Undoing Complacency.

"Jesus said whatever you do to the least of these my brothers you’ve done it to me. And this is what I’ve come to think. That if I want to identify fully with Jesus Christ, who I claim to be my Savior and Lord, the best way that I can do that is to identify with the poor. This I know will go against the teachings of all the popular evangelical preachers. But they’re just wrong. They’re not bad, they’re just wrong. Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in a beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you. Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken." (Rich Mullins)

I think this quote sums up a large majority of the things I'm learning this summer. I'm learning to love, unconditionally. I'm learning that just because you're black and from the 'hood, doesn't make you a bad person (I already knew that, but internally still held a stereotype). I'm learning that

living in community, with the same people all the time, isn't easy. I'm learning about myself. I'm learning about Jesus. I'm learning to see Jesus in

those around me. The lady who needs a ride to Solo, but smells like she hasn't showered in days. The fighting six year old boys that get under my skin, but can have the cutest smiles, and sweetest spirits. The teenage boys that act like they're cool than this. The teenage girls that have walls built for miles around their hearts.

These people help me identify with Jesus. God's called me to love these people, as much as my own family and friends. As a white person, raised in a middle class family, it's easy

to forget how privileged I am. It's easy to be complacent.

com·pla·cent (km-plsnt)

adj.

1. Contented to a fault; self-satisfied and unconcerned: He had become complacent after years of success.

In Charlotte, there is a huge difference in the areas of poverty, and riches. I've spent some time this week in some of the "better off" parts of to

wn. It's hard for me to be comfortable in that environment now. Consumerism drives the middle to upper classes. Not saying I don't ever spend money, because according to Helms, the interns this year are "some of the most spendingness, drivingness people." So yes, I do realize I have a lot to work on. But, I've really been convicted, this past week especially, of falling into the trap of complacency for where I'm at and ignorance to the poor in my community. Poverty breaks my heart. Seeing children being raised in poverty breaks my heart. Parents, working 3 jobs, just to put food on the table. Grandparents, opening their 3 bedroom house to their children and grandchildren. While many of us (myself included) spend money on things we don't need, ignorant to those suffering around us.

As Christians we are called to do something. We are called to help the poor and needy and those who are oppressed. That doesn't mean you have to uproot your whole lifestyle and move to the 'hood (although, it's not a bad idea), but you can and must do something. Get involved locally. Find organizations you can volunteer at and give to. Get to know a homeless person. Give to a homeless person. Forget the ideas of "safety" that you've held your whole life. These people that are different than you, aren't out to hurt you. They want the same thing you want: to be loved and accepted. Build relationships. Give. Volunteer. And most of all, LOVE.

This is my prayer:

"Father, thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to live at Hyaets this summer. Thank you for opening my eyes to those around me, who daily face situations that I can't begin to comprehend. Thank you that you've equipped me to do something. I'm sorry that I daily fall into the trap of consumerism and complacency. Continually convict me of my ignorance to oppression, and remind me to show your love with those around me. And allow my focus to be on you in all that I'm doing. Thank you for loving unconditionally. Amen."

1 John 3:18
"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

Beautiful people.

Week 3 Summary

I'm happy to report that this past week was by far better than the first and second weeks here at Hyaets.

We spent four out of five days either at a pool-like facility or playing with/in water. I've determined that water makes days better. As silly as it sounds, water seems to bring out the child in the kids. They don't keep up their tough guy acts when surrounded by water. I love it. I would take the kids to the pool everyday if I was allowed.

This past week may have also been better because Lindsay and I were more accustomed to what we were doing. Two weeks ago, we didn't know what to expect, and thus, came unprepared for the day and challenges we were going to face. But this week, we knew the importance of planning and actively entertaining the kids. I think we've also been able to break past their shells some, which has been great. We still had some instances with a few kids, but nothing major.

I'm planning on writing a reflective blog soon on how my time here has affected my views of "the other," and just my ideas of poverty/heartache/organic-ness/green/religion in general. For now, I've got to get some sleep. :)

Learning to love and breathe.

My words aren't justly coming together to form descriptive sentences for this week, so here are a few words:

Exasperating. Overwhelming. Fun. Learning. Headache-worthy. Teaching. New. Exhausting. Confusing. Enjoyable. Trying. Hard. Exciting.

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The Jarrell Family, made up of Greg, Helms, Joe, John-Tyson and Zeb, works mainly with the children; while the Williams Family: Jason, Joanie, Jamar, Kevin, Joy-Kate and Nora, interacts predominately with the adults. For the summer, I'm living with the Williams family, and my wonderful roommate, Lindsay. I work mainly with the Jarrell family, since my focus this summer is with the children from the neighborhood.

Every weekday, anywhere from 8-15 (the amount for this week, throughout the summer the number may vary more) children come to the Clubhouse from 12-4. The kids love coming to hang out with the Hyaets family, and look forward to the summer activities that we plan. Most of the week last week, we spent planning out over all schedule:

Monday: Park day

Tuesday: Gym/garden day

Wednesday: Field trip day

Thursday: Pool day

Friday: Intern surprise day

To most, predominately Lindsay and I, this would seem like enough planning...but quickly did we learn it was not. The Enderly Park kids are raised in a culture that is so foreign to mine. They grow up tough. They spit out words, and most of the time, they don't hesitate to put them into action. As interns, we've learned fast that down time with the kids is not okay. Every minute almost has to be planned out, especially for the younger kids. Things can escalate in an instant from a small remark to a full on fight. Within the first week, I've already had to break up two very physical fights (between 8 year olds). If they aren't fighting, a lot of the time they are yelling at each other. I've probably heard the phrases, "Shut up, or I'll beat (punch, smack, hit, etc) you," more times this past week than I've heard it in my lifetime. I've found myself at a loss for a response. I don't feel like I'm in a position to tell the kids that's not okay, because this isn't my culture. It might be different in a month of so, when I've become more acclimated to the area, but for now, I'm still a foreigner.

One of the biggest things I've struggled with this week has been perseverance. I'm pretty good at running away from things. I'm good at starting things, but not finishing. I'm good at big ideas, but not details. God placed me here this summer to love and build relationships with these kids. By Monday at four, I was already sick of it. I felt like everything was out of control. In fact, I still feel that way, although, slightly less out of control. Tuesday was even more trying than Monday. So by the time Wednesday came along, I had already lost all my patience to deal with the kids. Wednesday, we were able to go to ImaginOn, in downtown Charlotte, and we were split into groups. I only had two boys for most of the time...but it was still a challenge. Thursdays was a breath of fresh air. We only take 8 kids to the pool, thanks to limited seating and the fact that they all can't swim, so it was much easier to handle. It was also refreshing because the majority of the kids were older (middle to high schoolers), and thus easier to get along with. They were much more receptive to what I had to say than any of the younger kids. I'm thankful that Thursday went so well, because I'm almost positive I would have gone insane today if that wasn't the case. Today was not good. I'm not sure if it was our lack of planning (it was craft day), or the fact that it was the last day of the week, but it was rather ridiculous. Thankfully, it's officially the weekend, and I can breathe now. I can't say I've officially recovered, but nothing a good nights sleep and some time with Jesus can't cure. :)

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done." --Philippians 4:6

Hyaets, Tree of Life

Charlotte, also known as the Queen City, thanks to the German Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg. Home to more than 731,000 "Charlotteans," and growing. Second largest banking city in the United States. Famous for the Charlotte Bobcats and the Carolina Panthers.

While you may be enraptured by these facts and the beautiful skyline, don't be fooled by the facade. Charlotte is home to a large number of impoverished individuals and families. According to the US Census Bureau, 9.4% of families and 12.8% of individuals live below the poverty level. For those just visiting the city, one would not normally see anything out of the ordinary. Charlotte is a city built around the life of your average middle and upper class citizen. For those that don't fall into either of those categories and struggle to make ends meet, life isn't so easy.

Just travel to the outskirts of downtown, to a neighborhood called Enderly Park, and you'll meet some of those that aren't so fortunate. The people that make up this community are you everyday people, struck with unfortunate circumstances. Adults, trying to pay last months dues, kids, just wanting to play, but with seemingly no where to go and teenagers stuck in between. I've only been here for a few days, but the stories I've heard from those in the neighborhood are heartbreaking, and almost hopeless. Thankfully, there is hope. God laid on the heart of two couples to move to an area in Charlotte that no one else wanted to live. This cooperative of people, listening to the needs of those in the neighborhood has become known as "Hyaets," meaning "Tree of Life." That's what it's become in Enderly Park. Hyaets strives to meet the basic needs of these people, and build lasting relationships with them. The kids have a place to play after school and during summer, while the adults have people to talk to that are willing to help them with their problems.

I've only been here a few days, but have already been blown away by the selflessness, and Christ-like characteristics of these two families. I know this summer will be trying at times, but not without a cause. God's called me here for reasons I may not fully understand yet, but I'm excited to learn. :)

I have the awesome opportunity this summer to work with an organization called "Hyaets" in the West side of Charlotte. I'm planning on blogging at least weekly to keep everyone updated on my life. Hopefully, most of my blogs will be photo blogs...like the saying says, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

I'm sure I'll update more later, but thought this was a good place to start!

Excuses

I've realized that I've been making excuses not to blog lately. I want to make the next blog better than the last: more moving, more spiritual, more profound. I've been waiting around for something huge to just come smack me in the face, so I can write it for the whole world to read. The truth is, most of the things that make up who I am come through small situations or moments that may not be that memorable. So I've decided that I'm not going to put a quota on what my blog entails, if that means sharing something silly or stupid, I just may. :)

P.S. Thanks to Quinn Evans for encouraging me to blog more...Hopefully, this is a step in that direction.

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