A few errands...first HyVee...
"Hey Amari...how are you??"..."Good...when can I come to the center?"..."Soon...I'll call you."
Around to the back aisle..."Hi Nikki...miss camp?"..."Yeah"...she replies followed by a simple smile.
Onto McDonalds..."Selinda...I haven't seen you in so long!"
..."Well hey Daqualan...how come you didn't make it out to camp?"
..."Justice...hey man...miss camp? Ready for Friday night clubs again?"
Down to Century Woods...they take the van by storm...
"Do you want to come in and see our baby sister?" Kataya and Katia ask..."Sure...I'd love to".
In their neighborhoods...in their lives...I can't imagine where else I'd rather be.
"I think very few people are actually happy...are you happy Brandy?" Christopher (Teen Staff) inquired...I pause...exhale..."Yeah...perhaps for the first time I can honestly say that I'm genuinely happy." He nods..."Yeah...I can tell." I'm not sure I've ever received a greater compliment.
Having thrown out “success”...dwindled finances...unanswered questions...and unreached goals...
happy
...go figure.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Throw out the rulebook
God amazes me in ways I can't explain...daily. Whether that be through making my finances work...my patience grow...my perspective to change...or my heart to heal...God divinely amazes me. When you rely on the one that created you...when you surrender your life to His will...when you discover the purpose of this time...there is no emotion to explain it.
Many argue that they "believe in God"...but if you truly believe in God...does it not intrigue you to peal back the layers of mystery and discover His plan awaiting you? For what good is believing in Him...or knowing about Him...if you don't actually know Him?
I used to think it started with a rulebook...it never occurred to me to start with Him. Throw out the rulebook mentality...it's simply a time to get to know His character...His purpose...His love...His forgiveness...it's simply a time to get to know...Him.
Many argue that they "believe in God"...but if you truly believe in God...does it not intrigue you to peal back the layers of mystery and discover His plan awaiting you? For what good is believing in Him...or knowing about Him...if you don't actually know Him?
I used to think it started with a rulebook...it never occurred to me to start with Him. Throw out the rulebook mentality...it's simply a time to get to know His character...His purpose...His love...His forgiveness...it's simply a time to get to know...Him.
Let Him
"One of the kids lost his bible this week...and since I had two...I gave him one of mine...and when he got on the bus...he held it up to show me through the window...and smiled." One of our counselors in training shared a moment...that makes the chaos of summer camp...worth the burden.
Anger brews just below the surface in many of these kids. Issues will arise. You learn...with God given patience...to view them as teaching moments vs. disturbances to your own plan.
God works in His own time.
Let Him.
Anger brews just below the surface in many of these kids. Issues will arise. You learn...with God given patience...to view them as teaching moments vs. disturbances to your own plan.
God works in His own time.
Let Him.
Friday, July 20, 2007
The greatest of these...is love
Monday nights are dedicated to a Beth Moore bible study I hold with a few girls...grown up girls. :) We're currently studying the Fruits of the Spirit. The video is followed by 5 days of homework that I try to slide into my morning routine.
With the coffee brewed...I sat at my kitchen table...and scripturally walked through why my salvation is God's rather than my own...then Beth requested her readers to pray..."Ask God to show you the significance of the truth that salvation belongs to Him. After you have prayed, answer this question: Why do you think salvation is described as God's rather than yours?"
Admittedly...I skipped the prayer...and stared at my blank page. The clock ticked...I sat in frustration...just write something...get on with the routine...still...nothing. Ok...a quick prayer. Eyes back open...
What is the significance of the truth that salvation belongs to Him?
...Because he loves us more than we love ourselves. Because you and I...spending eternity in heaven...is more important to Him...than it is to us. Our salvation...is our everything...but somehow to God...it's more...because he loves us that much.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
With the coffee brewed...I sat at my kitchen table...and scripturally walked through why my salvation is God's rather than my own...then Beth requested her readers to pray..."Ask God to show you the significance of the truth that salvation belongs to Him. After you have prayed, answer this question: Why do you think salvation is described as God's rather than yours?"
Admittedly...I skipped the prayer...and stared at my blank page. The clock ticked...I sat in frustration...just write something...get on with the routine...still...nothing. Ok...a quick prayer. Eyes back open...
What is the significance of the truth that salvation belongs to Him?
...Because he loves us more than we love ourselves. Because you and I...spending eternity in heaven...is more important to Him...than it is to us. Our salvation...is our everything...but somehow to God...it's more...because he loves us that much.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Still changing lives...
We held a camp reunion for the 3rd and 4th graders at the center. "What just happened?" Christina asked as we dropped off the last round. Good question! It was mass chaos...fighting...screaming...bleeding...you name it. I inform Chris of the disaster a couple days later. "Oh you made the mistake of thinking they were still in camp mode...you forgot...they've been home since then."
Poverty takes on many different forms. Tonight during a camp sign up...it was a house...if it had doors...I’m not sure where they were...full of bugs...seemingly abandoned...the grandmother drudgingly filling out the paperwork...cussing...irritated...while her 6th grade granddaughter patiently waited outside.
"You have to emotionally remove yourself don't you?" Christina asked. And you do...although I admit...I've laughed at inappropriate times...and sobbed just out of earshot. Overall...I have begun to understand my role isn't to take them out of their situation...but give them hope and joy...while still in it.
Another of the camper's grandmothers came into the center today to sign him up. It was her daughter that was stabbed and killed New Year's Day. She was very somber as she ruffled through the papers..."I received some very upsetting news today...I can't shake...my daughter's trial was pushed back...again." We talk...and the conversation gradually turns back to her grandson...and camp...and a smile slowly creeps onto her face..."Miss Betty was here when I used to come...what a sweet...sweet lady." Perhaps this was her only smile all day...remembering a woman that dedicated her life to this ministry...still touching hearts...still changing lives.
Many of the kids are wise beyond their years. Not sure where this will go...but Christopher (Teen Staff) started a blog...I found worth sharing: http://lifeandtestimoniesofchrisburton.blogspot.com/
Poverty takes on many different forms. Tonight during a camp sign up...it was a house...if it had doors...I’m not sure where they were...full of bugs...seemingly abandoned...the grandmother drudgingly filling out the paperwork...cussing...irritated...while her 6th grade granddaughter patiently waited outside.
"You have to emotionally remove yourself don't you?" Christina asked. And you do...although I admit...I've laughed at inappropriate times...and sobbed just out of earshot. Overall...I have begun to understand my role isn't to take them out of their situation...but give them hope and joy...while still in it.
Another of the camper's grandmothers came into the center today to sign him up. It was her daughter that was stabbed and killed New Year's Day. She was very somber as she ruffled through the papers..."I received some very upsetting news today...I can't shake...my daughter's trial was pushed back...again." We talk...and the conversation gradually turns back to her grandson...and camp...and a smile slowly creeps onto her face..."Miss Betty was here when I used to come...what a sweet...sweet lady." Perhaps this was her only smile all day...remembering a woman that dedicated her life to this ministry...still touching hearts...still changing lives.
Many of the kids are wise beyond their years. Not sure where this will go...but Christopher (Teen Staff) started a blog...I found worth sharing: http://lifeandtestimoniesofchrisburton.blogspot.com/
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Just Kids
There is value in serving...there is self-worth...in serving. For so long...the kids at Christian Friendliness have been served. Given their neglect...their circumstances...do not misunderstand...they deserve it. However...they also need the chance to serve...to be valued...to have self-worth.
Chris and I are determined to change the mindset at the Rock Island Youth Center. When you feel like a charity case...there is a good chance that will mold you into one. We didn’t join CF to mold charity cases.
Last week...I heard them being called “Hoops kids” and it convicted me...the many times I call them “CF kids” or even “my CF kids”...I think it’s probably time we just let them be...kids.
Chris and I are determined to change the mindset at the Rock Island Youth Center. When you feel like a charity case...there is a good chance that will mold you into one. We didn’t join CF to mold charity cases.
Last week...I heard them being called “Hoops kids” and it convicted me...the many times I call them “CF kids” or even “my CF kids”...I think it’s probably time we just let them be...kids.
Monday, July 9, 2007
More Ovaltine Please
My mother...and my condo...make me a better Children's Director.
Some days it still amazes me that I moved to this place in Rock Island...before taking this position at CF. I couldn't have handpicked a better location for this ministry.
A pan of my mother's lasagna was burning a hole in my fridge. Far too much to eat alone as I would have tired of the leftovers by the third day. Hoops 4 Hope ended...as I pulled out of Rocky...my car turned right towards one of the housing complexes instead of left towards home. I drove through...and spotted a few of the regular CF girls...anybody hungry?
My phone rang after church today...it was Emily (wife of founder of Hoops 4 Hope).
Ever since Jabari returned from CF camp...he has wanted to go horseback riding. I've been trying to figure out how to accomplish this when they announce at Hoops 4 Hope they have a few sponsored spots for kids to go to a Christian horse camp.
"Brandy, you know how you recommended Jabari for the horse camp...well I have a spot for him...get him signed up...he leaves tomorrow."
...and he will in fact...leave tomorrow.
The kids are starting to blend into my every day routines...and it simply...fits. The first Girls of Grace night...the girls slid up to my breakfast bar..."we feel like we should be on a commercial...more Ovaltine please"...this time...it was more lasagna. :)
Some days it still amazes me that I moved to this place in Rock Island...before taking this position at CF. I couldn't have handpicked a better location for this ministry.
A pan of my mother's lasagna was burning a hole in my fridge. Far too much to eat alone as I would have tired of the leftovers by the third day. Hoops 4 Hope ended...as I pulled out of Rocky...my car turned right towards one of the housing complexes instead of left towards home. I drove through...and spotted a few of the regular CF girls...anybody hungry?
My phone rang after church today...it was Emily (wife of founder of Hoops 4 Hope).
Ever since Jabari returned from CF camp...he has wanted to go horseback riding. I've been trying to figure out how to accomplish this when they announce at Hoops 4 Hope they have a few sponsored spots for kids to go to a Christian horse camp.
"Brandy, you know how you recommended Jabari for the horse camp...well I have a spot for him...get him signed up...he leaves tomorrow."
...and he will in fact...leave tomorrow.
The kids are starting to blend into my every day routines...and it simply...fits. The first Girls of Grace night...the girls slid up to my breakfast bar..."we feel like we should be on a commercial...more Ovaltine please"...this time...it was more lasagna. :)
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