A New Chapter
This September marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. The arrival of fall meant the start of my non-summer life in Boston. Having spent the summers of 2006 and 2007 working with The Boston Project, I am excited to see what the academic year brings.
Boston... in the Fall
Apple picking. A day-trip to Vermont. Canoeing in the Boston Harbor. These are some of the exciting things I've planned for my free time as I explore New England. I recently canoed with my roommate Liz and a summer director, Mike, as we loaded up a picnic dinner and headed for Thompson Island to watch the sun set over the Boston skyline.
Fall also means the beginning of school for our neighborhood youth, so co-worker Katie Rice and I have been busy distributing free school supplies, tutoring, and planning for our programs throughout the academic year. I was surprised to learn recently that a good number of our kids, even as young as third grade, had to go to summer school. One of our Homework Center goals this year is No Summer School. Although the slogan is phrased in the negative, in the affirmative it stands for summer days spent having fun, playing at our local parks, joining in our Fun Fitness or Bible CLUB activities, or even having a first-time work experience (and a paycheck!)
Praises
• Taking part in a new training to equip me as a youth worker
• Spending a recent weekend retreat with a team from the Univ. of Albany where many students started thinking about living a life of service to honor God.
Prayer Requests
• Safety for the youth in our neighborhood
• Building our volunteer team for Homework Center
• Continuing to develop a team of financial supporters
• Finding a church home
Community Life
I live a few blocks away from The Boston Project house with housemates Liz, Kelly and Brandon. As a house and as part of the larger staff context, we are learning what it means for us specifically to live in community. Once-a-week 'family' dinner, house prayer, and spontaneous ice cream trips are part of living in our community.
I continue to search for a church home and a small group. I'm currently deciding and debating over the qualities important to me in a church: diversity (including people my age), commitment to social justice and location are just a few factors I'm thinking about. I also continue to flesh out exactly what my role with The Boston Project is, along with developing a team of financial and prayer partners. While there are a lot of things beginning to take shape in my life and still a lot of unknowns, I am reminded of the importance of Matthew 6:33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
