Adventures of Q&T part 2

Day two in Philly was a treat. It began when I got to meet Chris Lahr. Chris lives with his family in the heart of Philly's poorest neighborhoods. It was once a centerpiece of the city, but urban decay and and industrial decline ha left the landscape riddled with abandoned factories and neglected homes.

Chris and his family along with the "Simpler Way" community and Mission Year are seeking to rebirth this decaying community. As I arrived I was blown away by the way these folks have created islands of life and family in the center of this place. The Lahr's home was beautiful and filled with love. I felt at home immediately. Chris showed me to my room in the basement and we began to talk. I felt like I was in an out of body experience from here on. I was in the moment, yet standing back and marveling. The passion and practical approach that Mission Year brings to the overwhelming challange of "Homelessness" and systemic poverty is incredible. Allowing young adults to come into this setting and give a year of their life to learn and serve left me so humbled. These folks walked the walk. Each participant gives up their "normal" life and comes to one of the sites (Philly, Atlanta,New Orleans,...) and for 12 months learns about the life dynamics of the poor. they raise the money to sustain the ministry and build community with eachother and the area they serve. I couldn't wait to meet them.

Chris took me on a tour of his Parish. He serves a congregation in the Hispanic community. The building in an abandoned United Methodist facility. His congregation is about 35-50. They sponsor an incredible after school program. Chris asked if I knew anybody that wanted to buy a pipe organ or any of the incredible oak pews..."We need the money to build a place for the kids to play ball." As i walked I was haunted by the thought of how our facilities are often our worst enemies.

After the tour we went across the street to get the "best " phlliy steak sandwich in the city. The store was a shotgun building with shelves loaded to the ceiling and no manouvering space. We placed the order...with spicy catsup and fries and went outside to wait as Chris introduced me to some of his members. As we walked he began to talk about the weekend and all the prep he had to do, so I volunteered to help. He poured out dreams for the community and his genuine love of this place oozed out of every cell of his being. I was captivated!

we went back to get our meal and I found some individually wrapped orange slice candy (which my father-in law loves) and bought a bag to give him at Christmas. we grabbed the sandwiches (which were incredible..even with the catsup..which up till now I hate) As we left the neighborhood my mind raced. What a special place this is.

When we returned home to prepare for the evening ,I got one of the best treats of the weekend. Chris's wife and family had gone to visit his mother-in law because there was a Monday school holiday. All his family except his daughter Alexa. Chris went to school to get her as I processed things. when they returned this 10 year old bundle of personality lit up the room. She immediatly took center stage and it was obvious she was Daddy's girl. She loved having him to herself and I wondered if I would spoil that by being there. She sized me up quickly and we began to talk. She had a delightful sense of humor and a flair for the dramatic. She had planned her weekend with Dad and after the PRoP she would get to decide all they did on Monday. She had assignments  in the program and liked it. All the feelings of being away from home melted. I had been welcomed into the Lahr home. Hospitality is an incredible thing. Home isn't a place. Home is family and friends...house is a place. What a gift.

  

The Adventures of Q&T

 I met some absolutely unbelievable people a few weeks ago in Philly (Pa not MS). I was part of a Mission PROP weekend. PROP is an acrostic for  for Pauper's Rite of Passage. I joined 24  young adults for a weekend with the homeless. For the next week I want to share some of the experiences I had and things I learned.

It all began with a call to Chris Lahr. I had invited him to speak at the Mississippi Annual Conference in June of '09. I had been refered to him by Shane Claiborn of Simpler Way. Chris is onr of the directors of a ministry called Mission Year. It is an outreach affiliated with Bart Campollo and Eastern University. The core of the project centers in homeless ministry. Students and young adults covenant to spend a year living in areas that have a heavy homeless population. They spend their time building relationships and community. It is an incredible place.

The weekend I went they were having a PRoP weekend (Pauper's Rite of Passage). Chris had invited me to spend the weekend at his home and to participate in the weekend as much as I was comfortable. I was intrigued. I flew into Philly on Thursday, rented a car (and a Garmin), and headed to a nearby Hotel(which shall remain nameless). It was a few blocks from Chris's. The closer I got the more butterflies I got. This was a tough part of town. The hotel was next to an I HOP. Cool! The lobby was small and a homeless woman and hes cart followed me in as I registered. I wanted to be comfortable, but I wasn't. The cashier was behind 2 inches of bullit-proof glass and the place reeked of smoke. I smiled at the homeless woman, but never really looked at her directly in the eyes...a decision I will always regret. As my bloodpressure rose I scurried down the hall to my room. It was simple and small. I began a conversation with myself. "Well, this is why you came. You didn't fly all this way to stay in the Ritz." I checked the window and turned on the air(it kinda worked).I was getting hungry. "Let's go to the I HOP for supper." " It's almost dark..." "You chicken?" "Not chicken, just careful...ok a little chicken." I was mad that I couldn't convince myself to go out. "Ok...we order in." I looked through the brochures by the phone and decided on the Italian Pizza Emporium (Name has been changed). I called and ordered the "white pizza" and a drink all for $8.99. 

While I waited I called Cindy (my wife) and let her know I had arrived safely. I gave a brief description of the hotel and tried to laugh. We talked and I tried to exude excitement. I was excited and terrified. I chattered on nervously and finally said good-bye. I was getting real angry with myself by now ( I am not a nice hungry person). I was angry becuase of the unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomache which was more than hunger pangs. I wanted to do this! I love this kinda thing! I'll learn so much! There was a knock and the pizza man saved me.

I ate half the pizza and settled in on the bed to unwind. My senses were on red alert. I seemed to hear every sound within a half mile. I turned the TV on and the news was talking about a street protest over the Mayor's budget cuts. They were closing several firehouses and the people had taken to the street, shutting down several streets."We're not in Mississippi any more Toto!" I began to channel surf...nothing on....suprise! "I'll read some." "Too tired"...so I took a shower. It was a long and wrestless night...no dreams...not much sleep.

I always want to be braver than I am! Why do I live between my sense of adventure and my fear? I knew I needed to be there, but I wasn't comfortable being there. It's hard being away from home. Home offers comfort and security. Home is a place where you know the people and they know you. I was in the midst of a strange place and strange people. I had no idea what an life changing lesson I was already being taught. There are lots of layers to homelessness. I didn't know all I didn't know! Was I in for a weekend to remember!

Destinations

Yesterday Middlebrook United Methodist Church and Forrest Hill United Methodist Church partnered to have the first annual "Fun on the corner". They had games, jumping inflatables, FBI fingerprinting for the kids, free hotdogs,hamburgers,drinks, a helicopter and just tons of fun. There was much planning and prayer and the results were incredible! As I watched I was blown away as a sea of kids and their parents mingled and discovered eachother. I watched the incubation of community. There was laughter, fellowship, story telling, real play, and a sense of peace and safety.

Saturday a community found out it was not who the rest of the world says it is. These ordinary, everyday folks discovered hundreds of others just like them in so many ways and there was energy in that discovery.  I was a part of conversations about the future and change. Hope was all around. The question is where do we go from here? What is our destination?

As I thought of this it came to me...our destination had been reached in part. We had come together. We are eachother's destination. The Kingdom of God is all about relationship and community. Our destination is community. This truth says that no matter where we are we can be at home in community. when we find eachother in friendship and neighborliness we are home. You are my destination and I am yours and every time we meet and fellowship God's Kingdom comes.

Where will we go from this great day? I hope we'll go to eachother's homes and churches and eat and laugh together. I hope we'll come together to address the critical issues we face. Our destination is to move from "them" to "us". It ought to be a great trip.

I had the honor of meeting with the Milsaps College board this week. The leaders that make up this group are exceptional. As I listened to the reports and watched Dr. Frances Lucas share the successes and challenges, it made me proud to be affiliated with such excellence. In the midst of challenging times this institution is skillfully negotiating rough waters. The leaders of tommorrow will be formed here and they will be well equipped. As I think about the challenge we have to seek "more people, more young people, and more diverse people", I am watching this community of educators do it. I hope I can learn from them!

182,000 Strong

What does it mean to be United Methodist in Mississippi? Have you ever thought of that? Sometimes it feels like we aren't so united doesn't it...enough said!

But, what if? what if 180,000 people set their minds and resources to something? What if we decided to help Dr. Hank Bounds and the "Get on the bus" dropout plan?What if we all focused on poverty in the Delta? What if we all decided to get healthy and to challenge our friends and families to join us? What if we all invited a friend that doesn't know Jesus or have a church home to come to ours and learn about the one who is saving us?

180,000 people could do just about anything...hey...I'm game if you are! what do you want to take on? Let us know...let each other know. What if...doesn't that sound like possibility to you?
Live loved ,
Steve

Resonance

October 15, 2008 will be a landmark day in my life. I had the incredible privilege of sitting across the breakfast table ( in the University Club in Jackson,Ms.) from a great American heroine. It was one of those unique moments that you could never script. The Children's Defense Fund was sponsoring the event and Marion Wright Edelman was the guest speaker. The room was filled with quite an eclectic crowd. To my left was Dr. Frances Lucas of Milsaps College and to her left was Kamakazi (rap singer). But right across from me was Marion Wright Edelman.

Have you ever felt like you were in the presence of a prophet? That's how it felt. Her passion and relentless focus on children was breathtaking. Many of the people in that room had been forever formed or transformed by this woman. These were her children. She spoke with such profound simplicity. Her message was redundant..."Family is the crucible of the future". Her litany of challenges to us was compelling. Her call was for us to leave a better world for our children and grandchildren. The most stinging indictment was for us (community of faith folks). She looked right at me and said, " the faith community has to stop letting the culture shape it and must begin to shape this culture". It took my breath away.

The welfare of our children is not a political issue ,even though we need legal protection for our most venerable citizens, it is a spiritual issue. What are we doing to "transform the world" for our children? In this season of Children's Sabbath
are we making the right statement about the value of children to God?

ordinary day

Today i was reminded of the fact that any day is a gift. I didn't do anything spectacular...but the day was anyway. I really saw and heard and tasted the moments I was in and it was sweet. There have been times that I was oblivious to it all. Not good. Life is. and I am thankful for an ordinary day.
Steve