Day 4: Into the field

Happy birthday Nessy! She just turned the magical age of 13, just kidding she’s now 17. A little more on that in a bit.

 

Today I woke up feeling better than yesterday, probably because Robbie didn’t have any late night run ins with me, AKA he didn’t step on me. This morning was the beginning of our work week. Robbie, Brian, James myself and the kids from Iowa all went down to Issachar Community.

 

Issachar is a ministry that is located in downtown Denver. Their goal is to create young leaders from the neighborhood they’re located in. They do this by having young people out of high school come in and stay at their building for a two year program. The program is designed to launch them into college and a future in leadership. For the two years that the students live in the building, they get a complete scholarship, room, board and spending money. In turn they attend weekly meetings, mandatory study times, must volunteer 10 hours a week in the neighborhood and do things in the summer such as volunteer at summer camps etc. After two years they move out into their own place, and if they keep their grades up the students maintain their scholarship for four years.

 

Jeff was the point man we talked to today, he is sort of in charge of the place and really shared his heart about the ministry with us, and let me tell you, he sold me. I think it’s an incredible place, and they do an awesome job with it.

 

We did some work inside the building but soon we were outside preparing to paint the place. The Brotherhood left Issachar to head to home depot to buy our supplies and on the way got a great look at Invesco Field and it is sweet, even though I hate the Broncos.

 

We purchased paint, paint brushes and all the necessary equipment to begin painting. This afternoon we began our task that will take us several days. We started painting on the roof, and needless to say the sun was very very hot.

 

Robbie, James, Brian and I worked hard to finish the section of the roof that needed to be done and when we were finished it looked a ton better than before. It’s always nice to see your finished work look good.

 

We scraped away old paint, and prepared the rest of the building for a frantic day tomorrow. Along the way we also bonded really well with some of the kids in the Iowa group.

 

Because I did not go with the girls, Nessy is kind enough to write on this blog a little about their experiences today.

 

Today I went to ACTS II – a soup kitchen here in Denver – me and the other girls on our Missoula team as well as two greatly appreciated young ladies from the Ohio team and their two leaders. Today was a great day of getting to know them working together  and really drawing a lot closer – but more about that later. At the soup kitchen we divided into two groups – one to stay at the soup kitchen and one to go to a car wash – a fundraiser for the soup kitchen. I went with the first car washing group so I guess I’ll begin there. We went down with a couple of the staff from the soup kitchen to tackle this soapy task, Bobby and Jonny both amazingly enthusiastic and cheerful guys they really kept us hyped up during our 2 hour shift of standing in the humid heat – worrying about whether we were being sunburned, making us laugh as we waved signs and High school Musical pom-poms on the street corner (we were all pretty hyped when they got those things out!). Business was a little slow – but we did get a few cars and we had some really good conversations with some of the people and made some money that will, Lord willing, help the kitchen out. 

            After two hours of this (and a little tanner)we switched groups – mine going to the soup kitchen. It was amazing. It was so eye-opening to see how these people live, what they live on, and hear a little of their stories. While we talked to them we were packing groceries, sorting food, cleaning storm rooms unloading trucks of food (what a blessing! God provides in abundance!).  But before I go any further I suppose I should mention this is a faith-based soup kitchen\ food bank. the evidence is everywhere – the beautiful chapel upstairs where they hold three services (one in Spanish – it’s awesome how they serve many people in many places and backgrounds) to the staff who were so joyful in their work. We had the privilege of working, in particular with two amazing ladies I must mention really fast; Mary and Laynette – these ladies put heart and soul into- it seams they never tire of serving with energy and passion that is challenge to me, for sure, and I know some of the other girls to. What a blessing! The further evidence of this faith-based work is the abundance of provision from God. Almost every day these people get truckloads of food, it was beautiful to see! Well I should probably cut this short (ha-ha, I guess it’s to late for that) as Mark was just saying wanting to include all the details and not being able to is the hardest part, but hopefully this gives you guys a short glimpse into what a blessing these people where to us and how awesome it was serving today. Thanks for all your prayers – they’re defiantly felt!  

 

God Bless,

 Nessy

 

Tonight we went down to Joshua Station which is an in between point for families going from homelessness to a normal life. It is a converted Motel 6 and we did a VBS there for the kids who lived there. It was the highlight of the trip for me so far; I had such a great time hanging with, Marcos, Divante, Nani, Philip, Hosea and others (and I most likely didn’t spell those correctly).

 

Tonight we debriefed, Robbie said he’d rather keep his briefs on. Tomorrow is looking to be a very busy day, and we’re all excited for what God has in store for us. I’m learned to accept whatever God’s plan is and work my hardest wherever and whatever we go and do.

 

We also celebrated Nessy’s birthday tonight with cake (and I had a huge piece, definitely going to regret that) and ice cream.

 

Side notes:

 

Bad news for the boys…their shower malfunctioned and is temporarily out of order.

 

Worse news for the girls…the boy’s shower malfunctioned and is temporarily out of order.

 

Robbie spent all day looking at pictures of Micah on his computer. I think he misses his son.

 

Oh yeah, and Robbie worked very hard today. He’s the man despite the slightly poor rep he gets on this blog. We couldn’t do it without him.

 

Please pray for everyone from the other groups as well as ours, that we’d bond and mesh and also connect with God and learn from him this week.

 

Pray for all the leadership on the trip that they’d have wisdom and strength.

 

Pray for VBS tomorrow night that more kids would come and learn about God.

 

Also pray for Taylor, (13 year old boy the girls met) Divante, Marcos, Philip, Nani, Hosea, and the others we met and connected with today.

 

Oh yeah, and I think I got majorly sunburned today, we’ll see tomorrow. Mrs. Shell was right, I need to wear some sunscreen.