Day 6 Update (Thursday)…
Today was our last day at the mission sites. I don’t think there was a single person in our group who wasn’t motivated to try to get their site completely finished…and for the most part, that’s how we ended up. But this was also a community that holds many more projects yet to be undertaken, and simply taking a walk a few blocks from the church reveals the need for more and more service opportunities to be initiated. However, in light of the expansive visible needs, we have affirmed with our group that the real call of Christ is to serving others as you would hope one would serve you. Following the steps that Jesus took won’t solve all of the problems in the world – much less a small part of the community – but it will lead to proclaiming and expanding the Kingdom of God right here on earth. Jesus Prayed, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This week – and prayerfully the 20+ weeks left in 2008 and then beyond – our students and adults have been able to make this ‘Kingdom of Mankind’ a little more like the Kingdom of God. We’ve done this alongside the friends of Metanoia and Saint Matthew Baptist Church (and of course many unknown others), and it’s been an incredible experience.
Classrooms, hallways & stairwells of Metanoia’s building were painted. Bookshelves were built. The interior walls of two brand new homes were painted, top to bottom, and are just a day are so from being completely finished. Two or three vacant lots were cleared of all the brush and trash. A long-abandoned basketball court was discovered, cleared and cleaned; a new goal was put up, lines were painted, and it now waits to be a place for kids, teens & adults to play [it’s right beside the church!]. A duplex that was stripped of all plumbing, windows, and paint was completely rehabilitated, and we now leave this future apartment for Metanoia interns with working plumbing, patched and painted walls, installed windows, a removed rotten awning, and many more things that bring it closer to being inhabited again. Children’s chairs were painted. The town signs were beautified. Sidewalks were rediscovered and cleared. Parking lots lines were painted. Faulty electrical work was fixed and new lights were installed at Metanoia. But there’s more than just these: friendships were formed, eyes were opened, borders were crossed, commitments were made, relationships were strengthened, and faith was deepened. I hope you will find an occasion to talk to some of our students and adults, and to hopefully come hear our YMT Report on Sunday evening, August 17th.
Along the Journey…
Casey
No comments:
Post a Comment