My last post of 2007

A few of the teen girls at the Christmas Party


Amazing Kitchen Girls for the Christmas Party


Pastor Mike Getting Down at the Block Party

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you Friends and Readers for making 2007 so Great!

Christmas Party, New Year and other fun things

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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 :)!