Thanks again for joining us on the journey...
Sandy and Abigail - Mission to the City 2014
Saturday, 9 August 2014
Pictures from Mission to the City
Thanks again for joining us on the journey...
Sunday, 3 August 2014
Day 5. Worship and Home
After saying goodbye to the friends we'd made this past week, we hit the road. Tired, but content. Once again reminded that we serve a God who is bigger than our dreams, more powerful than our fear and more passionate than our desires to see lost people saved. He was working these last few days. We were just tools in his hands.
On the pensive 4.5 hours home, I began to imagine what a MTTC project could do in Cedar Rapids. What could happen if God pulled together a team, right here in our home town? Perhaps next year?
Keeping it short again this evening. Up for work at 6am tomorrow morning. I'll continue to share over the next few days, as we transition back into real life again...just with a refreshed perspective on our role in the daily grind.
Sandy.
Saturday, 2 August 2014
Day 4. Collapsing and Contemplative
I also appreciated the tags the kids had pinned to their shirts. Instead of wearing numbers each participant's name was displayed. As they passed, I was often able to quickly read their tag and encourage them by name.
Friday, 1 August 2014
Day 3. Concrete and Changing Names
Today had 3 unique experiences. It was a long but good day. It's late now so I'll keep this one short.
Our first activity was with the team that worked at the Urban Refuge (www.theurbanrefuge.com) church building. Abi working with the painting team, while I got to mix two of my passions (serving the church and biking) by pouring a concrete pad for a bike rack outside the church. They have a lot of folk ride their bikes to church... Nice.
After lunch we threw an outdoor party for the local Boys and Girls Club of America. We prepared free food and games. It's was neat to get to serve so many kids (estimate 200), and greet each of them as they grabbed their hotdog and cup of water.
Our final event was serving at a community event in the Frogtown neighborhood of St. Paul (renamed by the folk working there as ”Godtown”). Here's a link to an article that does a better job than i can do of explaining the groups history and mission. Incredible.
http://twincitiesrefreshed.com/godtown-ministry-aims-to-transform-frogtown-community/
Thanks again for joining us on this adventure. Your prayers mean that God works in people's lives. Right here. Real people. Changed lives. Christ glorified.
Sandy (for Abigail too)
PS. Still having issues with posting pictures from my phone. I am taking lots though. I will plan on posting a slide show when we get home.
Thursday, 31 July 2014
Day 2. People watching with a purpose
Today's activities were focused on a neighborhood community event here in Minneapolis called "Party in the Park", hosted by the Minneapolis Park District down the street from our host church.
This morning was spent setting up tents, tables, chairs and the like. Everyone mucked in to once again prove that famous line "Many hands make light work".
Tonight's event drew an estimated 4000 people just out with their families for some fun and fresh air. Abi and I found ourselves selling tickets for kids activities.... And we were busy.
I don't know about you, but I'm fascinated by people, and at the risk of being nosey, I love to watch how people interact and act at an event like that. There was a huge variety of people, clearly from all walks of life. Some with kids. Some in wheelchairs. Many with bikes. Lots with food. Some frazzled. Many smiling. All there, I would assume, because they wanted to enjoy a beautiful evening out.
As I observed, I was reminded of the verse in Matthew 9.36. When he [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
As already mentioned, I love to people watch, but over time I've learned an important boundary. i.e. not to assume I know more about a person than I really do.
For example, just because someone looks well dressed, it doesn't mean they're wealthy. Or just because someone seems frazzled with their kid, it doesn't mean they're necessarily a bad parent.
One thing we can be sure of though, is that all people no matter their appearance have a God shaped void that only Jesus can fill through the love and compassion of the saints. It felt meaningful to experience that today.
Sandy (for Abi too)
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
Day 1. A ruckus in the sanctuary
First day down....and it was no warm up. We were straight in with activities after a leisurely ride up to the twin cities.
First thing was to gather as a group and pray for our time. Set the stage. Get perspective. See the big picture.
Father, please use us this week to bless people and glorify you, in spite of our weaknesses and blind spots. We are your servants.
After that we went into the local neighborhoods and distributed leaflets about upcoming outreach activities in the next few days and weeks. Fun to do that with Abi.
After getting acquainted with our fellow MTTCrs over Sloppy Joes, we went upstairs into the church sanctuary to join 300 clients from the local Teen Challenge program for a time of worship. Un... believable.
Vibrant. Passionate. Engaged. Uninhibited. Encouraging. Diverse. Loud. Roof-raisin'. This was truly some holy hootin and hollerin. God was smiling over us tonight.
It had to be one of the most genuine, fun filled, joyful worship services I've ever attended. Folk there knew that Christ had changed their life and they weren't afraid to shout it from the rooftops ...or the pews in this case.
The 7 testimonies reinforced the unexplainable supernatural regeneration that most of these folk had experienced.
Now I'm excited about what tomorrow will bring.
Goodnight friends. Thanks again for joining us in prayer.
Sandy (for Abigail too)
PS. I'm having technical issues with the inclusion of photos in my blog posts. I'll attempt to add them later when I get home. Thanks for your patience.
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here
We will simply go, as we are...because he is greater...and we believe that greater things are still to be done in St Paul/Minneapolis, and in every City.
For His Glory,
Sandy (for Abigail too)