THREADS

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

An Invitation To New Life In Community

http://blog.beliefnet.com/godspolitics/2008/03/innercity-riches-by-bart-campo.html

So the link is for an article I read today by Bart Campolo. It tells of the riches and depth of community when we are "somewhat intentional" in forming it as we minister in the inner city. It struck a cord for a few reasons. First, it was encouraging to hear that the ideal we are striving for in our ministry is attainable and real and can be deep and fulfilling. This occurs when like minded Christ followers move into a neighborhood together and commit to each other and to God to support an love each other and those they live among. Second, it almost made me cry...this is because we so long for just such a community of believers to live and work along side of us as we minister in the city of Miami. Do we have friends? Social network? Yes, but it is not the same. We deeply desire for a few more families to move into the neighborhood as Jesus moved into our world and became the Word made flesh. We desire others to encourage and share the load with us as we encourage and share the load with them and our other neighbors. So I encourage you to read the article and if this sounds like what you are looking for as well let's talk! Consider yourself invited! _ Michael

Representin' Ethiopia!

Just showing off the girls in their traditional wear!

Fire in the Night

The phone call came while Erika and I were out on a date together trying to have some alone time. There had been a fire.

Our neighbor Emmanuel and, his girlfriend of 17 years, Darlene had been asleep already when around 9pm there was an electrical fire started in Darlene's bedroom. She awoke engulfed in flames, and Emmanuel to her screams. As neighbors struggled to release her from the flaming room she was burned over 90% of her body.

When Erika and I arrived they had already taken Darlene to the hospital, and Emmanuel was sitting in a chair in our drive way in shock. As events unfolded Erika and Laurie went to the hospital to pray with Darlene and share the Gospel with her. In the meantime I stayed with Emmanuel and prayed with him and comforted him as best I could all the while waiting for the fire department to clear the house and tell us what was next.

Darlene passed away soon after Erika an Laurie left, mere hours after the fire started. Since that night it has been an endless saga of insurance companies, Red Cross reps, police reports, fire department reports, insurance companies, family politics, funeral arrangements etc. We have been helping Emmanuel through the process and ministering to him in all areas. He has been very open and grateful.

Please pray for his soul's healing and for his grief process. Pray for all of the details such as insurance and housing to be taken care of and pray for us as we ministry to him. Pray that the street continues to step up as well and care for their neighbors. It has been good to see a core group of neighbors band together around him in this time of need as well. Finally pray for Christ to be glorified even in the midst of this suffering and tragedy.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Michael's Breakthrough!!

As some of you know Michael has been on a 15 month journey with the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative (www.devosurbanleadership.org) which is basically part boot camp, part retreat, and part grad school, with a focus on developing urban leaders who work with youth in the cities of America. This experience has been amazing and a great encouragement in our developmental process on both a personal and ministry level.

Last weekend he presented his final project, a comprehensive "Breakthrough Plan" that lays out the blueprint for leading himself, his family, and the Urban Resurrection team to the "next level". It was deeply encouraging to him as one after another his peers and the trainers from DeVos spoke highly of his plan and blessed his with prayer and ideas to better it. We look forward to seeing the results of this plan and hope you will too. Please keep him in prayer as he leads URez and the Miami community development networks into new and bold steps of positive change.

Check out the DeVos website for more info on how it is impacting the city you may live in or near. We highly recommend the program.