Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of taking one of my Breakthrough friends, Angela, to her new apartment. The whole ride over there she talked about how excited she was and all about God’s faithfulness. My face hurt from smiling because her joy was incredibly contagious! I sat with Angela in the project manager’s office as they went over the rules of the apartment (it was a supportive housing facility meaning there was more responsibility for a person but there …
Monday, January 12 as I was downtown using my Sabbath wisely (free internet at the library and a meal that I didn’t have to prepare myself) I met a man named David selling Streetwise. [Streetwise is a magazine that “helps people help themselves to self-sufficiency through gainful employment.” The Streetwise vendors are typically poor or homeless. The vendors buy the magazine for 75 cents and, since the magazine cost $2, the other $1.25 goes directly to them.] Prior to meeting …
One of my most significant relationships at Breakthrough Urban Ministries is with my friend Roxanna. Roxanna is a guest at Breakthrough and I’m not quite sure how we met but we’ve shared quite a few meals together since. Roxanna keeps me on my toes with her wit but fills my heart with joy every time she opens up her arms to ask for a hug! I’ve learned so much from my friend already and I am definitely excited for our …
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live …
As I sat and watched countless numbers of people walk past my friend on the corner of Michigan and Washington not even acknowledging her plea for loose change to help her out, my heart broke. Some people looked her dead in the eyes and blatantly ignored her while others turned their faces away or walked a little bit faster. My blood boiled as I listened to a group of people who had just been asked by my friend for some …
I can’t believe I’m only two weeks away from moving to Chicago!! I am utterly stoked!! well, and starting to freak out a little more. It’s been so exciting talking to my teammates (East Garfield Park represent I’m looking forward to the intentional community as we strive to bring His glory and His name to the streets of the Windy City. God has thus far provided me with a little more than half of my ministry launch goal and I …
I can’t believe it’s already July! I’ve been a college graduate for close to 2 months, now, and I still don’t feel any different (I say this because numerous people have asked me if I feel different). I’m at this weird place where I know I have bigger things planned for my life but, at the moment, nothing big is happening. It leaves me with a slight depression and a lot of frustration. Part of the reason for these feelings …
It’s cool to see God really providing in different areas in my life. I’ve been surprised each week to see that I’m getting closer to reaching my Ministry Launch Goal. That was something I wholly trusted God with in the beginning, though, so I haven’t really stressed about it much anyway. I also found out that I will be moving to Chicago! I’m not too excited about the wind but I can’t wait to live in a new place. Plus …
One of my plans to really prepare for this upcoming year is to read the stack of books I’ve had on my shelves for quite some time. I finally have a chance to read (thanks to graduating college) so I’m going to do just that! Anyways, I am currently reading the book “Velvet Elvis” by Rob Bell. It’s a rather interesting and insightful read that I’ve really enjoyed. A chapter that I read today said something that stuck out to …
Upon returning from my third mission learning opportunity to Nicaragua (February 22, 2008 – March 1, 2008) with my Alma Mater, Houston Baptist University, I knew that there had to be something bigger and better out there for me than just working and getting myself out of college debt. Throughout my last year at HBU I had no idea what I wanted to do immediately after I finished school so I figured I would stay in Houston and get a …
