Inner City Missions Experiences

The Time has come!

2009-06-15T16:23:00.002-04:00

Hey friends,
The time has come we're doing our best to consolidate sites, so my blog will now be a part of the official MetroKidz website, you can find it here www.metrokidzbaltimore.org! So if you access my blog through a reader then please update your pages! This will be the last post that you'll see here :)!

-Colleen

New Journey...Block Party...Joy

2009-06-14T07:31:00.003-04:00

Good Morning friends! I thought I would send a quick update and let you all know what's going on around MetroKidz and in my crazy life! Thursday was a bittersweet day for me, it ended my year and a half stint as a nanny for the most wonderful twin boys and sweet three year old girl. Several months ago I felt God calling me to trust Him completely and step out on faith to serve Southwest Baltimore and the kids that God continues to place in my life, to be completely sold out for His calling on my life, and the neighborhood in which I serve. I would be lying if I didn't tell you I am scared to death! Because I am! Very very much so! However, I am also overwhelmed with excitement and joy and thoughts of the unknown. Not that my nanny job was the same everyday, but there was some sort of comfort in knowing that things would be somewhat similar day to day, there was a routine...with this new journey there are so many unknowns.

However, this summer my dreams are coming true we'll host a program daily kids will be in our building everyday for at least two hours a day, getting loved on and trained, we'll be ministering to God's people in our neighborhood, and I'll get to spend day in and day out at the church, loving those that others find it hard to love. In the fall, I will be in the schools that my kids attend, I'll be serving on the school improvement committee for Samuel B. Morse Elementary and I'll get to dive deeper into the system we're working with. I am EXCITED!

We're less than two weeks away from the Block Party, its so odd for me because usually by this time so much has been done, that I don't know what to do with myself and overwhelmed with Joy...this year it's less than two weeks away and I am not going to lie not much has happened...it's a little scary, but this year the circumstances have been a little different, and I've found myself spread all over the place. The good news is, that I know God is faithful and every year we have a wonderful successful event, and this year is not going to be ANY different! If you're interested in helping with this years party please visit www.baltimoreblockparty.com

I am finding much joy in the time I am getting to spend with the kids, whether it's out in the street playing ball with them, having lunch with them, inviting them to the church to play games in the middle of a hot day or just a phone call, the grace and love I'm experiencing is like nothing else in the world and is something I wouldn't trade for anything!!! I'm thanking God for the ability to be able to experience everyday with these kids, I'm thanking the people who God has called to believe in what I am doing and who are investing into me and these kids through their volunteer and financial support. Thank you friends!!

Today was a VERY special day!

2009-06-07T22:09:00.002-04:00

Today was such a special MetroKidz day, two of our kids graduated high school! This was such a sweet sweet day and to be included in such a special day in their lives was so rewarding! Watching their mother get so excited about seeing her babies graduate...I am so lucky to be able to be a part of such intimate special moments in my kids lives. Tonight I go to bed thanking God for that!!!

Pics to come!

True Ministry...

2009-05-13T15:20:00.004-04:00

Several weeks ago, God really laid it on my heart that I should be spending less time planning and more time moving, meaning I need to really be outside more with my kids, really truly getting into the core of their lives. That's been happening, sometimes it's good, sometimes it bad and sometimes I've cried until I can't cry anymore tears, each time I've learned something new about myself and about my kids, each time I've been able to relate or guide them to someone who can relate and help them. God has been continuing to pull me out the place of comfort I've found here and send me to edge some days. I've gotten to share hugs, laughter, tears of joy, tears of pain and tears of hurt with my kids and some of their families recently. It's taken it's toll on me, but each time I feel God pull me through and give me the strength to go on, even on the days where I feel like I can't do it anymore. I am so thankful that God pulls me through every time and even more thankful for the people that have been placed in my life to encourage me through the tough times!

The other night we were driving D&D home from MetroKidz and talking about graduation and the future and I let them know that if there were not enough tickets for their graduation I understood, their response was, "Mommy said you're getting a ticket, you're just as much involved in our lives as she is," and then again last night their mom said, "Wow, Ms. Colleen must love you a whole lot to..." It feels so nice to be recognized by a parents, and appreciated, especially after the week I've had with other parents.

Tonight at MetroKidz I am excited to share with the girls some of my personal testimony...and walk with the Lord, I am excited to share with them some of my life...in a more intimate and personal way.

Today I am thanking God for the opportunities he continues to present for us to Shine in Baltimore!

MK Sunday, Nebraska, Love w/out Boundaries and Prom!

2009-05-04T10:41:00.003-04:00

I should have updated this a week ago, but I just haven't had the chance to do so! Last weekend was MetroKidz Sunday, my kids (and volunteers) blew me away, people thought we'd rehearsed the morning with our kids, and we didn't they were just that good! Each class shared something, the teens read poems, and shared a letter with Pastor Mike. I was (am) so PROUD of them. That Sunday was probably one of the BEST days in ministry I have ever had, because it didn't just end after service, 16 of our kids, got to experience life outside of the neighborhood that day. A few of them joined several volunteers for lunch at Zella's, most of the girls went home with Pastor Mike and Ms. Karen, one of the boys got to practice driving, one got to go to a volunteers house and hang out and two of them went to the park and for ice cream.

The kids are still talking about how they got to experience life outside of the norm, and how much fun they had. It's such a refreshing thought to know these kids are excited about spending time with us in what's normal for us, but at the same time it breaks my heart to know that the things my friends and I take for granted are such a special treat for these kids. I thank God everyday for blessing me in ways that allow me to serve these kids.

This past Wednesday God blessed us with an amazing team of college students, who were so anxious to serve us. They did such an amazing job, leading worship, sharing their stories and really loving on our kids. Not only did they bless us that night, but they left us with a HUGE gift of sports equipment and fun stuff to enjoy this summer, some cool goodies for the MetroKidz store and some snacks for our kids! They left us feeling encouraged and loved! I can't wait to send them a thank you card, telling them how much they changed our lives this past week!

Over the past couple of weeks, I've felt so much love from my kids, it's sometimes overwhelming in a good way, I've experienced things with these kids that they've never experienced before, I listened to them get excited about Proms, graduations and summer college classes, I've watched three new boys become a part of the our MetroTeenz program and I've watched little kids run down the sidewalk to love me. Yesterday as I was sitting in Pastor Mike's sermon I felt such a burden and I couldn't hold back the tears anymore, one of the teens came over and put their arms around me and just hugged me and told me how much they loved me...being in this ministry and this place where God has called me is not a right or a privilege but an honor. I am so glad that I can love these kids and they love me, I feel like I am the luckiest girl in all the land, when I am surrounded by these kids!

This Friday four of our kids are going to prom! I don't know who is more excited them or me! I am so excited to take pictures, spend the evening taking them out for dessert after prom and seeing them all dolled up! I'll post pictures!!! Promise!

Prayers:
Ms. Karen and Pastor Mike Kidney Swap May 12th
Finances for Summer!
More volunteers for MetroKidz!

Thanks for praying for us!

Photo: Cierra

Volunteer Profile: Ms. Melissa

2009-04-20T20:29:00.004-04:00

A little over a year ago when I met Melissa, I had no idea how God was going to bring us together, I had no idea that she would be serving side by side with me at MetroKidz and influencing not only the lives of the kids that we all love, but my life. Melissa is a great gift from God to our ministry, she brings with her a great sense of love, joy and creativity, that captures the minds and hearts of the fifth and sixth grade girls she leads. Melissa is not only watching her girls grow, but she is growing with them.

The time that Melissa devotes to her girls outside of Metrokidz, praying for them, shopping with them, taking them out to dinner, and making special gifts for them is amazing. Melissa walked into MetroKidz having no idea, what to expect and the impact that she would be making there. Her love for the kids, goes beyond the love for them in the church, but also into their homes as she makes a point to visit her girls once a month, as well as plan activities for them in her home. While Melissa is best known by the boys for her "mean walk," she is truly loved by all of the kids and staff at MetroKidz.

When Melissa is not hanging out in the 'hood with the kids, she can be found hanging out in the lab (she's a scientist!), going to runs, playing with her animals or finding the nearest beach! Melissa is a wife, a professional and a student (currently getting her PhD in Microbiology) and truly loves what she does!

Melissa says her favorite part of MetroKidz is, "the hugs and the excited yells of "Miss Melissa!" when I arrive at MK on Wednesdays. I love listening to the kids talk to each other and especially when they share their lives with me."

Things that we can join Melissa in Praying for:
-To be a stronger deeper Christian, to be a good wife and maybe someday a mother.
-That my research will one day help people around the world and improve their quality of life, and maybe reach the forgotten people of Africa and South America that live in deplorable conditions with no healthcare, no clean water, and no viable food source.

Cupcakes, the committment and love...

2009-04-16T11:12:00.003-04:00

Cupcakes
Finding a cupcake background for my blog, pretty much made my day and will make the day of the volunteers and kids who check out my blog! You see, a few okay several months ago, I acquired this nickname from some of the teens. A few of the kids missed the van on the way back from a field trip and I jammed them all into my car and drove them back to the neighborhood, as we were waiting at one of the stoplights, this young "gentleman" decided he thought it would be a good idea to try and get my phone number, he used several "lovely" words such as baby girl, beautiful etc. and finally out of his mouth came, "Hey cupcake..." and well the kids took it and ran with it, it has been one that has stuck, and I find myself acquiring more and more cupcake paraphenalia, including cupcakes pj's, a cupcake change purse, and I might even be adding a pair of cupcake shoes to the mix soon! I suppose I could be called worse names! I love it when the kids come to the church wearing something with cupcakes on it, they come running to find me...it's such a "sweet" term of endearment!

The committment
So a few months ago two of the teenagers who are dating, wrote each other a couple of notes on the back of their sermon notes and dropped them in the sanctuary, the first time I though it might have been an accident, but as it continued to happen I really think they wanted them to be found. These notes were extremely graphic about the lives that they were living outside of church, they were a cry for help, both of them openly admitted in these notes that they were living in sin and wanted to stop but didn't know how. Each time a note was found it was addressed, but finally after the last one, I decided something needed to happen, and I began to pray and invite people to pray with/for us. Pastor Mike and Ms. Nicole and I spent a few hours one night after MetroKidz talking to this couple about the importance of not living in sin within your relationship, but also about the dangers of sex, and the possibility of becoming teenage parents. There were many tears shed that night, tears of pain, tears of joy and tears of hope. It was almost three months ago, that we had this intervention.

I am happy to say that two Fridays ago, these kids took a vow, between themselves and God that they were going to stop having sex, that they were going to become pure again. Ms. Crystal and I celebrated with them, by taking them together to the Family Christian Store and purchasing them purity rings, we made it perfectly clear the importance of these rings, and that this was not a promise between them and us, each other or anyone but them and God. They were so excited. Afterwards, we took them to dinner and really had a time of bonding with these kids, opened up doors of opportunity to speak into their lives and have gained a new level of respect and trust with/from them.

I invite you to join me in prayer for them, because speaking from experience, I know that taking a vow of purity is NOT an easy thing to do. Their will be temptations, ups and downs and stumbling blocks all over the place. In fact these two teens have done a very good job of letting myself and Ms. Crystal know when they are feeling tempted, by texting us and asking us to join them in prayer. I am so proud of the two of them, and so thankful that God has allowed a difference to be made in their lives.

Love...Summer...
I find myself day after day, hour after hour and minute after minute falling more in love with my kids, it's an indescribable feeling, I love the way they come running from blocks away to hug me, I love the way they chase my car down Pratt Street, I love the way they call me at 2 a.m. to tell me what's going on in their lives, I love the way they know when something is wrong in my life or heart. I love the concern that they have for me, so much that 10 minutes after I drop them off at their door they are blowing up my cell phone with texts filled with love, and phone calls wanting to make sure I am okay. I love how when we drop them off at home and take a new way home, they call to make sure we made it back to the church safely. I love the fact these kids want to be with me every second I am in the neighborhood...

I am so excited that this summer, I will really be submerging myself into their lives almost on a 24/7 basis! I am so excited that I am giving up a path of stability, to walk into the darkness, not know what is in store for me to be able to sell myself out for these kids....for God and for this City...I am so honored and excited that God has chosen me...

Photo: Hanging out with the kids on PJ night, rocking my cupcake Pj's!

Building Bridges, Samuel F.B. Morse and Teen Night

2009-04-14T16:51:00.004-04:00

Before I even begin to update I must apologize, that it's been almost a month since I have updated. I started school, again last month and it took me a while to adjust to being in school, doing ministry and juggling my two nanny jobs! So I am back now and will do my best to keep regular updates posted!

Building Bridges
Saturday April 25th, marks the first ever Charm City/Grace Community Church Building Bridges partnership. I am so excited as there will be three significant projects taking place, including a community clean-up (cleaning several blocks around the church, and the elementary school, a Spring Clothing give-away and finally a painting project at Samuel F.B. Morse)! This is going to be an exciting time as we begin our summer theme (Community/Unity) a little early, our whole theme for the summer is uniting our community with The Church. But not only that it's a chance for people from Grace (my home church) to see what it is that they support on a monthly basis, through their missionary support, volunteers hours and other various ways they support me/the ministry here. If you're interested in getting involved in what's going on that day please feel free to contact me, or check out this link: http://www.uservecentral.com/TasteGrace_BuildingBridges.html!

Samuel F.B. Morse
Recently a partnership has been established with the local elementary school in our neighborhood, for me this is HUGE, not only because this is something that I have been dreaming and praying about, but because this is something that they've been hoping and praying for as well, and well since I'm back in school getting my elementary ed degree, it'll be a great resource for observations and student teaching and finally about half of my elementary school kids attend classes there! When I met with the mentor Principal, she couldn't have been more excited about what was about to happen there. It's already started with a few donations, we'll be painting their cafeteria next weekend and finally this summer we'll be hosting up to 40 of their kids for a summer school after-school program. This is just the beginning of what I feel will be a long lasting partnership.

Another reason why I am so excited about this partnership, is because I mentioned a few blogs back about how hard it is to find hope in the neighborhood. This is one of those places, where hope can be found. There are people in this building who work hours upon hours to give these kids hope, there are several principals who are working to give these kids a better education. When I walk through the door, I see a gloomy place filled with life and hope. I can't wait to be spending more time there.

Teen Night
This past weekend was our 2nd teen night, the teens meet two Fridays a month from 9-midnight, it's a safe place for them to be off the streets for a few hours. We give them a dose of God's love, break into small groups, feed them, and have open rec time. The first Friday we had 40 kids there, half of whom we'd never meet before and three of them are continuing to come on Wednesdays and at least one of them attended both Sunday school and Church on Sunday. It's been so much fun, to get to know these kids, get to know new volunteers and to spend time with the teenagers in a more relaxed atmosphere. I am excited to see what God is going to continue to do with this program.

Prayers:
-Pastor Mike and Ms. Karen Kidney Transplant May 12th, please keep them in prayer as they continue to prepare for this journey. The recovery time will be difficult for both of them.
-Please continue to keep our neighborhood in prayer as it has recently been revealed this could be one of the most violent summers within the last 10 years.
-We're continuing to pray for God to send laborers. We're still in need of several volunteers to be able to grow our program.
-We're praying for the weekend of the 25th/26th Building Bridges/MetroKidz Sunday all in one busy weekend!
-I'm still praying about summer support raising!

Thanks for joining us in prayer and supporting what we're doing!

Photo: One of our kids listening to a visiting Missions Team lead worship and Local Pastor Tally Wilgis!

Volunter Profile: Mr. Bryan

2009-03-05T21:15:00.002-05:00

Wow, where do I even begin, Bryan (and his wife) is one of the first people outside of my group of friends to step out and tell me that he (they) supported what I'm doing. I will never forget the first night I met Bryan, my life was changed. Originally he and his wife Melissa, agreed that they were going to support me a specific amount of money over the next year to year and a half, little did they know when we sat in the Starbucks on Dobbin Road, they were in it for the long haul!

A few weeks after our initial meeting Bryan and Melissa joined us on a Wednesday night, it was probably one of the more chaotic nights and just like I got tossed in right away, so did they, honestly I wasn't sure that they'd be back after that night. Much to my surprise, the very next week there they were! This was nearly a year and a half ago. Now he's a dedicated Metrokidz volunteer and official member of Charm City Church, serving in many leadership positions.

It has been with much joy that I have watched Bryan take a class full or wild, angry, but lovable group of young boys under his wing. The changes that have taken place in these boys is phenomenal. I had the opportunity to work with Bryan for a few months during a transition period and all I can say is WOW. Even on nights when the boys were "tuned out" they still walked away with something. A few months ago, Bryan probed his boys for things they had learned over the past year, and they listed every single last thing that he's taught them. His commitment to his boys is something to be modeled, every child gets a birthday gift, every child is prayed up and finally every boy who walks into his life, despite their faults, knows that they are loved and cared for without boundaries. Bryan is one in a million and I am so grateful to call him friend, and brother in Christ.

Bryan says his favorite part of MetroKidz is, "is seeing real long-term progress despite weekly set backs. For example, Jo and J were so angry when I first met them over a year-and-a-half ago. Now, they are reading their bibles, asking tough questions, and thinking about what they want to do when they grow up. On a week-to-week basis, it seems sometimes like no one is paying attention. Yet, when you start to ask them about the things they have learned over the past year, they remember all of it! Truly amazing. "

Outside of MetroKidz Bryan loves hanging out with his wife Melissa, spending time hiking, reading and taking photos. Bryan is also an avid Miami Dolphins fan and Syracuse Orange fan.

How we can pray for Bryan:
His prayer for his boys is that they can start to apply what they learn to their lives as opposed to just having the head knowledge.

He would like for God to continue to mold him into a man that is less dependent on self and more on Him.

Photo: Bryan and one of his boys at last years Spring Fling.

Hope...

2009-02-27T10:39:00.002-05:00

I heard a quote this week, that has stuck with me all week, "Being in Poverty is not just a lack of money or material things, but a lack of hope," I wish I could tell you who said, it but I don't remember his name. But as I was driving down the road and listening to this guy speak, I realized he's absolutely correct. The majority of people, kids, adults, families etc. who walk through the doors at Charm City, have lost hope, and really more than anything I want to give them hope, don't get me wrong, I am so sad that they don't have money, or homes some of them, but I am even more sad that they don't have the hope to go on.

This week I've had the opportunity to experience some of the reasons, why I believe the people of my neighborhood have lost hope, one of them being, that everywhere they go for help they get the run-around, "come back tomorrow, I need more documents, we're closing." When MA lost everything in a fire last weekend, she's been running all over town trying to get everything together so she can find a new place to live and start over, however she's getting every excuse in the book as to why she needs to wait just one more day. It's hard to find hope when the people who are supposed to be helping you get it together have a lack of hope for you.

My heart breaks when I have conversations with mothers and fathers whose kids come to MetroKidz and how I can hear in their tone, and words that they've lost hope, not only for themselves but also for their children. It's not fair that they have to walk with their heads down because they don't feel like there's anything worth looking at, it's not fair that they feel like the rest of the world looks down on them, but what's really not fair, is that they've lost ALL hope for their kids.

I pray for opportunities to be able to see a glimmer of hope in the eyes of one of my friends. This afternoon, I saw a glimmer of hope in the eyes of someone who I've fallen in love with, I love this person without boundaries, I pray that she'll be delivered from the things that are holding her back, I pray that someday she'll be able to love with out boundaries! This afternoon when I got to the church I got to spend a few precious moments with her, encouraging her and loving her, I asked her about school and she looked away, then told me she didn't think she could do it, but you see I know she can. She promised me she'd come talk to me about it next week, all I can do now is wait and hope that she does...but as I walked away, she thanked me and for one second I saw hope...

This glimmer of hope is what I want for all of my "friends" I want them all to start looking up, I want them all to start smiling, I want them all to continue to seek opportunities!

Will you join me in praying for hope for my neighborhood?

Volunteer Profile: Ms. Crystal

2009-02-25T06:31:00.004-05:00

So I've decided that I need to recognize the forces behind MetroKidz, so I am going to (or attempt to) introduce you to one volunteer a week, so this week, the lucky one is Ms. Crystal.

As you can see from the picture to your left, Crystal and I are one of a kind, when God crossed our paths several years ago, it was an answer to pray for both of us. He sent me my partner "in crime," and sent her someone who dreamed of the things she did and had a heart to get them done.

For years before God sent us to Charm City Church and the MetroKidz program, He sent us on an adventure, most Friday and Saturday nights you'd find Crystal and I driving the streets of Southwest Baltimore, praying for the people we encountered, the kids, the homeless people, the prostitutes and the drug dealers. We'd pray about the building we later found out was the previous home of Charm City Church. Neither one of us had any idea, that God was preparing us to serve Him in this community, but I think she'd agree with me when I say we are so thankful for where He has brought us.

Crystal is a ball of sunshine in the lives of our kids, she loves without boundaries, she's a wild and crazy as they are (see picture) and the Love of Jesus Christ shines through her. Since coming on as MetroKidz volunteer nothing has changed, you'll still find Crystal out on the streets playing with kids at midnight, praying with the lady on the corner who is so high she has no idea where she is or what she's doing and investing everything in her in these kids.

Crystal currently serves our junior kids (grades 1st-2nd grade), her class is not easy to lead, but she makes it look easy to an outsider looking in. She's dedicated to loving her kids both in and outside of Wednesday nights, she takes her weekly lessons above and beyond the minimum. Crystal's heart bears the burden of her kids and she spends hours of precious prayer time on her knees for these kids. She's not only a blessing to our kids but also to other volunteers, her smile and personality will light up a room when she walks in, and her heart for others is one in a million.

When Crystal is not out in the streets loving kids or serving at MetroKidz, you can find her loving kids in other places, Crystal is involved in Kid's Ministry at her home church, she works as an after school para at a school for autistic kids and finally she works full-time as a para-educator for emotionally disturbed kids. In her free time, she loves to scrapbook, spend time with her family and friends and put her photography skills to use.

How can we pray for Crystal:
*We can pray for Crystal's class, that they continue to seek the presence of God in their lives and that she'll continue to be a shining example in their lives.

*We can pray that she knows what a blessing she is to our MetroKidz team and personally in our of lives and we can pray that God continues to bless her.

Thank you Ms. Crystal for your love and dedication to my MetroKidz and my life personally!

It's a Miracle, Abe Lincoln and New volunteers

2009-02-20T12:04:00.004-05:00

I really do intend to be better about updating my blog, but I find myself overwhelmed when I sit down to write because there's so much I want to write about and I don't even know where to begin! So here it goes!

A Miracle:
A few weeks ago, one of our girls mothers came to us and told us that she was pregnant again, the problem is she already has one child in foster care and she's only 16. It broke my heart to hear this, but what broke my heart even more is that this child who was pregnant wanted to have an abortion, she made this decision even after four couples stepped up and were willing to take full custody of this child after it was born. Ms. Karen and I spent several hours praying for and counseling this child. She told us that she had already made up her mind and there was nothing we could do to changer her mind, so I just decided that I would continue to pray for her and for Divine Intervention in her life.

Well Sunday, my prayers were answered, she decided to keep the baby, we've not worked out the details yet, of whether or not she's keeping the baby or she's giving the baby up for adoption. But this is such a blessing...

Abe Lincoln:
Last Wednesday Abe Lincoln, visited MetroKidz, I know what you're thinking, but it's true! See the picture above! Abe visited us last year and the kids loved it, so he actually called us about coming back this year. Brother T, comes and shares the story of Abe Lincoln with the kids and all about his life, and then he opens the floor up for questions, whether they are about Abe or about his personal life, he entertains all of them, he also encourages them in ways that I don't even think he realizes. At the end of the night kids get quizzed on what they learned and get prizes. Brother T (Abe) is such an encouragement to us, and we are so thankful for him!

DD's/Corner:
So today as I was coming into the church I saw the local police, questioning some of my friends, I love these kids, I've said this before and I will continue to say it, but I wish I could just go and yank them from the corners and help them see the opportunities that await them. I watched with sad eyes as the police questioned one child after another, and then ended up taking three of them in the squad cars, tears ran down my eyes, my heart broke and I wanted to just yank them out of the cars and love them. I know that these kids are lost and broken and I don't want to give up hope on them, I want to pray for them, love them and encourage them.

New Volunteers:
I am so excited, in the last week we've acquired a few new volunteers for my Teen Program and I am so excited! They are dedicated, compassionate and loving individuals, who are so excited to serve with us. I can't wait for them to get started, and for the teens to have their own program!

What We're Praying for:
*M.A. home caught on fire on Sunday, they lost everything, she's homeless again. We're praying that her name gets moved up on the housing list and that she'll have a place to live soon.
*We're continuing to pray for Pastor Mike and Ms. Karen as they prepare for Kidney surgery
*I'm personally praying for more financial support so that I can continue to work in Southwest Baltimore.

Block Party, Love Night and Visiting Kids

2009-02-10T10:15:00.002-05:00

This weekend I was sitting around with some of my team members and we tossed around the idea of having a themed block party this year, we decided we'd give it a whirl! After last summer I had thought that having a block party wasn't in the future for this summer...but a few months ago I realized that not having a block party wasn't in the future. The Block Party is next to the Christmas Party our biggest outreach of the year. I am so excited to begin the planning process, my goal is to have a whole "Block Party" week doing mini outreaches (such as a movie night, water night on the lot etc) inviting the community to join us and getting them revved up for the weekend! I'm already revved up.

Tomorrow night we celebrate our 2nd annual Love Night, it's a whole night dedicated to loving our kids, writing them letters, poems, songs,making them a special and sharing stories about loving them. We spend the whole night just loving our kids, and then hype them up on sugar (that's nothing out of the ordinary) and send them home! I am VERY excited this year, because I have some amazing stories about love that come from our kids, I can't wait to remind them of them. This year a Fusion Bible Study partnered with us, and put together treat bags (with fresh baked cookies) for the kids.

This weekend we went on our monthly visit to see kids, it was an exciting morning, everywhere we went people knew where we were coming from. People encouraged us, helped us and allowed us to speak into their lives. We gathered kids on our walk through the neighborhood, and hosted a pizza/rec party at the church. We had a handful of kids come and it was fantastic!

What we're Praying for This week:
*"A" she's one of our teen girls, who's planning to have an abortion, we're praying for God to do a divine intervention in her life. And for her to allow someone to adopt her unborn child.

*Pastor Mike/Ms. Karen as they prepare for Kidney Transplant surgery, I'll update when we know the specific dates.

*The Gagne's Baby to turn before birth in March.

Thanks friends!

Police Meeting, TLT and Prayers

2009-02-06T07:54:00.002-05:00

There was a special community meeting held in the Southwestern District this week, involving community members and members of the SWD police force, I was able to attend alone with two of the teens from our TLT(Teen Leadership Team). I will say that I feel like the meeting was successful and if nothing else comes out if other than two of my teens have a new found respect for some of the officers in our neighborhood, then I am happy! I hope their new found respect becomes contagious to the other kids. Because I think this week, I've instilled in them that the ways of the police may not always be right, and we might sometimes be let down, but they are still working to protect our neighboorhoods and they still deserve our respect.

I felt that the meeting was fruitful because the officers really listened to our concerns, answered the teens questions to the best of their knowledge and got to be a voice outside of their commander on Tuesday. I am pleased and while I don't want to get my hopes up too high, I really feel like there could be some changes in our relationship with them coming.

So our TLT is taking off, I've writing before that I am SO excited about these teens that have stepped up and out of their groups of friends to be a part of something BIG! This week, we had our first official meeting and these kids are ready to serve their hearts out. They are so excited about serving not only within their community but also outside of it.

Wednesday evening we began planning our first event for the junior kids, they had great ideas as and we eventually voted on one that won't be too hard to pull off!

I hope you'll join me in praying for these ten teens who are going to soar, who I have so much confidience in and who I am so excited that God has put in my life!

So we have a few other requests this week as well:

We're praying for a teen girl, who's considering an abortion, we're praying that God provides a divine intervention. That she will see that he has a plan for this child and this child is/was not an accident.

We're praying for February 15th as we invite our congregation/kids to invite their family, friends and foes to church for the day. We're planning a celebration of love followed with a dessert reception. We're praying that God works in the hearts of the guests we'll have that day.

Finally we're praising God for continuing to amaze us everyday, by the people he places in our paths, we're so thankful for friends, supporters and most of all the people God sends to us.

Thanks friends!

Hope...

2009-01-27T16:01:00.002-05:00

I've been thinking about this entry for over a week, and I've started to write a multitude of times and finally today, I think it's time. I've written in my blogs a few times about the DD's in my neighborhood, well I have been able to establish pretty significant relationships with some of them. I've also been able to establish a form of trust with them and an understanding that dealing against the church building is unacceptable. I love these kids with everything in me, a couple of weeks ago I couldn't sleep and I really felt like I should go to the church, so I came and I just spent some time in the sanctuary praying.

As I was leaving I heard, "Hey Miz Colleen, you're not even going to acknowledge us," in my head I was thinking about how it was the wee hours of the morning and I should just get in safe car and go home, but in my heart I knew I had to acknowledge these boys. Boy am I ever glad I did, I had the opportunity to tell them about the hope I have in them and how much I believe in them, even when they don't believe in themselves or have hope in themselves that I did. It was such a great conversation and I was really taken aback by the words that God had given me to reach these boys.

Well fast forward to last week and one of the boys who I had this conversation with came running up to me and told me that he believed in hope, and that he thought he was finding hope within himself and he was so excited about getting his GED and attempting to get out of the dealing. I have so much hope in this young man, I desire nothing more than for him to succeed. Would you join me in praying for "J"?

I have challenged him to join us at Charm City for our Teen program, I've referred him to Coil, and I've told him that if he's willing to do the work we've got an entire body of people ready to love and support him. I am so excited about the potential this young man has!

Thanks for praying with me!

Praying for a father and his kids

2009-01-19T00:19:00.002-05:00

This evening before I headed to Fusion, I picked up some of my favorite kids and took them to Pastor Mike's house so they could watch football and hang out. When I picked them up, there dad came out and greeted me. The first thing out of his mouth, "Hey ma'am, how are my kids doing? They doing alright?" He genuinely wanted to know how his kids were, the sad part is it that I truly believe this daddy wants to be a good daddy, but he doesn't know how. It breaks my heart.

The next thing out of his mouth, was thank you, thank you for loving my family, thank you for loving my kids and thank you for being here today. There is a lot going on within this family and with this daddy. I am praying so hard for him, and for his kids. There's a good chance he'll spend the next 10-15 years away from his children. There's a good chance he won't see his kids continue down the successful paths they are headed down.

Tonight as I think about them, my eyes well up with tears, these kids love their dad, even in all of the chaos and through all of his faults. The girls told me tonight that they knew their daddy is saved, but they don't know about their mom and they are praying for her.

Will you join those girls in prayer for their mom? That she may take comfort in the promises that God has for her life?

Will you join me in prayer for these kids and their daddy? Will you join me in praying for this mom, that if her husband indeed has to go away for 10-15 years, that she'll be strong and continue to care for her kids in the proper way. And finally will you pray with me that these kids will continue down the paths of success they are headed down, regardless of the chaos taking place in their home?

Teaching How to R.A.P. and Let Christ work

2009-01-15T14:42:00.002-05:00

All I can say about last night is WOW! The class I have been serving in lately is a combined class of 3-6th grade boys, unfortunately it's sad to have such a wide age gap, but fortunately they work together very well, well last night I taught the class and it was so rewarding! Last week Bryan asked the boys to tell us what they'd like to learn about this year, a few of the boys mentioned prayer and I couldn't help but think about the RAP talk I had given a few years ago, and how I so much wanted to share it with the boys! So that's right last night I taught the boys how to RAP!

Now, I know what you might be thinking, no I didn't Rap, I thought about it, but my creative juices just wouldn't let me, so instead I taught them how to (R) Repent (A) Ask (P) Pray. Repent their sins, ask for forgiveness and then pray and thank God for his forgiveness. I was actually very surprised at two things, one who alert and in tune they were and two how excited they were too look up verses. These boys are amazing, they have been blessed with an amazing leader (Bryan) and now co-leader (Mat), these boys are going to continue to soar!

In other exciting news one of my other amazing leaders (Ms. Crystal) got to see what a difference her investment is making in the lives of her class last night. Crystal leads our 1/2nd grade class, full of the cutest, most talkative kids you'll ever meet, however last night she said her class was amazing and the proceeded to tell me why :)! Last night two of her kids gave their lives to Christ! These are two boys, who I know that Crystal has lifted up in prayer. I am so happy for her and for these boys. I am so excited to watch them grow in Christ and be an example for the rest of their class.

Please join me in prayer for all of our kids, that they'll let Christ in, that we'll be able to watch them grow in Christ and that they'll all be great examples of who Christ is!

Did you know....

2009-01-13T22:33:00.006-05:00

That a recent survey says that only 38.5% of highschoolers in Baltimore City, graduate? We are number four on the list for lowest graduation rates, with Detroit being the worst with a 25% graduation rate. Another interesting fact is that the suburbs surrounding Baltimore City have an 85% graduation rate. The highest rate Baltimore City has seen within the last 10 years is 47%.

These rates make me sick to my stomach! However, I am happy to tell you that the three seniors I have in my progam, are graduating this Spring and on time. I pray for these boys, I beg for God to reveal a plan to these boys, that they will see there's something bigger out there for them if they just continue to seek and chase. I know that at least one of them has a dream to go onto college and possibly play ball. The other two dream and have potential but they need motivation. I pray that God sends positive males into their lives to motivate them and help them stay on the right track.

I think they key to success in all three of these boys, is community involvement, parental involvement and motivation from outside sources. One of these boys comes from an extremely dysfuctional home, where there is a lot of abuse (physical, mental and severe drug abuse by the father) but the one thing that is a priority in their household is doing well in school, in fact a few years ago there father was voted Father of the Year at one of the schools for his involvement in their education. The other two boys come from a family, where their mother is EXTREMELY involved, in fact she's one of the only parents who's ever said thank you to us for what we're doing with her boys, and told us that it's partly because of us that they are were they are. I've taken these three boys to Saturday school on several occasions for so that they could get extra help, or study time.

I smile from ear to ear because I am SO proud of them, and have told them that I will be the crazy white lady screaming as loud as I possibly can when they get there diplomas this spring! I hope you'll join me in praying for these three boys, that they can keep plugging along for the next few months and that I can continue to motivate and encourage them along the way :)!

Photo: One of my graduating Seniors!

Post-visiting Kids

2009-01-12T08:55:00.003-05:00

If there's one thing that I've done in the past few months that seems to have greatly benefited my team and I, it's plan visiting days we had our very first one this Saturday. The core group of junior teachers, met at the church, prayed and then ventured out to visit some of our kids homes. We decided that even though it was bitter cold we decided we would walk to all of our kids homes, all of them live within a few blocks radius of the church. Spending time in our families homes is such a rewarding experience next stop was Ms. J's house, she has four kids in our program two young boys who need a lot of love and attention, and two older girls who also desire that same love and attention. Ms. J also has a special needs child A who we need to constantly keep in prayer, he's losing weight at a very rapid weight and unfortunately doesn't really have the weight to spare, he's 16 years old wheelchair bound and at most weighs 70lbs.

Next stop was Furrow St. it's a small street in Southwest Baltimore, that is very desolate most of the homes on the street are boarded up and abandon, there's not much activity on the streets during the day, but at night it become a totally different place, one that I fear for my kids who live on this street. We visited two families on this street, this was such a rewarding experience for us, not just because we got to visit our kids in their homes, but also because we got to bond as a team and spend time together. We spent the whole morning/early afternoon together as a team, laughing, enjoying a meal together and growing. I am excited for more opportunities to grow like this as a team.

Visiting Kids!

2009-01-09T11:15:00.002-05:00

This weekend is the first time we're meeting as a group to spend two solid hours visiting our kids in their homes. I am so excited to do this as a group! Visiting our kids outside of MetroKidz is a way for us to reach beyond them and into their families. On the few visits I've been on in the past I've been welcomed by most parents, but there are a few parents who don't care where their kids are on Wednesday nights, they don't care that we love them or what we're teaching their kids, those parents break my heart. There's also some unknown with visiting our kids, we never know what we're going to get when we go to their homes, we work with kids who live with prostitutes as moms, drug dealer daddies and gang members, so tomorrow as we're visiting our kids, I pray for opportunities to speak into the lives of these people, to love them regardless of the situation and for God to allow amazing conversations to happen. Thanks for praying with us/for us!

Operation Christmas Kidz, Playing Santa and local DD's

2008-12-26T09:28:00.007-05:00

A little over a week ago we held our Christmas party, it was a super fun, but crazy night, you literally could not walk through the sanctuary there were people from door to door and there were about 150-200 people we had to turn away at the door. I looked out among the crowd that night and I saw the people I love from several different walks of life, the city, Grace and a few other places, and realized that God really has placed me exactly in the midst of my dreams. I am so thankful for that.

The night was a huge success, albeit a little (okay maybe a lot) chaotic, the kids were for the most part extremely grateful and good, and I think only a few people who shouldn't have gotten gifts managed to make it off with one or two. Brothers N' Christ joined us and were amazing as usual I love the connection that we've made with them, and am so excited for the summer so they can join us again.

I can think of a few things that we might want to do differently next year, but I would call this year a success.

Playing Santa:
This year, I got the awesome opportunity to deliver gifts to several families that regularly attend MetroKidz, some of the homes I visited are ones I had never been to before and they broke my heart. It gave me some true insight to why some of my kids are the way they are. As I left each house, I prayed for each of these families that we were reaching out too. I prayed that God would provide opportunities for us to work in their homes, touch their families, not just the kids a couple of times a week. The last house I went to was a big surprise I had been waiting for, I got to take a bike to one of our most faithful little girls, her mom cried, she cried and I cried, I got to pray with her and her mom. The day I spent delivering the Gifts God really revealed so much to me, I am so excited for the changes God has planned for us.

Local DD's:
A few weeks ago, I was getting out of my car and was approached by some new DD's hanging out on my corner, I guess they thought I needed to be hooked up, from across the street, I heard, "are you crazy she's the church lady." I looked over and smiled...I've prayed for a relationship with these boys, and God is allowing me slowly to form one. About a week or so later, I was carrying stuff into the church and I asked these same boys for help, they wouldn't help me carry things in but they would watch the stuff in my car, I thought to myself, they'll either steal my car, steal the stuff or watch it, and they did they stood there and made sure no one took anything out of it. The boys from across the street yelled at them and told them they were jerks for not helping me, it made me smile and think to myself, the relationships are forming. Thank you Lord for protecting me, but allowing me to have these opportunities and for helping to form relationships.

Up Next:
The Friday Night Thing

There are lessons to be learned, Operation Christmas Kidz, and one Special Teen

2008-12-17T08:51:00.005-05:00

I never thought that this (inner city ministry) would be easy, but I never realized all of the lessons I would be taught along the way. I'm not perfect in fact on a regular basis, I have a bad attitude when things don't go the way I planned, the most important lesson God is teaching me, is this is not about ME and this is not about MY plans, but about what HE has planned for me, for my team and for the community in which we're serving. This has been a hard lesson for me to learn and I admit that sometimes I still let my attitude and my pride get in the way of what God wants to happen! It's in times when I let my attitude get in the way that God uses the people around me to show me that it's not about what I want or have planned. I am so thankful that God has put people on my ministry team to love me through times like this.

Another important lesson that God has been teaching me is flexibility, things are not always going to go the way we imagine or want them too, and this goes along with this is not about us or me, it's about what God wants to happen. There are times when I spend hours plan an entire night and God has planned something totally opposite, a few months ago this would have a been a HUGE issue for me and sometimes it still is, but this is another one of those little (BIG) lessons God is teaching me. I have to admit, this is something I've struggled with for a VERY long time and am so thankful for this lesson.

So tonight is Operation Christmas Kidz (read: MetroKidz Christmas Party), it's a lot of work, and a little bit of a stressful night, but at the end of the night it's so worth it!! It's a little up in the air as to how many kids will be there tonight, but last year there were a couple of hundred, this year there was SO much more advertising, and a website directing people to our event. But tonight is going to be awesome, if you're reading this and aren't able to be with us tonight, then please pray for tonight. I am expecting God to do something BIG tonight. My prayer is that the kids, leave feeling loved, but also knowing that Christmas is about WAY more than the gift we're giving them as they walk out the door. I am also pleased to have Brothers N' Christ performing tonight, which will be a special treat/surprise for the kids, they REALLY enjoy them when they come in the summer, so this will be awesome!

So I'd like to end this blog with some good news, a few months ago, I wrote about N.P. one of our teens, who struggled, who would come to MetroKidz and have to be put out every week, we called the police on him at least once a night. I and most of the others on our team have been praying for him, have been investing in him and loving him. I am so happy to share with you, that there has been a TOTAL transformation in this teen, I get excited to see him on Wednesdays, he's a servant now, and he's willing to go out on a limb. He's not perfect, but no one is :)!

This week/past weekend alone, I've seen him do things that leave me praising God, this weekend he helped M.A. move her belongings from the garage to her home, that's a few blocks away from the church, they didn't have a moving truck, or really anyone to help, but N.P. was there and honestly he's one of the only teens who worked and he worked his tail off, making numerous trips back and forth. But the best thing happened last night and it is when I realized God really is working in this teen, it was freezing rain, there weren't many people there, but N.P. and a friend came into the building, his friend got frustrated after a few minutes and was ready to go N.P. looked at his friend and said, ah man you can go I am staying for prayer, he did JUST that, he stayed, offered words of encouragement to a man who'd come in in off the streets and told us he needed some encouragement. I am more excited than ever to love on this kid, to continue to watch him grow and continue to invest in him.

I am thanking God today for working in his heart, for allowing amazing people to be put in his life to love him and for his maturity within the last few months.

Thanks for praying with us!

Photo: N.P., Ms. Colleen and T.T. at Corn Maze this past October

In case you need a reminder...

2008-12-11T22:50:00.002-05:00

God provides blessings and oversees miracles. For a few months now we've been praying for a financial miracle to happen, so we could close on the building we're currently in, it's been a long hard road. Yesterday we found out that today would be closing, yesterday morning we were $7250 short, as of 9:30 last night we were $5800. Well friends, God provided a miracle and today at 4 p.m. we went to closing, and after all these months of praying and asking God to provide a miracle, we finally own our building.

Now we can move forward with some of our plans, that came to a halt a few months ago! It also feels like a huge burden has been removed...

So for those of you who've prayed with us, cried with us and helped make this miracle happen with us, thank you!

Field Trip, Things I take for Granted and A Prayer Request!

2008-12-08T17:41:00.002-05:00

Last Wednesday was one I won't forget for a while, we had the opportunity to load up all of our junior kids, Pre-K-6th grade and take them on a field trip. We went to the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department were we not only got to view the beautiful train garden, but we also got a VERY special inside look at the fire station, our friend Chuck, gave us the grand tour. The kids got to play with the equipment, climb up in fire engines, rescue squads and ambulances, for most of them this was the first time they'd ever been in a fire station. They also got to watch Fireman Dan slide down the pole! Ms. Connie divided us into two gr0ups and the first group toured the train garden and the second the station and then we switched. I am SO proud of my kids, they were recieving compliments left and right about how well behaved they were and how much chaos was expected out of my kids, and how impressed she was that MY kids from the inner city were more well behaved than the local boyscouts! She reminded me more than one time that I needed to tell me kids how impressed she and the other older workers of the garden were with them because she was sure they were only told about the negative behaviors, she's right most of the time people point out what they are doing bad, so I praised my kids and am still praising them for their behavior on Wednesday night.

As we were driving to the Firehouse on Wednesday night we passed several homes that were decorated for Christmas, they were beautiful, the two boys who were riding in the backseat were in awe of the beautiful lights and one of them commented softly that this was something he wouldn't see were he lived. It really made me realize how much I (we) take for granted. He was right there aren't many home in the "ghetto" decked out with holiday decorations, in fact most of the kids are lucky to have a tree in their home.

So this holiday season as your enjoying the sounds of the seasons, the sights of the season and the tastes of the season, please take a minute to pray for these precious families, for these kids who get excited about a few lights on a house.

This weekend I hosted a holiday party at my house for my volunteers, it was a reminder of how lucky I am about the people that God has sent to be a part of our ministry. It was also a reminder of how God has provided me with a loving local Christian family, people I can laugh with, people I can cry with and people who share a similar burden to mine. I am SO thankful for them!

So with that being said, I have a specific prayer request about a ministry that God has laid on my heart...one that I've been praying about and one that I am asking (okay begging) God to send a seperate team to serve with me in this new ministry. So here are the details, I hope you'll begin to pray with me, for the people, the opportunities, the team and the resources to make this happen.

As I mentioned for few months I've been praying about this new ministry and asking God to give me direction, wisdom and patience, but also for him to send a team of people to work with me on this, I really have a desire to open the church two Friday nights a month, to allow the kids 12 and up to come and enjoy a few hours of safety, love and fun. We could do some Praise and Worship together, share testimonies, play games, have snacks etc. This is something that God has REALLY been pushing me to do more and more lately, and I think there are a few people who are getting excited about it with me. This is something I would REALLY like and God has really been speaking to me about starting in January. So will you please join me in prayer about this, it's going to take some people with a real desire and heart to do this, there are some people I know who can't serve on Wed. nights but desire to help us here who I've asked to pray as well. And the more I see our "rec room" type atmosphere growing upstairs, the more God is making it clear to me that this is something he really desires! So yeah...I'm excited, nervous and anxious for God to make it 100% clear as to when this should happen!

So if you're interested in knowing more about what this ministry looks like, or serving on a Friday Night team, 6-8 hours a month, please contact me colleen@metrokidzbaltimore.org

Thanks friends!

Thanksgiving, Upcoming Events and one special Kid

2008-12-01T11:21:00.003-05:00

Wow, is about all I can say about Thanksgiving at Charm City, for the FIRST time ever, we had more volunteers than we knew what to do with. It was an interesting night, in that not as many people came to be served as last year. I don't know what was different this year, we advertised just as much as we did last year if not more. A part of me wonders if because of the amount of violence that is happening in our neighborhood is on the rise, if people are just not coming out. Some people who come and see us every week for food weren't even there. However, the people who came and the volunteers who came, all reported that they had an enjoyable time!

I also heard from two reliable sources that they prayed with people to accept Christ, that makes my heart SO very happy! The night was about loving our neighbors, especially the ones who were just walking through the door for the first time and letting them know we are not just a Sunday church on the corner, but we want to help them, reach out to them and love them, no matter what their status is. I think it worked :)!

Because most of the people who came on Wednesday all brought food there was a ton of food left over, enough that we were able to feed a host of homeless people throughout the city and also have food leftover to feed the neighborhood after church yesterday. What a blessing! This thanksgiving I had so much to be thankful for, but I was (am) most thankful that God has put me in this place, to meet amazing people from the volunteers to the people we serve.

So with one holiday down we quickly move into the Holiday season at Metro Kidz, the junior kids kick off our holiday season this week, with a field trip the Arbutus Train Garden, then it's a wrapping party on the 13th to wrap all the gifts for our BIG Christmas Party on the 17th! I am very excited for the Christmas Party this year, even though everything is happening all at once! Please keep an eye out on the facebook page and the blog on ways that you can help make this a special night!

Finally, I would like to ask you to pray for a kid who has been on my heart for a few days, we'll call her "A". This child is someone who lives in a chaotic home, her mother is not around 90% of the time and the other people who are living in the home are "caring" for her. She's the most precious little girl I've ever met, she has an attitude sometimes and I mean really can you blame her? I see her interactions with people that love on her, and her face lights up and she smiles so big I can't help but hope for something better for her. I hope you'll join me in praying for her!

Thanks friends!

Thanksgiving Eve

2008-11-21T17:39:00.001-05:00

In place of Metro Kidz on November 26th we'll be serving our community a proper Thanksgiving meal. For some of these people it's the only Thanksgiving meal they'll partake in. Last year we served close to 300 people! So we need all the hands we can get!

You can serve in the kitchen, man the door, greet people, help carry plates and drinks, sit at tables and mingle or just be crowd control!

This a perfect opportunity to serve with small groups or families!

There are also ways to help before the dinner that day if you're interested in those please contact Colleen Smith (443) 874-2085 or colleen@metrokidzbaltimore.org

So you say you can't make it? That's okay, there's other ways to help, you can donate food for the event! We'll need everything from Frozen Turkeys to Pumpkin pies and everything in the middle!

Please pray about how you can help make this Thanksgiving special for some people in need!

Time and Place
Date:	Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Time:	5:30pm - 9:00pm
Location:	Charm City Church
Street:	2001 Frederick Ave.
City/Town:	Baltimore, MD

I'm praising God for....

2008-11-10T07:37:00.005-05:00

Yesterday at Charm City we talked about praise and worship, the morning started off with Pastor Mike leaving the mic open for five minutes and people could go and publicly praise him for whatever they felt led too. It was such a beautiful sight, there was a guy who went forward who admitted it was the first time that he'd talked to God in a long time and the words he spoke were beautiful, others were praising God for their families, for nature and a couple our new friends from Virginia thanked God for letting them be a part of what was happening there yesterday.

The service continued we shared testimonies, we worshiped, we praised him, Pastor Mike gave an awesome sermon. The service went on for 2.5 hours yesterday and it was probably one of the best 2.5 hours of my life. At the end of the service Julia played the piano softly and Pastor Mike started on one side of the room and we all praised God for something. Again, people were praising him for life, people were praising him for friends, for family, for love...someone praised God for not forgetting her, by sending a beautiful part of nature across her path that morning. As you can imagine most of us couldn't contain our tears at this point. Finally we reached the side of the room where the kids were sitting, J thanked God for his mother, N.P. thanked God for the people who loved him, L thanked God for the breath that comes out of his mouth, R thanked God that she got to live another day and for the people who love her, two more boys thanked God for their mother.

As we continued to praise God I realized my kids really are thankful that they wake up another day, they really are thankful that they've been spared another murder, another beating that they've been given another day and another chance. Something that I can't fathom having to worry about on a daily, hourly basis.

While, I won't forget any of these praises there are two that really stick out in my mind, from two teenagers, one of them said, "I am thanking God that I am not on the streets, getting involved in the things the other kids are getting into." This is a kid who's been a part of Charm City and what Pastor Mike has been doing for seven years now, he'll graduate high school this year, I pray and beg God that this child will make it, that he'll continue to see that getting involved in the ways of the street are not the life for him. I pray that he'll make wise choices concerning his future plans and that he'll continue to seek God in everything he does.

The second praise that really got to me and everyone else, was from C.G., she was provided with a wonderful opportunity last week to spend a few days in Ocean City, she was attending a convention that could potentially reward her with a scholarship to college. She was thankful for that opportunity but even more thankful that for the first time in her life she got to experience one of God's beautiful creations, the ocean. She said as she stood there and looked out over the ocean she could not believe that this was something God created, for her, for you, for me, for us. These are things that some of us take for granted for C.G., who knows if she'll ever walk on the beach again, but I too thank God she was given the chance.

It was so amazing to hear people praising God yesterday, but it was also very convicting to realize all of the things that I don't remember to thank God for, like being able to walk, talk, see, hear, having a car to drive, a home to live in. We were challenged yesterday to see if for the rest of November we could wake up and immediately remember to Thank God for something, and make it a habit, I've started off well...are you up for the challenge?

How in the World did I get here?!

2008-11-09T22:36:00.003-05:00

Pastor Mike asked me last night to share my testimony at church this morning, it was a little nerve wracking to do it with such short notice, but I feel like God really used it today. I decided I would share it with you guys so here it is:

So we all have a story every single on of us in this room, and the neat thing is that none of our stories are the same, they are similar but NOT the same. I've always thought it is so cool how the Lord knows our stories ever before us, and NO ONE else on this earth shares the same story that I do. So I am going to share MY story with you.

As a little girl I grew up in a home with an addict for a father, imagine all of the things you can be addicted too that can mess up your life and my father dabbled there, sex, drugs, alcohol, gambling, you name it. I remember the times my father would come home from a binge and beat my mother, brothers and I until we were black and blue, I remember the times that I looked at my wrong or even asked a question, he would send me flying across the room, I remember the awful ER trips from broken bones and busted ear drums, I remember being held down on a bed as my fathers brother sexually abused me. This might not be the story you expected to hear from me, but it's mine.

My parents were Sunday Christians, meaning that if my dad wasn't hung over my mom would dress us in our Sunday best and off we went to church, when I was seven all of my friends were getting "saved" at my private Christian school and so I thought that was the right thing to do, so I got "saved" too. I went home beaming that day, I was saved, so my life was going to be perfect. WRONG, my home was still a mess, my father was still an addict, my mother, brothers and I were were still getting abused.

As time went on and I got older, I began to question God, God if YOU are so great and my life is supposed to be so perfect, then why isn't my family perfect, why do I keep getting hurt by my dad, why are my parents getting divorced and why is my mother shipping us off to be raised by my grandparents? About the age of 13 I decided I didn't want to be a Christian anymore, I stopped asking to go to church on Sundays, stopped reading my bible and didn't want to even acknowledge that He existed.

I spent the next few years of my life going through the motions, something was missing from my life and I knew but I didn't care. I had a few Christian friends who would invited me to church or youth group activities but I was mad at God and didn't want anything to do with Him. Fast forward a few years, I went off to college still wandering around, lost, missing something. The dorm I lived in was flooded with girls who loved Jesus, girls who would constantly tell me they were praying for me and invite me to church. I finally "caved" one day and went to church with them, but I felt so out of place, I didn't fit in I wasn't ready. I graduated from my two year school and off I went to University, it was a place where I thought all my trouble were going to go away but not in the way that they should. I ended up drunk every night, I stopped going to class and I accepted all the male attention I could get, because I lacked it from my father

Finally in 2001 I woke up, I moved away from Kansas, came to MD and decided it was time to figure out my life, I decided I was ready to give church and God another chance, I found the first church I could and submerged myself, I was being discipled by the pastor's wife, I loved her, I loved the attention and I loved learning about God, however I woke up one day and realized that I didn't fit in, in that church and I set off for the perfect place again. That's when I met my friend Gadget, I will never forget the day I walked in to Grace, he met me at the early service a few days before Christmas and I never looked back. Through him I met amazing friends who became my Christian Family, I began to get involved in children's ministry, began to see that my life had purpose, got even more excited about Jesus and felt truly loved for the first time in a long time.

At this point in my life I was beginning to believe again, and was reguarly attending church, but I hadn't really begun living for the Lord. It wasn't until I began serving in Light Company (a youth ministry) that I really gave it all to the Lord and decided that I needed to not just walk the Christian walk but, I needed to live it. So on a retreat when the kids were praying that prayer of salvation, I found myself praying it as well. I will never forget how my life changed...I began serving with a servants heart, not because I thought it was the “cool” thing to do, I began to pray and ask God to guide me, to take over my life and heart and I began to seek out opportunities to share my testimony, spread God's love and tell people all about how He was life changing.

I went on missions trips and found my calling to work in the inner city. I spent four years praying for God to send me an opportunity to serve in the inner city. Through that time I met Crystal, who’s been my cheerleader, my sister in Christ and my best friend, the one who prayed for this with me, cried with me and finally rejoiced with me when we met Pastor Mike and Company. A year and a half ago, we found Charm City, I found the place where God intends for me to watch the dreams He’s given me become a reality. I’ve found a love for people that I never knew I had and finally, my life has been changed because of many of you.

As I look back on my life, I never thought I would be here, proclaiming publicly my love for Jesus, living my life for Him and serving as a missionary. I know without Him and my relationship with Him I would not be where I am today. And I know that as I continue to walk down the path of life, I am NEVER going at it alone.

Prayer Requests:
Please pray for a wheelchair for Anthony, I am attempting to find one for him tomorrow!
Pray for opportunities this week to Praise Him with others, to share my story and to love on others!
Pray that if my story touched one of my girls today, or struck something in her, that she would reach out and I could help her through the pain.

The Baltimoreproject.com

2008-11-07T18:20:00.005-05:00

Several months ago, I received a phone call from Tally Willgis, a church planter in Virginia Beach, who had stumbled across my blog, and my cell phone number that I had accidentally posted, he wasted no time getting in touch with me and then scheduling a visit to come and check out MetroKidz and Charm City. I was intrigued by his heart, his story and his ambition to see changes happen in a city, he'd left behind several years before. I wanted and needed to know more, he had a story, one that he could relate to the people we work with a Charm City, grew up with a single mom in the Baltimore Projects. I was impressed, impressed with his story, impressed with his heart for a ministry he knew little about and impressed with his ambition to do something more for inner city ministries like ours.

Tally spent several hours with us on a Wednesday night and has not stopped encouraging us, providing us with resources, people and love. When he left that night he assured us that he'd be back in some capactiy, a few months later, Tally rallied people from several different ministries and churches to come and hear about what we were doing in Southwest Baltimore, shortly after that I recieved a phone call that he'd found a youth group to come and spend a weekend with us, he showed up this summer to our block party and hasn't stopped pursuing helping inner city churches.

Just a few weeks ago, Tally announced that he would be returning home to Baltimore, he has accepted an invitation by Embrace Baltimore and the SBC to return home to start church. Tally agreed to return home but with the desire to see his hometown transformed. The Baltimore Project is the result of this passion. Tally is concerned with addressing three main areas in our city: Generational Poverty, Generational Apathy and Spiritual Darkness. His very first task is to launch a new church called Captivate Church in Towson. If you're interested in knowing more about Tally's story you can follow him at www.TheBaltimoreProject.com and he blogs at www.tallywilgis.com

It is my prayer that Tally finds partners that see this passion in him, who are willing to give their lives to see this passion in Tally come alive. I pray that God would send people who are willing to help Tally help us! I pray for the right partners to click on the link above and know this is where they are supposed to help out. Finally, I not only pray for Tally and his family during this time, but I praise God for their obedience to step out of something comfortable and into something unknown, new and unique.

The hardest part is losing some one...

2008-10-25T21:46:00.005-04:00

So a few weeks ago we lost a friend, everyone called him "Pop," he was a feisty older man who was homeless, but lived with another friend in the neighborhood. Tomorrow we will remember and celebrate his life. He went into the hospital a few weeks ago. His story is similar to the others, he was an addict, homeless, had many illnesses and just couldn't go on anymore. He didn't have any local family and tracing down his family in South Carolina was not an easy task. The same day that Pop was admitted to the hospital he was put onto life support, he hung on for several weeks and then he left us. I loved Pop, he would come over to the church on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for bread bags. He'd hobble over on his crutches, the poor man could barely walk but he got where he needed to go when he needed to be there. Pop never came to the church on the day his ticket was for, he'd come opposite and cause a fuss in the kitchen, but with his sense of humor and his sweet laugh he'd warm your heart and all you could do was laugh and give him a bag.

My fondest memories of Pop came from the past few months, one day a couple of recliners appeared at the corner of Payson and Lemmon street and that's where Pop and his buddies would sit, day after day, I quickly decided I would make an effort to spend a few minutes with them each day! I laughed with them, prayed with them, explained to them why I hang out in the neighborhood and recently had a conversation about being single. I feel in love with the realness that I found in Pop, the way that whenever he saw me with my big bag, he'd holler across the street, "Ms. Colleen, you got something sweet for me hidin' in that bag." Somedays I had something and he was so grateful...his love for people even with his circumstances shined and was completly evident in the way he acted towards others and with his soft spoken nature.

Tomorrow as we remember Pop, I will tuck the memories of him I have away to remember who he was in my life. My heart breaks now when I look over and the recliners are missing and the guys aren't hanging out there. My heart breaks when I see his friends wandering around looking lost. My heart breaks knowing there was no family to give him the proper burial service and my heart breaks even more because I never took the time to find out if Pop was going to heaven or not...I would like to believe in my heart that he did, but I won't know until I get there. I've been wondering the past few weeks, why it was that with all of the conversations we had, that was never one of them. I know I can't dwell on this, but I will continue to pray that someday I see Pop again!

2008-10-22T05:43:00.003-04:00

Our Adventures Part 2

Loves of my life!

Pastor Mike encouraging and being encouraged! Please pray for this beautiful woman!

They think they're cute!

Pastor Mike and Eric, we love Eric to pieces!

K.P. pretty much makes our days brighter :)!

Corn Maze Pictures

2008-10-22T05:34:00.003-04:00

As promised here are some pictures from some of our adventures!
Pastor Mike thought we should take a group pic for his new perfume line!

These kids are what make my world go round!

Sometimes they just think I am one of them!

There has to be room for a bible or a Miss Colleen between dating couples!

Pastor Mike giving a Smore's making lesson to a bunch of kids who've never made smore's!

You can take em' out of the city...

2008-10-20T18:04:00.003-04:00

Wow, it's been a few weeks of fun at MK and I can't wait to post pictures! But for now here are a few highlights of the things that have been happening at Metro Kidz

* Last Wednesday we surprised Pastor Mike with a 'Night of Love' for Pastor Appreciation month, the kids have spent the last two weeks, making books, quilts, boxes, frames and even writing a song for Pastor Mike. He was so encouraged and felt really loved...the night ended with a pizza and cupcake dinner in his honor which was a special treat for all of the kids.

*About a week and a half ago I met Bob Wright from CSTM (Center for Short Term Missions) it was extremely unplanned, but extremely awesome. We met about bringing a missions team from Virginia to Charm City for a day in November. This past week I met the youth pastor Lance Overstreet and one of his trip leaders Dave. I took them on a short walk through the neighborhood and introduced them to some of my kids. We're so excited for them to come back and visit us in a couple of weeks!

*Saturday night we took 12 teens out to the country! You can take the kids out of the city, but you can't take the city out of the kids! The people out there in Walkersville and Thurmont, MD probably have no idea what hit them! There were a few highlights of the night, getting lost in the maze, teaching teenagers who've never in their life made smore's how to do it and then watching them get excited about roasting marshmallows by the fire. Honestly, I haven't laughed so much in a long time. It was a GREAT night, and lots of great memories were made with the kids and Pastor Mike.

*Sunday was our Fall Church Picnic, at Patapsco State Park, it is always a lot of fun, but yesterday was even more special because we got to encourage Pastor Mike some more with encouragement stones...and a bulb to plant, so that whenever it blooms he'll remember how much we love him. Then we spent the day enjoying awesome testimonies, wonderful food and amazing fellowship! I got to spend time with this woman "M" who I have fall in love with and whom I feel so encouraged by. I am so excited to get to know her even more.

*I've had the opportunity to spend sometime outside of Metro Kidz with some of my kids and I just realize more and more what a great opportunity God has presented before me and I am just so excited about the opportunities he continues to place in front of me

It's just a matter of time...

2008-10-09T09:55:00.002-04:00

This has been a hard week at Metro Kidz, five shootings in a matter of minutes within just a few miles of the church, leaving two people connected to us dead. My heart broke on Monday night when I heard about these shootings, and didn't really know what I would walk into when i met the kids last night. As they walked through the doors, specifically the teens I could tell they were all carrying a burden and had heavy hearts. One of the boys looked at me and told me about his cousin and then said, "You know Miss Colleen, it's only a matter of time before it's one of us." My heart broke right then and there, I didn't really know what my response was supposed to be, and I had to fight back the tears. It breaks my heart that my kids are walking around thinking about how their lives could end in an instant.

Aside from the heavy feeling that was lingering over us last night, I have reason to believe that last night was one of the BEST nights at Metro Kidz, I watched as six junior classes came together and worked diligently to meet a deadline and it was quiet, and each group was working together as a team as they should. The teen helpers were in there classes and we're actually doing a wonderful job of being a part of what was happening. I later heard from Pastor Mike that last night each of the teens boys were in tune with what was going on, asking good questions and really paying attention to what was happening. Mat has been doing a great job of helping Pastor Mike and I am so excited that he's joined our team!

So there are a few things that we are praying for this week:

Sunday is Friend Day we're praying for the friends that are going to be joining us, for the first time! That God will work in them and that we'll be able to reach out to them in the most effective way.

We're playing for the Jones' family, their family members lost their home in a fire recently and they've been living together, so there are 9+ people living in the same home and it's been stressful on the family.

I'm praying for our teenagers that they'll be protected in this war that is happening in our neighborhood and city right now.

thanks friends!

Prayer-Shootings

2008-10-07T09:29:00.002-04:00

Good morning friends! I have a huge update planned but for now, I'd like to post a quick update asking for prayer, there were 5 total shootings last night in S.W. Baltimore within a few blocks of the church, they've not released the names of the victims yet, but I know that we all have heavy hearts so if you could pray for our M.K. workers, our kids and our neighborhood, we'd appreciate that!

Thanks guys!

Tuesday Night Prayer, exciting news and October!

2008-09-24T05:31:00.003-04:00

Every Tuesday night a group of us gets together at the church and prays, we pray for everything our program, our people, the people we are (and are trying too) reach, personal requests everything under the sun. Some nights it'll just be a small group of regulars while other nights some people wander in off the street and join us. A few weeks ago "M" wandered in, he was a man who was addicted to alcohol and a few other things, he broke my heart, I had actually met him the Friday before and when I met him then he could barely function. When he came in really disrup prayer, but while Bruce was praying for this man he was convicted of something he had done and he made it right. I've been praying for this specific man everyday I can only hope that something changes in him for the Longterm.

So I finally got my meeting with our district commander yesterday and it was awesome, I felt like if anyone is going to get something done in our neighborhood, it'll be him and the Neighborhood Services Director. Honestly this is the first time that I have had a meeting at the Police Department and I've felt like I have been heard and encouraged. I promised them that I would be holding them accountable for the things they've said that they would do. So we shall see, but I am hoping and praying that finally things will be looking up for us!

So last night we had our COR meeting and I realized this month is packed with loads of fun stuff! Which means there are MANY opportunities for YOU to help out, below I have a wish list of things we need for our Fall Fest, if you're interested in donating something or helping out please contact me at colleen@metrokidzbaltimore.org. There are also many other exciting things going in this month so if you'd like more details please let me know as well.

We're looking for a few good volunteers to help up with our Metro Kidz Fall Festival on October 29th! You can either join us the night of the event and help with various activities or donate some of the items on our fall festival wish list! The event will start at 7 p.m. but a few people who could come early to help set-up would be good and we always meet at 6:30 for prayer! We should be cleaned up at out the door no LATER than 9:30 p.m.

The Wish List Includes:
Volunteers
Bags of Candy (individually wrapped)
Scarecrows
Mini Pumpkins
Cookies
Bails of Hay
Apples and Buckets for Apple Bobbing
Any other fall themed decorations you might have lying around you might want to let us borrow :)!

Thanks friends!

Everyday brings a new adventure

2008-09-19T18:11:00.003-04:00

So for the past three weeks there's been this heavy spirit around us, us being MetroKidz workers, Charm City families, our kids and our neighborhood. Oddly ( or not oddly) enough the crime in our area has been getting worse. I've heard person after person tell me that they are afraid to come out of their house after a specific time, my favorite little neighbor doesn't sit outside anymore and the block looks so empty without him.

As I think about these people I love, having to fear for their life not just on a daily basis but on an hourly basis, I feel a little guilty that while I am here submerged everyday, that at night I get to go home to my safe warm home, full of love and food. My heart mostly breaks for my kids, most of them are not here by choice, but by chance...my prayer is one that you've heard before and that is constant, but that they'll see there is something more for them waiting out there. They need to dream, they need to envision their future, they need to run (I don't encourage my kids to run away from their problems) but I want them to run to God to chase the dreams they have. I want them to know that they can be delivered from this place, they are currently stuck in.

I spent sometime talking with a neighborhood mom last week and she fears so much for her childs life, she's one of the ones who is trying so hard to get out of this cycle, this place that has turned into a war zone. She will she is determined, she is determined to provide a safe place for her daughter to live, she's determined to escape war. She's determined to provide a place for her daughter to be able to play outside, explore and discover. It's story after story like these that break my heart.

Friday evening as I was waiting for some friends to arrive at the church for an event, I spent some time with T/S two young girls I met last month, I've invited them to come to Metro Kidz a few times, but they haven't yet, I am not giving up on them though. These girls have shared with me in the few brief conversations that we've had their fears, their dreams, the things that make them happy and the things that make them sad. One of the girls said to me on Friday, "Ms. Colleen, I am scared to walk here most days because of the guys on the corner (the guys she's referring to are some of our local d.d's) I don't want them to ask me to help them." It broke my heart because this happens on such a consistent basis, in fact I see some of my kids getting caught up in this. I sent these girls a card in the mail yesterday encouraging them to join us on Wednesday, I really hope they will. They desire attention (positive) and love (unconditional), whenever I am outside they seek me out, I have fallen in love with them, and I want them to come and feel loved. So would you join me in prayer that God will provide safety for these girls and they'll feel safe enough to come and join us?

Would you also join me in prayer for Mr. T he's a local man who Aaron and I had the opportunity to pray with on Friday night, his prayers are so sincere, he wants so bad to get out of here, but people keep letting him down. I've been praying all weekend that God will make a way for this man, that he'll be able to get out. I see Mr. T wandering around sometimes like he's just looking for a place that's safe, he's a hard worker, I've seen him work, he loves people, he just struggles with addiction and has finally realized now is the time to get help. I just hope he does before it's too late.

A comedian in our crowd!

2008-09-07T09:11:00.005-04:00

Wednesday night, one of our teen boys stayed until 9:30 p.m. and cleaned the entire downstairs and then mopped up all the water from an overflowing toilet, T stood out from his friends that night, he let his servant side shine. He didn't complain, didn't ask for money for working his little tail off and was happy with an 8 pack of mini KitKats :)! The reward from him staying was much bigger than him cleaning and doing work that made our job easier that night, we actually got to spend one on one quality time with him.

We got to find out that he does want to go to college, and he does have dreams, he wants to go somewhere and do something. He's recently found a job and is true to going and making money. He helps his family out with some of the money he makes and the rest he uses for his needs. I am so proud of T, I can only pray that he'll be an example to the other kids around him.

Sunday I made a deal with him and some of the other boys that we'd have a study buddy program for this semester and see how it goes, but I laid down some rules one of them being that they had to let me know when they wanted to get together and they had to be true to actually getting there and participating. I am very excited about this though, I really think they are serious about it and I can't wait to watch them excel in school and go places!

The other deal that we made, was that if they got all A's and B's we'd do one of two things, we'd either have a pizza party together or I'd take them out to a nice dinner one at a time. We'll see how this goes :)!

I've been praying a lot for my teens boys who'll be graduating high school this year, I hope that you'll join me in praying for them. That they'll make wise decisions this year regarding school, their plans for the future and their social lives.

If you'd also pray this week for Pastor Mike as he continues to teach the teen boys about money, and financial matters. It's such a crucial time to teach them about budgeting and saving money so they can escape the neighborhood and the ways of the neighborhood!

Thanks friends!

The rewards....

2008-08-31T21:53:00.003-04:00

I've probably mentioned this before, but the best part of my job is not planning events, bible studies or making dinners for Wednesday nights, it's the fellowship I get to have with my kids outside of the church. It's the burger picnics, the little girls braiding my hair on the front steps, it's missing that catch when the boys throw the football to me in a pick up game of street ball, it's the voices telling me how much they love me, it's the excited look on a little boys face when he gets to run around with me.

Last night Ms. Crystal and I ventured into the neighborhood and we hung out with our kids in their territory, we let them do our hair, we threw the football with them, loved them and just had an all around good time with them!

Now for some pictures:

Praying for "MA", school, Kids

2008-08-27T05:57:00.002-04:00

My heart has been heavy for a few weeks now for a woman we'll call MA, MA is amazing, she's a recovering addict who's slipped back into her old habits, but before she could get too far in realized she needed help. She did all the work to get into a 30 day live in program and after a week, they told her that her insurance would not cover more than a week of treatment and off they sent her. This woman, is a mom, a grandmom, a friend, a servant and many other amazing things. When she walked through the doors a week after she left for help my heart dropped, I couldn't help but think she left the program because she wasn't ready, but that was the furthest thing from the truth.

MA wants help more than any other addict I have ever met, last night I noticed she was really upset and she and I had a real conversation, about life, what was going on in hers, what was going on in mine and we cried together embracing each other right there in front of the church. I look at this woman and while I know she has imperfections and struggles as we all do, I can't help but get on my knee's before God and beg for deliverance in her honor. I can't help but beg God to help her find the path of what's right. Last night I listened to her tell several people, I can't go on that street anymore, it gets me in trouble so if you want to see me you have to come to me. She wants help, so I ask you friends, please join me in prayer for MA. Would you please step up on her behalf and ask God to continue to bless her, continue to pull her in the right direction and continue to send people to rally around her?

I visited some of my kids on Monday, who've moved, I just wanted to find out how things were going, if they got settled in and if there was anything they needed, it was then I found out that none of them were going to school and that they'd be starting school because their parents spent all the money on their move, which they HAD to move, it wasn't an option not too. These kids don't have their uniforms, school supplies (which we'll remedy that part tonight) and other misc. things they need to start school. The truth of the matter is, they need to be in school, it breaks my heart no one is making them go, because I highly doubt they'd get in trouble for wearing last year's uniform if that's all they have. I pray that their mom and dad will wake up one day and realize they need to be setting better examples for these kids. Two of the six of them who live in the home currently are doing amazing and need to be in school to continue on that right path, in fact one of them who's a sophmore in high school has already gotten letters offering her scholarships to many colleges. I know I can't solve all of their problems, but I can pray for them and encourage them and do what I can to help meet their needs.

So before I go, I must brag on one of our kids, "J" this kid lacks enthusiasm most of the time, or has a hard time getting excited! However this kid is so faithful, hard-working and loving, he's recently saved and even more recently stepping out on faith to do amazing things! I found out recently his mother is dying of cancer and I pray to God that when she passes on someone takes this child (young man) in and continues to encourage and care for him in the ways he needs. For the past month or so this kid has been helping prepare an apartment for MA, he's shown up faithfully every weekend, never asked for money, never complained about what he's been asked to do and never let the people he's working with down. This child is hungry for love, hungry for jesus and hungry for approval. Last night I started talking with him about school, his family etc. and I got so excited listening to him get excited about something. Ah, I love these moments in minstry, the ones where you see some excel in ways you never imagined. While you're praying for MA, if you could toss up a prayer for "J" that would be awesome as well!

Thanks friends!

Praying for "M"

2008-08-13T09:16:00.003-04:00

Last nights prayer meeting is still weighing heavy on my heart this morning, there were some people there who I've never seen before, one of them I've been praying for since he left last night and the other family I was so excited to meet and can only hope they come back. But I would like to ask you to join me in prayer for "M." M is a 51 year old man, who cried out to the Lord last night, he opened his heart and became vulnerable to us, telling us that he's 16 years clean from heroin, but has relapsed into an alcohol addiction, he's been shot three times and survived to tell about (a miracle? I think so), he's got a beautiful family, including grandchildren and he wants so bad to be delivered. He confessed to know the Lord, but not to be glorifying him in his life. It broke my heart the way he felt about himself, but made me so excited that we were able to pray over him last night, lift him up and encourage him. I plan to continue to pray that he really follows through with his prayer and his cries.

I can't stop thinking about last nights prayer meeting, for a couple of reasons but mostly because I just felt like it was powerful and God was really moving last night!

So next week is the water fight, we're still in need of a few things:
If anyone has any water guns laying around that could be borrowed please let me know!
Water Balloons
Volunteers :)!

Thanks friends!

Oh, what a week!

2008-08-09T09:14:00.003-04:00

It seems like this week was never going to end, I've had an exciting week with some of my kids and even some breakthrough with others. On Tuesday I had a Whopper picnic with some of my kids, honestly this is probably my most favorite part of my job, I go buy a bunch a hamburgers and we sit and talk and eat together. I think this is the time when I am truly getting through to my kids because we're outside of the church and in their element. This week I talked a couple through a "break-up" that lasted all of a few hours, had a conversation with a couple of the girls about modesty and the guys about treating girls with respect. It times like that 45 minutes I took out of my day to be with them, that I feel like changes are being made in their lives.

Wednesday was the second week of teen leaders, some of them are really enjoying it and really applying themselves and really excelling at becoming leaders, I am so proud of them. Others, aren't taking responsibility for their jobs and actions. I tried to explain to a couple of them, that when you become a leader, you should show up on time, actually before Metro Kidz, you should report to the place you've been assigned and you shouldn't have an attitude. It was a great teaching opportunity, but ended in me having to send a couple of my kids home which broke my heart.

The other thing that is breaking my heart is not having a teen program, I know we're short people and I know we're incorporating the teens in downstairs, but I don't want to lose them. I know in God's time we'll be able to have the teen program again, and that right now He's working in them and us, but it breaks my heart when new teens come and we have to tell them that right now there's not a program for them. So I hope you'll join me in Prayer for 6 teen girl and 6 teen boy teachers to join us. This is an immediate need...I know God will work in the hearts of the right people when it's the right time, and we just have to be patient.

So I got some sad news this week, this little old lady I met a few weeks ago in a different part of inner city Baltimore and I had began a phone prayer relationship, her name was miss Gerty she was beautiful. She recently came to Christ, just within the last few weeks that I have known her actually, which is a complete and totally blessing, because Miss Gerty went home to be with Jesus this week. She was diagnosed just a few short weeks ago with HIV, became sick with pneumonia and was hospitalized earlier this week. On Wednesday Jesus took her Home. Miss Gerty asked me if I would pray with her the first time I met her and then asked me if I would take her phone number and call her once a week to pray, well once a week turned into a few times a week, she was becoming my best phone buddy, I told her earlier this week I would come and bring her dinner next week, and we could hang out, I am kind of sad that never happened. But I am thanking God that she did get saved and that my life was blessed with her friendship. She was the kind of woman that reminded you of your grandma.

My heart breaks, I never asked Miss Gerty how she became diagnosed with HIV but her daughter said to me in a phone conversation, I bet you think my mom was a junkie and this is how this happened, don't you? My eyes filled up with tears and I didn't know what to say to her, but if she was, it didn't matter to me. But the truth is Miss Gerty wasn't a junkie, wasn't out selling her body or doing anything like that, she was helping someone who was infected with HIV and contracted it. I'm praying for her daughter, that she'll find comfort in knowing her mom is in a better place and that'll she'll find peace at some point with all of this. I extended my email, phone number and friendship to her, I hope she'll utilize it at some point.

I didn't get my phone call from Ka'lil this week, but I was told to expect it early next week, I can't wait to update ya'll on how he's doing!

Some prayer requests before I go:

For the next few weeks, we have some amazing opportunities to reach out to people, for us to just let us be used by Him, for it not to be about us but about what He has planned for us.

For guidance with some of the teens, there are somethings that need to be addressed with some of them and I need wisdom and words.

For E, that she'll come around! I miss her and her beautiful smile.

Thanks for the love, prayers and support!

Safe Zone and Praying for "E"

2008-08-04T06:49:00.002-04:00

Good morning friends, so I thought I would send a quick update before I went off to work, one of my girls has been heavy on my heart lately, "E" I hope you'll join me in prayer for her. She comes from a family of 7 kids and a several grand babies that are being cared for by a single mother, I think she sometimes feels as one of the oldest living in the home, that she has to take on parental responsibilities and she gets lost in the shuffle. A few months ago when "E" walked into my life, it was normal for me to hear her laughing, being silly and smiling that beautiful smile of hers every chance she got, lately I can't get her to smile, she's carrying a large attitude with everyone including her friends, and I don't think she remembers what laughter is.

My heart is broken for this child, she's only 13 she's had to grow up so fast and she's losing her childhood, and I feel like I am losing her from Metro Kidz, these past few weeks I've felt like she's only been there because she feels like she has too, not because she wants too. I don't want to and can't lose this child, she's a prime candidate for letting herself get caught up in things that she shouldn't (i.e. prostitution, drugs etc.). I hope she'll see the love that I and other Metro Kidz volunteers have for her, but more importantly the love God has for her, even when she feels like know one cares of is there for her. The next few weeks, we're working on leadership with the teens and I really want to see her step up and become a leader, she's a leader by nature, I can tell. She has such a beautiful heart and soul, that is lost right now. I'm praying she'll come back, the "E" I met a few weeks ago, will you join me in praying for her?

It looks like Hollins St. and Payson St. are part of a two weeks safe zone through the Police Dept. and City, while I am grateful for this, and can imagine this is a VERY scary job for an officer to have to stand outside over night in the midst of chaos, I wonder what happens at the end of two weeks? The other night I was in the neighborhood late, and noticed a change in activity, however in 2-3 weeks when these officers go away, what happens? What's the follow up plan? I am anxious to get to the city today and see if we have officers 24 hours a day or just at night and I am anxious to chat with them and find out what the long-term plan is.

Well we're preparing for a busy month in August, don't forget if you're interested in helping out, to drop me and email at colleen@metrokidzbaltimore.org

oh and ps: I get to talk to "K" on the phone this week, I can't wait to post an update about him!

Thanks for the prayers, friends!

Needs for August!

2008-07-31T11:25:00.002-04:00

Hello Readers! So I thought maybe I should put out there some needs we have for August, we're going to have a SUPER fun month and invite you to email me at colleen@metrokidzbaltimore.org
If you're interested in coming to volunteer for an event.

Needs:
Water Balloons
Water Guns
Water Balloon Launchers
Buckets
Sprinklers ETC.
Volunteers to help with Water Fight Night (August 20th)
Someone to run grills for food that night
Volunteers to help with Back to School Night
School Supplies (Backpacks, pencils, pens, paper, etc)
Volunteers to make finger (kid friendly) desserts for that night

We're also praying for 6 people who have been called and have a heart to work with our teenagers, our teen program has been put on hold until we find people to help us out.

Please pray about joining us for one of these special events of donating something to help make the night a success!

"K" update

2008-07-30T10:20:00.002-04:00

So I am sure you all remember "K" the guy I met at Subway a few months ago who is now getting the help he needs to be delivered from the life he was leading? Well I have a few updates, one is he's doing well, he'll be coming home in about 3 months, his mom has been praying for and finally found a home outside of Baltimore City that she can afford so that when he comes home he won't be walking back into temptation. My heart has been so happy for this family and yesterday, I was encouraged in a way I never knew possible I started talking to these guys and we talked for a few minutes they told me a little bit about their lives, what their plans are, things they like to do etc. I had introduced myself to one of them but the rest were standing a little away from me, so as I went to walk away, one of them yelled after me, "Hey you're Miss Colleen right?" When I replied yes, he thanked me for helping out "K" and told me that they thanked God for getting their friend out of there, and I later found out that he was going to be murdered. God knew exactly what he was doing that day when our paths crossed. These boys have and maybe never will no idea how much they encouraged me yesterday.

So there are some pretty serious things going on in Metro Kidz and would like to invite you to pray with us, we're looking for at least six workers to work with our teens? This is a serious and immediate need, so we're praying that God will work in the hearts of six people how desire to work with teens and that they'll come forward and join us in ministry. Also please pray for the changes we are making within the classes that already exist, some teachers are moving around, some kids will be moved into new classes with new teachers. I am really excited about the future of Metro Kidz and the changes that are about to take place.

A few weeks ago, I did a home visit, I visted Ms. "D" and her family, Amanda our friend who was recently murdered lived with Ms. "D" it was nice because her kids were there and one of them in particular is asking questions and getting so excited about Jesus, so being in his home and listening to him talk about Jesus to the people around him make my heart so excited. He's such an amazing example for his family. I got to pray with Ms. "D" for peace about the murder of Amanda, for salvation for her Husband and for her to get back involved into church. I just continue to pray for this family, for peace, for salvation and for God to move in their home. I just met this family recently but my love for them has grown so much over the past few weeks and I'm so excited that her kids are starting to show up at Metro Kidz weekly and even more excited to see her in church on Sundays and last night she volunteered to help coordinate our clothing pantry and do a few other things around the church, God is really working in her life through Charm City.

Thanks guys for the prayers and encouragement! I am back on the mend now so hopefully, my blog won't be lonely :)!

Just an FYI

2008-07-19T22:39:00.001-04:00

I have been very sick and not around much but I promise when I start to feel better my blog will be back with some AMAZING stories and updates!!! I miss ya'll!

Colleen

Officer Young, My kids and praying for "strangers"

2008-07-03T15:59:00.003-04:00

I am really impressed with Officer Young, she came in last night, hung out, spent time talking with our kids and left a good impression on several of them. In fact a couple of the girls told me that they wouldn't mind spending more time with her, this is a first. Our kids have this bitter taste in their mouths for the local police and it is my dream for that to disappear and there be a relationship started that is positive. I believe that Officer Young is the one who will make sure this happens. She was so genuine and open, amazing is what I'd call her.

My kids also really impressed me last night, from their being open minded about having a police officer hanging out with us, to their attentiveness while Pastor Mike was real with them, to their questions (well most of them) for Eddie. After last night I feel like I know exactly how to pray for some of them, one of them in particular needs prayer and love and I could feel it through her questions, comments and actions. I've mentioned her in my previous blog, she's being sent away to stay with relatives for a few weeks, and I wish I could make that not happen. She really needs to be at Metro Kidz she's growing so much and I feel like taking her away right now would be such a bad thing, however, where's the line between home and MetroKidz? I don't think that it is my place to go and talk with her mom and tell her she's wrong, but I wish that I had a relationship with her family...this is just motivation for me to start one, because the reason her mom is sending her away is one that I am using to teach her. Ah, she's stealing my heart. I am so excited about being able to spend time with my kids this summer, get into their hearts and really truly invest in them. My goal is to spend two days a week working in my office and three days a week getting dirty in the "hood" with them. I can feel myself becoming to emotionally attached to them...ah I can't imagine life without these kids right now.

Last night as I was walking "I" and "S" home from MetroKidz I witnessed a mother screaming and verbally abusing her children, these girls had just left the church, I wanted so bad to stop their mom and talk with her to yell and her to scoop these precious girls up and bring them home with me. I walked around the corner and literally had to blink back the tears, my heart was breaking for those girls, knowing that they were going home to this, that this was the life they lived. I am so excited that they've decided to come to MetroKidz and that they can feel unconditional love for a least a few hours a week. My goal is to research where these girls come from and make it a point to spend time with them, personally invest in them and share my life with them. To love them to the ends of the earth and back. Last night as I was drifting off to sleep I just couldn't help but pray for these girls, I don't know their names or whose class they were in last night, but I am determined to find out.

So I'm begging you to join me in prayer for my precious Mr. George, he's going through some stuff right now, and not making the wisest choices. I see him falling even further away than he already is. I love him, I encourage him and I try to be that shining light in his life. I beg him to come to church with me, I go out of my way on Sundays to swing by his house and invite him to come with me. I've noticed a change in his attitude lately, and I want my Mr. George back!

So before I close a few other things you can pray about:

*We're still praying for a financial miracle so we can buy our building it's such a financial burden on the owner and we need to set him free from that.

*I'm praying for personal finances so I can phase out of my job and phase into full time ministry, I desire nothing more than to get an afterschool program started by the spring. I want my kids to have a safe place to come in the afternoons, a place that they can be loved everyday!

*We're praying for Ms. Karen's health, for a kidney match so that she'll get better!

*Finally, I am praying for "Sa" and "C" as they are away at college, that they'll continue to excel, that they'll understand the privilege this is for them and they'll see the opportunities that are awaiting them.

Thanks friends!

Blessed am I

2008-07-01T07:58:00.004-04:00

I really feel so blessed when I get to hang out with my kids outside of MetroKidz, Sunday evening Crystal and I found ourselves back in Southwest, imagine that...well the kids were outside doing what they do best "hangin'" and we got to spend a good deal of time with them. Including a trip to Mcdonald's to purchase 20 double cheeseburgers! These kids really know how to give it to me so that I'll do whatever they want :)! But in the grand scheme of things, $20 to buy double cheeseburgers for them is really nothing to me. And when they tell me they are hungry I truly believe that they are hungry and need food. And the opportunity to spend time with them, laughing, hearing their hearts and what's bothering them is more valuable than any penny, dollar or double cheeseburger!

Yesterday, I had the chance to hang out with them again, it was so much fun! J, D,DR,SH, and T and I all went to Mcdonalds where I treated them to double cheeseburgers (do you see a trend here) and ice cream sundaes, they were SO excited! These particular kids have stolen a little bit of my heart that I don't think I will ever get back.

In fact one of them is having some trouble at home is going to have to go away for a few weeks, to stay with relatives and my heart is aching. Mostly because I'm seeing life changes in this child and I feel like moving her to a different environment isn't so much going to be healthy for her. It's made me so excited to see her at church every Sunday, and at MetroKidz every Wednesday, things make her cry, good things that should make her cry, she confesses she's a sinner and struggles, she begs for attention and for accountability, she wants so much to love Jesus with everything in her and she's so so close! My hope is she doesn't stray away again. You can be praying for her, she's a very beautiful African American girl and boys flock to her, we recently had a conversation about how valuable her purity is, I hope she listened! So as you pray for Charm City/MetroKidz this week, please pray for SH, for her life, for her relationship with Jesus Christ, for love from the people who are right for her, for the relationship with her mother, and for continued life changes in her life.

So on a different note, we had a memorial service for Amanda on Sunday, it's hard to believe someone took her from us and that she's never coming back. It was really a beautiful service, I couldn't stop thinking that maybe it was a dream and she was going to come back, or there was a mistake and our Amanda was coming back, this made it all real she's not coming back! It was a long week last week, trying to figure out all the legalities of being able to preserve her ashes for her family. The thing that made me sad is if your body remains unclaimed by family, they cremate you in a mass cremation as if you didn't even exist. We were able to locate some of her family so luckily that isn't going to happen, but I think of all the people who it does happen too and it makes my heart hurt.

We went to visit her memorial after the service and it made me even more sad, because it was at the end of a street Crystal and I have frequented often during our middle of the night prayer drives, and many times I've said to her, "If someone were to kill someone this would be the perfect place to dump the body, it's so desolate and gross back here and everything else gets dumped here." Little did I know that when that actually happened it would be someone I knew. Someone who was very near and dear to me. Little did I know that person would be someone that my heart loved so much, someone that I prayed for, someone I hurt for, someone I wanted to see succeed. I still don't understand why it had to be her and I think about her kids, and her life and I cry. I think about the life she wanted for her kids and I smile, because she was determined and wanted to make it happen, I think about how when she was sober she was such a wonderful mother and how she just fell on a bad time and someone took advantage of that and took our friend, sister, mother, cousin, daughter away.

Pray for her family this week, pray for the person who did this to her, pray for my Charm City family as we continue to grasp the idea of her being gone. Pray for Pastor Mike as he's dealing with his third death within a week, all people who were very close to him. Pray for strength, guidance and wisdom.

Alright friends, thanks for praying with us!

Wheelin' and dealin'

2008-06-27T10:38:00.004-04:00

I've been doing some thinking about the events that have taken place this week, I stand on the corner of Payson and Frederick Ave. and I watch deal after deal after deal take place, and I wonder how long it's going to be before we're burying another one of our kids (people)? I watched the other day as one of my favorite kids, we'll call him "1" ran from the corner to the place where their goods were stashed and did the exchanges while the dealers stood on the corner and watched. Why is this happening? Why is it so obvious to innocent people walking by, and ignored by the people who can do something about it?

"1" is such a polite, good, respectful kid, and I want so bad to run to him everyday and shake him and ask him what he's doing, ask him why he's putting his life at risk and why he's throwing away his future. Doesn't he know these dealers are using him so that they don't get caught? Doesn't he know there is a better life for him? I've been in prayer for him constantly the past few days, I hope he comes to Metro Kidz next week, so we can talk with Pastor Mike, I hope we can pray over him, I hope that he knows we love him.

Another boy who's caught up in the junk is "N.A.P" In fact he wasn't allowed back in the block party because he was on the lot hustling, why? He too is a good, respectful kid who has just fallen into the mix. What more can we do for these kids other than love them? Reach out to them when they come and acknowledge them when we see them? I pray constantly for N.A.P. and his brother N.P., I met their momma on Saturday outside the block party, she loves her kids, she really does but she's another struggling single mom, who is losing her kids to the streets.

I've seriously come to my whit's end with this, two corners hounds in general break my heart, they are there night and day and recently I had a conversation with them, and prayed that they would follow the lead of their friend "K." You might remember "K" from my blog a few weeks ago, he found me in Subway, we talked and prayed and now he's out of Baltimore City, in a safe place getting the help he needs, his desire is to not return to the city life. His mother is so happy that he's getting the help he needs and even desires to move so that when he comes out of treatment he can come home to a safe place away from all the junk. I'm continuing to pray that God will bless this family with a new home, some where far away from Baltimore and far away from these friends that could be a hinderance in "K's" life, I also continue to pray that he grows, he accepted Christ a few weeks ago and my prayer is that he continues to run after Jesus.

So my prayer today is that these boys will see that there life is worth so much more than they think, and that there is something better out there for them. I pray that each and every one of them is delivered from this life. I pray that they see how much I and everyone else at Charm City loves them.

A few pics from Block party

2008-06-26T07:04:00.009-04:00

Picture #1 Beautiful babies playing in the moon bounce!
Picture #2 Sidewalk chalk is always a hit!
Pictures #3 Harry plays happily with Leggos
Picture #4 Cha-Cha slide always gets our party started!
Pictures #5 The Food Czar (known as www.shaunbwilson.com) did an amazing job with food coordinating!

Does Anybody Hear Her...

2008-06-25T22:55:00.002-04:00

I was sitting in my office tonight talking with Ms. Roxanne about Amanda, and this song popped in my head, this song has several different meanings, but it made think of Amanda, could anyone hear her? Could anyone see what she needed, was there something that we could have done differently? I can't stop thinking about how much her life meant to so many people, while others turned there noses up at her, I can't stop thinking about how to all of us she was a beautiful person whose life got cut short.

I ask that your prayers be with us this weekend as we celebrate the life of someone beautiful!

She is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
She is trying
But the canyon's ever widening
In the depths of her cold heart
So she sets out on another misadventure just to find
She's another two years older
And she's three more steps behind

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even knows she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

She is yearning
For shelter and affection
That she never found at home
She is searching
For a hero to ride in
To ride in and save the day
And in walks her prince charming
And he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason
And she gives herself away

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even knows she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

If judgement looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we never even met her

If judgement looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we never even met her

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even knows she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

He is running a hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction.

Block Party, Post Block Party and Prayers`

2008-06-24T10:19:00.004-04:00

Wow, I don't even know where to begin this blog, the block party was amazing, however the events following it, have broken my heart along with many others that serve with me at Charm City. This past weekend will be one I will not forget for a long time, for many reasons some sad, some super exciting and some just because this weekend rocked my world in ways I may NEVER be able to explain!

On Friday our missions team from Carpenters Church in Pennsylvania joined us and humbled themselves at the door and served us to the maximum, thanks to them we now have all of the classrooms in the down stairs in working order, they also fixed a toilet, helped us flier the neighborhood with Block Party Fliers and rocked people's world in the neighborhood in the process. Saturday they helped us pull off the block party, which was more amazing than I could have ever imagined. It didn't stop there though, these kids worked their hearts out helping to set up, execute and clean up the block party, then they went to Fell's Point and loved on some our homeless friends, came back helped clean up the church and then in the morning they helped us pull off our Sunday morning service, by rocking us with some amazing worship.

God used these youth in ways they don't even know this weekend, they changed lives with their actions, their smiles and their humble hearts. I can only pray that they all went home changed in one way or another. This morning their pastor returned to set up our sound system for us, I know in my heart this is a relationship that will continue to grow and hopefully we can continue to partner for upcoming events and projects.

The Block Party, wow is all I can say, once again in the end I stood back and thought to myself wow, God used US to pull this off. There were some things we did differently this year, that I really liked including having a Baltimore Free Store Free Market, renting a Block Party Trailer and no stage. Somethings we didn't do this year, I think would have worked out better, but all in all it was a HUGE success. The crazy thing is, that it appears we served more people this year than last and that just down the street while there was a Muslim outreach event happening, while we were having a rockin' party for Jesus!

Somethings that stick out the most to me from the event 8 people got saved that day, I am still getting emails from people who served with us, telling me awesome stories about people that they met and connected with. I met "K" this man who really desires to be delivered from this neighborhood and this lifestyle, as he stood with tears streaming down his face telling us about his life of being broken and battered, I had to hold back my tears. Looking across the lot and seeing the cha-cha slide being danced by everyone, white, black, young, old...it was such a bonding moment, and one that I prayed for. I can't stop thinking about the whole day, images pop into my head and I just think to myself, wow did that REALLY happen...or wow that was awesome...or wow I am so happy we did things this way this year.

One thing that will forever be etched in my mind, is the hug and the prayer I shared with Amanda...knowing that I will never see her again, that we'll never hear here call Pastor Mike her Pasker or that we'll probably never ever see Arianna, Alicia or Josh, or that I won't wave to her on the corner of Payson and Wilkens. It was a complete and total God thing that Amanda was at the Block Party on Saturday and that most of us who've formed a relationship with her, got to lay our hands on her, whether it was a hug or a prayer, we all shared some form of communication with her that day.

Fast forward to Sunday morning, there was an unidentified body found in S.W. Baltimore that morning, the person had been brutally murdered...it turns out this body that had been beaten an left for dead on the corner was our dear friend Amanda, someone we all loved, someone we all prayed for and with, someone that we loved despite the choices she made, despite the fact that sometimes she didn't love us back. She let the streets get the best of her, she made decisions that put her in a compromising position and someone took advantage of that and now she's gone from us.

From the second the Block Party trailer was packed up until the current second I sit here writing this, Satan has been busy in our body, first two vans, same night, within an hour of each other break down, second Bruce gets extremely ill and ends up having his appendix removed, third Amanda is found dead, one of us experience severe personal attacks from Satan, one of us it beaten down so bad it's hard to get back up...and the list goes on and on...so right now I am begging you to lift our little family up in prayer, pray for Satan's hands to be bound in our work and our lives, pray for lives to be changed because of Amanda's death, pray for miracles to happen. We lift up our new Block Party friends and old ones as well.

I cannot begin to Thank all of you for your support whether it through serving with us, donations, prayer or just a thought about the block party. I hope that your lives were rocked just as much as ours were!

Thanks!

<3 and prayers friends!

Amazing! Amazing! Amazing!

2008-06-20T23:17:00.002-04:00

So today was AMAZING! Tuckers missions team arrived today and WOW are they amazing! They have worked their little hearts out today, they set up not one, not two but THREE classrooms, working classrooms something we've been praying about for a LONG time, and we just haven't had the time to do, the clothes closet which if you've EVER been to Charm City you've seen it, is organized and you can see the floor, the girls got all of the stuff ready for the Block Party and now, well we're going to bed five hours earlier than last year!

I can't believe in less than 12 hours we're pullin' this off :)! It's going to be great! Keep an eye out for pictures and stuff :)!

Pray for tomorrow if you think about it :)!

The Block Party and other Random stories

2008-06-18T10:42:00.002-04:00

I just realized it's been officially two weeks since I've updated, for that I apologize I have been completely consumed in planning the 2nd Annual Metro Kidz Community Block Party! It's happening this weekend at Charm City from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.! Everyone is welcome! They'll be carnival games, a moonbounce, clowns, A Baltimore Free Store, Free Market and Free Food! We hope you'll join us!

So many exciting things are happening in my Charm City world, this week we send two of our high school girls off to college for the summer, they and I are very excited about this. They'll be living on the campus of Towson and UMBC this summer, while taking college classes and having the opportunity to live outside of their environment. I am not only so proud of them, but so happy that they'll have the opportunity to see what awaits them out there! So please keep "C" and "S" in your prayers this summer. Pray for their relationship with God, that while they are away from us it will still continue to grow, pray for them to see what's out there, that there is a whole world of amazing opportunities that awaits them outside of this neighborhood.

So as I was driving into the neighborhood for church on Sunday, I couldn't help but let a couple of tears roll down my cheek, I watched three very beautiful (to me) women get into three different cars and well it doesn't take much to figure out for what. I wanted so badly to pull my car over, ask them what they needed and drag them away with me. It breaks my heart to watch this happen. As I continued to drive I watched deal after deal take place...and my favorite boys were out of my favorite corner. The funny thing is though since our "run-in" those dealers leave when my car pulls up and don't return usually until after I am gone.

There hasn't been much else going on! But please keep praying with us for workers, we've decided we need about 10-15 more people to be able to break our groups down even smaller, also please keep praying for finances, and finally for patience for all of us.

Thanks friends! Hope to see some of you on Saturday!

"K"

2008-06-03T21:53:00.004-04:00

Wow, so I can't even begin to describe how I am feeling tonight, God used me in a way I don't think I was quite prepared for tonight, however it happened and I walked away feeling like a different person, in a way I can't explain, like I felt like my life has been forever changed. So tonight I went to Subway before prayer, to get out of the building and eat before I took some medicine, well I ordered my salad, and sat down pulled out my bible and started reading, all of a sudden I heard, "Excuse me ma'am can I sit with you," when I looked up I saw who I later learned was "K", he said he saw me reading my bible and thought I could pray with him. He told me he's 18 about be 19 and he's a dealer, he started weeping, telling me he wanted out, but he's fearful for his life. He told me that his mom is a "church lady" like me and she's been begging him for years to go to church, and he wants too...but he feels his mom has given up hope on him. He also told me wanted to graduate high school this year, but he got too involved and lost interest in school, so he's hoping to take classes this summer and finish by winter. By the time he finished telling his story he was weeping, begging for prayer, he wanted prayer for hope, for his future and for guidance of a positive male figure. It wasn't until after this boy poured his heart out to me that he said, "Umm...so what are YOU doing in a neighborhood like this?" I got to share my story with him, tell him about Charm City and invited him to Metro Kidz, not sure if he'll actually come, but I told him he'd be more than welcome!

I left Subway with a smile in my heart, I felt relieved that because I had a bible sitting on the table someone felt like they could talk to me. I spent my time in prayer meeting tonight praying for this boy, for hope, for his life, for his future, for God to do a mighty work in him, for a strong positive male influence and for God to use him among his drug dealing peers. I also spent time thanking God for using me in a way I never dreamed, for allowing me to be approachable and for giving me the words to calm this poor, broken heart.

Also one other thing you can join us in prayer for tonight:

Bruce's Family, his grandfather is dying and we're praying for a miracle to be done in Bruce's Family

Putt-Putt, Fusion and 16 Double Cheeseburgers!

2008-05-26T22:52:00.003-04:00

This weekend has been such an exciting one with our kids, it provided new experiences for a lot of them along with amazing teaching opportunities. Saturday we were supposed to take our kids to Halethorpe to play in the gym, but it didn't work out because they were having an event, so we instead decided to take the kids to play Putt-Putt, taking a bunch of city kids who've never been putt-putt'ng before was pretty much amazing. Not just because they were so excited to be there, but also because it was so much fun to listen to them work together on teams, to cheer each other on, to be excited and to laugh and laugh.

A couple of highlights from that outing include, seeing the kids play with worms and get all squirmy when someone caught a fish and let them hold it :)! Another funny thing was these kids don't get to see many goose or ducks running around in the city...so you can imagine how excited they were when a flock of geese and a few ducks were hanging around...off they went chasing them....

After putt-putt the we crashed the Newell's house they were such good sports for running at the last minute to the store to buy hotdogs and making nearly 60 on the grill for us to polish off before heading home, it was such a great relaxing night for us/the kids!

It's nights like Saturday that make my job worth it, to see how the little things that I and my friends take for granted make my kids so happy...to hear them say how much fun they had at the end of the night and thank us...ah!

Last night we had the opportunity to take some of our kids to Fusion, it was such a great night for the teens, I heard some really positive feedback, not only that I think it was good that Fusion had the chance to experience them. We stayed and had dinner with them at Food and Fellowship and people loved on them...and the drummer (I don't know the name of last nights drummer) made one of my kids SO excited when he let him have the drumsticks he played with last night.

But the best night of all was tonight...so we went to the city and the kids were so excited...there were about eight of them in the backseat of my car within five seconds, because apparently that were all the cool kids hang out. They really wanted us to take them to get food, so I decided we should, so that began our search for food, we ended up at the Mcdonald's close to the church, which the staff there was amazing, all in all we ordered 16 double cheeseburgers and 16 orders of french fries, and we feed 16 kids tonight! But while we were counting T piped up and said that we should count some of the kids because they don't love God, I didn't really reply to him, I just kept on...three more times he said this to us, and finally we were able to have this amazing teaching moment with him. Explaining about how them not loving God was more of a reason for us to love them, and how we should all love like Christ. I pointed out that there were people who loved him before he loved Christ, examples being Ms. Karen, Pastor Mike, Mr. Bruce etc. and he totally got it...and was even excited about it....

Then there's N.P. he's someone who's a leader in the making and has a heart as big as Texas, but sometimes he doesn't use his brain...so tonight we had a couple of amazing teaching moments with him, one included treating girls/women not as sexual objects, but as the beautiful women that God created them to be, the other was a lesson in manners, when someone does something special or nice for you, you should thank them for it. Again, it's nights like these that make all of the pain, hard exhausting nights and moments when I question this all worth it.

I told Ms. Crystal tonight as we were pulling away for these kids who we spent time with tonight are the ones we see most often, and they are finally reaching a point with us of trust and of love, they can see that we're not going to let them down and that we love them and it's okay for them to love us back, which for some of them that's such a foreign concept, they can't really grasp.

So normally before I end I have some prayer requests, but tonight I have such a huge praise report and then a prayer...two of my girls Cierra and Sarah are speaking tomorrow night at Hopkins, about their success stories, where they've come from and where they want to go in life, these girls are AMAZING, they both are going to spend almost the entire summer living on college campuses, taking classes and continuing to succeed and excel. Word on the street is tomorrow night they might possibly be presented with scholarships.

I beg you as my friends to pray for these girls, thank God in their honor for the opportunities He continues to provide them with, thank Him for making them see that there is something more out their for them, ask Him to continue to allow these girls to glorify them through these opportunities, and beg Him to provide opportunities for these girls to share their story.

Thank you friends!

Excuse me miss...

2008-05-15T07:07:00.003-04:00

Tuesday afternooon, I got out of my car and headed down Lemmon St. to talk to some of my kids who were playing basketball, when all of a sudden I heard "Undercovers" and the people on that street fled, like it was their job! At first I was a little confused as to what exactly was going on, and then I heard, "Excuse me miss, rumor on the street is your an undercover police officer, you're always hanging around here, so what exactly is it that you're looking for?" I looked at this kid like he had three heads and replied, "Me undercover and then laughed, and quickly explained that I worked at that church (and pointed over to Charm City)." He didn't believe me at first and I felt like I had to convince him I wasn't lying. As I walked across the street to my office, I laughed out loud to myself and thought me undercover yeah right :)! I wasn't sure if I should be honored that they thought I held such a high title or scared that they didn't believe me that I wasn't.

Tuesday evening we met for prayer, just as we do every Tuesday night and then we hit the streets for visitation and prayer, we walked over to Hollins St. and pastor Mike embarked on a group of kids who've got my heart, I love these kids, I don't really know them other than I know that they are the young hustlers on the corner. A few of them used to hustle against the church, but I think they got tired of me making conversation with them and inviting them to Metro Kidz because it hasn't been happening as frequently. But these particular kids are the ones who act so tough when you tell them about Metro Kidz and invite them. One kid even went so far as to rip up the paper Pastor Mike gave him with the church information on it and using a few choice words to express his anger with being looked at, let alone talked too. This particular child steals my heart every time he walks past the church, I just want to run after him and tell him how much we love him and his buddies, how they should come and hang out with us and find something that so much more fulfilling than the lifestyle they currently lead, I can only pray that one day God will send me the words to say to them, to share His love with them.

At the end of those nights, I always come home on an emotional high, I love being out in our neighborhood, meeting our neighbors and making them aware of whats going, sharing Gods love and allowing his presence to be felt. I love the opportunity to pray with people who are some what leery of us in the beginning, but end up talking to us for a lot longer than they actually expected. On this particular night we had the opportunity to pray with a few people who had sincere requests and really need God to intervene in their life.

The kids were wound for sound last night, nights like that we seriously have to walk away and ask God why, why he's put us there. Nights like that we sometimes find it hard to love the kids who are walking all over us and disrespecting us, but God reminds us of the Grace and Mercy He has on us and that makes it easier to have that Grace and Mercy on the kids. I have to do three home visits on Monday, none of which I am excited about, these three girls will have to be out for a week and have to apologize to one our volunteers, I can only hope that they'll be able to put their pride aside, understand that they are in the wrong and apologize.

On a more positive note, Tucker Hibbs (www.tuckerhibbs.com) visited us last night from Pennsylvania, we met him via Tally Wilgis (www.tallywilgis.com) who paid us a visit a few months ago. Tucker is planning to bring a team down this summer the weekend of the block party, they will be staying with us the entire weekend at the church :)! I was so excited to meet him, and when he left was even more excited to be able to serve alongside him and his team this summer. He is so excited, so on fire for Jesus and so full of energy. God is really blessing us with some amazing partners...I pray that their experiences serving with us in the city, will be just as exciting and rewarding for them as it for us.

So to close out here are a few prayers requests:

Pastor Mike, 10 a.m. Friday morning he has an important meeting about finances for the church, we're still praying for a miracle so that we can secure our building and continuing to reach our neighborhood.

For N.P. I'm still have dreams about him and last night he was kind of in a mood and left in a tizzy. I just pray for protection over him.

For N.C. she is 20 and has two children age 1 and 3 and I know she got herself into this situation, but I know it's hard for her, I pray for love from an older Christian woman to be a good example in her life, I pray for guidance and wisdom on how to raise her children and for protection for her family.

Thanks friends!

Angels, Light Company and Drugs

2008-05-08T22:45:00.003-04:00

So it's true that angels really do exist, on Sunday one of our kids, rode his bike to church and parked it in the lobby, while we were having a church service someone walked in and stole it, this kid was heart broken. Several people drove through the neighborhood trying to help him find his bike, and there was no luck. The very next day I receive an email from someone asking me where this child lives as God had blessed them with something for this child. These angels delivered this child a brand new bike. Last night as I was leaving Metro Kidz I saw this child and he was so happy about his new bicycle and raved about his angels and how awesome they were, and how he didn't think he was going to get a new bike, and how sad he was. He was honest and real with me, he made tears well up in my eyes, because the conversation I had with him last night made me realize just how "innocent" he really is. I love all of my kids, but this particular child pulls at my heart just a little bit more, even when he's telling me that this is the worst church in the city and he's never coming back...I just have to smile and think to myself yes he is, because he knows that he is loved, and he craves that.

Speaking of innocent children, yesterday as Nicole and I were pulling into Metro Kidz we went down my favorite street (Hollins St.) I want to do an outreach specifically to that block, because the corner of Payson and Hollins is a very high drug traffic street. Yesterday I watched a baby, a child I just met two weeks ago at the Spring Fling, who is at the most eight years old buy drugs, I watched the entire transaction take place. I feel so helpless in situations like that...what do I do, what do I say...if anything at all? I drove away, praying in my head for this child, asking him to be delivered from these circumstances...he's so young, who knows if he was buying the drugs for himself, a friend, a relative it doesn't matter, it makes me sick to think about it...these are babies...

Literally an hour later, I went outside to sweep up the mounds of glass that were lining the Payson St. sidewalk and I saw my buddy "Na" hanging out with some of his friends on the steps next to the church, within the 20 minutes that were outside, I watched two drug deals take place, involving "Na" and his buddies, one of them was not discreet at all and they were doing their hustling right against the building.

It was so hard for me not to run after "Na" and scream he's mine, Satan let him go...these kids some of them are bound by Satan, they need to be delivered and caught...we as servants in this neighborhood, need to be ready to catch them...

On a more positive note, last night Light Company the middle school ministry at Grace, came and rocked Metro Kidz (literally) the ceilings were shaking up and downstairs. It was pretty much a condensed version of a Sunday morning at Light Company and it was amazing! One of the girls "S" that I took with me on the Light Company retreat a few months ago, accepted Christ last night, and Andrea, Shaun and I got to pray with her. It was such an amazing experience. I watched cultural barriers be broke down in a way last night, that I will never ever forget. The Light Company kids were so excited to be there and it was evident in their actions, our kids (most of them) were excited for them to be there, they joined them in worship (a few of them might be recruited to start our own worship team) and sat quietly (which sometimes doesn't happen often) for Shaun's talk and actively participated. I can only hope this is the beginning of a great relationship and nights like last night happen more often.

So tomorrow (Friday May 9th) marks my one year Metro Kidz anniversary, it was one year ago tomorrow that I walked through that door on 2001 Frederick Ave. and my heart was stolen forever. So much has happened in the past year, it makes me excited, giddy and a little sad as I scroll some of the events through my head, but it's been an amazing year, one that's changed my life and one I wouldn't change for the world.

So before I end a few prayer requests:

Finances, so we can purchase our building and it'll be ours!
Relationships, ones that are being restored, some that are beginning and the ones that are continuous.
N.P. he's the kid I wrote about last time, for his safety
For laborers, we still need a few more people in place

thanks friends!

And the Chaos Continues...upcoming events and some specific prayers

2008-05-04T23:35:00.001-04:00

As the days go by the chaos continues, it feels like we're all in a bad dream and can't wake up, my heart aches, my heart got broken yet again, I can't seem to stop the tears tonight, it's very rare when this happens, but it just feels like every act of violence that's happened in the last few weeks we've been connected too somehow, and my heart has that very real feeling of how much longer are we going to be "lucky," how much longer is it going to be before we're really affected, until this is one of our kids?

The gangs and the drugs are on the rise in our neighborhood, you can just feel it. I've been approached several times in the past few weeks, and each time a young man has offered to sell me drugs. One of those times I was in my car with my window down and a young man came up to my window, and said "What can I get for you today." It makes me sad, everyday I pray about walking up to these kids and trying to form a relationship with them, I really desire to learn more about them and how they can be helped? I pray everyday for the right words to say to them...I really hope that God gives me some words/wisdom soon...

I've had a really burdened heart lately for these kids who are involved in the gangs, violence, drug hustling etc. that's happening in our neighborhood, but I've had a separate burden for one of my kids specifically. In fact I fear for his life, I've had some pretty scary nightmares about him. One night I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep, so I just spent serious time in prayer for this kid. I don't want to disclose his name, but please pray for "N.P."

On a happier note, there are some pretty special things about to happen at Metro Kidz, all of which are going to rock our kids and community to the core. I am super excited about each and everyone of them. The first one happens on June 21st, it'll be our second Annual School's Out Block Party, I am hoping that this years will be just as amazing or better than last years! If you're interested in helping this year (please check out www.metrokidzbaltimore.org) for some specific needs.

The second event is going to take place on June 28th the event doesn't really have a name yet :) but it's going to be a day of fun and pampering for our girls and hopefully some girls from Urban Outreach (UO) in D.C., hopefully we'll have an amazing woman coming to talk to the girls about being God's princesses, I have a few friends who are coming to do hair and makeup and at the end of the day we'll serve them a nice meal. This is probably one of the most exciting things to plan :)!

The third, doesn't have a date yet and is not 100% official yet, but God has really placed this on my heart and I just have to figure out the best/safest way to pull this off, I want to hold an Midnight Lot Party, I want to open the gate from 11:15-11:45 p.m. and let kids in off the streets into the lot, then I would like to have the gate closed and manned from Midnight until 2 a.m., I would love for it to be a safe place for the kids to come, play volleyball/basketball, eat some snacks and hang out. That's the time when some of the places surrounding the church are beginning to hop, and if this is successful I would love to make it a "regular" event.

So before I end...I have some specific prayers:

For laborers...we need just a few more people to make our team complete

For Unity we need to make sure we're unified as a team all on the same page and all in this together for the right reasons

For "N.P." for his life, for his future, for his family and most importantly his safety

And finally a personal request:
Is for my trip to California for UYWI to really be a reality...it'll be such a GREAT learning experience for me as well as a time to reload and recharge my battery!

Alright friends, thanks for reading, praying and being involved!

Lombard St. Building

2008-04-30T10:39:00.004-04:00

Wow, I've been trying to write this update for almost two weeks now and every time I get started I get distracted or I get writers block or there are 500 other things that need to be done. This building breaks my heart, it looks like any other warehouse sitting in Southwest Baltimore during the day time, but at nighttime this place turns into a place of despair, it's unmarked and no one would ever know what takes place here if they didn't come out at night. But after all the clubs close this building begins hopping, the drugs and alcohol run freely and if you walk by this building on any given Saturday and Sunday you'll find a variety of novelties from condoms to needles and sometimes a shotgun shell or two!

This place makes me so sad because it's another place that can tempting to people who already struggle all day long, people are getting hurt outside of this place. I guess I get so frustrated because so many people know what takes place here but it's still happening every weekend. My prayer is that God will do a mighty work on this block and this building will go out of commission for the purpose it's currently being used for. I drive by this place sometimes and I just want to go inside, I just want to hang out there and pray for the people there...crazy I know, but I can't even begin to tell you how burdened this building makes my heart. I worry about a few of my girls, what an easy place for them to get all caught up in the things they don't need too, for my boys it's an easy place for them to "get lost", I know there are other places that they can do this, but this one is just so easy.

So I hope that you'll join me in prayer, that this place can be condemned and reopened for the good of our neighborhood, that my friends and especially my kids will be protected from the evil that happens here.

Thanks friends.

It really is a warzone out here...

2008-04-14T23:43:00.004-04:00

Four teenagers killed in two weeks, a few months ago my girls told me that if felt like a warzone in their neighborhood, I'm beginning to understand exactly what they mean. Gang are beginning to flood our neighborhood and with that comes the rise of gang violence. I really feel like everyday I come into the city I see new tags on buildings, and I see rival gangs tagging over each others work. Yesterday morning Pastor Mike told us about the fourth kid that was killed shot 9 times and left to die on the streets.

My heart continues to break for these families who are losing kids, my kids who are losing friends, for these kids who are killing other kids and for these kids whose lives are getting cut short. I've been warned that it only gets worse as the weather gets warmer and as people start spending more time outside. My prayer is that something amazing is going to happen in this neighborhood and the love of Jesus will fill the streets instead of the love of gangs!

Today I took the pictures above, they are located on W. Pratt St. where Tyrone was killed a week ago this past weekend. It's so sad that he'll be just another murder statistic in Baltimore City.

Please join us in prayer as we pray for the war in our neighborhood to end and as we pray for the families of these kids who are involved in such violent acts, please pray for us as we ask God to continue making miracles happen in our kids lives.

Thank you friends!

Southwest Baltimore: Afterhours

2008-04-13T08:42:00.002-04:00

Last night I had this urge to play in the city, when I set out my intentions were to go straight to Fell's Point find Myra (our homeless friend), go to Wal-Mart and come home at a decent hour. But I just couldn't, I kept feeling tugged in the direction of our neighborhood, I needed to see what was going on there, I needed to see if any of my kids were out playing and if they were I wanted to spend time with them, I wanted to see Ms. Val and pray for her, I wanted to hug Mr. George, I wanted to see what kind of "shady business" was taking place in this building I pray about everyday. I want to be in the midst of my neighborhood all the time, in fact sometimes when I'm not there my heart is aching and longing to be there.

So as I turned on too Eagle St. I saw two familiar faces standing against a building and my heart broke that at 11:41 at night these boys were going to have to ride a bus 1.5 hours to get home, so of course after much convincing that I REALLY didn't mind driving them the 20 minute ride home and them screaming I was forcing them to get into my car (in a joking manner of course) I drove them to there house. These boys were so extremely grateful and it was so rewarding because we got to talk about school, how they're going to be Seniors next year, college and their futures in general. We got to laugh and be silly together. And the best part of the evening was when I dropped them off at their front door and the words..."I love you Miss Colleen..." came out of both of their mouths. My heart always gets that warm and fuzzy feeling and I feel like God is really truly using me to work in the lives of these kids when they say those five words.

A side funny story, as we are sitting on the corner talking to the boys all I could think about what was if a cop came around the corner how they'd probably think I was buying drugs, pull me out o my car, search everything and laugh when I really told them what I was doing there. This thought actually runs through my head quite often.

Finally, after dropping the boys off we made our way to our original destination Fell's Point, where we found Myra in horrible shape, in fact last night, she pretty much made my night by screaming and yelling and cussing me out. She was having a total withdraw for her alcohol addiction, she kept yelling and telling us it was her medicine and we didn't care about her because we wouldn't take her to buy Vodka. These people are truly the people of my heart, I love them, I love being cussed out by them, I love the tears they cry to me, I love the beautifulness that I can find in them that others can't...I love that even when Myra looks and acts disgusting towards me I can still find her beauty.

The entire time we were in Fell's Point I couldn't stop thinking about that building on Lombard St. and what was happening there. I wanted so badly to be there, I wanted to pray over it, I wanted to see for myself what happens there after hours, so finally at 2 a.m. we made our way back over the neighborhood and not to my surprise there was a TON of police activity outside the church, a car that appeared to be shot up, was pretty much blocking the road and the police were searching it, the "building" was hopping and I finally was able to report to the police the things I was witnessing with my own eyes, and on a street a few blocks away there was another car in the same condition as the one sitting directly in front of the church.

My heart broke instantly for my kids who have to live in this neighborhood, who are tempted and lured by the people like ones who open this building after hours. This building sits lifeless until late at night, then it becomes an alcohol, gun, and drug flowing house. If you walk by it the next morning you'll find lots of interesting things (needles, bullet shells, and beer cans/bottles). As I drove by the car that appeared to have been shot, my heart broke because this is not uncommon, one Sunday morning we found 16 gun casings on our front porch, another Sunday morning there was a girl who was shot on our steps. these things happen almost everynight. From the shady building to the fake Jazz Club to the dealers and gang members standing on the street. Last night I realized exactly what happens here after midnight, which makes me want so much more to become a 24 hour place of hope, I want those gang members, drug dealers and drunks to be able to wonder in the church anytime they want so they can be restored, put back together and loved with the Love of Christ.

So of course after all of this, I have a few prayer requests and one of them is very serious:

*We've lost the contract on our building and we need God to send a miracle, so that we can continue to work out of our building, so we can continue to see miracles happening, so we can continue to love kids, we can continue to give away food, clothes and share God's love with the broken and the lost. Please join us as we pray about the future of Metro Ministries and Charm City Church.

*Please pray for the people of this neighborhood as they walk around in a place of brokeness, a place of despair, a place where hope seems lost.

*Pray for our kids, that they can continue to walk proudly to Metro Kidz, they can continue to seek God's plan for their lives and they can continue to feel how much we love them and want them to succeed.

*Please pray for all of my volunteers as they are serving in this broken place. That they'll continue to feel the effects of their influence in this place, that they'll continue to be encouraged by the miracles that are happening daily.

*For Pastor Mike that he'll just be encouraged from all aspects and he'll continue to let God guide him.

thanks friends!

Retreat: Tough Beginnings make for Rewarding Endings

2008-04-12T14:35:00.003-04:00

It's been an exciting week at Metro Kidz, I took two of our kids on the Light Company (Grace's Middle School Ministry) Spring Retreat, it was quite an experience one that started out rather vicious but ended in such a way that I would not have changed anything about the weekend. We met at Grace and followed the buses to North Bay, I took two girls who were doing well in school, who I thought would experience life change that weekend and who I needed to get closer with. These girls both have hard core inner city life attitudes and I really think God broke them if not much at least a little bit last weekend!

The three of us were in a cabin with a group of 8th grade girls from Grace and it was such a learning experience for both sets of girls, but a true eye opener for me. It was such a scary experience for everyone involved, the girls I brought have a hard time tearing down walls and it wasn't easy for them to do that in 48 hours and the girls who roomed with us, a lot of them have never been exposed to people that aren't like them. The first 24 hours were vicious my girls refused to lose the attitude and the other girls refused to have open minds. The three of us ate dinner, breakfast and lunch alone the first day, it was sad to me. As the weekend went on it was still tough, but got better...the shaving cream battle which I think aside from the speaker was probably the highlight of the weekend for the girls.

Saturday night was the "serious" night, where the guest speaker got down to business and gave the serious talk of the weekend. I thought the theme for the weekend was perfect for the girls, it was "transforming your life." There were a lot of tears that night, but not from my girls, however they did make it clear that just because they weren't crying that didn't mean God wasn't tearing them up.

Both girls told me that they need to make changes in their lives, one of them expressed that she needed to change her attitude and proceeded to tell the other girls in our cabin that she was sorry because they had met the K that was mean and had a bad attitude and she knew she needed to be nicer. My prayer is that she REALLY means that and we'll see amazing changes in her life.

S told me that she was scared about the things going on in her life and she wanted to learn how to run towards God instead of away from Him. She told me that her heart was ready to change. I was so proud of them for finally opening their hearts and mind to what God was going to teach them that weekend.

That evening was tough because there was a screaming match between some of the girls and I had to sit them down and tell them how disappointed I was in all of them. My girls for having an attitude towards people who were willing to share their weekend with them, and the other girls for not being open minded. It was such a sad thing for me to experience watching both sides struggle to accept people different than them. But K/S we're willing to share what their life is like in the city, about how people get shot on a regular basis, about how they are harassed to join gangs, about how drugs run freely and they have to have an attitude to survive, the other girls were quick to respond and even prayed with and for my girls.

It was in that moment that a bond was formed, one that I don't think can be broken, they laughed together, cried together, played together and finally accepted that even though each group of girls were "different" they were really all the same.

The next morning they all worked together to clean our cabin, they laughed the whole way through, we went to breakfast and girls actually sat at the table with us and actually acted happy to be sitting with us, they went to program and the girls didn't sit entirely alone, and there were hugs and when will we see you agains, when we left to come home.

This weekend was such a learning experience for our entire cabin including myself, each group of girls learned how to be more accepting, they learned that not everyone in the world is exactly like they are and that even though we're different we can still unite. I learned that I can't have such high expectations of people and that my girls are not going to break down walls in the first 20 minutes of being somewhere. God also broke my heart even more for the kids I work with and made me realize what a treat is was for my girls to come out of their environment even for just two days.

I truly believe that God worked miracles throughout the weekend. I prayed all weekend for patience because at one point I was ready to pack my girls up and bring them home, God reminded me why we were there and some encouraging text messages reminded me how I was working with and convinced me I shouldn't give up and go home. Now, I am SO glad I didn't.

So there are some highlights from the weekend:

-Driving to North Bay talking with my girls about life, love and friendships
-Arriving there to find our cabin was the closest one to the bay and seeing the girls get so excited!
-S telling me this trip was the best birthday gift she'd ever received.
-Watching the girls get excited about the opening program, participating in the silly games and worship
-Listening to them laugh and giggle about the silly things
-Hearing them talk about the big "battle"
-Watching them get excited about going on the zip line and then hearing them talk about it afterwards
-The shaving cream battle (before, during and after)
-Bonding in the bathroom after the battle
-Saturday night program
-Driving home and listening to them talk about their experience

Now, some things you can pray about:
-That they'll continue to let God transform their lives
-That they'll look back and remember this weekend for a long time
-That our relationship will continue to strengthen

thanks friends!

Praying for Hope...

2008-04-03T21:45:00.003-04:00

I found myself with a lot of free time this evening which never happens, and I've been trying to spend what little free time I have lately in prayer for Charm City and Metro Kidz, tonight I found myself literally in tears, my heart broke for my kids. Last night as a couple of the kids were leaving we were chatting and one of them said, "Miss Colleen something don't feel right," I kind of laughed it off, and was like what you're silly what are you talking about...then he said to me, "No Ms. Colleen I'm for real something just don't feel right." It dawned on me in that moment that this is a normal way of thinking for my kids. That most of the time, things don't feel right, things aren't right, but they don't really know any different.

Tonight as I found myself before God, I just begged for protection for their lives, their hearts and their minds. I begged for them to find hope...I begged for them to find reason to keep going to keep pushing on, to deliver themselves from the chaos most of them call home. I prayed for "A" one of our teen girls whose currently locked up, I prayed for Fatman, one of my favorite kids who lost a family member so street violence this past weekend, I prayed for "AN" a boy who used to be a regular who's now pushing pills on the street, I prayed for the teen boys who are hustling drugs right outside the church. I just feel so burdened for these kids tonight.

I hope you'll join me in my prayers for them.

Thanks friends!

Tragedy in our neighborhood

2008-04-02T19:49:00.002-04:00

I realized several months ago which corners in this neighborhood are the worst one of them I know, I see it everyday, the other is beginning to become a reality. The corner of W. Pratt St. and Fulton is becoming the next war zone for our neighborhood, in less than a week, in that general area which is literally three block or less from the church has been the site of two murders. There was a third murder that took place in the neighborhood, but at this time I am unclear as to where exactly it happened. One of these murders really touches my heart, because it's the cousin of one of the kids, I've become extremely close with. It's one of the first nights he has not been here since I've known him.

Tonight has been the least attended Metro Kidz night since I've been here, there are four teen girls, five teen boys and maybe 20 kids downstairs. Most of the teenagers are attending memorial services or vigils for these two boys. It's sad that they know nothing more than the violence and poverty that is taking over their neighborhood.

It became a reality tonight that the gangs really are moving into our territory, the only thing we can do is educate ourselves, our kids and pray. Next week we are having a gang talk with our kids, not something we want to do, but something we MUST do. A few weeks ago one of our officers said to me, "Make sure that you are your staff are wearing the right colors, if you're not it could be bad." The sad part, it's true.

I ask for you to join me in prayer for my kids, that they'd stand apart, that they'd be called out to share Jesus with the people around them, for protection from the world and the horrible ways of it, from Satans attacks, from drugs, gangs, poverty etc. I love each and everyone of them and as I begin to think about the summer and how violence becomes more of an issue as the weather gets warmer, my heart breaks for them, I pray that they'll be hedges of angels around each and everyone of them.

Thank you friends.

Encouraging People, Urban Outreach and the Future

2008-03-29T09:33:00.005-04:00

The past few weeks have been amazing in the people meeting department, I've met pastors in our neighborhood, who'd be interested in partnering to do some activities this summer, I've met Pastor Billy, who's doing amazing things at the Brooklyn Church of God, in Brooklyn Maryland, Tally Wilgis, a Virginia Beach Church Planter, who dreams big, just as I do, and Lauren Harvey, a young woman with a HUGE heart for Urban Missions in Washington, D.C. All of these people have been so encouraging to me, through their actions, their words and their works. Last night as I was driving home from D.C., I thought to myself, God has orchestrated an amazing group, some who we've never/may never meet of people to encourage me (and us) to continue this work, even when it's hard, even when you feel like you can't take another step, I've been truly blessed this month.

Last night I had the opportunity to help Lauren take some of her girls from Urban Outreach to "Simply Beautiful," a special night of pampering for the girls at a local church, it was probably one of the most rewarding things outside of Metro Kidz that I've done in a REALLY long time. As soon as we got to the outreach center, I immediatly fell in love with the kids, from Charnelle, the very first, very EAGER girl to arrive to Rudy the cute little boy who wondered up with some of the other kids. I looked at each one of these kids and they reminded me of my kids in Baltimore, they were desperate for attention, they wanted someone to listen, they wanted to tell you about their lives, where they go to school, everything. I especially fell in love with Alexis the 10 year old girl who rode with me in my car, she was so sweet and immediatly wanted to play 20 questions about Miss Colleen's life, and so I asked questions about her life as well and she was extremely eager to share with me. She did begin breaking my heart when after every answer I gave her she said, I've never done that, I don't know how to ride a bike, I've never had anything other than a big wheel, and have you ever invited anyone to live with you, because I think I'd like living in your house. It's times like this and times when we pulled into the parking lot at Urban Outreach and all the boys wanted to do was sit in the car with us and talk, that I wish I could just yank them all up and take them home, what I wouldn't give to have home so huge that that I could invite them all to come and visit, stay and play and experience life outside of the chaos they live. As much fun as I had with the girls at Simply Beautiful, secretly I would have enjoyed staying in SouthEast and playing with all the kids and I will be returning to Urban Outreach in the VERY near future so I can spend more time with them.

I fell in love with Lauren and we've already made plans to plan a pool party, a sleepover, and many more activies with our kids combined and I plan to return to Urban Outreach in the VERY near future. I can't wait!

So this past week I've really been praying about the next steps at Metro Kidz, and I think I'm going to attempt the Teen Leadership Team (TLT) again, I see so much potential in some of these kids and I think it's getting lost. I want nothing more than to pull them out, one of my girls Cierra stands out, she's a natural leader, she's different, she carries herself in a different manner, she loves Jesus with everything in her and for the most part she doesn't care what other people think of her, in fact she's invited me to be her "date" for her Military Ball instead of her boyfriend. I think brining her on board the TLT and using her to be an example for others will be such a great change for the dynamics of our teen group, I'm excited to see what Gods going to do with this one.

The other thing I've been dreaming and praying about is hosting a community baby shower for the single/single pregnant mothers in our neighborhood. I've not completly worked out the logistics yet, but when it does happen it's going to be huge...I can see how it plays out and it's going to such an encouragement and beautiful event.

Well I could continue to write for hours, but I have some home visits to do this afternoon and a couple of meetings so I better run, but I'll leave you with a few prayer requests:

So there are a few prayer requests:

* Please pray for R, I don't know much about this kid other than he's 19 and he hustles drugs outside the church, last weekend I introduced myself to him and started talking with him and I've not been able to get him off my mind ever since. I invite him to Metro Kidz/Church everytime I see him, and can only pray one of these days he'll suprise me.

*Ms. MaryAnne and Nancy, they need to find a common ground in their mother/daughter relationship. Mary Anne is working to better her life and could tell you right down to the hour, how long she's been clean of her addiction and she's struggling with her life right now, please pray God will deliver her from her current situation.

Please join me in prayer for Nancy that she'll see how important it is for her to get her life together and take responsibilty for her two young children. I pray God will send her some Godly Women to help her learn and lead by example. She also needs some direction and Wisdom.

*For the Light Company Retreat, I'm taking two girls from Metro Kidz on the retreat, I pray that they'll grow as Godly young girls, that our relationships will grow and that they can come back refreshed and so much more in love with Jesus and themselves.

Thanks for all the encouragement and prayers!

Two in One

2008-03-19T22:14:00.005-04:00

So I'm a few weeks behind but the past few weeks have been full of both excitement and heartache, starting with last week, when we had lined up an amazing guest speaker and they totally dropped the ball at the last minute and didn't show up. It turned into complete and utter chaos. The teens decided it would be a good night to show us their "best side" meaning they wouldn't settle down for a lesson, they put a rotten apple in the pool table, they tore open gifts that had been wrapped, they trashed the entire upstairs. The junior kids decided that it would be a good night to just pretend like they had no respect for people.

I stood back that evening and really for one of the very few times ever, asked God, why me and why HERE? What do I have that these kids want, what can I teach them, I can't even get them to sit still for a short lesson...and I realized, that I have so much to learn from them and with them. My heart broke that night, because it was a true reflection of what these kids lives are really like, chaos, whether in their homes, their schools, their neighborhood, these kids live in chaos. I'm not at all excusing their behavior, but I'm relating to them.

If I think about it logically, I realize that (most of) these kids have no positive examples outside of Metro Kidz, so how can we expect them to behave all the time, I mean we all have bad days..right?

For the first time ever a decision had to be made as to how we were going to punish these kids, because their behavior was unexcusable, so we took away their Gym Night, it was sad and broke my heart that a few of them showed up and I had to be the one to break the news to them, but these are learning/teaching opportunities.

So that awful night ended with one of the ladies, I've been trying to reach out too, getting jumped, I love this woman, a few months ago she went away for a few months, but now she's back and regressing, it breaks my heart. I want so badly for her to know the Love of the Lord as I do, the only thing I can do is keep praying for her and showing her Christ's Love. On Saturday when I tried to approach her about it, she turned the other way. She claims it was some of our teens who jumped her and I hope she can get over that (if it was) and still share her life with me.

Tonight, was much better and God did something kind of amazing, tonight we talked about True Unconditional Love and the lies, that the world tells us, well the plan all along was that was the study for the girls, at the end of the night, when we all came together, it was mentioned that the Juniors as well as the teen boys had all talked about the same thing, completely and totally unplanned! So awesome!

The Juniors, had fiesta night tonight, they played Fiesta Bingo, Musical Sombrero and guess how many Jumping Mexican Beans (Jolly Rancher Jelly Beans) are in the jar and then we all came together for a fiesta dinner of Tacos and Queso, remind me again why we've NEVER done tacos before, you would have thought these children had never eaten. One child said to a volunteer, "Man ya'll did dinner up good this week!" Tacos are a HIT!

I love planning these nights in the middle of the month that kind of give us all a break, allow us to breathe, and have fun being crazy and silly!

Next month, I'm planning a spring fling, I'm excited for that :)!

So a few other highlights of the past week:
-Having close to 55 of my favorite people experience Charm City in true Saturday night fashion at a birthday party held in the church basement.
- Speaking at Kidzone and sharing my heart with a room full of attentive and eager 2nd/3rd graders.
-Watching Veggie Tales/sharing pizza with a small group of 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders!
-Meeting Pastor Billy (from the Brooklyn Church of God)
-Realizing that God is so much bigger than we could EVER imagine!

Thanks friends for your continued love and support through this amazing journey God's sending me on!

Love Night

2008-03-10T15:11:00.011-04:00

Recently we held Love Night for our kids, we served them as if they were at a restaurant as opposed to most Wednesdays where they get their own food from the kitchen and find their own seats. Dinner was made by one of the small groups from my home church Grace, some of the Light Company kids joined us and worked in the Kitchen that evening.

Here are a few of our Wednesday evening teachers working as servers for the evening, we served almost 70 kids that evening. The second photo is Pastor Mike with one of our junior girls, we split the kids up by age/grade.

Basch lead worship that evening and the teachers each wrote a letter to the kids they work with or the group as a whole and we read them aloud to the kids. Some of us chose to copy the letters for our kids, here Ms. Crystal reads her letter with Kapri.

Some of our girls decided to pose for the camera, and other decided that Basch is a rockstar and needed to pose with him as well :)!

I dream of...

2008-03-06T19:14:00.003-05:00

"...a time when my whole family can be together again."-1st grader
"...of being a doctor." -Fifth Grader
"...the day my daddy comes home." -a fourth grader
"...graduating high school." -a teenager

Just when I thought I had heard it all...my mind was blown once again. Last night we hosted from "Junk to Jesus," with guest speaker Mike Weber author of "From Junk to Jesus," founder of In the Blink of an Eye Ministries, (http://intheblinkofaneyeministries.com/) and a dear friend of mine, came and shared his personal testimony. The kids were amazing, they asked good, thought provoking questions, they listened intently, most of them even thanked him at the end. I've been amazed by their behaviors the past few weeks. During the presentation Mike discussed what some of his dreams were and how he'd missed opportunities because of some of the choices he'd made in life, Pastor Mike decided at the end to ask some of the kids about their dreams, when some of the kids responded I had to literally hold back the tears.

Pastor Mike gave an invitation for anyone who was feeling burdened or who needed to pray last night the kids who were brave enough to come to the front had real, heartfelt prayer needs, one little girl prayed for her imprisoned father, one little boy prayed for his family to be together again, one teen girl prayed for hope and love, one little boy prayed for God to take over his life, it's times like last night that even at the end when I'm exhausted and worn out, it's all worth it.

These past couple of weeks have been extremely busy, we had a missions team in from Lancaster who did a ton of work, including painting all of the classrooms upstairs so now we can actually utilize them and tearing down a wall that seperated two classrooms down stairs so now the groups can split into even smaller groups. We've also been preparing for Adopt-A-Block which kicks off this Saturday at 10 a.m., planning summer missions events, planning the block party which will take place on June 21st, meeting with YWAM to see if there is a potential summer partnership and setting up a computer lab in which computer classes will begin in a matter of weeks.

I also feel like another milestone was reached with my teenagers, both the boys and the girls, a few weeks ago, I took a couple of them to a leadership event sponsored by BUILD (Baltimoreans United In Leadership Development) and then we hung out had lunch and helped put togetether the computer lab with Chris, it was such a bonding moment with them, and later they told me the highlight of their day was having lunch (at Subway a place that most of could go to whenever we want) and learning how to set-up computers. On the girl side of things we've been talking about purpose and the purpose we feel God has for our lives, they've been so excited to share some of the purposes they feel God has for their lives, but they take it even further and they share their hearts! We never actually make it through an actual Bible Study because they get side tracked, however I'm not complaining...I love it that they've finally decided I'm worthy of hearing their stories, they're opening of chapters of their lives and pouring them out to me, the good, the bad, the sad, the heartbreaking. These once again are the moments why this is all worth it.

There are a few things you can keep in prayer:
1. Church Finances, we're in the process of purchasing our building and we really just need to pray for God to send us the finances.
2. Workers we're still in need of a few more people to join us a leaders on Wednesday evening.
3. For the kids that they'll continue to feel loved and be loved.
4. That God will continue to open doors and allow opportunities for us to show His Love

Thanks for your love and support!

Love Night

2008-02-26T15:17:00.002-05:00

Last week was probably one of the best nights we've had at Metro Kidz, I know I say that quite often but it's so true! God is really working miracles at Metro Kidz and every week I feel like something more amazing than the prior week happens. Whether it's an amazing teaching moment with my girls, whether it's writing love letters and feeling like someone appreciated what everyone had to say, whether it's serving the kids with everything in me/us or if I just walk away feeling that God used me silently.

This past week we had love night, where most of us wrote love letters to our kids and read them aloud, Aaron (Basch) played music and Terah M. and some girls from Grace came and helped us serve our kids "restaurant" style and a wonderful group of women made all the food for the evening.

As I read my letter and almost burst into tears, I realize how much I really do love what I do, I can not imagine doing anything else. I feel more love from these kids than I feel like I've ever given them...I can't imagine not spending my free time hanging out in the city, or spending Wednesday nights with these kids, even the ones who yell at me, or tell me how horrible I am...

Today as I was driving into the church I just stopped and prayed, specifically in front of three homes, of kids I've met and invited to Metro Kidz, but they've never come I pray God will pull them out and send them.

So I realize this entry is a lot of mumble jumble so please forgive me there's just so much on my heart and I can't really find the words to say it all...

God has been doing some amazing things in my heart and mind lately, He's been calling me out and pulling me out and using me in ways

A detour of sorts...

2008-02-14T14:11:00.002-05:00

So I was driving into work today and it's almost if God took me on a detour, I decided instead of going right to work I was going to go over to Hollins street and check out the memorial see if they'd changed it for the holiday or not. As I'm pulling onto the road police cars come out of nowhere, ambulances are schreeching up the street and more than one helicopter is flying overhead, I don't know why God sent me this way today, maybe it's so I could pray, maybe it's so I could meet these two sweet (but broken and confused) girls, one of which I've fallen in love with already and want to work with her to help her get into college and find a job, the other needs some motivation to go to school everyday...everday it's something new, everyday there's heartache and excitement, somedays people scream and yell at me and others people smile and thank me, somedays are hard while others are a piece of cake, but I am SO THANKFUL, that God has picked me to be here...

Taking things for Granted

2008-02-06T14:34:00.000-05:00

I was taught an important lesson this past weekend, I shouldn't take things for granted. Saturday I planned an outing with my girls so we could spend time together and bond outside of regular Wednesday/Sunday meetings. I wanted to take them out of the city, hang out, laugh, pray and cry together. We did just that. I had planned the entire day in my head I would take them to a nice "sit down" restaurant i.e.: Uno's, Red Robin etc. and then we'd go to a movie or the mall or something of that nature, since our D.C. trip wasn't happening.

When I asked the girls what they wanted to do, they wanted to have lunch at Cici's Pizza an all you can eat pizza place, go to the Dollar Tree and Wal-Mart. All of these places, I can frequent whenever I want. Usually when I've given teenage girls a choice on where to go in the past, it's been something "crazy" like getting their nails done, going bowling, etc. these girls where so excited about spending three hours going to the Dollar Tree and Wal-Mart, and eating all the pizza they possibly could.

On our outing I learned so much about my girls and their hearts, as sad as I was that only three of them managed to turn in their permission slips and go, I was thankful in the end because I was able to connect with these three girls in a way that if there had been more girls would have been harder. I am so excited because I am going to help them apply for summer jobs, and for one of them who happens to be a mother of two young kids a job for good.

I realized that I take so much for granted, these girls don't have any idea how to even begin looking for a job, let alone have the encouragement in the homes to find one, and I wake up grumbling some mornings because I "hate" my job, these girls have to take five to six buses to get to the closest Wal-Mart, I can drive there whenever I want and think nothing of it.

It was such a humbling experience for me, I think God was trying to make me realize that I do take a lot for granted. God has actually been teaching me a lot of lessons this week, I am so glad he's able to refine me, break me, mold me and teach me.

Answered Prayers and serving opportunities

2008-01-30T13:02:00.001-05:00

There are a lot of exciting things happening at Charm City, I can't believe how God is placing amazing people in my life and how he continues to cross my path with amazing people...today I am meeting with Ms. Carter, she could very well be an HUGE answer to prayer as she's said she'd be willing to mentor and help a VERY special woman in my life. This woman begs for help every week, she's very sick, very pregnant and very much an addict. Ms. Carter works with addicts, woman who are H.I.V. positive and women who are lost, she's willing and able and an answer to a prayer I've been praying for my friend for a while. I am so excited about Ms. Carter and pray that my friend will be open to meeting her and attempting to get help.

Other exciting news, construction is going to happen this weekend for the Food Bank that'll be up and running at Charm City sometime in the very near future. The food bank is going to be opened with the help of World Class Cities Ministries (http://www.wccm.net/) and will be a part of their Can Thrive program. God has blessed us with contractors who are willing to donate their time and materials to help get us up and running, however there is still a need for three more people who would be willing to help with this project. These people would need to be willing to begin working at 7:30 a.m. this Saturday February 2nd and work through the late morning or early afternoon. Workers will help haul materials and trash in and out of the building. If you're interested in helping with this you can either contact myself at colleensamantha@yahoo.com or Shaun Wilson at email http://us.f508.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=shaunbwilson@gmail.com .

Other opportunities to serve include the following dates:
February 20th Love night for Metro Kidz, we need people to help serve dinner that evening as well as help provide the meal, it's going to be a special night of serving our kids and showing them love, that they don't get on a regular basis.

March 5th From Junk to Jesus, Guest Speaker Mike Weber shares his testimony from Junk to Jesus with our Charm City community, we're going to have a cookie reception after his talk, so we need people who would be willing to provide cookies, help serve them and others who just might want to join us for an amazing guest speaker. Also needed that evening is someone to lead praise and worship for a few minutes at the beginning and possibly at the end.

March 8th Adopt-A-Block kickoff, we're going to take back the block surrounding the church. We'll meet at the church at 10:15 for prayer and briefing and then the event will be from 10:30-2 p.m. This is a good opportunity for families, small groups and individuals.

March 22nd Adopt-A-Block, we'll meet at the church at 10:15 for prayer and briefing and then the event will be from 10:30-2 p.m. This is a good opportunity for families, small groups and individuals.

June 21st Second Annual School's Out Block Party! Details to be announced!

If you're interested in serving or would like to know more about any of these events then please contact me at colleensamantha@yahoo.com

Gym Night and Upcoming Events

2008-01-22T07:22:00.002-05:00

This past weekend, I had a real chance to bond with my girls, we went to open gym night at Halethorpe Community Church and four of my girls rode with me, we had the opportunity to chat and get to know each other outside of our bible study setting, it was pretty much amazing! They braided my hair, we talked about school and college, families and life as an inner city kid. I fall more and more in love with these girls everyday!

Last Wednesday we had a Winter Beach Party, as soon as someone posts some pictures, I'll post some here...it was a lot of fun! We played limbo, hula hooped and had a beach picnic dinner :)! Next week we're having Movie Night the teens are watching Amazing Grace and the Juniors are finishing up Akeelah and the Bee. Over the next month we're having Abe Lincoln visit, hosting love night and a few special days! I'm being ambitious and taking some of my girls to D.C.! That should be fun!!!

There's not much else going on, but there are somethings you can pray for:

1. Continued protection- there were 11 shootings in three days, it's been a mess of violence in our district.
2. For new volunteers, we've recruited a few!
3. Block Party Planning (we've picked a date)!
4. Guidance and wisdom for our leaders

It's a warzone out there....

2008-01-10T08:36:00.000-05:00

For the first time ever I had a hard time leaving my "work" at work last night. My heart was broken to the point I couldn't even think without bursting into tears, I came home and when I was alone in a quiet place, I just begged God to calm my heart but the tears wouldn't stop coming, there has been a shooting every night this week in our district and it's really hitting close to home. Last night, I had planned to talk to the girls about disrespect, and I did to a point, but God lead my heart in another direction. I wanted to know more about the lives my girls live, I wanted to know what they were thinking about whats going on in their neighborhood, how they coped, what they were thinking. I got truth, honesty, real honest from the heart answers from these girls. Some of their responses included:

"It's like a war zone out there..."
"The world is ending..."
"I don't think I'll live to be 16..."
"I just bow my head and hope to goodness they don't kill me..."

I asked about the gang violence and found out that one of my girls has been and continues to be in gang fights, she's been hurt pretty badly, which is why she's stopped coming to Metro Kidz, I found out that the girls are harassed on a regular basis to join gangs and when they tell them their not interested they hope to walk away alive.

I found out that there have been time after time when the knock at the door at 3 a.m. is homicide investigating a murder on the block. That they have to concentrate at school while rival gangs are dukin' it out in the hallway.

I knew in my heart this stuff was all real, but it didn't become 100% real to me until I heard the fear in my kids voices. Even the boys, last night there was a shooting in the neighborhood while we were signing kids in and so I drove a lot of the kids home, one of the boys said, "Miss Colleen, thanks for driving me home, I was scared..." this kid is one of the toughest kids who comes to Metro Kidz, it broke my heart that a "tough" had to admit his fear and while I knew it was a good thing...it still hurt. It hurt to watch these kids finally open up...but this is what I have been praying for. I just want to know why I am so blessed I get to come home to a safe quiet neighborhood everynight and these kids suffer...go to sleep fearing whether or not their going to make it past the bus stop in the morning.

I told the girls last night that the four walls we were in, was a place where they could let it all out, share whatever was on their heart, get angry, pray, be happy etc. And it felt like they'd forgotten I was there...and just let it all come out, we prayed for their friends...for the city, they begged for prayer for their neighborhoods, their schools. It was the saddest night of my Metro Kidz experience, but at the same time we hit a spot where I think we're all on the same page and I have 100% gained their trust. They were telling me about their families, what their moms and dads do, about the new gang that is about to flood Baltimore and a multitude of other things.

Last night for the first, I couldn't help but ask God why, why lord did you place ME here...in a place where I get to pick bullet casings off the ground like it's not a big deal, in a place where I get to spend the majority of my days hanging out with people who are high, drunk or both, people who have no idea how they got to this place, kids who suffer day after day, momma's who sell their bodies to put food on the table, daddies who deal drugs to pay the bills...I've reached the tough point in my job, the one where I've been longing to be, out of my comfort zone...now I have to just pray that God can keep me strong in this war zone...

So as you can imagine there are some things you can pray for:

*The kids, they need all the prayer they can get at this point
*The neighborhood it truly has turned into a war zone
*Pastor Mike and all of us, that we can continue to listen to God's wisdom and guidance and that we'll continue to have the umbrella of God over the church
*That the girls will continue to feel like I am a safe person that they can talk too
*Monday some of the girls are coming to study with me for exams, I want that time to be a time of not only studying, but relationship building...so that I can deepen my relationship with them.

Thanks friends for continuing to support me in this tough endeavor!

Exciting Things Ahead

2008-01-07T08:59:00.000-05:00

Wow, I can't believe it's 2008! So I've been spending a lot of quality time hanging out with God and He's been doing a mighty work in my heart about somethings that need to happen this year, one of them is we need to get Adopt-A-Block off the ground, so on March 8th we're having an adopt-a-block kick off "party"/day! I'm planning to invite tons of people to join as we rock this neighborhood, meeting neighbors, praying and cleaning the blocks. More details will be posted as we get closer to the date :)!

Also the block party is going to be June 21st this year, if you came last year you know how exciting it was, it's going to be just as fun this year :)! I hope you'll join us.

I wish I had more to post, but we've been getting back to normal since the holidays, so this week is finally our kick off the new year week and I'll have lots to post!

Thanks friends-
Colleen

My last post of 2007

2007-12-31T09:28:00.000-05:00

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!

Christmas Party, New Year and other fun things

2007-12-25T10:49:00.001-05:00

Good morning friends! Well it's been awhile since there's been a real update because things have been so busy, but I am happy to announce that we pulled off the Metro Kidz Christmas Party without a hitch, we had a ton of kids that night and a ton of volunteers came. I am so thankful for everyone who came to help that night, from my friends at Light Company and Fusion, to my friend Eric and his bible study friends to our friends over at the Gilman School, I looked around the room that night and I couldn't help but let my heart smile. The entire past week, I've had the opportunity to hear the amazing stories from the people who were there to help, and the kids who recieved Christs love that night.

The only thing that troubled my heart were the ladies who were there and who didn't have their kids but were begging for gifts for their kids, but the truth is they would have sold them on the streets for money. It's so sad for me to think that a few kids would be without Christmas because these people needed to sell these toys on the street for a few dollars to get their next fix. Even today I think about some of the kids I work with and I wonder what their day is going to be like today, are they going to have a nice dinner, are they going to get a new toy to play with (I know that's not the real reason for today, but some of them don't understand that yet), and I wonder if there mommy or daddy will be with them today or if they'll be all alone. I wish I could just bring them all home with me and share with them a traditional Christmas dinner, sing carols with them, take them to see the lights and have a blast.

So aside from the Christmas party happening there were some other big decisions made this week, construction will begin on a new project that will be happening late January early February, I'm not going to spill many details yet, but watch for my prayer letter for all the details. But in the meantime you can pray for guidance and wisdom for those involved, for the people who'll we'll be serving and for the many opportunities to share Jesus this will bring us! The Wilson brothers Shaun who goes to Fusion with me and his brother are heavily involved in this project and I truly believe that we asked God for a miracle and he sent us these servants!

Well keep checking back, my goal for the new year is to get back to posting normally again! Merry Christmas my friends!!!

Gift Wrapping, Christmas Party, MissionsTeam

2007-12-17T09:44:00.000-05:00

Goodmorning Friends! Wow it's been a while since I updated but I've been gone pushing two weeks, but enought stuff happened in the past four days to be able to write a blog that makes up for all the missing ones :)!

Friday we picked up the toys from Toys for Tots, we got so many amazing toys and it is such an amazing ministry. The people who we dealt with were amazing from begin to end. Friday night we had a mini wrapping party, and sorted and wrapped half of the toys, honestly if I have to wrap another gift between now and Christmas I might cry (just kidding)! It was nice to spend time fellowshipping with a few other MetroKidz volunteers, which for the record I must state I have no idea where I would be without them.

As I picked up the toys on Friday I couldn't help but get more and more excited about what's happening this Wednesday night, it's going to be amazing my friends/supporters are going to be able to experience something special with me. Apparently anywhere from 150-300 kids show up for this party and they all get to hear the story of Christmas and it's true meaning :)!

This past weekend I hosted a missions team of about eight middleschoolers from the Perry Hall area, they helped finish the wrapping and then I took them on a small walk through the neighborhood. As we were walking through the neighborhood, I watched a true drug dealer at work. He had the cars lined up on the street like it was some kind of drive thru, and to watch him work it was amazing he hasn't been caught yet, it would be so easy to catch someone like him. Someone came up thru the middle of the street to buy from him and just stopped his drive thru line and walked in the middle of the street to make the exchange, I was truly taken aback, he honestly didn't care who was there, who was watching. Don't get me wrong I am not naive I know this happens, I sometimes sign kids in on Wednesday nights and watch similar exchanges take place, but I just couldn't believe that the police are having such a "hard time" catching dealers, they make it so easy! As we continued on the walk, we walked past the memorial at Killah Hill, we stopped for a moment and prayed. It was amazing the conversations that are had with kids who have never experienced the inner city.

I thank God everyday for allowing me to have this burden I have for the inner city, I prayed with a drug dealer, he came to church, I loved a homeless man he came to church and didn't want to sit near the heater to get warm he wanted to sit with the kids and I, this summer I met Suni and Peanut at the block party, they've been coming to church, I'm so excited that God has given me the ability to love these people and invite them to Worship God with us.

So I have a few prayer requests before I sign off....

Amanda I think I've spoke of her before, her mother died of a heroin addiction and full blown aids on Wednesday evening. It's really a difficult time for her right now, but she's been clean for a few months now and watching her mother die gives her more initiative to stay sober. So please continue to pray for her and her children during this hard time for them.

Patrick is my homeless friend, he's been beaten so bad his wrists are broken and he can't hold them up. He's so worried that people aren't going to love him because he's dirty and he feels the need to tell everyone that even though he stinks, he's not infected and he's clean, it breaks my heart that he feels he has to explain himself. Just pray for guidance and protection for my friend.

Glenn he's got a powerful story, that I will share someday, but just pray he stays on the path he's on right now so that he can continue to fall more in love with Jesus. I am so glad our paths were crossed and he's coming to church.

Finally for Wednesday that God's love would just be shared in such powerful ways that these kids would know exactly how much we and God loves them.

If you're interested in coming to the party or volunteering drop me an e-mail colleensamantha@yahoo.com

Always Serving Him-
Colleen

Blog Break

2007-12-05T09:30:00.000-05:00

To my dear readers, I just wanted you to know I've had a family emergency, I'll be away for a few days, but posts should be resumed sometime next week. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Blessing from All Around

2007-11-28T09:55:00.000-05:00

Wow, I can't even begin to tell you how amazing last week was, there were so many volunteers who showed up to help serve dinner to our community, the love that was poured out through the entire building, was simply amazing. We were able to serve a little over 200 people in a little over two hours! We met new and old friends, Pastor Mike came and I looked around the room and saw tons of my friends gathered in one place to serve and give thanks. It's so cool when I get to see my friends from Grace and Howard County, mix with my friends from the city and laugh and cry, sing, eat and dance together. It's such an encouragement to see families step out on faith and bring their entire family into the city and serve, not knowing where they are coming or what's going to happen there. The love, support and encouragement I have recieved from my friends and strangers is so so so amazing!

Last night, something pretty special happened, I was invited to share my heart with an amazing group of women. I felt so welcomed, so encouraged into their bible study, I was so excited to share my heart and testimony with them. They also made so many cookies for our from 'Junk to Jesus' event, that I will be forever grateful to them for. I am so excited to continue to share my life with them, know that they are praying for me and hopefully get to share the community with some of them who might be interested in visiting. If any of you are reading this Thanks ladies, the love I felt from your study group was amazing!!!

Tonight, something pretty special is going to happen, Major Brock from the Southwestern District is coming to visit and share his heart and desires with our kids. I am so excited for him to come and see the kids and see how many kids we have. To begin to form relationships with them, to be able to use them to make the neighborhood a better place. Major Brock as I've mentioned in a few blogs now has a HUGE HUGE heart for the kids and desires nothing more than to tackle the gang problems that plague our neighborhoods. I am so excited.

December is a month of special events for us, next week is "From Junk to Jesus," guest speaker and local author Mike Weber will share his life with the kids, community members and friends at Charm City Church, a cookie reception will follow his talk, let me know if you're interested.

December 14th, we pick up our toy from toys for tots, and that evening we're having a wrapping party with a few friends from church, if you want to come hang out wrap gifts, listen to worship music and fellowship with us, let me know. Also if you happen to have any wrapping paper lying around that needs to be put to good use, I would love to take it off your hands :)!

December 15 I have a missions team coming into to basically overhaul the close pantry, get rid of clothes, and do whatever else might need to be done that day. Weather pending we're planning to do a prayer walk through the neighborhood.

December 19th is when we'll host our Annual Metro Kidz Christmas Party, I'm so excited about this night, it's going to be a night for us to show God's Love, Share God's Love and invite kids to come to christ, that might not normally come to Metro Kidz. It'll also be another exciting night of intermingling my friends :)! We needs lots of help if you're around and want to join us!

December 25th Christmas! I'm sad I won't be here for my first Christmas at Charm City, but I am super excited I will be home celebrating with my family.

Now for some prayer requests:

Of course prayer for all of the above events would be much appreciated
For my friend Jeromy as he travels to Africa to be with his family and proceed with their adoption procedure
Pastor Mike and his Family
For finances for me, so I can continue to work my nanny job a few hours a week and give the rest of my time to my ministry
Wisdom as I plan to change a few things within the ministry and plan a few special nights outside of typical Metro Kidz nights
And for patience!

I love you all!!!!

Hanging by a thread, Police Commisioner and Needs

2007-11-15T13:45:00.001-05:00

So last night at Metro Kidz was an interesting one to say the least! The kids were all kinds of wild last night from the time they walked in the door until the time they left. Name calling, things broken, teachers cursed out YIKES! Things thrown, welcome to Metro Kidz, these nights happen. Sometimes I wonder why my friends come back, but I know that God has placed them in my life and ministry to make a difference, teach and learn. I think every week, we all learn something new about each other, about ourselves and about our kids.

I met with the police commissioner and he's going to come speak to the kids, sometime in November. I was very encouraged by his willingness to step out on faith with us, and I only hope and pray that he holds true to his words. That he really does help make a difference in our neighborhood through our kids, we're practically handing him the resources, now he just has to make wise choices regarding them.

So we're getting ready to kick off a busy time at the church. I am so excited about what God is doing there, we have a few needs:

Stockings not the teeny tiny ones, but the small ones
Stocking Stuffers
Candy (candy canes, kisses, chocolates, hard candy etc)
Gloves
Hats
Scarves

Thanks Friends!

Heartbreak for Real

2007-11-13T17:22:00.000-05:00

As I was leaving the church last night, I ran into a little girl whose kind of taken my heart and run with it, she's beautiful, she's excited about learning about Jesus and she wants all of her friends to come to Metro Kidz. She's so beautiful you can see her smile and heart through her eyes, but if you look hard enough you see the saddness too. As I was leaving last night, I was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to go home, but I couldn't I put aside the fact I was tired and somewhat cranky and proceeded to put my belongings in my car, and spend time with these kids.

Ira, Tyeandre and Anthony, finding out how old they are, where they live, what they like to do for fun, what grade they are in, if they've ever been to metro kids and what schools they go to. Laughing and playing with them made me realize just how important my job is. For some of these kids, the love that is shown through myself and other volunteers at Metro Kidz is the only source of love these kids are getting. Eventually I had to say goodbye to these precious children and go home for the night.

I pulled my car off the lot and got out to close the gate and "T" wanted to badly to help me lock up the gate and talk about the holes in the iron and how people must have been trying to get in! He was so super cute! As I walked back to my car the littlest of these three begged me to bring them home with me, they wanted to know where I lived, why they couldn't come and when I would be back. It was so heartbreaking to know that at such a young age they can see the difference in where I come from and where they come from and they know in their heads that I go home to a nice home at night, a hot meal, a warm bed and a loving group of people everynight and they don't. It broke my heart to stand on the corner and explain to them all of the reasons why I couldn't take them home with me, and for them to want nothing more that to come anyways. As I was driving home I tried to wrap my head around the logic and what must have been going through their heads at the time. It broke my heart and made my day all at the same time to be able to have this communication with these kids.

So if I you could just keep them in your prayers tonight as you spend time in your loving group, eat your hot meal and climb into your warm bed, I would appreciate it!

Thanks!

:)!

Just a little update...

2007-11-09T08:13:00.000-05:00

I attended the meeting with police commissioner on Monday it was very discouraging in the way that he pretty much told us that there wasn't much he could do for the communities that are willing to help him make them better. He's more concerned about the crisis already happening other places, which in my eyes is a good thing too, but what is he doing to prevent the same kind of problems in other areas of the city. I found him to be very discouraging, but I met the commander for my area, and I have a very good feeling about him.

I love the ladies of Build, I really feel encouraged by them and their willingness to get things done!!!

DCCentral Kitchen

2007-11-04T07:13:00.000-05:00

Goodmorning! I feel like I should be updating this more, but these days I'm spending less and less time sitting at the computer working and more time out networking and doing footwork. Friday morning four of us piled into one of the vans at 7:00 a.m. yes 7:00 a.m. and drove in the middle of DC/Baltimore traffic to the DC Central Kitchen (http://www.dccentralkitchen.org/), this place is amazing, basically they take homeless, just out of prison, just out of detox people who are in a transitional phase in their life and put them through a 13 week intense training, which includes culinary training. At the end of the class they are trained enough that they could essentially go out into the "real" world and get a job working as a chef. But that's not really the importance of the program.

Robert Eggar started the program when he realized that it's great to help the homeless or less fortunate by feeding them, but what are we doing as a society too get them off the streets? So he started this program which allows them to be empowered and encouraged. It's someting we really want to mimick in Baltimore. Check it out, let me know if you might be interested in heading down to volunteer with us for a day!

Tasi, Superfresh and Neighbors

2007-10-31T07:41:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I attended The Afterschool Institute (TASI) Networking meeting, it was so much fun, I met so many encouraging people, I learned how to apply for funding for the program we want to start, grants that might be available to us and I'm going to visit some local programs that are already in place. I felt so encouraged by the people I met and the seasoned pros at running after school programs!

So yesterday we got our first donation towards Thanksgiving (granted if we can still pull it off) from SuperFresh, I thought it was quite interesting that the local Superfresh was willing to help us out but Giant sent us a letter telling us to contact our local foodbank, it was a little frusturating. But alas, Thanksgiving is in three weeks, and it doesn't really seem like anyone is too interested in planning the dinner, and honestly I have so much on my plate right now, I just can't take on that task as well. I feel a little guilty even saying that, but I am in the midst of planning many many things right now!

I'm so in love with the people in this neighborhood, so many of them are hungry for God, but they need someone to grab their hand and lead the way, and so many people look down upon them and walk away or don't know how to handle them. Last night I had a heart breaking conversation with one of the volunteers here, and he was telling me about "R" (which I promise to someday devote and entire blog to "R"), but "R" is a very special unique person and has been moving from church to church for the last 10-15 years because churches weren't sure what to do with him, they'd push him to the side because he was different, and honestly I've grown so fond of "R" I don't know what I would do if he weren't here, but he's a good example of the people of this neighborhood. They feel that because they are in someways different people aren't going to accept them or grab their hand and lead them in the right direction it breaks my heart.

Last night we had a lady here who all she wanted was for someone to acknowledge her, love her and listen to her. I had that opportunity and God really taught me a lesson, she came at an extremely inconvient time or so I thought :), but when she started talking God slapped me upside the head reminded me why I was here and I realized I should be paying attention to this woman God obviously sent her to me for a reason. It was an amazing time of fellowship with her. I thank God everyday for loving me enough to smack me upside the head everyonce in a while :)!

So some prayer requests:

For finanaces both personally and for metro Kidz
For God to continue to lead and guide "R" and for him to let "R" know he's so loved here
For Pastor Mike and his Family
For the Volunteers at Charm City
For the two new volunteers who'll be joining us next week
For safety for our neighbors and kids.

Thanks friends! Love you all!

Murder,TLT and Praying

2007-10-29T13:37:00.000-04:00

Murder is such a disgusting word! I hate it, I hate the thought of it, I hate the sound of the word, I hate the action etc. Murder hurts, it destroys sometimes innocent people. This weekend it affected people I love...people I care about and people I pour my heart and soul into, people I would do anything in the world for. What do you do when your driving through the neighborhood and kids, yes kids you love are sitting in handcuffs on a street corner and there's been a murder in the neighborhood, my heart sunk, I felt so helpless, I did everything I could to hold back the tears, but I couldn't. It's real life, it happens on the streets every single day, but why MY kids? It's such a hard thing to understand, such a tough thing to grasp, but the truth is, it's expected here, expected of MY kids, it's a way of life on the streets to be caught up in gangs, to hang with the wrong crowd, to live your life in a reckless way, because unfortunately for most of them this is ALL they know.

I was reminded yesterday that's why God has called us here to this place in Baltimore, to save these kids from the streets, to encourage them through the Lord, to love them where they are while pulling them up. I was extremely encouraged yesterday when a middle schooler came up to me and said I am going to pass out tracts on my way home, these people in the streets need Jesus, and then she proceeded to tell me about the murder. It's so cool to see a Middle Schooler stepping out of her comfort zone to share the gospel with her neighbors! It made me smile in a time of sadness!

So we finally had our meeting with the TLT yesterday and honestly I left feeling a little big disappointed, I think out of the 9 that came to the meeting 1-3 of them might take is seriously, they suddenly don't have time in their schedules, or just don't know if they want to do it, or they just weren't into it, however there is one boy who I absolutely adore, who I think is going to step up to the plate and want to be a leader, the answers on his leader application were amazing, he said things like I want to learn how to be a good leader and lead my peers, when asked what he'd like to see more of at Metro kids he said things like more bible study time, bible memory verses etc. I can't wait to work with him.

So there are a few things you can be praying for:

Finances- That they'll continue to come in
The Neighborhood- In general Satan has been on the prowl both in and outside of our building the past few weeks
Metro Kidz- Please just surround it in prayer, it has been crazy and Satan has made his presence completely known

Satan's on the Prowl

2007-10-26T08:58:00.000-04:00

I haven't updated in about a week, because I didn't really know where to even begin writing, I had prepared myself in the way that I knew Satan would be attacking me for doing God's work, but I don't think I quite prepared myself for the ways Satan would attack me or how frequently. It started last Wednesday when Satan began attacking several key people at Metro Kidz, it carried on throughout the entire night, week, weekend and into this week. This week Satan began attacking different key players. It's been a never ending cycle over the last couple of weeks and honestly I've been spending more time in prayer for my kids, my volunteers and the other key people at Metro Kidz, instead of updating my blog or doing many other things.

Admist, all the chaos of Satan there have been a few good things happening. I did my first home visit a week ago yesterday, I visited a family that has SEVEN kids who come to both Metro Kidz and church on Sunday morning, they are a group full of leaders, three sets of twins and one single child. The girls had intimidated me about meeting their father and made me promise not to go to their house, which I refused to do. I am so glad I went, I met their father had the opportunity to pray for their family and their home. But not only that, it made me see what these kids go home to after they leave the safety of Metro Kidz or Charm City. I could describe the scene, the smells and the people, but you wouldn't truly understand unless you are there.

God is so faithful and that was completly reconfirmed for me this week, when my car went from maybe costing $2000 to fix to only costing $50 :)! God is so Good! Even though Satan has been on the prowl, I've been so encouraged by the people God has blessed my life with.

Some prayer requests:
That Satans hands will be bound, and that he'll stop attacking us!
For the TLT which is having a harder time getting started up than planned
For Pastor Mike and his family
For Brother Paul
For Miss Roxanne
For Metro Kidz and everyone involved.

Home Visits and Movie Night

2007-10-17T16:02:00.001-04:00

Today I did one of my first home visits, I went to visits a family who has seven kids in Metro Kidz, the mom works ALL THE TIME supporting the family and the father is disabled. The girls who are in my group discouraged me from visiting but I wanted to badly to meet their family, start a relationships with the family, not just kids, but also to praise their children and let them know how for the most part their kids are so well-behaved and in tune with what's going on. Thier father whom I got to spend some time with today was so excited to meet me, gave me a huge hug and told me how much he appreciated what we were doing with his children.

It was there I realized what kind of enviorment these kids live in, this particular family has a both the mommy and daddy however, as I was standing on the porch I was taking in every smell, sight, and sound. It broke my heart but at the same time it was eye opening to see what their home was like, to see a struggling family, trying to make honest people out of their kids. A daddy who can't work and a mommy whose never home because she's supporting a family of at least nine. As I left their daddy standing on the porch I prayed before I pulled away, blessings for their home, for their family, healing for their daddy and even more importantly continued support from their family for their kids in our programs, and hopefully a long lasting relationship not only with the kids but with the family as a whole. I hope you my friends will join me in prayer for them as well. Pray for family G.

So our meeting with the police comissioner didn't happen, it was very sad, he just didn't show up, pushed his promise off on his subordinates, and apparently the group that is working with us trying to make a difference had met with him prior and he promised to be there. So we're hopefully going to get in within the next few weeks to see him.
So tonight is movie night, on the top level screen we're showing Freedom Writers and on the Bottom Level screen we're showing Akeelah and the Bee. Should be fun and relaxing for our kids and volunteers tonight, hopefully :)!

Prayer Requests:
*For family G.
*My heavy heart
*Finances
*For upcoming Adopt-A-Block Activities

Fusion, Police Meeting and Miss Val

2007-10-16T12:35:00.000-04:00

Bruce and Julia came to Fusion with Bryan, Melissa and I on Sunday night it was super fun, the message that night was really good to. I spoke about Metro Kidz, what's going on in my life etc. and I think if everyone follows through I will have recruited somewhere between 10-15 new people to volunteer at Metro Kidz, including a small group who would like to make dinner come down and serve the kids! How cool!!!

Today is our meeting with the police comissioner I'm a little bit nervous about this, but alas, I think it will be fine. I promise to update and let you know what happens.

I'm still super excited about Miss Val's desire to change her life, but please continue to pray for her because each day we have to wait for someone to return our phone calls and find a place for her to go, is one more day she's falling into the lap of Satan and the streets! I desire nothing more than to be able to find a place for her to go and get help this week. A place where she can go away, detox and come back in a few months a changed woman whose not bound by Satan to life of distress and disaster.

Prayer Requests:
*For my heart it's been really heavy the past few days, not really sure why but something's got it going.
* For my TLT members, that God will work in them through this leadership opportunity and they'll grow as Christians, leaders and young men and women.
*Miss Val that God continues to keep her strong while we figure out the best option for her.

Thanks Guys!

Police, Miss Val and Prayers

2007-10-11T16:37:00.000-04:00

So I didn't have time to update yesterday, but something pretty fantastic happened on Tuesday night, I was able to buy lunch for Mr. George and Miss Val on Tuesday, which sparked an amazing conversation later that day. As Crystal and I were pulling back up for the Core meeting on Tuesday night Miss Val gave me a big hug told me she was so thankful for the food, we asked if we could pray for her and we did. Then she started crying and telling us that she wanted help, she wanted a new life, to leave behind her addiction, to make a better life for her kids, and do something. So as we stood there and cried with her we promised to find her help, and so that's what I've been doing the past couple of days. It looks like I might have found a couple of options, if they work out I am going to be so excited for her because it's such an answer to prayer.

It's been a little nuts down at the church, last night the police were out in full force, it sucks, and I really just wish they'd come visit Metro Kidz on a Wednesday night and try to break down the barriers between them and my kids

So there is so much more to write about but I just don't have the time today so here are somethings you can pray about:

*For Miss Val and that God would do a wonderful work in her life.
*Her children
*Miss Rosa Lee and her daughter and grandaughter
*Fat-Man
*Shawntay
*Khadejah
*Shanika
*Pastor Mike and Family.

Must Have Been a Wild Night

2007-10-09T12:50:00.000-04:00

It really must have been a wild night on the street last night, because as I was crossing the street to come into my office, I stepped over at least five needle caps, several broken bottles and little bottles of liquor. Honestly, I'm not suprised these are things that happen here, these are the things that my kids deal with on a daily basis, people struggling, people addicted and people so lost they don't know what to do. These are the people I've fallen in love with, and that I want to love on and form relationships with more than anyone else in the world. These people are the reason God has sent me here.

Last night as I was crawling into bed, my heart ached, yesterday I ran into one of my friends on the streets he was supposed to be in school and when I asked him why he wasn't, he didn't really give me a very good answer, most of my kids live in homes where there parents could care less if they went to school, or their parents aren't around to make sure they've gone to school that day. My heart breaks on a daily basis for these kids, for some of them the only hot meal they get is the one they get at school and the one they get on Wed. nights at Metro Kidz, for other they only time they ever experience true undenying love is when they walk through the doors on Wednesday night. For others they don't know what love is, they don't know what respect is and they don't understand the consequences of their behaviors. These are the kids God has sent me here to help mold, to make successful leaders out of them. I love them.

Last night I met with the MTF at Grace, I left feel so encouraged and excited to know that there is a whole body of Christ behind me, praying for me, cheering me on and stepping up to help me. That to me is so exciting!

So, I was lucky enough to be able to have a conversation with Mr. George again today, I felt like I should bring him and Miss Val lunch so I stopped and value menu'd it at BK and brought them cheeseburgers and FF's, I can't even begin to explain how excited they were about this. Mr. George proceeded to tell me that he wished he'd taken a different direction in life. I am so excited about the relationship God is allowing me to form with them. I just pray that He continues to give me the words to say to them.

Prayers:
For the relationship with Miss Val and Mr. George that God continues to bless it and give me the words to properly minister to them.

For "P" that whereever God leads him, he'll continue to seek, he'll continue to run to the Lord and not backwards.

For my kids, that they'll continue to be blessed by the people that God is placing in their lives, that their hearts and lives will continue to be changed and that they can and will be delivered from the street life they are used too.

For the people that have not yet experienced the amazing things that God is doing here at Charm City, but God is currently moving in them to step out of their comfort zones and check it out.

Love you all!!!

My Life Has Been Blessed

2007-10-08T12:56:00.000-04:00

My life has been blessed today, I can't even begin to explain it, this morning I woke up and I had time to relax before going full-force into my day, which was nicer than you can ever imagine. I had time to pray over my day and meditate on the messages I'd heard at church over the weekend.

When I got to work, my friends Mr. George and Ms. Val were out and I got to explain to them what a Miracle is, and I prayed with them before I came inside and got to work, this week, I am soliciting (I hate that word) donations for our Thanksgiving Feast.

I had no idea how my life was going to be blessed today, I had the opportunity to sit down with "P" and he shared his heart with me, he encouraged me in a way I've not been encouraged in a long while, quoted scripture and prayed and prayed with me. It was such a blessing, I feel so rejevunated and ready to finish out my day.

Things to Pray For:

My meeting with the MTF this evening
Maurice (One of the kids)
"P"
Pastor Mike

Networking and meetings!

2007-10-05T20:53:00.000-04:00

I've been so busy the past couple of days I've not had time to sit down and blog, well our meeting with the city guy didn't go so well, but he showed up to Metro Kidz on Wednesday night and was extremely impressed with what he saw happening there. So that was encouraging, also Wednesday evening we had Lottie and Gwen from Build back again, and they observed what was happening with the teens upstairs and then gave them a few words of encouragement.

I spent Thursday most of the day in Towson Matt Stevens of Chain Reaction, Baltimore invited me to a lunch for Youth Workers, sponsored by Embrace Baltimore and Chain Reaction, it was so encouraging to meet other local Youth Workers. Jeremy Del Rio (Jeremydelrio.com) spoke and I felt so encouraged when I listened to him speak. Afterwards I got to spend some time picking the brains of Jeremy, Matt and Brian C. I learned several things from this day one of them is that networking is the key. It's so important to network and use the resources that others can lead you too. Yesterday was so encouraging for me, because I got the pick the brains of amazing leaders and men of God.

Today I submitted letters for Turkeys for our thanksgiving feast, and then attended a meeting with Tanya Featherstone of Just for Youth, inc. based out of Baltimore, she allowed us to sit for an hour and pick her brain and really learn about her experiences. It was encouraging to meet with her as well, because she is truly about relationships and partnerships and working together for the Youth of Baltimore City. Her passion is science and she pretty much has a science lab on wheels, I wish I were a kid so I could experience more of what she has to offer.

I truly feel like positive things are happening for us, there were at least 80-85 kids again this week for Metro Kidz, what an amazing experience! I am so happy that the kids know there is a safe place for them.

I've picked my TLT and we should be meeting sometime within this next week or so, to start picking their brains and finding out their true leadership skills.

Things you can be praying for:
Continued Finances, so I can continue to work only two days a week and be okay financially, God has truly blessed me the past couple of weeks and I hoping it continues that way.

For continued relationships, I've made some amazing connections both in and out of the neightborhood and want God to continue to guide me in the process of maintaining these and making new ones.

For the volunteers God has sent already and the ones he has not yet sent.

Thanks friends!

These are the days of our lives

2007-10-03T14:08:00.000-04:00

Yesterday as I was coming into work in the office before our "big" meeting I stopped to talk to my friends, Mr. George (this really cute little old man), Val (a woman whose living in his home I think) and a few other people whose names slip my mind, usually they're not happy, but their smiling and excited to see me, yesterday I said to Miss Val, where's your beautiful smile and she said, "Baby, don't you see these are the days of our lives, we sit here drink all day and watch the cars go by, pretty sad don't you think? What do I have to smile about?" It broke my heart she's 100% right, everyday her and Mr. George and usually a few others are out there, I've invited them to church, prayed with them, shared the bible with them etc. And I am now at a loss at how to properly minister to them, aside from just being a walking testimony in their lives.

Everyday Mr. George says, I'm coming over there on Sunday, and every Sunday he doesn't and every Sunday I look for him to be outside and he's usually not. So I suppose I'm supposed to just continue to pray for them.

So our "big" meeting yesterday turned out to be a joke, one person out of the six who were supposed to show up showed and he really didn't desire to be here and let it be completly known! So he said he'd look over the packet we made him and get back to us on Monday so we'll see what really happens!

So somethings to be praying about:
My friends that I've mentioned here
Funding for Metro Kidz Programs
Continued Patience
Pray for the relationships God has been allowing me to begin
Pray for the teens that I have picked for TLT (Teen Leadership Team) they include:
Maurice
Tony
Mannie
Nicholas

Cierra
Shakir
Elizabeth

Well it's a Metro Kidz Night so I am off to get things ready! I love you all!!!

West Sides Got Talent

2007-10-01T15:08:00.000-04:00

Last night was the Charm City West Sides Got Talent show, it was quite the night, the kids had fun, pastor had fun and we had fun, that's all that matters really. At the end of the night we were all winners :)! The kids never cease to amaze me, no one really practiced when we gave them the opportunies, but they were all for the most part prepared, even some of the kids who weren't signed up participated. We then had an ice cream party for them downstairs! I can't tell you enough how the highlights of my job include the giggles and laughter of kids who are being loved on by the amazing people I've been blessed with as volunteers! I feel like the luckiest person in the world, when I am surrounded by these kids and volunteers!

So tomorrow we're meeting with a committee from the city, to propose to them several things, one includes the afterschool program, so I spent the afternoon putting together job descriptions, budgets and explaninations about the program, what it would offer etc. I am so excited for the meeting tomorrow, it might be the answer to prayer.

I'm also in the process of picking a student leadership team, I've asked one of the students to help me with this team, I've thought of seven kids I think would be good candidates and asked him to think of six, and together we'll put together the team. I am excited for the opportunities that these kids can have as leaders in the church, in Metro Kidz and in the community. The hard part write now is writing the leadership contract and make them understand that adhering to this contract is VERY important! But it's going to be exciting once it's up and running!

Well there's not much to write about, there are somethings you can continue to pray about, I am meeting with the Missions Task Force at Grace a week from today so you can pray about that I am excited to share my heart and experiences with them as well as propose being supported by Grace as a missionary. You can also pray for a calm heart about finances, I know God will provide for me, what He knows I need, but I have never been in this kind of situation, so I'm learning. Thanks friends for all the love and prayers!

Also don't forget if you're ever in the area and want to stop by please let me know :)!

Scared...

2007-09-29T22:26:00.001-04:00

So the other day as I was leaving the church at 2ish in the afternoon, I was scared for the first time, truly cried on the way home scared. Do you ever get that feeling that something is just not right, that's kind of how I felt. I walked across the street and was fiddling with the lock on the gate so I could get my car out...and all of a sudden in the middle of the day I heard gunshots one or two blocks over and someone come darting through the alley. I couldn't get the gate to open and I was convinced that it might be the end for me, I've been close to gun shots before, but this time it felt different.

However it was in that moment I realized that there is a reason we (and I am) are in this neighborhood, that God has a plan for us there. And while we may not know the outcome and the people of that neighborhood may not understand, there is a BIG plan. A big plan that I am so excited about. One that I may never understand, but I do understand God wants me to be a part of it.

In other exciting news, we're meeting with city officials on Tuesday hopefully to get some grant money for the programs we desire to start and for a 24 hour 365 days a year homeless shelter in S.W. Baltimore. But this won't just be any shelter it'll be men, women, kids, families, singles etc. There will also be a childcare center and hopefully other various programs. It'll be a unique shelter.

A wise woman I know told me the other day in order for people to want to help, you have to be unique. Your programs cannot be like everyone elses! She's right, what is going to make us stand out from the crowd? There is something about Metro Kidz and Charm City that makes us unique we just have to figure out what it is.

So my prayer tonight is for God to continue to pave the way for me and for the others at Charm City, for Him to keep setting divine appointments for us with the kids, with community members and people who we have yet to meet. That He'll continue to send the finances so I may continue to do His work and for safety for us, and for the people of this neighborhood.

He will not get the best of me

2007-09-27T09:49:00.000-04:00

So Satan attacked me hard yesterday. I had a horrible attitude, I didn't want to be at Metro Kidz last night, we were late getting back from our break, so things weren't set up how they should have been, and as someone wise told me, "The first five minutes, makes or breaks the night." We learned this the hard way last night!

We had at least 100 kids last night, I am not at all complaining but when you only have 10 volunteers for the whole building it makes things a little bit more chaotic than necessary. We had kids fighting, kids pulling out each other's weaves, kids who are normally pretty good kids off the handle last night. I prayed last night as I was getting ready for bed, for God to send us more people, we're growing and we want so bad to be able to make valuable lasting relationships with these kids, but when there are not enough of us to have smaller groups or we have to spend the night doing crowd control it's not possible for that to happen.

The exciting part of all of this is there are 100 kids who are coming in off the streets into a safe zone, where they can fellowship with other kids their age and from the neighborhood, be loved for at least 3 hours a week, have a nice meal and learn about this amazing God we have. Through all the tears, the fighting and the crowd control when I walk away at the end of the night and I've been hugged 1.5 million times, when Eric has squeezed my hand so hard it hurts and I have heard the laughter of little girls who are learning about Jesus, I know we've done something right that night. I know that through what we're doing here we're changing lives, I know what some of these kids go home to at the end of the night and I understand (0r attempt to) why they are the way they are, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that God has me here for a reason and I will not let Satan get the best of me :)!

Answered Prayers

2007-09-26T14:53:00.000-04:00

So I arrived at the office today and was greeted by two smiling faces, Pastor Paul and his wife L. Pastor Paul told me that he had this woman he'd like me to contact. In the meantime I'd been stressing about getting a mentor/guest speaker for next week, to speak to the teens. Pastor Paul had a woman who's an ex-prostitute who's been delivered the streets and a very hard life, we'll call her L. So I decided to give her a call, she wasn't available to speak with me right away. but promptly called me back. She's amazing, I am so excited to meet her and while I scheduled her to come and speak next week, she's coming to Metro Kidz tonight. She wants to see what we're doing here, meet the kids and prepare herself.

This is such an answer to prayer in so many ways. One because I know have a real life living testimony that's going to be able to relate to the kids as the first guest speaker and two she has so much potential to reach my girls, to be an example to them and to help them not make the same mistakes she did. Amen! :)

So as I was driving in today something that happened last week really struck a chord in my heart, I understand where the person was coming from, because if God had not called me to this place, I probably would have felt the same way. But we were waiting on someone to come and do some work last week, and they got lost, and getting lost in this neighborhood if you're not familiar could be a very scary thing I imagine. So when we figured out he might be lost since he was pretty late, we called him and he told us he gave up and was going home. When asked if we could reschedule he told us he didn't know if he wanted too. It broke my heart and made me wonder, what do people think when they drive past this neighborhood, would they ever drive through here on purpose? Also, everyone wants every place to be safe and beautiful but if people aren't willing to step out of their comfort zones, how is this going to happen. I pray everyday that places like the one I am in right now will change others lives like it's changed mine. I pray for my friends who come here and visit that they'll understand what I'm doing and why I am doing it, I pray for my friends who've not yet been brave enough to step out and come and visit that God will work in their hearts. I'm not asking them to commit to being here all the time, but just to experience for a couple of hours what I get to experience everyday.

Well it's Metro Kidz night so I am off to plan my lesson (yes it's last minute) spend some time in prayer and get the downstairs ready for the kids!

Thanks for reading!

When Dreams Come True

2007-09-25T14:34:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my blog, this is the place where I plan to write about my experiences as an inner city missionary, the good, the bad and the struggles.

So I've been dreaming about this day for almost four years and it finally arrived. I started working at Charm-City Church this summer as a volunteer for Metro Kidz, last month Pastor Mike told me he'd like for me to be the Metro Kidz coordinator. A couple of weeks ago I began working at the church. I love it, I love coming to work never knowing what the day is going to hold. I love walking out at the end of the day seeing my kids playing or hanging out. I love Wed. nights when all the kids are hear, and I hear them laughing, playing and talking with other leaders and friends. I love that God has made a way for me and I am learning more and more what it means to completly rely on Him, the One who makes it all possible.

I know that this is not going to be an easy road, Satan has already begun attacking me, people have already started questioning why I would chose to leave my job to work with "ghetto kids" why I would leave a comfortable home and salary to share a room with someone else and make little to no money a week. Well the answer is because God is putting me here for a reason he is laying my path and I am being obidient and following it and know that He will provide for me the things in which I need.

Today as I was sitting outside waiting for someone to arrive for a meeting I looked around and realized what I have at my fingertips a whole world of knowledge. They may not be book smart people, they may not have finished school or have degrees from "name-brand" colleges, but these people who surround this place in which God has landed me for now are special. They have street knowledge, stories and pictures that are worth so much more than you or I could ever imagine. Some of these people as young as two and as old as 102 have experienced things that most of us will never experience or ever desire to experience. I met a little boy this afternoon his name is Hakeem he's two years old he has a younger sibling that is 1 and an older sibling that is 20. His mother looks to be in her 40's she's struggling to make ends meet, she was waiting on a truck that brings food into the neighborhood. I was so lucky to have had the chance to share my heart with her and hear the desires of hers. I invited her to church on Sunday, I hope she comes!

Well I have a ton of work to do and want to go see some of the kids before I head home for the evening :)!