Last Updated August 31, 2010Staff Blogs

New Hampshire Vacation

We just returned from a very refreshing family vacation in New Hampshire. We thank God for the gift of a place to stay near Loon Mountain (Lincoln, NH). We'd highly recommend both the location and the condo we used to families and skiers (and everyone else!). Contact us for more information.

"Praise God, I'm Still Alive."

A year ago I was in the hospital with a virus around my heart. I hadn't thought much about it this past year until I reached my birthday mid-August when I was filled with tremendous gratitude for life. I didn't quite know how to express it to others, so I made awkward jokes by saying "Praise God, I'm still alive."

I truly thank God for life. Our hearts continue to burn for our children, neighbors, and youth to experience the life Jesus Christ has for them. I praise God for the preservation of physical life as two of our young people were hit this week by a car that drove recklessly onto our street. The spiritual battle over our children and teenagers is so clear - like night and day; and we, along with many of our staff, are compelled by Christ to engage in the battle. This summer we were blessed with a gifted summer staff that did a superb job leading our outreach ministries. They spent time with over 400 children and teenagers.

As summer draws to a close, we will go on vacation as many families do. I appreciate Jesus' example of withdrawing to lonely or quiet places in the midst of his ministry as a time to reconnect with God the Father. We are not as tired as in some years. However, we feel the need for family time away mostly to play and be together. Pray for us during this time of refreshment. We also sense that this upcoming academic year may look a bit different for us, and we are asking God for some clarity around this inner nudging.

We can never say it enough - THANK YOU - for your ongoing encouragement, prayer, and financial support of us through The Boston Project Ministries. PS. If you don't receive our monthly email prayer updates, we'd love to send them to you. Let us know (paul@tbpm.org).

Be Careful What You Pray For...

I'm not one to get super involved with the latest Christian trend. My observation is that most trends have some nuggets of Truth that attract us to them. This spring, we began praying part of the prayer of Jabez (I Chronicles 4:10) for our work through The Boston Project. We asked God to "enlarge our territory" by naming streets where we longed for new or deeper relationships.

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

Little did I expect to see the EXPLOSION in numerical growth with our neighborhood youth ministries this summer. We have had over 100 unique children come to our afternoon park programs, 100+ teenagers have attended our teen cafes, and just last night we had 100-120 come to our Big Event (closing celebration for our summer programs). Numerical growth isn't the end goal, but it represents more opportunities to share the Good News with others.

I'm excited as I look towards the school year and think about the opportunities our staff and volunteers will have to invest in many more lives. We hope you will join us! - paul

Summer Prayer Requests

• God's Transforming Work: We have been thrilled to see God touching the hearts of children and teens, some who outwardly appear the toughest of youth. We praise God for the unexpected smile we see, the sidewalk conversation about who God has made them, and their own growing convictions about caring for one another and our community.


• The Spot - Teen Cafe: One of Paul's joys this summer is to host an anti-violence teen cafe Thursday nights. This cafe is an entry point for us to get to know new youth. We have had over 75 teenagers attend in the past 3 weeks, most of whom are unchurched. Pray for fruitful relationships to grow.


• Our Family: Amongst all God's activity, we are mindful of making sure our daughters are doing well. Pray for continued time together alone as a family (a challenge living in a ministry house). Pray for a summer vacation spot for us in late August.


• Finishing the Summer Strong: We are at the point in the summer where tiredness is a daily norm. Pray for God's strength for all our staff (Galations 6:9).


• God's Provision / Fall Strategy: We praise God that we are on target with our personal fundraising goal. Thank You! At the same time, our General Fund which pays other staff, our health insurance, and operating expenses is seriously behind (33% or $17,405). Pray for God's generous provision. Ask God for wisdom regarding a fall strategy with our changing staff capacity and new opportunities.

May Prayer Requests

• Answered Prayers: We want to share a couple of updates: School environment & choices - after a positive meeting with the school principal and action steps, we have decided that Cady and Grace will remain at their current Boston Public School. Pennsylvania visit - great time with family and friends at Kingsley Community Church (our first supporting church since 1996). Summer Staff - we have an all-star summer staff team coming together. Almost all positions have been filled.
• Supporting Our Staff / Fellow Missionaries: Studies indicate that one of the main reasons missionaries leave their work is because of interpersonal conflicts with other missionaries. Pray for our Boston team as we encourage one another during this busy month of summer preparations. Pray for marriages and those in their singleness.
• Curriculum Writing: Glenna has lots of writing to do both for our summer missions scripture theme and children's programs. Paul has to write curriculum for our youth environmental leadership program. Pray for the space and words from God to guide meaningful learning experiences.
• Our Neighborhood: Boston Police indicate it may be a tough summer for children and youth in our city. Pray for God to raise up peacemakers (Matt 5:9) for our streets. Ask God to disrupt the plans of the evil one. Pray that no young person is hurt in any way. Pray for changed lives through our summer jobs program with 22+ neighborhood youth.

Thanks for your prayers for our family and this ministry. We believe that prayer changes things! Keep on praying.

Serving God Together As A Family

One of my joys as a husband and dad is to find opportunities for our family to serve God together. At times, it can be a challenge considering our daughters are ages 5, 7, and 9. But how exhilarating when your child develops a heart that has a genuine love for others - particularly in our self-focused world.

We had three Saturdays in a row where our daughters were out in the neighborhood working alongside us and volunteers painting fences, helping seniors garden, cleaning up the new park, and more. We all got dirty and tired! What a delight to practice together what it means to live out Jesus' simple command to love God and love our neighbor.

We also try to enlarge Megan, Cady, and Grace's worldview by observing how others live globally. Our support of 5 year-old Leticia through Compassion International has made us aware of greater human need in Guatemala. Preparing gift-filled Christmas shoeboxes with Grandma to send to children overseas makes us realize (again) how much we have. Our friends, Keith and Sarah, had a weekly dinner of rice and beans to help their older sons, ages 2 and 5, reflect on the reality of how children in other parts of the world daily eat. Not surprising though, we still struggle with many selfish moments.

The Apostle Paul's words to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" is beginning to take root in our family. We love it when our daughters challenge us to think less about ourselves, and more about others. But how do we spur our family towards a greater lifestyle of service? We're on a journey to figure it out together. Hopefully it will be a hallmark of our family and yours.

April Prayer Requests

• For God to Expand Our Territory: Recently we have been asking God to open doors for us to connect with more neighbors on Ferndale St. and Colonial Ave, each a block away. Pray with us for greater outreach and God's influence in these new areas; streets police identify currently as "hot." Pray also for Neighborhood Ministry House #2. Keith and Sarah Riddle (ministry partners) recently made an offer on a house near one of our Board members who's family has been committed to loving their neighbors for years.
• Ownership of a New Community Garden: We believe God desires for us to care for His creation. This summer, we have the opportunity to transform a neglected city lot into a beautiful Childrens Community Garden. Pray for God's favor with the City as we ask for future ownership of this lot (historically a bit of red tape). I'm excited about seeing young people's eyes opened to the many gardening analogies in God's Word.
• School Environment & Choices: Pray for our family as we try to determine what school environment is best for our children. Megan is thriving as South Shore Christian Academy (SSCA), but Cady is struggling with increased disruptions and aggressive behavior at her school. Pray for our on-going conversations with school staff and for God's peace in our schools.
• Pennsylvania Visit: We look forward to our upcoming visit with relatives and friends at Kingsley Community Church April 17-20. Pray for safe travels and a blessed time of reconnecting with many friends.

Thanks for being faithful in your prayers for our family and this ministry. We depend on them!

March Prayer Request

We have several friends experiencing sorrow or hardship at this time. Indeed, we are all touched by the global heartaches. As we encounter some challenging situations in our own urban neighborhood, we stand firm upon God's word.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though it's waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." - Psalm 46:1-3,7.

• Our Neighborhood Youth: The battle between good and evil has never been so clear to me as it is now! Some of our youth and young adults are experimenting with drug use, selling, house parties, and more. Yet, at the same time they are coming to our weekly Bible Study with significant spiritual questions. Many of them stand at a fork in the road facing the question, "which way will I go?" Pray for our young people to choose Jesus' way. Pray for a disruption to the enemy's plans. Pray for our involvement in their lives.
• Summer Jobs & Summer Staff: We are in the season of raising funds and hiring staff for our summer programs. Our goal is to help every teenager in our immediate neighborhood who wants a job to find a job. We will hire 20 youth. Pray for the funding needed (about $15,000) and for the six adults to be hired to direct our summer outreach work.
• Glenna - Curriculum Writing: During the next six weeks, Glenna will finish writing the summer scripture curriculum for our missions teams. Pray as she listens to God, writes, and edits a daily devotional guide and evening program activities.
• Praise God for Answered Prayers: As we reflect on the last six months of prayer requests sent to you, we praise God for improved health, increased compassion, a mini-van, financial provision, clarity around our 10-year Neighborhood Ministry House vision, spiritual growth in both our family and neighbors, and future life direction for our staff. God is good!

Thanks for being faithful in your prayers for our family and this ministry.

January-February Prayer Needs

• Staff Care: Ask God to equip us and bring others around to help care for our young adult staff. Many of them are dealing with challenging situations and/or life direction questions. We are also about to welcome another new staff member, Nyesha, who is coming to work with our Neighborhood Youth Ministries.
• Vision for the next 10 Years: We are praying for continued clarity around God's vision for establishing five (5) Neighborhood Ministry Houses in Boston by 2020. Ask God to raise up and connect the team of people to usher in this vision.
• Spiritual Growth in our Neighborhood: The spiritual condition of our neighbors is important to us. We recently had a neighbor ask if we would help host a monthly neighborhood prayer meeting. We are also aware of the evil forces trying to destroy our youth. Pray that people will understand the power and healing found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Debt free in 2010: Glenna and I enjoy giving to others, but at times are limited by our remaining personal debt. Pray for us as we take on a few extra jobs in 2010 to eliminate our remaining debt.

Thanks for praying for our family and this ministry. Feel free to send us any questions or your own updates.

With love and gratitude,

Your friends - Paul & Glenna

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