I just got a call today. A former participant in '08 was with his youth group this week on a mission trip in the Bahamas and suffered an accident that ruptured a vertebrate. He was flown to Miami's Jackson Hospital- home to a renown paralysis center. Please pray for him and his family, the doctors and home church.
-H
Friday, June 25, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Seeing the Face of God in Community
This summer we've been emphasizing the presence of God in communities you may least expect. We look into the least likely places of the city bus, the curb under the bridge, the parking lot. It is also a chance to allow God to be present when two or three youth groups come to serve and learn in Miami the same week.
Although we are the same in many ways, We may be from similar churches, from the same state, from the same economic backgrounds. We differ in so many more it seems when we aren't letting God be present. But when we allow God in, when we look for God's presence in a community of homeless men, or in a shelter of battered women, or in the foster families or hard labor of poverty, we have much more in common. Whether slave or free, greek or gentile, we share the promises of God's love and presence.
Although we are the same in many ways, We may be from similar churches, from the same state, from the same economic backgrounds. We differ in so many more it seems when we aren't letting God be present. But when we allow God in, when we look for God's presence in a community of homeless men, or in a shelter of battered women, or in the foster families or hard labor of poverty, we have much more in common. Whether slave or free, greek or gentile, we share the promises of God's love and presence.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
A Great First Summer Week
This week, DOOR-Miami hosted a church group from Denver, Colorado. This was the first group for the summer staff and it was a great group to begin the season. It was great to have such diversity among the youth and the urban perspective of another city. The group was spiritual aligned and constantly dropped what they were doing to pray.
One of the many highlights of the week was being able to incorporate the gifts of the group into the agencies. Members of the group are very skilled in putting on a puppet show. At Easter Seals, an agency that serves as a day care for the elderly with Alzheimer’s and children with disabilities, the group performed their puppet show. Everyone loved it and asked the group to perform the show several times. God used this group in many ways and revealed God's presence in the city throughout the week.
-Vanessa
One of the many highlights of the week was being able to incorporate the gifts of the group into the agencies. Members of the group are very skilled in putting on a puppet show. At Easter Seals, an agency that serves as a day care for the elderly with Alzheimer’s and children with disabilities, the group performed their puppet show. Everyone loved it and asked the group to perform the show several times. God used this group in many ways and revealed God's presence in the city throughout the week.
-Vanessa
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Summer Staff Begin Orientation and Training
School may not be out in Miami yet, but summer started as we began orientation with our summer staff. Today we found a few of our many agency partners, did a fair bit of grocery shopping and began to share our stories over meals.
It's going to be a great summer in Miami!
Don't forget to please vote for the Nature's Path grant competition Branches has entered for their gardening program. Just Means is a great site. You'll find other very useful information there as well. Branches is close to the top but must finish in the top 2. There are many days to go and the Florida City community isn't a very digitally connected community. But this isn't a merit competition. It's pure popularity. They need your vote to win.
http://www.justmeans.com/contestidea?ideaid=NTYz
It's going to be a great summer in Miami!
Don't forget to please vote for the Nature's Path grant competition Branches has entered for their gardening program. Just Means is a great site. You'll find other very useful information there as well. Branches is close to the top but must finish in the top 2. There are many days to go and the Florida City community isn't a very digitally connected community. But this isn't a merit competition. It's pure popularity. They need your vote to win.
http://www.justmeans.com/contestidea?ideaid=NTYz
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Please Pray for Branches Florida City
Late Saturday night, a fire burned down the sanctuary and playground of our partner church ministry Florida City United Methodist Church. Please pray for the staff, students and surrounding community that the devastation be turned to opportunity. Sunday morning service was held outdoors. The Branches program continues. Plans are moving ahead with all the summer activities. May God be praised and lives be changed.
View the local news coverage. http://cbs4.com/video/?id=95992@wfor.dayport.com
View the local news coverage. http://cbs4.com/video/?id=95992@wfor.dayport.com
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Univ of Northern Iowa arrives Sunday
Summer 2010 begins Sunday with the arrival of a group from Iowa. We hit a record high of 93. Hope the group is ready for summer heat also.
We're looking forward to this week's experiences. Many of our partner agencies and ministries have been low on volunteers. Many children's programs are preparing for the end of the school year. Their will be a wide range of variety of projects.
We're looking forward to this week's experiences. Many of our partner agencies and ministries have been low on volunteers. Many children's programs are preparing for the end of the school year. Their will be a wide range of variety of projects.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Miami Staff and Dwellers Making the News
In 5 separate articles, online magazines, and newspapers our Miami staff and dwellers have been featured.
Duke's Faith and Leadership feature this article on Vanessa Silverman and local leadership.
http://faithandleadership.com/features/articles/growing-your-own-leaders
YMToday.com published this article from Heidi Aspinwall on encouraging mission service in the gap year before college.
http://www.ymtoday.com/articles/article.php?aid=2578
Goshen News published an article featuring former Dweller, Isaac Shue is his efforts to raise awareness and help Haiti's recovery.
http://goshennews.com/local/x993506934/Hearts-for-Haiti
In the April issue of Presbyterian's Today, Dweller Megan McCarty is featured for her blogging this year. Young Adult Volunteers- Ministry of Presence
[I'm sorry the link has been replaced with May's issue already!]
This month's youthworker newsletter from Mennonite Mission Network, features 6 articles from DOOR's national staff for summer activities.
http://www.mennonitemission.net/Tools/Relate/Pages/Home.aspx
Duke's Faith and Leadership feature this article on Vanessa Silverman and local leadership.
http://faithandleadership.com/features/articles/growing-your-own-leaders
YMToday.com published this article from Heidi Aspinwall on encouraging mission service in the gap year before college.
http://www.ymtoday.com/articles/article.php?aid=2578
Goshen News published an article featuring former Dweller, Isaac Shue is his efforts to raise awareness and help Haiti's recovery.
http://goshennews.com/local/x993506934/Hearts-for-Haiti
In the April issue of Presbyterian's Today, Dweller Megan McCarty is featured for her blogging this year. Young Adult Volunteers- Ministry of Presence
[I'm sorry the link has been replaced with May's issue already!]
This month's youthworker newsletter from Mennonite Mission Network, features 6 articles from DOOR's national staff for summer activities.
http://www.mennonitemission.net/Tools/Relate/Pages/Home.aspx
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