Reality

Last weekend I flew to San Fransisco to take a test for a job as a probation counselor in the bay area. It would be my dream job so anyone who wants to pray for me for that feel free. On Monday and Tuesday this week we had a fundraiser at Chick Fillet. I spent most of my time there on both days, either taking kids to eat (as we got part of the profits for our spring break trip this year) or standing in the back encouraging people to donate to Urban Promise. This all came quite natuarally to me having been in sales. On Monday I had a conversation with a friend that had me feeling pretty shitty. No one noticed that I was having a bad day (as I wouldn't expect or want them to) untill I picked up some of my kids to take them to Chick Fillet. One of them immediately asked me what was wrong. I explained the situation to him on the way to Chick Fillet and then really had my spirits lifted just by hanging out with my kids and having fun with them. It really made me start to think about how I get just as much and learn just as much from these kids as they do me.

Eman making a stupid face to cheer me up

This last week or so, the reality of what these kids go through living in Camden has become increasingly apparent to me and it makes me sad. At the same time it makes me realize even more how important it is that we are here. On the way home from our Chick Fillet fundraiser one of my 8th graders got a call from his cousin who had just gotten out of jail. He was so excited that his voice was squeeking on the phone. It was kind of cute. I asked Tarre if his cousin had been in jail or prison and then had to explain to him the difference between the two. When he informed me that it was infact prison, another one of my 8th graders proceeded to tell me that his father and both of his older brothers are all in prison. That essentially means that every influencial male figure in his life outside of Urban Promise is in prison. I cant even imagine what that would be like. These are such great kids and you'd never suspect the things that they have gone through or are going through at home.

Jeffrey explaining something to Suzie

I also had a good conversation with my Site Director this week. He grew up in North Camden and has been involved in Urban Promise since he was a small child. He then went to Eastern University, and after graduation, came back to work for Urban. This is really the model we need to strive for. We need to instill in these kids the value of helping their own community. Its great to provide an environment that allows kids an opportunity to "get out", but it's not enough. My director is a prime example of how much this city can change (and is changing) if we are working ourselves out of jobs here and being replaced by people who are actually from here. He also explained to me how traumatic his childhood was. It's to the point where he can't even talk about alot of stuff. He did tell me, however, that he whitnessed his first murder at 6 years old.

Our director playin with the kids

On Wednesday of this week, my house was broken into and my laptop and ipod were stolen. It's just stuff and not a big deal but its the second time someone has broken into our house while no one was home (no one being home for an extended long period of time is rare). This probably means that someone has been watching our house to see when we all leave. They changed our locks and took some steps to make our house a little more secure so hopefully that helps. One good thing did come of the theft however. I told one of the high school kids that skateboards in our parking lot about it and it led to a really good conversation with him. He basically unloaded his life story on me. I am not even comfortable relaying most of the things we talked about on the internet but this kid is 16 years old and he's been through inconcievable things, including being shot in the leg. At one point he stopped in the middle of his story and said "Man, its so nice to finally have someone I can talk to about this stuff". At that moment I was thankful that my stuff had been stolen because it provided the opportunity for me to connect with someone who needed that.

A man got shot on the corner of my street Wednesday night and it's things like that that make you realize how much these kids see and go through on a daily basis. These are such great kids and it's incredible to see how well they handle their situation.

Angel (one of my 8th graders)


Some of you probably have recieved my news letter by now, along with the letter from Bruce Main about donating to the ministry. Please don't feel like, because I sent you the letter, that I expect you to donate money. My mom informed me that some people who have been reading my blog have asked her if there is something that they can do for me. I am glad to provide those who WANT to give with the opportunity to do so, but I would never want those who don't want to give to feel pressured to. I will continue to send a news letter once a month. If you recieved it and don't want to recieve anymore, just let me know. Also if you would like to be added to that mailing list you can give me your adress and I would be happy to do that.