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Fist, I apologize for the delay on getting anything of substance up on the blog. I could give you a long list of reasons (read “excuses”) for why I haven’t had the time… Anyway, I am sorry!
For the second year in a row Wonder City youth participated in Memphis Workcamp, June 5-9. Workcamp is a week of service. This week teens from churches of Christ all over the Memphis area (and a few from other places) come together, to go into the hoods in Memphis to serve. Workcamp crews scrape and paint homes for those who can not afford to have it done and/or are physically unable to take care of it themselves.
Last year six teens participated. This year we had nine participate—with five returning participants from last year. Our teens love the time to get out and serve others. An interesting fact is that many of our teen’s homes are in worse condition, than the houses chosen for Workcamp. While they occasionally mention that fact, they talk more about the fun (that’s right—fun while they work) they are having. In addition, our teens are picked up from their homes about 6:45 in the morning, and almost without exception they are always ready to go when the van arrives.
Many people think that those in the hood are lazy and don’t want to work. Many believe those in the hood simply want to live off the hard work of others through their government check. However, these kids proved otherwise during Workcamp. These kids were ready to work. They wanted to work. All they needed was the opportunity. (If you are interested in learning more about/or having a discussion on the poor and unemployment/under-employment visit and read Larry James’ Urban Daily—see link to right).
Later this summer, our teens will have another opportunity to serve. August 12th will be the first annual Day of Service. Kyle Strickland (youth minister at Missouri Street Church of Christ) and I hatched this idea after Workcamp last year. On August 12th both Missouri Street and Wonder City will come together to serve in the hoods of West Memphis. We plan to do yard work and light general maintenance for individuals similar to those served through Workcamp. I have no doubt that Wonder City will be ready to serve—this time in their community.
Here are a couple more pictures of our house (taken today). They are saying we should close either the first or second week of July.
The following article was written by my lovely wife-Amy. (Graduation was Friday, May 19.)Over the past five years, I have not had the opportunity to witness one of the youth from Wonder City graduate from high school. This year was different. I was prepared to attend graduation, but I was not prepared for the lack of “senior pride.” For Brenae (our only graduating senior this year), graduation was definitely something to look forward to, but she missed out on many of the highs of graduating. She was unable to purchase her senior pictures, her Senior Book, and Class Ring. I know, I know, these are material things, but they are also rights of passage for a teenager in today’s society. I remember what it felt like knowing there was a good chance I would not have the funds for these things as a senior in high school. My Grandfather eventually purchased them for me, and I had to pay him back as soon as I was able. For many, there is pride in inserting a photo in a graduation announcement, and many people expect the photo to be there. I have heard the phrase “No photo, no gift,” so many times that I too expect to find a photo when I receive a graduation announcement. So I received Brenae’s announcement, opened it up, and what? There is no photo. I knew she had her pictures taken, but was not sure what had happened. So, I called her. There was pain in her voice when she told me she could not afford them. I too was pained when she spoke these words. Not because of what she could not afford, but because of what I was reminded of. I was reminded that we as a society take so much for granted, and that our expectations of individuals tend to be based on our own standards, financial ability and upbringing. While Brenae graduated with “Pomp and Circumstance,” I watched her with a case of the Senior Blues, knowing that I am guilty of taking the little things in life for granted.
On the way back (5/21) from a conference in California, I had to fly from L.A. to Atlanta (a long flight I don’t recommend). I sat next to an older gentleman and his wife who were traveling to Rome. We got to talking and I told him I was on my way home from a conference in Azusa. He was slightly puzzled. I told him about Urban Youth Workers Institute—a conference for those who were doing religious based urban youth work. He inquired whether I was involved with youths in gangs. “Yes,” I replied. At this point he revealed that he was a prosecutor, and he had prosecuted some gang members. What he relayed next continues to stick with me: he added that what I was doing (thus also others who are involved in the same work) is where the real and lasting difference is going to be made.
In other words, if real change is going to come about in our cities, it must involve the work of the church and blood of Jesus. All the government programs in the world may help, but they are missing the key “ingredient” that can sustain lasting change. In that moment I was extremely proud. What a huge privilege that God has allowed me to be apart of this ministry. Yet, I also felt overwhelmed. What a huge responsibility! There is so much work to be done. Jesus said it this way, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Mt. 9:36-38; NIV). If the church is the answer to the problems in our city, the change this prosecutor was pointing towards will only come about if we all answer Jesus’ call to go into the harvest field. Will you?
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