Monday, December 31, 2007

My last post of 2007


A few of the teen girls at the Christmas Party


Amazing Kitchen Girls for the Christmas Party


Pastor Mike Getting Down at the Block Party

So I thought it would be fitting to write a final entry of 2007. This is the year, God opened amazing doors for me sent even more amazing people into my life and finally allowed for the opportunity for the deepest desires of my heart to finally play out in "real life." If it hadn't been for the Mayors Office letting me down in the spring who knows where I'd be today.

It all started that amazing day in May when I decided to find out what Metro Kidz was all about for myself. I met Pastor Mike Kemper who has changed my life in so many ways. June God allowed my biggest dream (at the time) to come true, He provided the space, money, people and resources to pull off one of the biggest events ever, and something I'd been dreaming about since I returned home from Tampa Bay almost six years ago, a block party in the inner city, a celebration in a neighborhood that needs love and grace like you wouldn't believe. This day was more amazing than I ever imagined it could have been, it's because of the people God has blessed my life with to help me pull off these crazy events. When I think about this day my eyes still well up with tears of Joy and I get goosebumps...this was a day that will NEVER leave my heart.

Fast forward a few months, to the day that Pastor Mike told me I could take over, run and coordinate the Metro Kidz program. My ears couldn't believe it, I've been coordinating the program for almost six months and I've been at Charm City for almost a year. I can't believe it. We've had the first ever Metro Kidz Charm City Sock Hop, which was a success and more fun than you could have EVER imagined! November we served close to 250 people in a little more than two hours at the annual Charm City Thanksgiving dinner, when once again God blessed me with amazing friends who joined us, served with us, and got to be a part of something Big happening at Charm City. That night friends were made, God was shown in huge ways and at least one person came to know the Lord. There was fellowship like none other.

Then there's December, in which life got a little crazy for me, but God was so good and allowed the Christmas Party to be an amazing success even though I lost almost two weeks of planning and coordinating. We had near 300 kids come through our doors that night and at least 45 volunteers from all over the place, and once again God rocked our worlds. We were able to show God's love in a huge way to kids and families from the neighborhood. We were able to connect with people we've never met before and allow them to experience only a litte of what Charm City is all about.

As I close out 2007, I am so grateful that God has allowed me these opportunties, has given me a place to live out the dreams, desires and burdens of my heart, that He has blessed me with such a huge support system of friends who are willing to step out on faith with me and who pray with and for me. I am so lucky!

So I leave you with some with one prayer, that 2008 would continue to be amazing and God will continue to pour blessings over this Ministry :)!

Thank you Friends and Readers for making 2007 so Great!

1 comment:

Vickie said...

Colleen,

I am so proud of you! So blessed by the Lord to see Him working out your dreams...I think that these dreams are His and He has actually been waiting for someone to say, "Lord, what are the dreams that you have and what can I do to see some of those dreams come true?"

Just like Moses, Colleen, you are a friend of God. Girl, you bless my socks off! 2008 will be AMAZING!!!!!!!!

xoxoxo...vickie