Day camp is here!

With out a doubt, Day camp is one of the most exciting times around here. This is my third summer here and I have some amazing memories of the past two summers. In fact, it was after my first summer that I felt God calling me to stay here in Highland Park. Being with the kids and spending this much time with them allows for a more intense level of ministry.
This summer, our focus is on sports and nutrition. We decided to build a garden in the backyard and plant flowers and vegetables. This week, the kids worked on making garden rocks to decorate our garden. (above is a picture of Dana and Reginald with their rock). I'm excited for them to have this opportunity to learn about growing plants. I know that for most of them this will be a totally new opportunity.
The first week went very well, in spite of a few obsticles. On Wednesday after lunch, a storm came in and we lost power. So not only were we inside, but the lights were dim (brown out). Our staff pulled together well and things went well. On Thursday, our field trip was to Wayne State University's rec center. The kids were able to do some rock climbing and play in the gym. I enjoyed watching the kids try climbing the wall. Even those who only made it up a few feet were so excited about what they had accomplished.

To me, it is so amazing to watch the staff interact with the kids. The kids know they are loved, they know they are in a safe place...and the staff have fun just being with the kids. What a great place to show the love of Christ.

Rich Young Ruler

I wanted to post lyrics to a song that has been speaking to me a lot, and well, to be honest has been convicting. God has been speaking to me a lot lately about His heart for the poor. Not just in the city(though that is definately an area I am passionate about...obviously!), but all over the world. I just finished reading a book titled "The New Friars" This book talked about people who chose to live in slum communities among the poor- becoming one of them to reach them. The book really gave me good insite into the lives of the poor, and also how God sees them. He is their Heavenly Father, and does not desire to see His children live this way. It made me feel so rich and priveledged. It also convicted me as to what God would have me to do to reach them.
I've seen as I read various authors and the Bible, that as Christians, we can't over look God's commandments on reaching the poor. It's all over the Bible. But, I don't think it's emphasised as much as it should be in our churches. It's not a comfortable subject. I've been made very uncomfortable as I think and pray more about it. This song pretty much sums it up for me...

Rich Young Ruler
by Derek Webb

(vs. 1)
poverty is so hard to see
when it’s only on your tv and twenty miles across town
where we’re all living so good
that we moved out of Jesus’ neighborhood
where he’s hungry and not feeling so good
from going through our trash
he says, more than just your cash and coin
i want your time, i want your voice
i want the things you just can’t give me

(vs. 2)
so what must we do
here in the west we want to follow you
we speak the language and we keep all the rules
even a few we made up
come on and follow me
but sell your house, sell your suv
sell your stocks, sell your security
and give it to the poor
what is this, hey what’s the deal
i don’t sleep around and i don’t steal
i want the things you just can’t give me

(bridge)
because what you do to the least of these
my brother’s, you have done it to me
because i want the things you just can’t give me

"Informal ministry"

Kids club and youth groups are all done for the year...and we are starting Day camp on June 26th. So what's going on now?
Well, for one- we have been taking our Jr and Sr high youth down to Revival Tabernacle(a church located right here in Highland Park) every Tuesday night. Revival has invited us to join their youth group. I started bringing down the girls a couple of months ago, and now our Jr High boy leaders have been bringing their guys down. This has been a great way to keep our teens actively involved, allow for relationships to continue to build over the summer and also to connect them with a local church.
Also- I've been able to continue to spend time with our neighbor girls. They have come to church with me and also to my Wednesday night Bible study. They've also come by at times just to hang out...watch movies etc. I'm thankful that they desire to not only hang out with me, but also to be involved in spiritual things like church, Bible studies and various trainings.
On Memorial day, I drove down Grand- a street that a lot of our kids live on (and those who don't spend a lot of time on). I was able to spend some time with the kids. Devionte, one of our older boys was asking question after question about day camp...when are we having it? what are we doing? etc. He was so excited and kept inviting other kids who were around. We played some street basketball, bought ice cream from a neighbor who sells it out of her house, and chatted about camp. I enjoyed hanging out with them. Katrina, one of our girls, came and was upset because she missed her dad, who lives in Chicago. It was neat because we were able to sit on the curb as she told me about her dad and I was able to remind her that she had a Heavenly Father who loved her and was always there for her. Her brother James then said to me "Hey, I remember you saying that before at club!" (at least I know they are listening!)
This "informal" ministry has been great. I'm thankful I am able to spend this time with the kids and my prayer is that I can show them the love of Christ through our interactions together.

I've also been traveling...a lot! I've been home for a wedding and graduation and also down to Columbus for another wedding. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go to L.A. for an Urban Youth Workers conference. This was an amazing experience and I could write page after page about all that I learned! It was just incredible to be surrounded by others who also had a heart for the city and worked with youth. It was a time of personal spiritual refreshment and I also learned a lot that can be implimented in the ministry here.