T-minus Ten days Wrap-Up, plus the past week you've been waiting for.
Mood:  rushed
Topic: WSC / Detroit
So, you haven't heard from me in a while huh? Well, if it was me and any other travels, I would have gone from lamoni to a certain holt florida, but no, I drove from port huron, actually lexington michigan where bluewater campground is located, leaving my girlfriend who happens to be graceland repping up there this week, to go pick up John Atkinson, and drive to the most obscure place Manitou campground clear over in one of the most south eastern counties in the whole state of michigan. So, If I did that hand thing, (which I will never) you would go from up in your thumb, clear to down by the outside of your wrist, and then back to the other side of your wrist, because we are staying in detroit. overall, sunday cost me 14 hours driving, and lots of tiredness.

Monday we go to the church and find it trashed, because there are two other denominational churches that use our building there in redford, One of the churches is the Christs Temple Church, and another is the Word of Power Apostolic Faith. The reason we know that one or the other of these churches trashed the church is because, on thursday, before we left the church, we mopped, we scrubbed, we locked things up, and labeled, and marked, and continually marked everything in the cupboards and in the fridgerator that was ours. and locked all the arts and crafts stuff away, and we thought that no one would steal our dodgeball, but we were mistaken.

When we got there monday, and the place was a wreck.
we went in, and saw a travisty. A major work project with meat on the counter and in pans, all over the place like someone had cleaned an animal, grease splattered all over the kitchen's big picture window, chocolate for molds eaten, serving pans sitting stinking of rotten food, that was never cleaned, then, we noticed also that the dodgeballs were stolen, the floor was all sticky, because of some kind of punch, the craft closet was broken into and the puff paints were used. Shannon was steaming out her ears. litterally. her eyes were bugging out, and I thought she was going to choke me, because she had that look because she was so mad at those other churches, and it took 3 hours for us to clean up enough to have people come in at eleven. So, who should call but Helen our Host family parent, and she called and said, Jacob, since you had such a rough driving day, should I come down and help out? I said "sure, the more the marryier." Then Low and behold we met Miranda who is from port huron, and she is a nice girl, she came into our presence because john atkinson asked her when she was staff at senior high to come down and take john corn and jordan, and linda's place for a week. Kim could not get off of work on monday, but she did come tuesday, wednesday, thursday. Anyway, Miranda helped cut some sheets, and we had the bright idea of making pillows all week. the kids would not have the attention span, and could not take all of the small motor skills to tie the pieces together just using square knots, or overhand knots. Also the kids and I started a mural of Jesus on the wall next to the mural that I have been completing, with details steadily. Also on this day, tim, teara, katrina, britney, areien, and dave, all painted hop scotch, 4 square, and tick tac toe on the pavement for fun games in the church's back alley.This was fun, but this was the hottest week of the summer up here at just around 90 all week with a humidity at around 80% making it feel hotter than that. That day, after seeing my partner go crazy, because of the mess, that was diverted with a little elbow grease, I felt like johnny c needed a call. I told him that I had been concerned that we may be spending undue amounts of time on the cleaning up on monday, and that the other churchs should get a talking to, so I asked if we could consult john atkinson and jerry, about it, and give him our testimony of how it almost looked vandalized. At this juncture, I wish shannon would have taken some deep breaths, because she was trying to get me to tell johnny c a whole smattering of things, in that short little phone call. I said, hold on, and continued. I think that he appreciated that I never got emotional about it, and simply stated that it was a problem, and needed to be resolved with john and jerry, I think if I had fed all of that information to him that shannon was feeding me, his patience and caring nature on the phone would have been diminished.

Ever since, I have felt a tension rising with shannon as though she wants to run everything, and if she doesn't than she will reap her vengence. I just think that I am in need of some prayers for both of us, as I know we are both tired, and I feel like she is preparing her speach for john and anyone else in independence to just unleash. I sure hope in debriefing, I get a chance to counter or defend, because I feel that both of our judgements are getting fuzzy. I think the kids are giving us some of their anxiety, and not enough of their bouncing back formula.

Dear God,
Grant me the patience to deal with anything that comes my way. Bless these children as I have become greatly attached to them over these last few months, and I wish all of them the very best. I like suprizing them with optimism, and it broke my heart when the other day one of the kids asked me if I was living in the area, or would be with them all school year. I would love to be with them, and be a standard in their mixed up street lives. I am truely aware of what Jimmy Munson meant when he said his life was devoted to spreading the good news of the gospel, and his life was devoted to finding the lost, and showing them the way to jesus. I have seen these kids be kids, and be free from harm and influences this week, and I want that to continue so badly, but, in the same breath, I realize that John can not do this big job alone. he needs so much help. God, and anyone out there listening, please pray for john and bless this congregation of the lost, the unlikely and the brokenhearted. please be with them as they go about their lives, and be with them through every struggle, make them aware of your presence.

I also pray for Rachel, as tomorrow, I will see her one last time before she goes to spec, I know that is a rough time, and I truely want her to be well recieved, and I want her to have an awesome week, as she soon will be back for her duties as paloma's HP.
I love her greatly, and she knows that prayers are needed, she prays daily for the well being of this great hall she goes to.

I also pray for my sister, who is suffering from a spured heel or ankle, as she slipped in the mud at senior high camp and really wrecked her foot. Let Jessica have guardian angels to look out for her, and make her awareness more keen, and strong, as she navigates in wisconsin and at graceland at spec next week.

And Lastly, be with all those members of world service corp that they come back and be enriched by the experience that they have had this summer, that they may become oaks of righteousness for our church, and our future as a faith trying to build communities of christ.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

I feel as though this entrie has barely become a peck on the surface of what has been, I will try to remember more in an entry later, but I hope all my friends and family are pleased that I didn't disappear. I am still here, counting down day 10. till I return to independence and debrief, and reflect.

I am sure I will have stories for sometime to come.

Updated Mural to-date
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: WSC / Detroit
Here is our Detroit Mural as of Thursday, but we took the best pictures today:

Redford Detroit meets Motts Country Flint Petting Farm
Mood:  lucky
Topic: WSC / Detroit
Hi everyone,
here is the latest installment of the ever popular Redford Files. Today, normally a day of rest this friday, we got a little bit more accomplished today, as we loaded a 595 dollar charter bus from blue lake tour bus company, and 24 kids from the Hope Park District here in detroit, (Johns Church Plant members) and we high tailed it to Flint. We left at ten, and instantaniously, it was hilarious the ammount of hijinx, a bunch of kids who have never been on a farm, could have. We Gathered 24 kids, all with their permission slips in hand, and we drove up there, not charging the kids anything, because the church could fund it through a grand that we are recieving through goodfellows and Lee Clinton Moore. He is a really nice guy. Anyway, we drove up there, apparently to Lindy Wagners old stomping grounds, (because she assured me she worked there) and we took the kids through some great times, meeting all the animals they had only read about in books or saw on sesame street or sponge bob square pants. In some of these pictures, I just need to explain what is going on, for them to be funny, but I sure had a blast, teaching city kids about the country, and I am not even that down home country.It sure let me know that I was from Iowa. Here are some great ones.

At first, the kids were scared of the geese, the goats, and even the cats and dogs biting them, as our first stop was one of their first encounters with the farm animals.

Then John Corn had found some tour guides that took our "largest group ever" behind the scenes of this petting zoo to see a 3 week old donkey. The kids all said "Awe" even the tougher ones.

Next we went to a poultry and rabbit pen, as we gathered around one of the guides holding a chicken of some kind. I was taking this picture, and it looked as though they had all found some glorious treasure. by the way they were huddled around, and I got this observing perspective being so tall.

Next we visited the sheep, one of the quotes that made us all laugh is when David Shelton touched the sheep, and said, "I need a sweater for the winter." It's constant humor with that boy.

It was to the point, after we had visited the pigs, that the children were not getting the point when they were given a bag of feed. Often I would see the horses and animals wrenching their necks to be fed by the kids, only to have corn, soy, and varous nuts thrown at them, because they did not want to get bitten. I showed that I would not lose my hand by being the one that showed them how to feed a horse.

They Timmidly said, "Okay, if he did it, maybe its not so bad."

Here is our Group of 24 kids posing for a group shot, we had a blast, and there is more to come in this entry.

John Corn wanted a fun picture with the kids on this converted John Deere Tractor that has become a piece of playground equipment, because it is broken down.

Here is Delila working on a great masterpiece with this donkey, as other children fed it, and kept it occupied.

Here is The finished product of Delilas handy work, she braided the donkey's maine.

After all this, we went to this circus tent, and I met a shady character, and ex-con, and he talked to me as I multi-tasked, apparently he worked there ever since his release for owning 6 drug houses in flint, but I am listening to him, making lunch while the kids are on their first hay ride, and I also got a call from my wonderfully beautiful girlfriend rachel, which of whom, I was glad to hear from, because I had been sending messages to dead air, (not her fault) because Camp Doniphan does not get good reception. But it was good to have her out of the dead zone that is excelsior springs. All the while I was racing against time to triple task and get these two jobs, and a heart felt reunion all accomplished. (wow)

Continueing, I made two loaves of bread worth of sandwitches, and from that, we came up 3 short of 24, being 21, instead of the needed 24, if we were to feed all the kids, and 27 if John, Shannon and I were going to eat. Never the less, we made a joke and a game out of it, and we passed out more cookies to the kids who did not have sandwitches, and we taught them how to make ham and cheese roll ups, and turkey and cheese roll ups, to have sandwhich equivalents, when we run low on water. We did have extra peanut butter and jelly, and carrots, when it was all said and done. We did manage to ensure all of the kids had 16 oz aquafina bottles in hand to refil throughout the day, after their inital water was drank at lunch.

After that, we spend the afternoon, at this fun State park, kind of this beach resort for small children. it had a fountain, with sea creatures and boats, and snakes, and ladders, and water turrets, and timed sensors in the ground and on the equipment that continually would spritz water on people periodically. Then, the kids noticed the beach. Wonderous sand, and murky fish smelling water with two lifeguards sharing a stand. kind of okward to look at. but none the less, i got drenched and had to get on the bus with wet clothes, and the kids thought I was super fun. We had lots of fun, and as they were drying off and changing we bought the concession stand out of their giant large freeze pops, and they happened to just have 24 total, which was awesome, because we had 24 kids. We got on the bus, and of all my six weeks in the summer, this was the most suprizing part, they all zonked and took naps on the charter bus ride home.

- - Awesome Day right? - - Well we thought so.

Jacob signing out-

The throw down
Mood:  loud
Topic: WSC / Detroit
hi all,
I thought I would tell this story, because I need to remember it. So, on monday, we went to the church to put together a wonderful new backboard and rim and set. We got there at nine, and each bolt seemed to be too tight for the holes we were feeding it through. so one of the bolts, we hammered through and bent one of the threads on the bolts stripped down, so we could not place the nut on the bolt.

So we worked about two hours on this arrangement of poles in order to get the hoop to move up and down. in doing this, the assembly went back together more smooth. We put it up, and left it, and hung out working on the rim assembly figuring out how the bolts worked, and the springs and such. Then Devin, Tiara, and brittney came over, and shannon took them on a field trip to michaels. when they returned, devin and brittney ran through the sactuary where the hoop was standing, and I don't know whether one of the kids, or the wind that followed them blew the thing down, but we heard a great big boom, and the backboard came a tumbling down. We Heard a large crash and came running, and the backboard and frame where broken and bent, and the glass was shattered,
and it looked unrepairable. So, frustrated and embarrassed we put the rim away, and it was the start to a horrible day.

Next Two boys came, Dave Shelton, a regular, one of the boys that is in some of the pictures, got talking to this boy Robert Byrd, and he started harrassing Dave about a video game he borrowed, then, Dave got hit by a ball in the nose in dodge ball, and went into a tither, and started yelling, and exploding with anger, so we pulled johns last rule that if someone fights, everyone goes home.
So we kicked everyone out. Kicking everyone out really relieved some stress that was building. For the most part, we needed that time off, we knew that if we had anymore stress we could have yelled louder at those kids, but because of the way it worked, I just yelled, "ALRIGHT, TIME TO LEAVE" and the kids knew what that meant, because they had heard it before from pastor john. We also did some pastoral talking as John Corn and I approached both of the boys and settled some things out. We tried to get each of the boys realizing that one uping each other was not the answer to this conflict, sometimes, dispite what others percieve, leaving, or ignoring where the best option, because things don't escelate to violence, or hurt boys. The Robert talked about how he "couldn't be seen walking from a fight!" and we simply said sternly-"why" then, I had a harsh discovery that, this is what they were brought up with, not going down on a fight no matter how out numbered or how easily you could get hurt, it was all bloody nuckles when it came to these kids. It is not a suprise because in their town, since January of this year of 2004, till now, the middle of july, there have been 297 deaths due to gun shot. Just imagine how many more, were injuries, but these adults are their role models, they learn from older gang members on the street that what you're sappost to do, is defend your integrity. I say, "defend yourself, until conflict like that arrises, then, use peace." holy smoke, I want to take all the kids on a field trip to the peace paviliion where they learn to: "stop, think peace!" I am starting to see why we are here, to be good influences, more than anything for these kids. the mission center has john running all over the state for them, and we are his stand ins, binding this church together till his return. I can't believe how exhausted I am doing this day in and day out. I think that prayers could be used just to get me through another week and a half till we go back to independence to re-join our cohearts. I just hope that nothing goes asunder during that time.


Oh by the way, anyone reading this can post a comment, I know you're dieing to, just read and press the post comment button, somewhere around this entry. I know you want to. I so want to add it to my blog. I really like criticism and support.

Update, since it has been 4 days
Mood:  happy
Topic: WSC / Detroit
So, all of my adoring fans, (just kidding) I just thought I would write and give you and update on detroit. Well, on monday after I wrote, well, rather, I stole shannons entry, Ha ha, we picked up some drifters. John Corn, Jordan Long, and Linda Flint. They are a blessing of 6 extra hands and feet for our cause that is now our bible school that meets monday through thursday. For the next 5 weeks.
The Days start out, with Shannon and I Co-Directing Mural Class, and having a good time of it, and the neighborhood kids, coming and helping us, as our pictures have shown. We have bolstered our numbers, and the camp, as of yesterday was at 25 kids participating. Then at 1, after the kids had painted for two hours we go in and have Lunch/Snack, which is a blast just watching them interact, and we have been kind of expressing that a family sit down meal is important, through action. Although, I don't think it has ever been planned that way, it has worked out to seem like a fellowship type meal.
After this, While some of us clean up, John Corn and Jordan Long, work diligently to keep the children occupied, as they play in a recreation style format. They have been playing dodgeball, ultimate frizbee, and elbow tag, to the kids hearts content, the kids love it. After this, John and I kind of lead Crafts, but it takes a full staff participating group to accomplish the craft task, because they are a group that needs to reach their attention span limit. In this class, as you can tell from the pictures below that I am going to enter, the kids liked bead day, and have nothing but good to say about that.

After all that, we have "Getting Real with Jesus" a little bible lesson of sorts, where we have been sharing in bible lessons so much taken for granted in sunday school childrens classes that never made it to these kids in their inner city neigborhoods. Last week, we read psalm 100, the wise man and the fool who built their house upon the rock, and the fool who built their house on the sand, another story from this week, talked about modern day good samaritan, with john atkinson leading a interpretation involving the prostitute working with the lord in mind, symbolizing the outcast samaritian of the bible, both versions were shared, but it brought a unique perspective for this neighborhood.
I would like to close this entry by just leaving you with some pictures from this week in detroit. it has been a great journey this week, and as the staff get into rythym this summer, should be a great springboard for what john has plans for a church plant in the fall.