A difficult wake-up after yesterday's hard work, we all gathered together for our second day of breakfast here at St. Timothy's. While fatigue may have set deep within our bones, we were blessed to have a shorter work day due to the 4th of July. All of us were designated to work at the Michigan United Farming Initiative (MUFI), a non-profit dedicated to growing crops for the community and promoting sustainable living. There we met Tyson, the head of the initiative, and Jack, an intern currently working on the farm.
During our shortened time, we worked to uproot weeds, plant new crops, and water surrounding ones as needed. Working separately on these tasks, we eventually all came together to help plant ornamental grass along a fence by a recently acquired house meant for future interns. After wiping the sweat off our brows and dusting ourselves off, we broke for lunch. Sitting on various benches, we discussed our next course of action.
After finishing up, we thanked Tyson and Jack for giving us work to do and being so gracious with everything. Packing into our vans, we set out to visit an African bead/art museum. With exhibits entirely outside, we walked around, taking in all that it had to offer. The main attraction was the mural on both a giant house and a wall behind it. On it, shards of mirrors were plastered alongside other materials to create an enormous glittering exposition. Afterwards, we visited a gift shop full of beads and other pieces of jewelry, which some of the students bought.
Unfortunately, we realized that because it was the 4th of July, we would not be able to take a shower at a recreational center or a YMCA. However, the staff and adult leaders found a way to get us all wet and have a lot of fun. Shouting about some sort of surprise in the parking lot, we all hobbled over, only having just woken up from our naps, only to find a bucket full of water balloons in the middle of the lot. You can probably figure out what happened from there.
After we all dried off, we ate dinner and went through our Large Group Gathering a little earlier and a little quicker because we were all going to the beach! Situated on Belle Isle, it wasn't quite the sprawling beaches you see on T.V, but it was definitely enough for us. When we got there, a lot of people were already there for their own 4th of July celebrations. We got right to it, building sand castles and jumping into the water. Fireworks greeted us as it got darker, lighting up the sky as the sun set.
While today might have been a short work day, it was in no way a lack of things to do. God has really made sure that we have so much to do, making sure we don't get too complacent, while at the same time giving us time to rejuvenate and prepare for what's coming next.
Hoping for good things in today's work, gotta wrap this up so I can get to my devos.
Keep praying for us!
-David Kim
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Monday, July 3, 2017
Detroit Day 1
Hi everyone! Abby here, one of the two senior girls. I was recruited to talk about my experiences on our first full day in Detroit! I'm in Mike and Andrea's group, and today we worked with an organization called "Neighbors Building Brightmoor", which is formed of a group of community members who live in the Brightmoor area and want to keep the area as safe and beautiful as possible. In particular, we worked with a man named Jacob, whom you will find out more about later on.
After a somewhat sleepless night full of deflating air mattresses and alarms going off at 1 am, my group was in charge of breakfast prep. We rotate helping to prepare and clean up breakfast and dinner, which we've never done before on a missions trip and which I find really humbling. After breakfast we did devos and then had a quick run down of what our day would look like. My group (the Tigers) headed off to meet Jacob, and met him at his home. We were split up into different tasks, some pulling up sod and helping with the garden up front, and others cleaning up a pile of insect-infested logs and sticks. I was in the latter, and honestly, I was a little concerned about the infestation. However, everything was picked up and moved to a dump pile without much hassle; we used both wheelbarrows and simple elbow grease to accomplish it in quite a quick time, including having a competition to see who could stomp on the most bugs.
We finished moving the log pile within an hour, and so we switched jobs to moving wood chips from a pile in the back to the driveway/garden in the front. It was a huge pile of wood chips, mushrooms, and a few random wires. Myself and Daniel Wart, then later Kayla Carson, were scooping the wood chips into wheelbarrows using pitchforks, and Mike Pitts and Kayla, then Daniel, were wheeling them back and forth between our lot at the very back of Jacob's yard and the front of his property. Although it was very hot once the sun came out, and the wood chip pile smelled...interesting, everyone turned out to be great sports and really willing to help (we are a bunch of fungis... sorry, but there wasn't mushroom anywhere else for a pun).
After we had finished with the wood chip pile and the group up front had finished their tasks, we moved two blocks to a community garden that we later found out had been started by Jacob's father, who was commemorated in a painting on an abandoned building next door. We also found out that his father had died a couple of years before, and he had grown up in the house right across the street from this lot we were working in. Our tasks at this site were mostly weeding and cleaning as much as possible (in the words of Faith Cheehan, "All thistles must die!"). This area was touching for me because we could see how much love Jacob had for the plot, the area, even the entire city. Even though everything had become ridden with weeds and was completely overgrown, he saw the potential and the beauty in it, which made me think of how God is the same way with us-- if we become caught up in the world or tangled up in evil, he's right there hacking away at the weeds and risking getting a thistle stuck in his hand along the way.
After completing our jobs at the site, we headed off to a rec center for some much-needed showers, and then came back to St. Timothy's and ate dinner before setting off on a downtown scavenger hunt. One thing I find interesting about YouthWorks is that they don't just want us to serve, they want us to understand the people we're serving. So, as you know Browncroft youth group isn't at all competitive, and so it was a very calm, very dignified and leisurely stroll down the streets of Detroit... not at all a race down the highway to see who could get there first and "no one" honked (I think Josh is going to read this, so quotes). Everyone (miraculously) arrived to our meeting point safe and sound, and we set off on our scavenger hunt, checking off such things as the Bible verse on the Spirit of Detroit statue, waving to Canada, and throwing a penny in a fountain). Not to be biased at all about the winners, but Tigers forever! We won both the race-not-race and the scavenger hunt, but it's all forgotten now and I hear screams of Euchre in the other room.
I realize this was really lengthy, but I wanted all of our supporters to understand both the struggles and the triumphs and just plain old fun we've experienced thus far. I saw God everywhere, from my teammates to our leaders to the city itself. Yes, Detroit is broken, but you can see the beauty in it, and the hope and vitality in the city and the people. I personally can't wait for what tomorrow brings, and I know I speak for all of us when I say we deeply appreciate all your prayers and support, and we miss you and can't wait to tell you everything when we get home! Lights out is in 12 minutes, and I'm exhausted from a very busy day, so again thank you-- we've seen God already so much in this trip, and it's only the first day!
After a somewhat sleepless night full of deflating air mattresses and alarms going off at 1 am, my group was in charge of breakfast prep. We rotate helping to prepare and clean up breakfast and dinner, which we've never done before on a missions trip and which I find really humbling. After breakfast we did devos and then had a quick run down of what our day would look like. My group (the Tigers) headed off to meet Jacob, and met him at his home. We were split up into different tasks, some pulling up sod and helping with the garden up front, and others cleaning up a pile of insect-infested logs and sticks. I was in the latter, and honestly, I was a little concerned about the infestation. However, everything was picked up and moved to a dump pile without much hassle; we used both wheelbarrows and simple elbow grease to accomplish it in quite a quick time, including having a competition to see who could stomp on the most bugs.
We finished moving the log pile within an hour, and so we switched jobs to moving wood chips from a pile in the back to the driveway/garden in the front. It was a huge pile of wood chips, mushrooms, and a few random wires. Myself and Daniel Wart, then later Kayla Carson, were scooping the wood chips into wheelbarrows using pitchforks, and Mike Pitts and Kayla, then Daniel, were wheeling them back and forth between our lot at the very back of Jacob's yard and the front of his property. Although it was very hot once the sun came out, and the wood chip pile smelled...interesting, everyone turned out to be great sports and really willing to help (we are a bunch of fungis... sorry, but there wasn't mushroom anywhere else for a pun).
After we had finished with the wood chip pile and the group up front had finished their tasks, we moved two blocks to a community garden that we later found out had been started by Jacob's father, who was commemorated in a painting on an abandoned building next door. We also found out that his father had died a couple of years before, and he had grown up in the house right across the street from this lot we were working in. Our tasks at this site were mostly weeding and cleaning as much as possible (in the words of Faith Cheehan, "All thistles must die!"). This area was touching for me because we could see how much love Jacob had for the plot, the area, even the entire city. Even though everything had become ridden with weeds and was completely overgrown, he saw the potential and the beauty in it, which made me think of how God is the same way with us-- if we become caught up in the world or tangled up in evil, he's right there hacking away at the weeds and risking getting a thistle stuck in his hand along the way.
After completing our jobs at the site, we headed off to a rec center for some much-needed showers, and then came back to St. Timothy's and ate dinner before setting off on a downtown scavenger hunt. One thing I find interesting about YouthWorks is that they don't just want us to serve, they want us to understand the people we're serving. So, as you know Browncroft youth group isn't at all competitive, and so it was a very calm, very dignified and leisurely stroll down the streets of Detroit... not at all a race down the highway to see who could get there first and "no one" honked (I think Josh is going to read this, so quotes). Everyone (miraculously) arrived to our meeting point safe and sound, and we set off on our scavenger hunt, checking off such things as the Bible verse on the Spirit of Detroit statue, waving to Canada, and throwing a penny in a fountain). Not to be biased at all about the winners, but Tigers forever! We won both the race-not-race and the scavenger hunt, but it's all forgotten now and I hear screams of Euchre in the other room.
I realize this was really lengthy, but I wanted all of our supporters to understand both the struggles and the triumphs and just plain old fun we've experienced thus far. I saw God everywhere, from my teammates to our leaders to the city itself. Yes, Detroit is broken, but you can see the beauty in it, and the hope and vitality in the city and the people. I personally can't wait for what tomorrow brings, and I know I speak for all of us when I say we deeply appreciate all your prayers and support, and we miss you and can't wait to tell you everything when we get home! Lights out is in 12 minutes, and I'm exhausted from a very busy day, so again thank you-- we've seen God already so much in this trip, and it's only the first day!
Sunday, July 2, 2017
We have arrived
Hey everyone!
We are here in Detroit! Air Mattresses blown up and everything unpacked. Thanks so much for your prayers today. We didn't have any issues traveling or at the border! Heading upstairs to meet our YouthWorks team and get ready for dinner.
Keep the prayers coming as we find out our schedule for the week and begin bright and early tomorrow morning!
josh
We are here in Detroit! Air Mattresses blown up and everything unpacked. Thanks so much for your prayers today. We didn't have any issues traveling or at the border! Heading upstairs to meet our YouthWorks team and get ready for dinner.
Keep the prayers coming as we find out our schedule for the week and begin bright and early tomorrow morning!
josh
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
DEEEEEEEEEEETROIT!
Hey Everyone!
We are heading off to Detroit in just a few days on Sunday Morning! Please be sure to check back for trip updates once the trip starts. We are so excited to see how God is going to be using us on this trip!
josh
We are heading off to Detroit in just a few days on Sunday Morning! Please be sure to check back for trip updates once the trip starts. We are so excited to see how God is going to be using us on this trip!
josh
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Cultural Day and Reflections
Today began the same as every other day: wake up, breakfast, and in the vans by 8:00. We drove to the church and took some time to do our devos (and sleep). After our devos were done Pastor Ed talked to us about the importance of prayer. The spirit lead him to have us do something a little different than our usual prayer walk. We walked around the New Community Church (NCC) and prayed for it. It was an amazing experience. I could really feel the spirit moving through us. We did that for an hour and a half. This will be something I remember for the rest of my life. When we had finished we got into our vans and headed down town. Chicago is such a beautiful city. The beaches and the lake were so amazing. After driving in circles to find a parking spot we ate Lou Malnati's. The youth from NCC came with us. The pizza was delicious. It was real Chicago style deep dish. After saying goodbye to our new friends from the NCC youth group we got in our vans and went to the Shedd Aquarium. It was a lot of fun. We got to see a show with beluga whales, dolphins, a sea lion, and a rescue dog. The show was great. The aquarium closed and we headed to the Navy Pier for eating, shopping, and fun. We all had a great time. Most of us ended it off with amazing Hagan Dazs ice cream. At 9 we headed back to the hotel. We ended off the week by playing cards and talking.
Our youth group has become so united over the past week. God has shaped us and formed us. He has aligned our will with his. This trip, as every trip has changed all of us. God has again turned the table by changing us when we expected to help others. We have been so blessed to be on this trip. I thank God for what he has done through us and in us. I also thank him for giving us our adult leaders. They are indispensable and true gifts from God. Thank you parents for supporting us, loving us, and praying for us. We all love you.
Our hope is in Christ alone!
In HIS name,
Alex King
Our youth group has become so united over the past week. God has shaped us and formed us. He has aligned our will with his. This trip, as every trip has changed all of us. God has again turned the table by changing us when we expected to help others. We have been so blessed to be on this trip. I thank God for what he has done through us and in us. I also thank him for giving us our adult leaders. They are indispensable and true gifts from God. Thank you parents for supporting us, loving us, and praying for us. We all love you.
Our hope is in Christ alone!
In HIS name,
Alex King
Friday, July 12, 2013
Hey everyone back home! Praise God for the amazing ways He worked in and through the team today!
This morning we changed our schedule a little to focus on breaking down the strongholds and lies of the devil with the truth. It was a time of individual reflection and searching in the Word, followed by small group sharing, prayer, and encouragement. I think I can speak for everyone that we all went to lunch changed and newly refreshed for another day of work.
After lunch, we jumped right into our service projects. My group has been painting a fence around a basketball court. Even when the task grew tedious, it was a blessing to see everyone persevering--working for the Lord without complaining. It is also nice to know that the work we began will be continued next week by another group of pelicans.
The groups working at the abandoned houses also finished a lot of yard work today, tranforming jungles into lawns, hopefully so that the houses can soon be reinhabited.
None of this work went unnoticed by the community. The neighbors were very appreciative, opening the door for conversations, praise God for the lives he's bringing to Himself! Many teams also struck up conversations on prayer walks. One boy who got to know a group on a prayer walk even spent the last several days serving with the team!
At the afternoon sports camp today, we got a game going again of boys vs (mostly) girls soccer, which is a blast. It's awesome to see community kids of ages ranging from aound 5 to 18 playing together with our team and having so much fun. Then the whole sports camp got to hear Caroline's testimony, and I was privileged to get to share the Bible strory of the prodigal son. Praise God that the words came eloquently when we were up there!
The other half of our team doing VBS for younger kids were blessed by how the kids yell out the memory verses and worship songs with the enthusiasm that you really only see in God's innocent little children.
Praise God for more basketball in the evening, more relational ministry and fellowship. Although God was teaching me how to minister to peers this week, I am thankful that he sent me one baby girl to play on the playground with and brighten my day! We ended our day with an awesome time of worship, communion, and an impromptu parking lot dance party :)
love from Dolton,
stephanie
This morning we changed our schedule a little to focus on breaking down the strongholds and lies of the devil with the truth. It was a time of individual reflection and searching in the Word, followed by small group sharing, prayer, and encouragement. I think I can speak for everyone that we all went to lunch changed and newly refreshed for another day of work.
After lunch, we jumped right into our service projects. My group has been painting a fence around a basketball court. Even when the task grew tedious, it was a blessing to see everyone persevering--working for the Lord without complaining. It is also nice to know that the work we began will be continued next week by another group of pelicans.
The groups working at the abandoned houses also finished a lot of yard work today, tranforming jungles into lawns, hopefully so that the houses can soon be reinhabited.
None of this work went unnoticed by the community. The neighbors were very appreciative, opening the door for conversations, praise God for the lives he's bringing to Himself! Many teams also struck up conversations on prayer walks. One boy who got to know a group on a prayer walk even spent the last several days serving with the team!
At the afternoon sports camp today, we got a game going again of boys vs (mostly) girls soccer, which is a blast. It's awesome to see community kids of ages ranging from aound 5 to 18 playing together with our team and having so much fun. Then the whole sports camp got to hear Caroline's testimony, and I was privileged to get to share the Bible strory of the prodigal son. Praise God that the words came eloquently when we were up there!
The other half of our team doing VBS for younger kids were blessed by how the kids yell out the memory verses and worship songs with the enthusiasm that you really only see in God's innocent little children.
Praise God for more basketball in the evening, more relational ministry and fellowship. Although God was teaching me how to minister to peers this week, I am thankful that he sent me one baby girl to play on the playground with and brighten my day! We ended our day with an awesome time of worship, communion, and an impromptu parking lot dance party :)
love from Dolton,
stephanie
Thursday, July 11, 2013
I have some pics and hopefully some videos to share! These are a mix from the past three days, during which several of the students helped the parks and rec dept in their garages, led vbs and sports camps, and participated in the bball tourney that Pastor Caesar set up within the community. Pardon any blurred shots...they move pretty quick! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)