THE GALA!!!

I am so excited to attend the City Mission Gala. It will be held November 12th. I hope to reunite with  the staff members and many of the students. I miss them all very much.




If you are interested in supporting City Mission through your attendance at this event feel free to visit their website at city-mission.org :) We would love to see you there!

MORE!

Many of you know that CM/CMA has been struggling financially, but not in our
mission to reach families and break generational poverty.

We have had more children in summer programs than ever before.
We had more people receive food this summer than ever before.
Our trust in the Lord is stronger than ever before.
All while having 4 staff members on this summer!

-Isaiah 58

Oh the names...

Abby is with me at work today...

Krista: Ok, does this say Alana or Aloha. I can't tell if its an a or an o, and I can't tell if its an n, or an h.
Abby: No, I think its says A,L,C,E,N,A
Krista: No way, I can't even say that.
Krista and Abby: scratch heads.

Arise Detroit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XOQd6bJW8A

This year City Mission has been given the chance to participate in Arise Detroit! Here is a video of last years events. We are hoping this will be a great outreach event. City Mission is pairing with a volunteer to put on a Soccor Clinic across the street at Optimist-Stout play ground.

Urban Arts Week 1

So, the first summer program I over saw was called Urban Arts.
Urban Arts is a program in Detroit that  gives kids a "creative outlet for the inner city youth of Detroit who may not have the opportunity to fuel their passion in the arts anywhere else."

Katie Beth, the director, is so easy to work with. Although there are always "fires" to put out when camps are here, Katie Beth is always on top of things and able to predict many of the fires before they even get started.

The kids had a great time. It is a very popular program. They rotated through different classes such as drama, art, voice/singing, and dancing.

At the end of the week there was a performance. The girls performed a couple of songs, then the boys, then they did one together. They loved being on stage and us adults love giving them POSITIVE attention.

The boys practicing their dance mid-week.

Voice/Music lessons.

POSE!

Gettin' some lovins' from the kids.

A prayer before their performance.

The boys final pose of their dance.

Michael Jackson SOLOS!

The young Urban Arts group. Aren't they beautiful?

Chrysler Day

One of the first projects handed over to me while at City Mission was Chrysler Day. Basically, Chrysler Day is an out reach, community service, project for Chrysler and we get to reap the benefits :)

Although it was pretty standard summer planning, the community I am working with is far from standard. Trying to bridge the gap between Chrysler's expectations and the reality of the ghetto life style was quite a learning experience. Families here have very little planning skills so signing the kids up too far in advance causes issues because the parents don't always remember. Also, Chrysler needed a lengthy permission form for the kids to be on their grounds which had to be turned in to the Chrysler Legal Department before we got there. After numerous house visits and calls with Chrysler we got it all figure out.

When we got there the kids broke up into two different groups and did a rotation through two stations; the Chrysler museum and making motorized Lego cars. We then went to the softball fields and played kickball. The kids also got their faces painted, got to sit in show cars, ate the cook out that was provided, then enjoyed refreshing water balloons!

The boys enjoying the bus ride :)

WHAT BEAUTIFUL GIRLS!!

My Little David and Sky.

Chrysler Museum

Making Lego cars.

Mr. Bob to the rescue.

Race TIME!

Playing Kickball against the Chrysler Staff!

Face-painted beauties :)

Little David.

Pre-teens and a yellow sports car. Enough said.

Water balloon FUN!

It was a GREAT day!

Biking with a Mission

Biking with a Mission

The 1st annual Bike Wash

Ride*Wash*Food*Fun

Bike ride leaves out @ 11 a.m.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

@City Mission

20405 Schoolcraft

Detroit, MI 48223

9 a.m.- 3 p.m.

For more information call: Khalid @ 313.598.6685

My boss, Nicole, sent out an e-mail listing the following praises:

1. We received a $5,000 individual donation today.
2. Ray Holm, owner of Gentz Industries is going to allow us to use one of
his employees (Kate Ansaldi) full time to assist with fundraising. She will
start on Monday.
3. Khalid got his bus license and is driving the bus all kinds of crazy over
the last couple of weeks.
4. Forgotten Harvest is bringing food every week to City Covenant Church.
5. The Brown building is down and almost cleaned up. Lots of work crews this
week.
6. We have completed 3 weeks of summer programs.
7. My softball team is in 1st place!

Taking time to praise the Lord, won't  you join me...

Wednesday 9:30

Every Wednesday at 9:30 we come together as a staff, bow our heads, and lift everything up to Christ. Today Nicole had a little devotion prepared before we prayed. She read from the book Jesus Calling. The overall theme was about the joy of being loved constantly and perfectly. A line that really stuck out to me was "Instead of trying to 'fix' yourself, fix your gaze on Me, the Lover of your soul."

Does that hit home for anyone else?

THANK YOU!!

A big thank you to those who have sponsored me monetarily so far:

Mr. and Mrs. Homer Willerick

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Nielsen

Mr and Mrs. Glenn Yarger

Mr. Charles White

Mr. and Mrs. Dick Dobbins

Mr. and Mrs. Perry Truax

Ms. Abigail Adams

Little David

Last week at work a little boy by the name David wandered in and in the most proper and casual fashion asked to please "sign up for camp."

I was blown away. How did he find us, how did he get in, how did he know what camp was, and where did he get the manors to ask so politely? I laughed a little to myself because of his boldness then asked his name. His name was David and he claimed to have "found" us. I wasn't sure if he would be able to join the camp we already had running for the week because we were half way through and they were preparing for a presentation at the end. However, the director of the camp took pity on him and said he could join half way through. He was told he would need a permission form and was sent home with one. I wasn't sure we would ever see him again.

But Little David pulled through like a champ. In no time he had run back and was ready for camp. Not only did he jump in with enthusiasm he also was a great listener. I was so impressed with him. He learned how to do flips somewhere so during the dance at the performance he was doing his flips, smiling, and everything. He is a bright star in a dark world. There is no stopping Little David.

Nicole dropped him off at home one night after camp was done. There was no one where he lived so he had to be dropped off at another house where some of his family lives. This house was horrifying. There was trash everywhere and kids hanging out like strays. I'm not even sure there was a door on the house. He has been on my mind and heart heavy since then. He has come back a few times to play on the play ground at our school, but I keep missing him. Nicole went to his house with me today for a little home visit to drop off papers and try to get him involved in other programs, but he wasn't there. Please pray that we will be able to get to him and convince his family to allow him to be in some of our other summer programs... or better yet, our Christian mentoring and tutoring program. He goes to the local elementary school where the education is far from stellar.

My thoughts for David: You are an amazing little boy and I hope you are able to see the potential I see in you when you look in the mirror. The will, drive, and sense of adventure is what will allow you to find opportunities and get out of the ghetto and I already see those qualities in you. Always know that the Lord loves you and made you special and with a purpose, David. You are bigger than your surroundings. May the Lord put his shield of protection around you as you battle not only poverty, but also your surroundings.

Comments

I've written 25 posts and ya'll have managed 0 comments! WHAT A SHAME! ;)

Melaluca

City Mission is now selling Melaluca products in hopes to help support the staffs income. If you are interested in these all natural products feel free to visit the Melaluca website. We would love to have you order from US!

If you would like to order anything feel free to contact Nicole Aikens, our founder, at nicole.aikens@city-mission.org

Fall Funding

Wiards Orchard signed on to help do a fundraiser in the fall. We are very excited.

Check out their cool website!

Creative Fundraising

I got an e-mail this week about another amazing family who is helping raise money for City Mission. Here is what they had to say...

We originally heard of CM's financial crisis through Beth Cooley.  Our
family is collecting our spare change, as part of a group effort led by
Cheri Pelic.  We meet tomorrow to count up how much we have all together.

My daughter has gotten many people to sponsor her for her reading this
summer at either 1 cent per page or 5 cents per chapter, all money to go to
CM.  She is also making homemade cards and doilies and selling them to help
raise money for CM.  My sons did work for their grandparents and earned
money.  We are planning to take a load of items to Once Upon A Child and
sell what they'll buy and give the money.  Our family fundraisers will be
finished at the end of July, so you'll be getting what we've raised the
first week of August.  We pray for CM every night!

Lots of families through the Ward Homeschool group are participating in some
way to help raise money to keep your amazing ministry up and running.  God
is faithful and I know He will continue to bless your efforts! 

I thought the reading fundraiser was a wonderful idea! How creative. God is GOOD!!

The Portables

We have the old building torn down and most of the rubble has been cleared. Our land is ready for the portable classrooms, but out wallet is not.

Please pray for our board meeting on July 13th reguarding situation surrounding the portables.

I'll try to keep everyone updated! :)

"Catch the phone." - Also known as "Answer the phone."

God is Good...

It has been amazing to see the unique ways God has been looking out for us.

A woman called channel 7 to ask about an organization they would recommend for her to throw a birthday party on behalf of... They told her City Mission!


She is doing a birthday party for her 4 year old son at Bounce U in December. She wants to turn it into a fundraiser.

God is Good...

Dumping on Brightmoor

Neighbors Fed Up With Illegal Dumping in Brightmoor : MyFoxDETROIT.com

Brightmoor Bust Up

Soon this building will be gone, and our portable classrooms will go up :)

Beauty in Stillness

A couple of nights ago I was one of the few staff members still at CM and the kids had long since left. I walked into the "all purpose room" and was struck with how gorgeous it was. { I am aware that sounds dramatic and sappy but its true} There on the wall were the words "We love Jesus" and all the kids sweatshirts hanging perfectly in a row.

What a great picture- it really shows what City Mission is all about. The all purpose room shows our togetherness and community. The simple letters on the wall show our huge commitment to Christ. And lastly, the shirts represent each child, warmth and donations.

I love it.

Mariya, Zackery, Irmani.

Cherubs

One of the most precious times of the day is when the Pre-K/K class is "resting." Many of the students don't get sufficient sleep at home so nap time is great for them. The teacher turns on a fan for white noise with soft classical music in the background and they fall asleep instantly.

I wonder if the teacher thinks its weird that I creep on them sleeping everyday?!

Hallmark and a Megaphone

One of the differences I have noted about our cultures revolves around cards.

For the most part we consider cards to be a personal note from someone else to us. We don't usually read them outloud unless we are asked to. The culture around here however is much different. Cards are always read aloud, passed around, and "ohh"ed and "ahhh"ed over. They also read cards at funerals.

This is very different for me.

Happy Fathers Day :)

Sunday I went to church. I love pastor Semmeal, but this Sunday he didn't speak. Instead there was a guest speaker. To be honest, I didn't love her message or follow her concepts well. But that aside it was still a good service. I love how honest and open the people of City Covenant Church are with their feelings.

After that I went home and helped Toni set out her deck furniture in the back yard. I have a feeling like they will get stolen, but Toni doesn't think anyone will bother them. I guess we will see. Everything gets stolen around here. Toni had bushes literally stolen out of her front yard. A mom from our school was trying to bring her kids to school and her car was stolen when she went back in the house to grab the kids for school. Seriously, everything is stolen around here. I guess we will see if they are still here at the end of summer.

Later in the day. Dana and Nicole asked me to go on a bike ride. I LOVED IT. We went down Lyndon Greenway and all around Brightmoor. I didn't realize how big Brightmoor really is because there aren't definite markers as to where the edges are. Communities all run together here. While out I got to see the Brightmoor Children's Garden. I was so impressed! My picture don't show how really great it is! They have a lot of space, but its broken up into different areas. They also have a system that catches the rain water and stores it so it can be used later. It is SO GREAT for the kids to see how much hard work goes into a garden and to see the process. I think it makes them appreciate what they have more.

Its hard to see from here, but the produce and garden look great!

This is the roof that catches the rain water that is stored and later used to water the plants.

While on our bike ride Dana and Nicole approached me about possibly finishing up school while staying at City Mission. They offered me the K-1st position next year. While I was astonished by them asking and completely honored, I couldn't accept the position. I have another year of schooling that I wont be able to finish up online not to mention my RA and RD position next year. It would be unfair of me to ditch my commitments at SAU. Plus, as selfish as it may sound, I would like to eat up and enjoy my last year of college. Maybe I will end up back at City Mission before life is all said and done. Who knows?

At 6:30 I headed over to the Adam's house for a big STEAK dinner. It was wonderful. Dana cooked everything and we all sat around the table. It was so nice to be in air conditioning, around people I could relate with, and having a home cooked meal. I felt at home for the first time in a long time.

I would love to... if I could get there!

On Saturday Abby and I cooked up a plan to meet halfway at the Great Lakes Crossing Mall. One large issue: I couldn't get there. I tried. I really did. I even had my GPS. However, there were so many roads closed, I couldn't figure out how to get my GPS to get me to the mall. SO, Abby decided to come to me. (BLESS HER HEART!)  She got lost trying to get to me because of all the roads closed. It was a nightmare.

She eventually made it to the ghetto, pulled in the drive way quickly and said " Lets go inside! This is scary!" HAHA.... where I live isn't even that bad! We ended up shopping at the mall in Dearborn and had a good time. It was nice to see her again, and show her around a little bit. Because it was Saturday she didn't get to see the kids or much in action, but it still gave her a small picture of what my life is like here.

She also got to meet Toni my host. I'm glad she got to finally meet her and see her face to face.

$$$

I can't say much... but please pray for City Mission.

We are facing huge financial issues!

GIVE ME YO' CANS!

Part of my work for the day was to create this poster! If any of you readers have pop cans that you don't mind getting rid of I would love to take them off your hands!!

Get MOTIVATED!

Check out what I have the opportunity to attend! So far I think its just LeAnn and I going from the office, but I wouldn't be suprised if that changed last minute.

http://www.getmotivated.com/city.aspx?a=5312

Fine Arts/ Bake Sale

June 17th 5:00-8:00

 

CMA Evening of Fine Arts

Come see all the painting, drawing and sculptures the students at CMA have created this year. There will also be ballet and violin performances. All are welcome. Hope you can join us!!

 

Hot Dog & Bake Sale

We'll be having a hot dog & bake sale during the CMA Evening of Fine Arts as a fundraiser for summer camps. Come hungry -- enjoy delicious hotdogs, cookies and cupcakes! We're also having a can/bottle drive -- so bring your returnables!

 

 

Tigers Game

The nice thing about living a helter-skelter life: You frantically find yourself running into good opportunities that were completely unplanned.

In the ghetto NO ONE plans anything ahead of time. I however am a planner. I hate this about the ghetto, but because I'm in the ghetto.... I just have to roll with it. So, yesterday JR says "Oh, does anyone want to go to the Tigers game? We can have as many free tickets as we want." What? Seriously? Long story short I ended up going with another staff member, Bob who is a teacher here, and we took three kids with us, Jamila (Ja-me-la), Taugh ( pronounced as the Taj part of Taj Mahal), and Alex. It was fun. We sat at the almost very top, but the kids enjoyed it. I asked the boys if they got to come often. The said with their tutor/mentor through CM. How sad. These boys live in Detroit and the only opportunity they have to come to a Tigers game is through City Mission. Although this is a little sad, its also great to see CM doing wonderful things for these kids!

It looks like Allicia and I are going to be returning pop bottles today and getting supplies for the bake sale coming up.

Its unfortunate that most of our time here is spend doing fund raising when we could be spending more time with the kids and in ministry. Money, Money, Money- The roof of all evil!

Late for Work?

I just walked into work after forgetting to set an alarm clock.

The receptionist and I are the only two here. Guess I wasn't late after all....

I got me some white girl talk...

This is a real conversation, although it is paraphrased.

CM Worker: Where you from?
Me: Marshall: Homer area.
CM Worker: Where is dat?
Me: Near Jackson or Battle Creek. (I was trying to think of places she might know)
CM Worker: Well, where is dat? Like Michigan....
Me: Yah, its in Michigan. ( I use hand to point to where I am)
CM Worker: Then were do you get your accent from?
Me: I have an accent?
CM Worker: YES  you do...
Me: Weird. Maybe its because I'm from the country...?
       (Above are the words that come out of my mouth, the words going through my head were as follows: Are ya kiddin me? My accent is what we call English, Sweetie. I think I'm just not speaking ebonics...)

I laughed out loud while thinking about it later. An accent..... HAHA!

And the rat race begins...

Today was the first work day of the week. Mondays are staff meeting days so we need to be at the mission by 9. I was a little late, but I'm convinced these people thrive on a clock that is 30 minutes behind. I was actually early. Go figure.

Many staff members are out of work right now creating a very small and quick meeting. We all discussed what we had coming up in the week ahead and did devotions. We finished in prayer. There are numerous requests for CM (City Mission) right now. For those of you who are praying here they are:

• Dana Adams mother is having surgery and Dana is with her all week. Prayers for her and her mother.
• Because Dana is gone we are without a principle.... Prayers we wont have big hairy issues with the kids that could cause us to NEED a principle this week.
• Nicole and Kim's mother had hip replacement today.
• Toni has been in much pain with her MS and knee. We are expecting a knee replacement next week.
• Bob, an amazing man who is teaching at CM closed on a house today. He has a large heart and we are thinking he is going to refinish the house and "rent" it to those in need. Prayers that the closing goes well, that the house can be refinished easily, and the ministry Bob chooses for the house will be successful.
• PRAISES: There were also many praises such as students graduating!! (Only 21% of students in Detroit Public Schools actually graduate!)

Allicia (Uh-lee-sea-uh) and I went out for lunch and picked up lunch for other staff members. Allicia is the program educator and the person who I directly work with. I have really gotten to enjoy her crazy personality. Its great to be around someone who has as many facial expressions as me.

Our main job for today was getting information put out for a basketball camp that is free!! Its only for 8th grade students so Allicia and I got all the paper work organized into packets and drove around to all the houses to deliver the information. I drove and Allicia (IN HIGH HEELS) went up to the houses. Some of them were VERY shady! One had a pit bull that had Allicia RUNNING back to the car. I laughed so hard. Another house had numerous people standing outside of it. Allicia made ME walk the information up to it... the little white girl... can you believe it? Here she is brown and making me mingle with them. LOL...

Other than that I came home and talked with Toni for a bit. Then the Aikens invited me over a couple of times. It was Acacia's REAL birthday today. She got the spend the day with her mom, but tonight she wanted me to come over for Chinese. When we got there her mom had it all sat out on fancy plates. We drank pop from wines glasses etc. It reminded me of what being 12 is all about: struggling to be grown up when it doesn't quite fit yet.

THEN, the girls begged me to watch a movie with them. I said I was going to leave at 9:30 but didn't get out until 10:07.... surprise, surprise. I did however have time to exercise. PRAISE THE LORD!!

Goodnight world, and thanks for reading!

Happy Birthday Miss Acacia!

Sunday was a fabulous day.

I began my day by heading to church. Toni left while I was still down stairs getting ready. When I came upstairs I set off an alarm. Apparently she forgot I was home and set the alarm. Its not a big deal I just have to run and turn it off. I've done the same thing to her a couple of times. The alarm is a little confusing in my opinion. There is an ON button, and a STAY button. I didn't really understand the difference until I figured out there are motion detectors in the house. Apparently STAY is to be used when we are at home. That only detects if someone enters through a door or a window where the ON button is for when we are both out of the house, and that is when the motion detectors are turned on.


Finally I made it to church. It was my first "brown people"/ghetto church experience. When I walked in they were singing. To be honest the music/singing wasn't good at all, but everyone was standing and clapping and the little ones were walking about the aisles and bopping around. My host Toni was singing in the choir. I slipped into the back and tried to ignore the stairs which were screaming "Who is this white girl??" It is a small church so flying under the radar wasn't much of an option. When the singing was done they asked for seven people to talk about God in their life at the time. Pastor made it a point to say your testamony is not for yourself but for others to hear and for Christ to be shown. Many people stood up. The congragation was so warm and offered amens and head nods gallor. No wonder brown people are so open... because its welcomed.


Afte that we got in two lines and the pasters annointed us with oil. I have no idea why, or what the purpose is other than to bless us. I just got in line and went with the flow. I got back to my seat smelling of an odd combination of herbs and tried to (discreatfully) wipe the oil from my head. (Don't these people know white girl skin will break out in a second with oil on it!?) I smelled of it all day. Honestly, I could have spelled much worse.


Once annointed we got in a circle around the pews and prayed. We then went back to our pews. I ended up sitting in the front with a lady I knew from work, Kim. Paster Semmeal (who I love) started service with a youtube clip from the Temptations.




Although the serman was infiltrated with other passages, the main passage was from Haggi Chapter 1 verses 1-4. The basic concept driving the serman was all about the way you do the things you do. Its not just about what you are doing, its about how you are doing it. I loved the sermon and look forward to many more at City Covenant Church.


After this I went to Acacia's birthday party. ( Acacia is pronounced a-kay-sh-a )She is the daughter of Nicole who is the founder of City Mission. Their family has taken me in and shown me around. It was nice to attend and see them as well as meeting their extended family. The kids from the hood were stopping in and out. They would come and ask to use the bathroom, or for a drink. It was interesting to see Nicole and the family welcome them in while being strict at the same time. When you permanently live with those you are serving you have to create some boundries... very interesting to see how that worked.


After, Caci (short from Acacia and pronounced k-c) counted her birthday money and decided to get an Ipod Touched. She kindly approached me to see if I would go with her. "Um, Miss.Krista, I was wondering if you would have time to go with me to get my IPod tonight?" 1. It cracks me up that she calls me Ms.Krista even when I'm not in school. 2. You could tell she had practiced how to ask kindly with her mother before. 3. How could I say no? SOO.... we headed out. Nicole, Acacia, Jamila, and I. We went to Dearborn. By the BestBuy was a Burlingtons. I had never been to one so we stopped by. It was like TJMaxx, but messier... very interesting.

Caci, Jami, and I messing around in Burlingtons.

Caci wanted a pizza to take home for dinner. While waiting for our order Nicole and the girls let me in on a little thing called geocaching. Basically geocaching is a real-world outdoor treasure hunt. You have to find hidden containers. We used an Ipod app that has a compass on it. It was such a blast. The geocache ended up being on the grounds of Ford in a little wooded area. Our hint was something about an astrict. Right when we were about to give up i noticed a stump that was shaped like an astrict. Sure enough, right by the stump was the geocache under a piece of bark. I guess there is usually something in it that you can take and trade for something else. There was nothing in this geocache but a piece of paper with a log of who else had found it. We put a penny in the small geocache pouch and signed the log as Penny Lover.

Me holding the little geocache camo packet.

Me holding the log of who has found the geocache while we all point to where we found it! :)

After all this excitment we went back to their house and enjoyed an evening of playing games and loading music on Caci's NEW Ipod.

Box Tops for Education!

Please be remembering to save all Box Tops for Education and Campbell soup labels for the school! We are in desperate need of $ to continue our Mission!!! We appreciate any and all labels!

(How did I manage to make it look like I have one earring? Interesting...)

Saturday

Well, its my first Saturday here. My first weekend home. I'm a little sad to be missing out on whats going on at home but that's OK. Its the first time I have come close to missing home so I would say I have been doing pretty well!

I started my morning by going shopping with Nicole who the is head honcho here at City Mission. She has been trying to help me memorize the roads around here. I think it might be a lost cause! Bless her heart.

While we were out she took me to her favorite doughnut shop. It was great, but it had NOTHING on Louise! Then we went shopping for some things she needed and ended with grocery shopping. It was great to get out of the ghetto and see some more of Detroit.

After that I came back to the Mission with Nicole, and we are both trying to get some stuff done. I'm working on my support letters. It is a little frustrating right now because these computers have Word 03 and the Internet, but my lap top has no WIFI connection at work and Word 07. Its a bit of an obstacle while trying to get anything done.

I have no idea what the rest of my day holds. I assume I will spend some time relaxing and exercising.

Thanks for reading, and I promise my posts will have A LOT more meat to them in the future. Saturdays are just boarding!

See what we are all about!

http://city-mission.org

Come check us out! We would love to have your prayer!