"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.