Just an Update
I haven't been sending out just basic updates very often, but I think I will start trying to do that more often...as much as I know you all enjoy reading my insightful ponders ;) ha..
Things have been a bit different around Jeff Street lately. Money is no longer a huge issue (it's always an issue...just not as large at the moment) with all of the churches that have stepped up to help Jeff Street in this time. My home church, Southeast Christian, has made some amazing contributions which is always great to hear...though I'm not sure that they ever sent a support check for me to the Hope program...so, I wish they would do that. :)
Things are also different with the Hope team. Due to some unfortunate, but God-willed events, there are now only 5 Hope team members (vs. 6). Lately it has felt like there are just 4 of us with our youngest member Caleb out each weekend. He is off getting scholarships at various colleges (he's kinda smart...or at least is good at pretending he is...ha). With just Darrell and I much of the time, it has been nice to see the two of us get a bit closer...while also being sure to still annoy each other consistently - though he would claim that I am more annoying...that might be true.
Lately we have been trying to re-establish our focus. It's funny, there was never a "refocus" meeting or anything, it just seems to be a common conviction amongst the Hope team right now to really get back into things. Caleb is having a hard time I think, just not being able to be here. It's hard to be split between the present and the future...but I suppose the future is the present before you know it, so you should try to be prepared...at least if that's where God's pulling you!
Anyways, we are trying to remember that we are here as urban missionaries. We are here with the direct purpose of spreading the gospel. It is easy to get caught up in the task aspect of our work. It is easy to get caught up in thinking this is just another job. It is easy to go through the motions and forget to learn about the people. We are trying to avoid that.
Jefferson Street Baptist Center is going through a state of change and transformation. As we came on as the largest full year hope team we were following right behind a new director and a new program. We have seen a lot of people come and go. We have seen a major shift in the ministry of Jeff Street. We have seen a change in the basic mission statement. We have seen a change in the board of directors. We have seen a change in the hours and style of operation. There are new requirments and expectations for the program. ...EVERYTHING is different. From the time we started up until this point there has been constant change.
So of course, the Hope program has been changing somewhat to. It has been confusing at best as we have tried to transorm along with the program. To re-think the way we go about ministering and to re-strategize as we have a new kind of client living in our building.
It has been a little bit frustrating to try to figure things out. We have been very close to alone in the process of transformation - as the transformation is also affecting the jobs of the regular staff. As they try to relearn their positions, it is hard for them to focus on helping us transition in ours.
I think, however; that we now have a good grip on things and perhaps that is the reason we are wanting to "refocus" right now to take advantage of that. It is time to get out of the mindset of tasks, and getting settled, and figuring things out, and to dig much deeper in the relationship aspect that we are here for.
This is not to say that relationships have not been formed. I have developed some amazing friendships while I have been here thus far. However, the friendships do not go as deep as I would hope. And they do not have the strong foundation that a true friendship needs to have.
Here are some basic things I want to do:
Get to know some of my aquaintences on a more personal level.
Become more compassionate towards the struggles expressed by guests and believe more deeply in the power of prayer. Display this by praying with them more often. Be more proactive in collecting prayer requests.
Be more consistent in asking myself, "How can I best serve both God and people, in this moment?"
There are more things...so much more...but I want to get this posted, so I will get to them later. Thanks for reading and praying. I appreciate you!
Things have been a bit different around Jeff Street lately. Money is no longer a huge issue (it's always an issue...just not as large at the moment) with all of the churches that have stepped up to help Jeff Street in this time. My home church, Southeast Christian, has made some amazing contributions which is always great to hear...though I'm not sure that they ever sent a support check for me to the Hope program...so, I wish they would do that. :)
Things are also different with the Hope team. Due to some unfortunate, but God-willed events, there are now only 5 Hope team members (vs. 6). Lately it has felt like there are just 4 of us with our youngest member Caleb out each weekend. He is off getting scholarships at various colleges (he's kinda smart...or at least is good at pretending he is...ha). With just Darrell and I much of the time, it has been nice to see the two of us get a bit closer...while also being sure to still annoy each other consistently - though he would claim that I am more annoying...that might be true.
Lately we have been trying to re-establish our focus. It's funny, there was never a "refocus" meeting or anything, it just seems to be a common conviction amongst the Hope team right now to really get back into things. Caleb is having a hard time I think, just not being able to be here. It's hard to be split between the present and the future...but I suppose the future is the present before you know it, so you should try to be prepared...at least if that's where God's pulling you!
Anyways, we are trying to remember that we are here as urban missionaries. We are here with the direct purpose of spreading the gospel. It is easy to get caught up in the task aspect of our work. It is easy to get caught up in thinking this is just another job. It is easy to go through the motions and forget to learn about the people. We are trying to avoid that.
Jefferson Street Baptist Center is going through a state of change and transformation. As we came on as the largest full year hope team we were following right behind a new director and a new program. We have seen a lot of people come and go. We have seen a major shift in the ministry of Jeff Street. We have seen a change in the basic mission statement. We have seen a change in the board of directors. We have seen a change in the hours and style of operation. There are new requirments and expectations for the program. ...EVERYTHING is different. From the time we started up until this point there has been constant change.
So of course, the Hope program has been changing somewhat to. It has been confusing at best as we have tried to transorm along with the program. To re-think the way we go about ministering and to re-strategize as we have a new kind of client living in our building.
It has been a little bit frustrating to try to figure things out. We have been very close to alone in the process of transformation - as the transformation is also affecting the jobs of the regular staff. As they try to relearn their positions, it is hard for them to focus on helping us transition in ours.
I think, however; that we now have a good grip on things and perhaps that is the reason we are wanting to "refocus" right now to take advantage of that. It is time to get out of the mindset of tasks, and getting settled, and figuring things out, and to dig much deeper in the relationship aspect that we are here for.
This is not to say that relationships have not been formed. I have developed some amazing friendships while I have been here thus far. However, the friendships do not go as deep as I would hope. And they do not have the strong foundation that a true friendship needs to have.
Here are some basic things I want to do:
Get to know some of my aquaintences on a more personal level.
Become more compassionate towards the struggles expressed by guests and believe more deeply in the power of prayer. Display this by praying with them more often. Be more proactive in collecting prayer requests.
Be more consistent in asking myself, "How can I best serve both God and people, in this moment?"
There are more things...so much more...but I want to get this posted, so I will get to them later. Thanks for reading and praying. I appreciate you!
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