Last year I went on a trip to Poland as a part of the Holocaust Studies Service Learning Program at Albion College. During the trip I wrote a journal to document some of the journey as well as record some of my thoughts about each day. It has taken me some time to get this journal posted because the trip itself had such a lasting impact on my life. Much of it was difficult to rewrite, because of the emotions that the story carried with it. It is my hope that you will learn from what I have written and maybe be moved to explore the Holocaust more yourself.
My fiance, Mallory, was talking to me the other day about something she saw at work and how that simple thing brought back a flood of memories from the trip and she couldn't help but think about the horrors of the Holocaust. We cannot see much of what is common place in our life the same. That trip and the education that came with it, changed us forever. Ignorance is not bliss, it is a curse upon the future of humanity. I pray that you will join me in longing to be changed, to have our eyes opened. I pray that the world would see the relationship we all share and that the "other" would be forever erased to become neighbor, friend, family, brother and sister.
To view my journal, look over to the right hand side of the page (blog archive) and click on May, 2009.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Moving Out-In-On-Beyond
Today as I write, I am listening to the rain fall gently outside my kitchen window. The rain has made the house unusually dark for 2 o'clock in the afternoon, so I decided to take advantage of the atmosphere, light some candles, pour a fresh cup of coffee, and turn on some ukulele Jazz. I am now moved out of Detroit and am preparing to move out to Chicago. This move has proved to be thought provoking for me. When I move this time, it will be the first move that I've made where I can definitively say that I will not be moving back to the house that I've called home for the past 22 years of my life. As I pack for Chicago, I pack with the understanding that I'm packing for a longer stay than the three years I'll be in Illinois. It is with that understanding that I have begun to place all of my belongings into three separate piles: one for what's coming with me, one for what will stay behind, and one that I will permanently part ways with.
This past weekend I was staying at my fiance's place and I was looking at all of the little trinkets and things that she had on her shelves and that's what got me thinking. I thought about how all of this stuff was a marker of where she had been, who she was, and what life was once like for her. Those are all experiences that she and I will never be able to share. That moment opened up parts of her that I'd never really seen before. And it made me sad that I would never share in that with her. Now as I pack, I look around at everything in my room. It all has a story, it all has a place in the history of me. Much of it, Mallory will never experience with me, and maybe never understand. Now I know that all of these possessions don't really represent who I am, but my experiences with them tell little pieces of me and that gives them meaning.
What gives me hope about the future and what gives me strength in the unknown is knowing that, while there may be innumerable parts to each person's life, those pieces all become expressed when we come together. When we gather communally in relationship with one another, we become something more. I am given confidence in the road ahead knowing that what comes next for Mallory and I runs deeper than all of the little pieces we leave behind. Those things will have influence over us and though we never shared in those individual experiences, together we are shaping them into something new; a story of us. Next comes who WE are, and that is far more significant than the man I am alone.
So as I stood there in her room I realized that all of those things are a part of the story of her, and they will become a part of my story as well. For that, for shared experience, for shared love, and for the sake of following the voice that calls all of our hearts together, I am forever thankful. As I pack I do so knowing that the two most important pieces of my life will be coming with; my faith and my love, and in those pieces I'm called home.
This past weekend I was staying at my fiance's place and I was looking at all of the little trinkets and things that she had on her shelves and that's what got me thinking. I thought about how all of this stuff was a marker of where she had been, who she was, and what life was once like for her. Those are all experiences that she and I will never be able to share. That moment opened up parts of her that I'd never really seen before. And it made me sad that I would never share in that with her. Now as I pack, I look around at everything in my room. It all has a story, it all has a place in the history of me. Much of it, Mallory will never experience with me, and maybe never understand. Now I know that all of these possessions don't really represent who I am, but my experiences with them tell little pieces of me and that gives them meaning.
What gives me hope about the future and what gives me strength in the unknown is knowing that, while there may be innumerable parts to each person's life, those pieces all become expressed when we come together. When we gather communally in relationship with one another, we become something more. I am given confidence in the road ahead knowing that what comes next for Mallory and I runs deeper than all of the little pieces we leave behind. Those things will have influence over us and though we never shared in those individual experiences, together we are shaping them into something new; a story of us. Next comes who WE are, and that is far more significant than the man I am alone.
So as I stood there in her room I realized that all of those things are a part of the story of her, and they will become a part of my story as well. For that, for shared experience, for shared love, and for the sake of following the voice that calls all of our hearts together, I am forever thankful. As I pack I do so knowing that the two most important pieces of my life will be coming with; my faith and my love, and in those pieces I'm called home.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Prayers for the City
In the coming weeks, Motown Mission's website will be releasing an art project that is the symbol of all of the work our volunteers have been doing this summer. At the end of each week, we ask the groups to join into a collage of prayer. When they are all done, their prayers make up a house, a symbol of the work that they've done. On the site, we've compiled many of these prayers into a virtual collage.
Check it out here
Each prayer represents a hope for the future of the city, the individual, and the love that God brings to the world. Many have brought insight and inspiration to my life, and so I've compiled a few for you. The following is a look at some of my favorites:
---------------
"Dear heavenly father, this trip has reminded me of why I became a part of this church. I know now that I can’t do it without you because I’ve tried and it never worked. Lord I thank you for this week, it really refreshed my faith. “when the world hates you, remember that it has hated me first"
"I pray that the hope we have ignited burns long after we leave... and the change in our hearts spreads awareness of those who need us to be God's hands and feet"
"Father, your children here are hurting. Let them feel your presence surround them and your love hold them. Give them the ability to hold onto hope of a future better than they have dreamed. Christ have mercy."
"Just Peace and Love."
"I pray for Detroit. I pray for all the lives we touched this week. But I also pray for the lives here we did not get the chance to touch. I pray that their lived will be touched soon. Changes are being made. I pray things keep changing. I pray for each child and parent we helped by making it safer. I pray for all the things that got done and also all those that didn't That they will be done soon. You are changing things. Thank you."
"Thank you for the unity of Spirit that took place with the team."
"Lord, pour out grace and healing upon Detroit."
"Holy Spirit, restore the city to its place of prosperity, that the glory of the Lord falls upon us. Lord break the spirit of poverty, fear and shame within its walls."
"Lord, use the Church to bring your light into the darkness."
"Thank you for this week. You have been doing so much in this city and love this city. Thank you for putting it on the hearts of those in charge to put on this trip so we can visibly see what difference one person can do. We were able to be your hands and feet, serving others. It didn't seem like much work for us - but to those living in the neighborhood it made a difference and brought hope. Thank you for Brick. For his sister and family - for the refreshment we were able to bring them in simply cleaning a yard. Let him know you through that. He saw you though us. Thank you that we were able to be You to him. Thank you for our group who came, for those who grew this week and know you more because of it. Let us not forget what we have learned and experienced this week."
"Lord, a house is broken, a house is in disrepair, a house is ugly. Your love, Your servants changed a house that's fixed, a house repaired, a house that is beautiful. Your love changed our hearts, your love changed the hearts of those with the house, Your love made a garden grow without weeds, your love made people happy and gave them hope."
"Here in Detroit there are wounds, deep cuts that are leaving deep scars. So even though I believe that we touched so many people in this week, all of the people need assistance not just a select few. So please God love these people and send them your strength, so it will help heal this city. This city is all so filled with hopeful people. Please give them courage. Love. Love. Love."
"Help us to remember that through you, we can be the hands and feet, the light and hope for a world in need. Give us the courage and strength to stand up to and fight injustice wherever we might find it."
"I pray people realize how beautiful the city of Detroit is already, and how wonderful it can be."
"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace - let me be an answer to someone's prayers, as Detroit has been to mine."
"Your love is all we need to change a life. Thank you Lord for Your abundant love."
"I pray for great communities, strong families and places of love and safety."
"Every kid in this city has a place to come 'home'"
"Detroit is Your city and thank for reminding me it's my city too! When we work with you we can make a difference in a big problem. Help is to keep making a difference and help everyone living here to have hope and have your love and peace guide them."
"I pray that the joy I saw in the people of Detroit will be contagious; that it will spread throughout the neighborhoods and among the people, young and old. I pray they will have hope. Enough to take action to carry on the work I now have to leave. I pray for an army of joyful, hopeful people who are energized to recreate this beautiful city - and make it better than its ever been."
-------------
I want to thank each and every person who has been a part of Motown Mission this summer. Your work and love has made a tremendous difference in the lives of so many people. We all hunger for to be closer to one another, to something or someone that can anchor us in when the world seems to slip away. By participating in Motown Mission, you become that anchor for someone else, a beacon of light to the love of God. I can only hope that ministries like this will continue to grow and foster real relationships with God out of love and bravery through the abundant need of God's people.
Check it out here
Each prayer represents a hope for the future of the city, the individual, and the love that God brings to the world. Many have brought insight and inspiration to my life, and so I've compiled a few for you. The following is a look at some of my favorites:
---------------
"Dear heavenly father, this trip has reminded me of why I became a part of this church. I know now that I can’t do it without you because I’ve tried and it never worked. Lord I thank you for this week, it really refreshed my faith. “when the world hates you, remember that it has hated me first"
"I pray that the hope we have ignited burns long after we leave... and the change in our hearts spreads awareness of those who need us to be God's hands and feet"
"Father, your children here are hurting. Let them feel your presence surround them and your love hold them. Give them the ability to hold onto hope of a future better than they have dreamed. Christ have mercy."
"Just Peace and Love."
"I pray for Detroit. I pray for all the lives we touched this week. But I also pray for the lives here we did not get the chance to touch. I pray that their lived will be touched soon. Changes are being made. I pray things keep changing. I pray for each child and parent we helped by making it safer. I pray for all the things that got done and also all those that didn't That they will be done soon. You are changing things. Thank you."
"Thank you for the unity of Spirit that took place with the team."
"Lord, pour out grace and healing upon Detroit."
"Holy Spirit, restore the city to its place of prosperity, that the glory of the Lord falls upon us. Lord break the spirit of poverty, fear and shame within its walls."
"Lord, use the Church to bring your light into the darkness."
"Thank you for this week. You have been doing so much in this city and love this city. Thank you for putting it on the hearts of those in charge to put on this trip so we can visibly see what difference one person can do. We were able to be your hands and feet, serving others. It didn't seem like much work for us - but to those living in the neighborhood it made a difference and brought hope. Thank you for Brick. For his sister and family - for the refreshment we were able to bring them in simply cleaning a yard. Let him know you through that. He saw you though us. Thank you that we were able to be You to him. Thank you for our group who came, for those who grew this week and know you more because of it. Let us not forget what we have learned and experienced this week."
"Lord, a house is broken, a house is in disrepair, a house is ugly. Your love, Your servants changed a house that's fixed, a house repaired, a house that is beautiful. Your love changed our hearts, your love changed the hearts of those with the house, Your love made a garden grow without weeds, your love made people happy and gave them hope."
"Here in Detroit there are wounds, deep cuts that are leaving deep scars. So even though I believe that we touched so many people in this week, all of the people need assistance not just a select few. So please God love these people and send them your strength, so it will help heal this city. This city is all so filled with hopeful people. Please give them courage. Love. Love. Love."
"Help us to remember that through you, we can be the hands and feet, the light and hope for a world in need. Give us the courage and strength to stand up to and fight injustice wherever we might find it."
"I pray people realize how beautiful the city of Detroit is already, and how wonderful it can be."
"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace - let me be an answer to someone's prayers, as Detroit has been to mine."
"Your love is all we need to change a life. Thank you Lord for Your abundant love."
"I pray for great communities, strong families and places of love and safety."
"Every kid in this city has a place to come 'home'"
"Detroit is Your city and thank for reminding me it's my city too! When we work with you we can make a difference in a big problem. Help is to keep making a difference and help everyone living here to have hope and have your love and peace guide them."
"I pray that the joy I saw in the people of Detroit will be contagious; that it will spread throughout the neighborhoods and among the people, young and old. I pray they will have hope. Enough to take action to carry on the work I now have to leave. I pray for an army of joyful, hopeful people who are energized to recreate this beautiful city - and make it better than its ever been."
-------------
I want to thank each and every person who has been a part of Motown Mission this summer. Your work and love has made a tremendous difference in the lives of so many people. We all hunger for to be closer to one another, to something or someone that can anchor us in when the world seems to slip away. By participating in Motown Mission, you become that anchor for someone else, a beacon of light to the love of God. I can only hope that ministries like this will continue to grow and foster real relationships with God out of love and bravery through the abundant need of God's people.
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