Welcome to the newest section of The Boston Project's website – Staff Blogs! Our staff now has the ability to publish a personal blog. How often they choose to post is up to them, but be sure to check back often!
Click on their name to go to their blog page, or click on the title of an entry to go directly to that entry. You can also view this page arranged by staff person.
October 1, 2008
"I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God ... Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will... " Romans 12: 1 -
Paul goes on to tell the followers of Jesus to be humble, work as a ONE body with many different parts, to love sincerely, pray faithfully, be joyful in hope, patient when you are being afflicted, share with whomever is in need, practice hospitality (PRACTICE... meaning you won't get it right the first time necessarily), bless the people who are mean to you, don't curse them (even the people that drive ridiculously on the highway or the Shaw's parking lot), and as much as you can, to live at peace with everyone (everyone meaning, everyone... even people that don't like you and try to hurt you...). God says then that He will avenge wrongs done to people, it is not up to us. Instead we are supposed to feed our enemies (interesting to think about what that would mean if we actually fed those we call our "evil" enemies on the other side of the world) and to give them drinks when they are thirsty!
... God have mercy on me! Your love is so much bigger than I can wrap my mind around!
This is what the early Christians taught. This is what they meant when they said they followed Jesus! The more I read this the more I realize how much my mind needs to be renewed not to mention my heart and my actions.
I am the furthest thing from a reflection of Jesus' love. All I can say is He's got a lot of work to do in my heart, but I am pumped to know that when He is able to love people through me like THAT it's going to transform the people around me, whole communities even because no human can love like that on their own!
Thank you God for your mercy, grace, love and hope that is ours through the life and death and life again of Jesus Christ of Nazareth!
Home
It was a full summer, and it's hard to believe that it's over! I recently had some time to reflect and think about the fall as our summer staff transitioned out and the majority of The Boston Project staff went on vacation for a week. (Not me though! I held down the fort.) First, I absolutely cannot believe it's been a year since I moved back to Dorchester! Many on our staff are heading into seasons of transition, but I feel like I am just getting my feet wet in a place that is feeling more and more like home.
Fall Plans
This fall is going to be a busy one, with work and travel. I will be traveling to Tampa, FL to see a good friend get married and to the Bay Area in California to spend some time with my dad and my brother Chris. At work, I have a few new special projects. One new project, which I am particularly excited about due to its city and urban planning focus, will involve working with the community and the city to quickly turn a vacant piece of land into a beautified open and green space, such as a park or a community garden. I am exploring my interest in the field of city planning, so this is right up my alley!
Another exciting opportunity I have this fall is the possibility of traveling to Miami in October for the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) Conference, whose theme this year is Seeking the Peace of the City. This conference will be a four day event where Christians who are working in cities all over the US come together to learn about and work towards 'shalom' for urban communities. This vision of shalom- where neighborhoods have secure streets, healthy relationships, effective and affirming schools, clean air, a thriving local economy, where our children and elderly are valued, and where the church is a vibrant beacon of hope connects with my heart deeply, and I really hope to go. I have been asked to help a friend of mine, who is presenting a workshop on organizing communities of faith for environmental justice. The cost of sending me to this conference will be approximately $500. Would you consider a special gift to help me attend this conference in October?
I look forward to a great fall and thank you so much for your partnership that allows me to be a part of this ministry!
Prayer:
1)Pray for me as I start new projects at The Boston Project and explore different career interests.
2)Pray for my apartment, and all the exciting transitions for my roommates (including marriage!)
3)Pray for all my travels this fall, for safety and for encouraging times with friends and family.
September 30, 2008
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Eccl. 3:1
There is continual activity in the Malkemes' home. We are doing our best to stay in step with God as the seasons change - both within our family, and with the beginning of school year. Paul says, "we feel the freedom to push the reset button during times like these to help us realign with God's purposes," and in turn we are experiencing the peace of God in the midst of many joys and a few challenges.
Grace (3) is a full-fledged preschooler at the Lee Academy (sniff, sniff from Mommy), and she is loving it! She says her biggest challenge lately is learning how to hold on to the class line-rope without bumping into other kids. Grace is really proud that she can draw a straight line on paper and color in the lines.
Cady (5) entered kindergarten this fall. She says that it was also challenging for her to begin gymnastics class. She has been placed in an advanced class with a new teacher, and was pretty scared at first. Now Cady is extremely proud she made it through her first class, and is "really into it." She is one of the most flexible kids we know.
Over the summer Megan (almost 8) was anxious about returning to school, and says that a challenge for her has been "getting used to second grade homework." She transitioned back to school fairly well, and is thankful for Ms. R, a counselor she meets with weekly who helps her "work through her worries." Megan is our primo boogey-boarder, and is very proud of her growing swimming abilities.
For Paul and I, having all the girls in school is providing more opportunities to enjoy and support each other. Many of you will be pleased to know we are even scheduling some daytime dates. Paul has stepped into some new roles including financial management at our church and helping with communications for the Family Council at the girl's Lee Academy. I (Glenna) am getting ready to open Homework Center and start writing our 2009 curriculum.
Please pray for Godly wisdom as we raise our girls. We see in them the influence of the culture we live in, struggles with anxiety or self-confidence, and seeming to grow up too fast. But along with these challenges we are pleased with the full life our girls are getting. We love the fact that Megan talks almost daily about her faith with a Muslim friend - without wavering in her own belief and abandoning her friend, or that Cady has a heart to bring understanding between people. Your prayers carry us and it is such a blessing to know that whether we are laughing or crying, there are people like you laughing and crying with us. When you have a minute, send an email, note, or call. We would love to hear from you.
You can pray these scriptures for our family; Romans 15:13, Philippians 4:6-7, Proverbs 21:23.
September 16, 2008
I got engaged!
For some of you it may be news that I am even dating someone. For others of you, this does not come as a shock.
My Fiancee is Ryan David Ozolins. He and I have been best friends since the summer after our junior year in high school. We began dating this May after many years of thinking and praying about it. The timing was finally right.
As we began dating I have not stopped being amazed at how good God is. Each day I realize how God has answered my prayers (or the prayers of my family and friends) through giving me Ryan.
Our prayer has been that God's Kingdom will be advanced further here on this earth through us being together than it would be with us apart. We are constantly asking God to speak to us about where He wants us to live, what He has created each of us to do and why He has put us together as a couple.
It has been a wonderful four months so far, full of fun, some tears and lots of surprises! Now that we are engaged I am looking forward to seeing how God continues to shape us and use us in the years to come.
Please pray with us and for us in these upcoming months.
September 10, 2008
Our theme this year for the Summer Missions Program was "Have you seen the Good News?" from Luke 4. Every Sunday after youth groups arrived for a week at The Boston Project, Keith would ask, what has been the greatest news you received this month? In keeping with this theme, there is so much "good news" I want to share about how God showed up in my life this summer that I can't give just one answer. Each week our summer staff came up with a top ten list of ways God worked. I thought it fitting to share my good news in a top ten list since you served with me this summer through prayer and financial support.
1. Prior to the summer I was anxious and asked for a joy and excitement- and God answered!
2. This summer my role was about pouring into staff and it was amazing to see them use Scripture or words of encouragement with youth that I had spoken into their lives, like a ripple effect. God allowed me to see that He was using me.
3. Week five, I served as a staff counselor. To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to it, but it turned into one of my best weeks- though it meant sleeping on the church floor. Connections I made with youth and the burden God gave me for them were priceless. God knew best!
4. One nightly activity was centered on John 9, where Jesus spit on the ground and made mud with saliva, putting it on the blind man's eyes. Jesus used what can be seen as disgusting to bring healing. This summer, I saw God redeem areas in my life that I saw as shameful to minister to youth and staff. God can use anything if you allow Him to.
5. At a late night meeting, a staff person I'd been praying with shared an "aha" moment. In the midst of her frustrations preparing for an activity that night, she cried out to God, and He revealed to her something we'd prayed about all summer. God brings healing.
6. In my second summer, I had the joy of seeing returning youth and leaders. I usually don't lead small groups, but both times I led one this summer, I had girls from my groups last year. God reconnects.
7. Praise that God sustained my relationship with Dan during the crazy long hours. I was truly blessed to have his support and understanding this summer. God is able.
8. In conversations with youth and staff, God is revealing new passions in me. God reveals.
9. One day interceding for my staff, I felt broken and needed someone to pour into me. God heard my cry and that day placed someone in my path. God hears my cries.
10. I received gift cards from supporters like you so I was able to bless staff by treating them to coffee or pizza as I extended my ears to listen to ways God was challenging them. Thank you! God equips us for His work.
September 5, 2008
Just like so many people along the East Coast, we're keeping an eye on the hurricane. We had planned a Neighborhood Bash for this Saturday, but are postponing it because of the weather. Our Bash is going to celebrate the different cultures in our neighborhood and have games and food and other activities in the site of our future park. Instead, we're all planning to stay inside tomorrow as the rain moves through!
August 22, 2008
Here's to another summer of ministry in Boston. Sarah and I raised high our marshmallows and doughboys tonight in celebration of this recently ended season of our lives called the "Summer Missions Program." As we reflect on the bittersweetness of this transition into a more peaceful, cooler, and calmer time of year, we are grateful. Grateful for all the amazing ways God "showed up," grateful for the things we've learned, and yes, grateful that the summer is over.
For me, this summer was beautiful. We saw at least three teenagers give their lives to Jesus Christ, and several more are within an arm's reach of our Father (their arm, not His). We saw residents of our neighborhood cared for in simple projects like painting a front porch or weeding a garden. We saw teenagers come alongside seniors dealing with loneliness and, and begin to understand their role in showing the "good news" that God cares for each and every person.
As Sarah and I reflected, we were also struck by how God honored my commitment to put my family first. While I spent less time in the actual operation of the program this year than in any of my previous 7 summers, God continued to work (shocking, huh?). Honestly, it causes me to check my pride when I step out and everything still continues on without me. Sometimes I can imagine that this or that will fall apart, or even that God will not work as powerfully without my input. How ridiculous. I am thankful that He gave me the desire and opportunity to spend more time with my family, and for showing me what He can do without my help.
In the coming weeks, I will try to post more stories and reflections from the summer. It's not easy to summarize these dozen weeks of our lives.
July 22, 2008
It is an honor to be used by God - to be His tool. We are a bit more than halfway through our summer program, which involves over 250 teenagers in service and discipleship in Boston, and I just want to share a few ways God has moved this summer:
- A teenager made a renewed commitment to seek after God, even though he's still not sure if he wants to completely follow God yet. (see Jesus' words on "counting the cost" in Luke 14:25-33). Please pray as he counts the cost of being a disciple of Christ.
- After a night of outreach to the homeless with Starlight Ministries on the Boston Common, several teenagers are now taking the initiative to continue ministering to those they met. They are making plans to serve on a regular basis with Starlight, and are passionate about loving others in their everyday lives.
- Junior high girls can be mean, but they can also be sincere, remorseful, and forgiving. We saw reconciliation happen between girls that previously had been tearing each other down, followed by a commitment to love each other and build each other up (Ephesians 4:29).
- Eyes have been opened to the reality that to care about an individual, you also have to care about the things that hurt him or her. Sometimes this means that we are concerned about more than relieving a temporary burden (food, clothes, shelter) or making sure of their eternal well-being (salvation through Jesus), but also about the people, politics, and systems that tend to push people down (see Malachi 3:5).
These are just a few of the ways God has worked this summer. We are his tools, and glad to be.
July 18, 2008
All I can say is that summer at The Boston Project always draws me to my knees.
This summer, in particular, I am reminded that God's peace is a peace that passes ALL understanding. It is easy to be busy here where the work/ministry just never seems to end. To be honest I have a hard time sitting down and just enjoying life when I know there are "things to do."
But God really put it on my heart to be peaceful this summer. Let me tell you, it has taken a lot of prayer, but I am learning what it means to take every thought captive, to enjoy my time with people even when it seems like things are "out of my control," and I have even been taking time off on the weekends! (It is a huge step for me)
And here we are, with three and a half weeks of programming left and I am thrilled to see that each week goes more and more smoothly (even without my worrying... imagine that!) and is filled with stories of how God is at work in young people's lives as well as my staff!
His peace is definitely beyond my understanding but it is something that I never want to let go of.
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope"
~Isaiah 42:1-4
Do not be discouraged
This spring, I have been reading through Isaiah and am riding the roller coaster of emotions throughout the book. Recently, I read Isaiah 42 and was struck by this image of what it means to be a follower of God. A little over a year ago I made the decision to move to Dorchester, and it's now been an amazing, but tough nine months since I've arrived. I'm starting to realize the commitment it takes to do ministry, especially in areas where there is great injustice. It can be tiring, and it can seem hopeless. I've known for years that this is the type of work that I want to spend my life doing- but this spring I have started to think through the cost. As God chastises His people for turning from His ways and for doing little more than praising him with their lips, I've had to ask myself "Am I in this for the long haul?" It takes a greater commitment than just my words. It's easy to say that I want to commit my life to the causes of the poor; it's harder to live out. I was reminded when reading this passage not to falter in this commitment and also that Christ is at work in our neighborhood. This can be hard to remember at times, as I spend my days behind the scenes of the ministry, and not on the front lines. I may not be the one in the streets, crying out on behalf of my friends and neighbors, but I will be faithful to the call of justice that God has put upon my life.
Summer Fun
Don't worry... I don't spend all my time being serious! I love summer in the city, and now that it's beautiful out again, I have an extra skip in my step. Our Executive Director recently shared a passage that he sees being lived out in our neighborhood, and it made my heart leap as I realized that it hit upon the many reasons that I love this community. Zechariah 8:4-5 reads, "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.'" I love being on the street, seeing our neighborhood youth having fun, with their parents and grandparents sitting out on their front porches, enjoying the day. It really is a beautiful image, and yet another reason why I love it here!
Pray for me!!
-I am moving! I have made a decision to move across the street from our ministry house with a group of young women. This is big commitment as it's a financial investment in our community. Pray for the transition as I move onto the street where I work. Please also pray that I meet my financial support goal as I take on this additional expense. I am stepping out in faith!
- Pray for our summer staff, and that the course of their lives would be radically changed as they experience God's heart for the city.
-Pray for a safe summer for our youth and our staff.
July 7, 2008
I am in summer mode, full force! Although it is a busier time for me, I have been enjoying growing in my role this summer. One of my main responsibilities is to care for our staff team. As I mentioned in my last letter, our summer staff work intense hours, sleep on floors (when they actually get to sleep) and pour into the almost 300 youth who come to the Summer Missions Program. Our heart at The Boston Project is not only to see how God impacts the youth who come, but also to see God work in the lives of the young adults that serve with us.
And God has shown up! Staff have tried new things and through stretching experiences discovered new areas of gifting. One staff always thought since he was quiet and introverted that up-front leading wasn't for him. Through opportunities he has had to teach morning devotions and lead nightly activities for the Summer Missions Program, he is realizing he may have the gift of teaching. AMEN!
I meet with staff individually every other week to hear how they are doing and how we can be praying for them. I love listening in excitement as they share ways God is working in and through them. He has been bringing healing in staff lives' in ways they didn't expect! God has confirmed passions and life callings. Basically, God is moving- and I am blessed to be a part of it.
July 6, 2008
This past week has been one of the most exhausting weeks that I've had in a while, but it's been a great one none the less.
On Tuesday, I had the chance to help staff our Higher Ground trip, which was a three day excursion to the woods of New Hampshire where we had the chance to take nine of our youth hiking, camping and canoing for the first time. It was pretty awesome, and I was so thankful that I got to go! We hiked Mount Cardigan, which is right outside the White Mountains and has an elevation of about 3,000 feet. Not too bad, but for these youth it was like hiking Mt. Everest! I was so proud of them, and they all had such a great attitude about it (except for the bugs... they hate bugs!). We also canoed 11 miles down the Saco River, and camped for an evening on the side of the river. It was neat to watch the youth bond as a team, and share in this experience together.
I got back Thursday evening, and the next day was the Fourth of July! I went downtown to watch the fireworks, and it was awesome because where we were at was directly in front of the barge where they shoot them off of. It was probably the best view I've ever had for the fireworks, which I've seen countless times. It was also nice to just be with my Boston Project family :)
And yesterday was probably the most tiring experience yet... I MOVED! I am now living at 12 Elmhurst Street, right across from The Boston Project ministry house. It's exciting to be on the street, where so much of our ministry happens, and to have my first rented apartment. I feel like I'm stepping out in faith by taking this leap, since it seems a little crazy to leave free housing... but my heart really is on this street, and it's amazing to be able to live here. It'll be fun setting up everything, and I can't wait to have people over and get the chance to be hospitable.
So yeah... I'm exhausted! But it's that good type of exhaustion. The satisfying type. Thank you God for all the great things that have been happening :)
June 22, 2008
Sarah and the boys flew to South Carolina today to visit my family.
60 youth from 4 states arrive in 16 hours.
The time is 1:49 a.m.
Eighty copies of our Challenge devotional guide are printing.
It is my annual all-nighter.
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