this is weird...

Ok so I am back home in Orange City now. I feel strange. I miss people like no other and I don't want to get back to reality just yet.

I have been trying to process all that I have learned during my summer internship which proves to be harder than I thought. I think I have learned so much that my brain is on overload! Hopefully through the paper I have to write it will become more and mor clearer what I have learned. For sure one thing I have learned is the power of prayer. I have learned that when you pray God really does hear your prayer and there is almost a peace that comes to mind.

I keep you updated on what I have learned as it comes to me.


dk

ok so I have been neglecting this....

So what has been happening lately? LOTS.

City Mission is amazing. The people it serves are wonderful. The people that serve with City Mission have the most beautiful faith. I say this because I never thought I could love these people like I do. The journey I have been on this summer just keeps getting better and harder. Although City Mission has the heart for the people of Brightmoor and the intention to expand programs and start a church, they have NO money. This has been almost a blessing for me to witness. Everyone is laid off at city mission, yet it is full of people working hard every day. They have been promised money and funding by many people and organizations and those promises have fallen through time and time again. To just have school for one year (K-5 and no tutoring/mentoring programs) they need to raise $108,000. I have no don't have a doubt in my mind that they will be having school this fall, yet we haven't seen one cent of that 108,ooo dollars to date. I wouldn't have said this 6 weeks ago. In fact I wouldn't have thought it. But one thing I have learned is that God has a way of providing for things in His own timing. You just have to pray, pray and pray some more. That is another thing I have learned. Pray. It's so simple yet I don't do it. I have found that prayer brings you hope and brings you closer to God.

Other than City Mission I have learned to love. Lately, (as in the last 3 years) I have struggled with love. Not the boy/girl crap, the genuine love for people. I'm not saying I like people yet, no I still generally hate people. BUT I have learned to love the hurting of Brightmoor. The kids that cause trouble because they don't receive attention at home. The kids that constantly knock on the door during One Tree Hill. I have never had my heart filled with so much love.

I don't want to leave.

dk

PS enjoy some pics...

Josiah dancing

Girls singing

Brandon pointing

One Tree Hill and Other New Additions

As I sit and write this I am dying to know what happens on the next episode of One Tree Hill. HAHA who knew I would EVER like that show! Jessi has recently got Bri and I hooked on it. I also want to know what happens on the next episode of donnaanddetroit. I have had some time to really digest what I have seen and experienced here in Detroit. As you know I live in the neighborhood of Brightmoor and so I am surrounded by poverty and hopelessness. That was until I attended a meeting the other day at City Mission. (The one that I was told I didn't need to attend then got a phone call at 8:30 saying I needed to be there...the meeting started at 8. oops) This meeting was interesting. I know you all are aware of the present economic state, but to be here in Detroit when all this is going down is crazy. In church, there has been two Sundays devoted to surrendering your worry to God and about trusting in God no matter what happens to you or your family. City Mission is not exempt from the economy... there is absolutely no money. Most of the staff is not paid or paid very little yet they are there every single day working their butt's off for the community. In this meeting they discussed what was going to happen next for CMA (City Mission Academy). They are expanding!! That's right, you read it correctly, expanding. They feel that God is asking them to expand their 'boundries' and to reach not just 130 or so kids but hundreds. They have no money, no resources but God has told them to expand and they are. That my friends is trust in God. It was amazing to witness their willingness to follow God despite their current circumstances. These people aren't going home to huge mansions, they are living with the people and are expierencing the same suffering and at times hopelessness. The only difference is hope in Christ. The trust and faith in God that people at City Mission have just blows my mind everyday.

dk

Struggle

Struggle is the word of the week.

I am struggling with missing my family.

I am struggling with missing the kids being at City Mission.

I am struggling with life in general.



Thankfully, God and I are friends and I can find hope and peace in Him.

I have to remember that He gives us our struggles but only what we can handle.



...



Anyways

Urban Arts with the little kids was AMAZING! I love those kids so much! One kid that sticks out to me is Malik. Malik was in the Kindergarten-2nd grade group. In the beginning of the week he was really really quiet. By Thursday he was yelling, running around and asking millions of questions. On Friday he asked me if he was "ever going to see me again". I laughed and said I live just down the street with miss Dana and mr Jeff. He smiled and then said "whew! so the Ice Cream truck goes by your house?" haha. It was great.

Last week Bri and I lived at Jessi's house. Dana and Jeff's daughter was visiting them for the week. That week I learned patience. The kids were always at her door asking to play. I love them, but I also love what my family calls "Donna Time". But now that the kids are all at camp and I moved back to Dana and Jeff's I really miss their annoying little knocks on the door!

I want some Sonic.

This weekend Bri and I went downtown. We visited the Riverwalk and looked longingly toward Canada. :) I took a few photos, including one of a gay cruise. We wondered around aimlessly for a few hours... then went home.

Sunday we sent about 28 kids and Jessi to camp... leaving Bri and I with a list of things to do this week. It has been a struggle to fill our days.

Friday the kids return!
Friday I return to Iowa!
Saturday is Independence Day!
Sunday I return to Detroit.
Monday summer session starts at City Mission!

Please pray for my family.

dk

PS look at Brianna's blog for PICTURES.

briannaanddetroit.blogspot.com

So it's been a while.

Urban Arts Camp number 2 started Monday. This week we are working with K-6 grade kids. The camp is going well. The kids are so precious! I have fallen in love with each kid every day. Kids amaze me with their unconditional love! It reminds me of God and how even if we mess up, we can ask for forgivness and He still loves us. I basically help out with art all day. Today the K-2 kids played with glitter glue. I went home with glitter all over!

Other than UAC, Bri and I went to Bible study yesterday and lerarned about purity. I have found that the change of pace once a week is nice. Although, I have found it annoying when people that come to work at City Mission ask how I feel about living in the "ghetto". This week a volunteer asked Bri and I if we wanted to "get away" for the weekend. I graciously accepted her information but it sounded as if she was saying, "come to civilization for the weekend". It sounded this way due to her comments all day. She was very curious how we thought of the area and if we felt safe. She also commented on the cultural differences of the families around here. It just annoyed me.

OK off my soap box.


Urban Arts performance was friday (SO GOOD!)
Superhero camp Saturday
Picked Barries Sunday
Made muffins with the barries Monday
Bri and I bought Dunkin Doughnuts and coffee tuesday morning...
Watched Wipeout today


That was my week.


dk

Success! (Earlier Post that was never published)

Today was so extremely busy! For starters, the day camp for the little kids called "Superhero Camp" was held in our house. I found that out as I was showering haha! It was the last day of Urban Art Camp for the older kids. City Mission rented out the cafeteria of Detroit Comunity High and the kids performed their dramas, dances and songs for their friends and families. We also displayed their art work that they worked on all week. It was so rewarding to watch those kids perform and be proud of their work.

Not related to City Mission, Bri and I headed up to Ann Arbor with her friend Katie. We ate at a Japanese resturant and I had Sushi for the first time! It was so yummy. We also walked around the U of M campus and ended up eating ice cream in a weird little yogurt bar thingy.



So as my first week wraps up, I feel that I made the correct choice to come to Detroit. Now I'm going to watch a movie... holla!



dk



PS. look up brianna's blog (briannaanddetroit.blogspot.com) for things i missed.

I survived A Japanese Game Show

I am watching the most bizarre tv show.

The past two days have been good. Bri and I went to Bible study with Jessi yesterday and it sparked something. I realized that even though I have a real faith in Christ, I don't know the Bible as well as I should. I want to follow the path that Christ has for me, yet I don't go to the Bible for guidance right away. I go everywhere else and rarely end up looking in the Bible. SO, my challange to myself and all you is to dig deep in your Bible and live how He wants us to live.

The job at City Mission has been going really well. I am not used to working 9-5, haha. Everyone is really friendly at CM and really supportive. I am so glad I came to Detroit.

dk

...

So today went way better :) Bri and I started at City Mission this morning. Urban Arts is working with the kids this week and next week. The kids learn a dance and a song, plus write a drama and perform them on Friday for the community. This week is the Jr. High/ High School kids and next week is the grade school kids.

If you want to know some more about City Mission, I would suggest going to the website ( http://www.city-mission.org/ )

Love you all!!

PS. I hope this was more positive Jenny!

So i'm here... now what

I arrived in Detroit Friday evening. I had an interesting flight from Omaha to Detroit, due to sitting next to the largest passanger who smelled of sweat and food. I have done nothing. literally. So far Bri and I have visited City Mission and helped get City Mission ready for summer camps. I should be updating this blog every Sunday or so.