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