"David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God." 1 Samuel 30:6
God blew me away by how He worked in me this summer and how He worked in the lives of my co-workers and in the youth. The themes that stand out the most are of patience and grace. While these are character traits we often use to describe God, I personally felt they were most applicable to me. I saw God use the many people I interacted with this summer to display these traits to me, from the flexiblity of the youth when our schedule changed at a moments notice, to the impromtu prayer times with my co-workers throughout the day. Seeing God bring himself glory was humbling!
"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11
Where do I begin?.... It was six months ago that I arrived here at The Boston Project Ministries, and God has done so much in me both personally and in my relationship with others. What has surprised me most is how God has opened my heart to the youth in a way that I had not expected. After struggling early with some issues of urban culture and respect, God has given me an overwhelming amount of grace, love, and compassion for our children and youth. It still amazes me. I can see more clearly the pieces coming together and my role in this ministry team.
Last month we were able to take the youth who attend our Alpha-Bible study on a weekend retreat to New Hampshire. It was a great time of fun, fellowship, sharing God's Word, and my own personal testimony. (It was the first time some of our youth had seen the stars ☺). About 30% of our youth who attend Alpha profess to be young believers of Jesus; I ask that you to pray for our discipleship efforts. Pray that the other 70% will come to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Praises
1. God is giving me opportunities to share my testimony and build community with others!
2. We've had two new full-time staff to help with our youth program.
Looking Forward
• We are looking to hire summer staff for our Summer Missions Program and our Neighborhood Youth and Family Ministries (May 28th-Aug 16th). If you know anyone with at least one year of college and is looking for ministry opportunity please contact us at jobs@tbpm.org.
Quiet Reflections
I recently read a study, which said, "Boston is one of the nations most highly-educated cities, but in some census tracts within the city, as many as 50% of adults do not have a high school diploma." It is startling to see percentages like this one. As I interact with students on a daily basis, I have to face the reality that these numbers are often accurate.
In light of statistics such as these, it definitely feels like I am in a storm at time, as I wonder if I am making a difference even in the smallest way in the life of our youth. As I continue to ponder these things and the passage above, I am humbled by Jesus' words "Why are you afraid?" "Do you still have no faith?" It's not the strength of my faith that decides what results are produced, but its object, which is Jesus Christ.
Coming Events
Starting in December and January, I along with my co-worker Dana will be leading a "tween" girls mentoring/empowerment group. This will allow us the opportunity to connect with the girls in the neighborhood, some of whom come to our homework center. The hope is to invest more one-on-one with the girls through food, fellowship, games, prayer and scripture study, as well as have in-depth conversations about life as a tween girl.
Also starting in January 2012, we will be leading a Bible study with our teenagers. We are doing an Alpha course where we will explore Christianity as we study the person of Jesus and his relevance to our life today. This study gives the youth a chance to ask lots of questions about what it means to truly follow and live a life for Jesus. I look forward with eager anticipation to connecting with our teenagers as they learn about Jesus Christ. Please join me in prayer.
Life Adjustments
Life here at BP has been busy and full; I have had the opportunity to not only participate in the youth programs, but have been gradually making connections with our youth, some parents and the BP staff. Since my last newsletter I have been able to start attending Hope Fellowship Church over in Cambridge.
The past 9 years have seen a lot of changes and transitions, whether it was moving to another country, city or school. God through His faithfulness have been with me through it all, providing community, resources and pushing me to grow with each new endeavor. On the eve of my graduation from seminary, I attended our commissioning ceremony where I was given this passage of scripture:
Titus 2:1,7-8
"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."
I had no idea what I was going to do after seminary, I moved to Florida to spend time with my family and to seek the Lord on the next steps for my life, waiting was not easy but proved to be exactly what I needed for that period in my life. Where would God send me? How would He use me? Were the questions that plagued my mind day after day.
It turns out Boston was where He had prepared a place for me, more specially at The Boston Projects Ministries. So I made the 20+ hours drive and here I am in this city about to embark on this adventure in my life. Since being here I have quickly learned that road rules do not apply when driving, which means I have to learn to be a city driver again.
The Boston Project Ministries (or BP for short) is a community-based organization focused on seeing renewal in neighborhoods throughout Boston, while living out the example of Christ to the community. So what I am going to be doing? A lot of everything, but mostly focusing on the youth and the programs that are available to them, one of the big programs during the school year is the Homework Center that The Boston Project operates, this allows neighborhood youth to have a safe place to be after school and to get assistance with homework if needed. BP also participates in a number of different service days and community development projects throughout the year; I will keep you updated on this as time goes on.
Life in a new place always comes with a combination of emotions, one I feel most often is gratitude to God for all that He has done and will continue to do both in my life and this, His ministry. I am so thankful I get to be a part of what is happening here in Boston among the youth.
