7/2/08 Update - Belated again..

There was more structure put into place for our program today and it really seemed to help. We had about the same number of kids as yesterday, but there were about five new kids who took the place of the ones who didn't come today. Which means we could have a really large group tomorrow. Yeah! The older boys are very lovable with joy in their hearts, but they put off this tough front with each other. They have street smarts and know how to protect themselves, but I want to badly for them to let their guards down. I'm going to be looking for opportunities to see what their life is really life outside this program. I hope to play football with them. The smile on Damari's face every time I threw the football to him, melted my heart. He caught it maybe one out of every ten times, but he was still smiling and so happy. Judy and Leonard weren't there today, and I hope it is not because they had to go to a shelter. Lord, help their family to build their life back up to where they once were. Provide for them, allowing them to see you working in their lives. Lord, allow me to meet these kids where they are at, as you always do with us. Help me to better understand where they are coming from. Let me love these kids without thinking about how hard it will be to leave them at the end of the summer. Show me what you want me to do with this experience. Whether it be making this my lifestyle or spending more time in the inner-city. I pray that you will have laid it on my heart by the end of my time here.

Update for 7/1/08 - Belated

So yesterday was the first day of the after school program that we're putting on for the kids in the neighborhood. We had 8 kids show up which made it fairly easy to handle since there are 7 of us and Luke. There were 5 boys and 3 girls (Jacob, Leonard, Frizzell, Trevon, Ke-Jon) and (Judy, Angel and Sherry). They were respectful to all of us and the little boys were so sweet. It was during a prayer time before snack and I was holding hands with Trevon and Eboni, and Frizzell prayed the most innocent and beautiful prayer. He mentioned that he wanted us to all be forgiven of our sins and the bad things we have done. Then, he said, I pray for all of the kids here and for the leaders - bless all of them. This was coming from a first, soon to be second grader. After the prayer was over, we all looked at each other knowing that we were blessed. How visible the Lord was in this amazing child. After everyone let go of each others hands - I noticed that Trevon (first grader) was still holding my hand and smiling up at me. I wished that I could take a picture to remember the sweet, innocent face of his. I held his hand a little while longer and moved on to snack. Overall, the day went really well and the kids really took a liking to all of us. We were hoping to get more kids the day after and guess what? The Lord provided! Our numbers doubled . We had a bunch of new boys come (Dajohn, James, Damari, Zaymon, Angel, Devaris, and Christian). Everyone from the day before had returned but Frizzell. They were excited to see us and they remembered our names! The sweet sound of children playing and screaming on the playground filled my ears. These kids finally get a chance to just be kids. Zaymon became attached to me quickly and it was so sweet. We all came inside to listen to what we were going to be doing for the day and he cuddled up next to me with his arms leaning on my knees. He trusted me and I pray that I will be able to continue building a relationship with him and the others. I gave so many hugs out to the kids today and they responded well to that love.

My prayer: Lord, you are evident here in The Center. The drop-out rate in West Oakland is about 60% which means more than half of the kids we are working with may not graduate and could end up on the streets dealing drugs. This breaks my heart! I want to take them all in and care for them and show them God's love. How much I want them to make an impact on this world and be successful. The statistics are working against them and I pray that through conversation with the kids - we can make an impact on their lives enough for them to not give up when the community is not supporting their decisions. I pray that God will give us the words that their little ears need to hear. Let us be intentional about our speech and thoughtful about that topics of conversation that we choose. I am in awe of your Lord. You are truly showing me that I have a role here in West Oakland. The fear that I had felt prior to coming was of the devil and not of you. I'm so thankful that you didn't let me give up. I am already feeling connected with members of the community and am praising your name for this experience. I never would have pictured myself here and I am in debt to you for allowing everything to fall into place. You are a beautiful God with a compassion and heart for your people.