Dana called us at 8:30 to tell us to come to the 8:00 meeting... yep!). Really though, I'm glad we got to be a part of it. The meeting was about City Missions vision and their new and changing vision for Brightmoor. Right now they are focused on a small part of the neighborhood. Start small and focus there instead of spreading too thin and not doing any good. Now they want to extend there boundaries and really take over Brightmoor and they're starting a church. It's... well, incredible. City Mission doesn't have much money... and they want to expand... because God wants them to expand. They see the need, feel God's call, and are stepping up. Most of the staff isn't getting paid... or getting paid much and they still come in everyday and pour into the kids, work on the curriculum, write grants, do whatever needs to happen. wow.
--I miss the kids--
This week most of the kids are at camp with Jessi. After spending two weeks with them non-stop... two days without them has been a little lonely. There are still some kids around in the neighborhood but no programs at city mission. I don't know what I'm going to do when I leave them for good... but let's not talk about that.
Don't worry we still have plenty to do without Jessi and the kids. She left us a good sized list... which includes getting camp forms. This is a job and half. But really, if a few people don't get back to us soon... we're running down on the list. "Come back from camp!"
--Purity and Holiness--
This is the name of the Bible study we're doing. Honestly, the first week when we learned what the Bible study was, I wasn't too excited to do another purity study... been there, done that. But this is different... it is more about living a pure and holy life than just avoiding sexual impurity. I think I mentioned this... but the pastor of the church co-wrote the book, so both of them come in and talk with us... its pretty sweet.
A few things that stuck out from tonight:
- Purity is not about being perfect-> its about the intent of the heart to do things God's way.
- "There are better reasons to be pure and holy than to be impure and unholy."
- The way girls dress and the way it affects guys, is not just a girl problem. It's a guy problem too. [This is not said enough! Way too often girls are told that basically it is their problem that guys look at them when they dress in certain ways... tonight Bob said "guys this is your problem you need to learn to look away and walk away (II Tim 2:22)" I realize that this isn't something incredibly profound... its just not said enough and I was glad to hear it].
- For you Steggy girls... who have attended the sex talks only you will understand this: Sandi Kinnsinger special. We talked about it... for a long time.
--On a rant about something Bob asked if the women had ever felt uncomfortable because of the way I guy looks at you. Being a couple of white girls in the ghetto... yeah, Donna and I have felt that. Playing basketball in the streets is real common around here and today we drove through a game of about eight guys in their 20's-ish...yep, felt it!
Well its getting to be past my bedtime...
Pictures will come as soon as I get my camera cord back. I promise.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
berry pie, fruit salad, or... muffins!
On Sunday we went to church with Jessi again and two little girls came with us. After church they showed us what they made in Sunday school... "I love you dad" bookmarks. I have no idea what was going on in their heads, but it was hard to see... knowing, that like most of the kids around here, there is no dad in the picture...
Sunday afternoon Donna and I were summoned to "come help pick the berries. Jessi is cutting down the tree!" We spent most of the afternoon climbing on a plastic jungle gym thing with some of the neighborhood kids and picking berries... while Jessi tried to actually clean up her lawn. After we almost filled a gallon size bag... there was the discussion of what to do with berries... the two options they came up with were berry pie, or fruit salad (even though we only had berries...). Eventually Jessi suggested muffins... decision made.
Monday started the second week of Urban Arts. It might be called the same thing, but its very different! Twenty-ish 7-12th graders compared to 30+ K-6th graders... you get the idea. Its a different kind of chaos... but a different kind of fun too. The groups are divided k-1, girls 2-6, and boys 2-6. I've had the pleasure of spending my time with the K-1 (and a few even younger than that). It has been a blast... a little bit of attitude and some whines... but overall, they're pretty cute. After camp we ended up driving past Jessi's house (side story: I'm staying at Jessi's this week because Jeff and Dana's daughter is home visiting... and she needed my room) 3-4 times as we ran some errands around the neighborhood and drove "someone" back and forth a few times... The girls were just waiting there for us to be done so we could bake. I had dinner at Jeff and Dana's and right after we finished eating, one of the girls called asking if I wanted to make muffins... so cute! So about six kids (give or take a few that left to play and came back) piled into Jessi's little kitchen and made muffins. It was a blast... and kinda crazy.
Tonight was Bible study again... it was good to be there, surrounded by peers, and to be challenged. Its incredible to be able to learn from the authors of the book we are using. One of the pastors of lifechurch co-wrote the book and is speaking to us most weeks...
I feel like I could go on and on... and that I have left so much out... and that I have rambled... and that I have told more stories than what I'm feeling... but I am going to stop for now...
I'd love to have phone dates and tell you more... that just can't fit in a blog.
and for all the stuff I missed, check out Donna's blog donnaanddetroit.blogspot.com
Sunday afternoon Donna and I were summoned to "come help pick the berries. Jessi is cutting down the tree!" We spent most of the afternoon climbing on a plastic jungle gym thing with some of the neighborhood kids and picking berries... while Jessi tried to actually clean up her lawn. After we almost filled a gallon size bag... there was the discussion of what to do with berries... the two options they came up with were berry pie, or fruit salad (even though we only had berries...). Eventually Jessi suggested muffins... decision made.
Monday started the second week of Urban Arts. It might be called the same thing, but its very different! Twenty-ish 7-12th graders compared to 30+ K-6th graders... you get the idea. Its a different kind of chaos... but a different kind of fun too. The groups are divided k-1, girls 2-6, and boys 2-6. I've had the pleasure of spending my time with the K-1 (and a few even younger than that). It has been a blast... a little bit of attitude and some whines... but overall, they're pretty cute. After camp we ended up driving past Jessi's house (side story: I'm staying at Jessi's this week because Jeff and Dana's daughter is home visiting... and she needed my room) 3-4 times as we ran some errands around the neighborhood and drove "someone" back and forth a few times... The girls were just waiting there for us to be done so we could bake. I had dinner at Jeff and Dana's and right after we finished eating, one of the girls called asking if I wanted to make muffins... so cute! So about six kids (give or take a few that left to play and came back) piled into Jessi's little kitchen and made muffins. It was a blast... and kinda crazy.
Tonight was Bible study again... it was good to be there, surrounded by peers, and to be challenged. Its incredible to be able to learn from the authors of the book we are using. One of the pastors of lifechurch co-wrote the book and is speaking to us most weeks...
I feel like I could go on and on... and that I have left so much out... and that I have rambled... and that I have told more stories than what I'm feeling... but I am going to stop for now...
I'd love to have phone dates and tell you more... that just can't fit in a blog.
and for all the stuff I missed, check out Donna's blog donnaanddetroit.blogspot.com
A few pictures of the place I call home
Me in my room... very exciting
The TV in my room... is house on??
Donna in her room
The creepy little man that lives in our bathroom...
Our House :)
The bus that sits in our driveway
The little nook by our kitchen
The living room and hemy our dog!
The kitchen! (I might have been a little sick of taking pictures at this point)
A "Myspace picture" for good measure
and... the back yard!
A "Myspace picture" for good measureand... the back yard! ...that we share with many other families
...and where we play wiffle ball!
The end of the pictures for now...
The house may look nice (and it is) but you can't see the ghetto that we live in...
I'll get some pictures of it eventually. :)
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
And it begins...
I have officially been in here in Detroit for a week! ...and yes, I am just now starting my blog. Surprisied?
The facts:
Donna and I are summer interns for City Mission (http://www.city-mission.org/).
We got hooked up with City Mission through a program at our school. NWC is conneted to City Mission through Jessi, she is NWC Alumn and basically the person who is in charge of us here.
We live in Brightmoor with Jeff, Dana, and Hemy. Dana is the principle of the City Mission Academy, Jeff also works for City Mission, and Hemy is the dog.
The Story:
Things really got started on Monday with the first week of camp. This week is called Urban Arts. A group is coming in and teaching art, drama, music and dancing to the kids and they will have a performance at the end. This week its the "big kids"... Jr. High/HS. We spend our days checking the kids in, helping with the camp, and hanging with the kids. We do some "office" type stuff to... make attendance sheets, keep track of camp forms, go to meetings (really exciting stuff!). We have driven around the neighbor a few times with Jessi meeting the families and dropping off and picking up different forms. All of the families that are a part of City Missions programs live in the same neighborhood (where we live). Since all of the kids live nearby, we have spent some time with them in the evenings hanging out... playing air hockey in our basement, riding bikes in the park, playing wiffle ball in the backyard, and eating pancakes at Jessi's.
Things really got started on Monday with the first week of camp. This week is called Urban Arts. A group is coming in and teaching art, drama, music and dancing to the kids and they will have a performance at the end. This week its the "big kids"... Jr. High/HS. We spend our days checking the kids in, helping with the camp, and hanging with the kids. We do some "office" type stuff to... make attendance sheets, keep track of camp forms, go to meetings (really exciting stuff!). We have driven around the neighbor a few times with Jessi meeting the families and dropping off and picking up different forms. All of the families that are a part of City Missions programs live in the same neighborhood (where we live). Since all of the kids live nearby, we have spent some time with them in the evenings hanging out... playing air hockey in our basement, riding bikes in the park, playing wiffle ball in the backyard, and eating pancakes at Jessi's.
Last Saturday we went to church with Jeff and Dana. They go to a huge church... it was kind of overwhelming. Then on Sunday we went to try Jessi's church. It was a little smaller and felt more like home. Last night we went back to Jessi's church for a Bible study. It was good to be around some people are age... and little weird to be around so many "cream" people (at City Mission they say brown and cream instead of black and white). I'm excited to get to know some of them throughout the summer. I'm already feeling challenged.
Overall, life is good. I'm glad I'm here and excited for what the rest of the summer has in store. Tomorrow night will bring a familiar face as I get to hang out with a friend from home who is in Detroit for a while (Kaydi Ring).
More to come soon...including pictures (when the internet sucks at life a little less)
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