Thoughts from Detroit

For Tracee Veenstra

2011-04-27T10:11:00.002-04:00

Here is a brief video that Tracee Veenstra insinuated, so I put it together... :)

VA Year in Pictures 2010 - 3

2011-01-31T13:10:00.004-05:00

Christmas in Detroit! We celebrated Kristen's birthday by attending Noel Night in the Midtown area where we bumped into Santa and Mrs. Claus. We continue to enjoy the benefits of city living, including arts, entertainment, and the variety of cultures that we encounter. Our lives are very rich.

Here are our faces and backs under "the bean" at Millenium park in Chicago. We took advantage of a school break to visit family and friends and be tourists for a bit. It is so fun to travel with the boys at this age. They love new experiences and are fairly self-managing (no more diaper bags or strollers).

The BlackHawks game was another highlight where a friend of ours got tickets and a special visit from the mascot. Ty was excited to be in the pecking order here. He is a lovable 7 year old in first grade at Charlotte Mason Community School. He loves adventure and creativity. His jovial nature and consideration of others have made him many friends. We are grateful for his laughter and love.

The boys of summer in a fountain downtown. We are so thankful for God's grace to us through 2010 and we look forward to seeing how he will shape us through the coming year.

VA Year in Pictures 2010 - 2

2011-01-31T11:13:00.006-05:00

Baseball games are a highlight for our family, and this year we took in a few Tigers' games as well as this game in Seattle. Next summer we are looking forward to seeing a game in Los Angeles.

Here are the boys in front of Mt. Ranier in northwest Washington state. We took a day trip to "Paradise" - the closest lookout to the mountain and had a blast hiking the trails and having a snowball fight. God's grandeur was impossible to miss.

Here are the boys on Birch Bay, Jamison is now 9 years old and is growing up quickly. He loves sports and statistics, which means that we often have family tournament brackets and we regularly are updated on the scores, averages, and projections of all Detroit sports teams. He is getting more homework in school, but is excelling in his studies. He is also very compassionate and kind.

Here is my family on Orcas Island during our VanAndel trip to Washington state to visit with extended family, especially my 92 year old grandmother. What a great trip for our kids to see where grandpa grew up and to share it with their cousins. This trip will be forever remembered.

VA Year in Pictures 2010 - 1

2011-01-28T15:58:00.004-05:00

Kristen and I celebrated 13 years of marriage in July. We keep growing in love and knowledge of each other. It just keeps getting better. We were able to spend 2 days alone together at the end of 2010 setting goals and forming habits for our life for this new year.

Last May brought the completion of over 5 years of classes for my Master's degree in Missions through Calvin Theological Seminary. It was a long road, and we are grateful for the learning and growth that has occurred as a result. I am better equipped to serve God and his people.

Last May also brought the completion of 31 years of Kristen's parents service at Oakdale Park Church. We continue to be influenced by the Godly legacy of parents and grandparents who love God and love people. Our families have done so much to shape us into the character of Jesus.

We had many adventures as a family including Quentin getting to ride a horse for the first time. He is an exuberant and joyful five year old who is learning to read and is getting excited for Kindergarten next fall. He is often the funny actor of our family who livens up any gathering.

Here are the boys on Easter. They have been active in soccer, baseball, piano lessons, invention camp, children's ministry, video games, and a whole bunch more. They are such a blessing to us as parents.

VanAndel Update January 2011

2010-03-31T15:57:00.006-04:00

Dear Friends and Family,
We are entering a new season of ministry here in Detroit. Yesterday I was officially approved by congregational vote to be the Associate Pastor of Christian Formation/Discipleship for our church, Citadel of Faith Covenant Church. We are humbled and excited to serve in this capacity for our church body. Over the past two months, we have felt a clear calling from God to pursue pastoral ministry and we are so thankful to be able to serve within our current church family for this next season. After 15 fantastic years of serving within parachurch ministries, it was clear that now is the time to focus more on discipleship and teaching within a local church context.

Thank you for your prayers and support of us through this transition. We had an incredibly blessed time of rest and waiting on the Lord through December and early January. Now we are ready to engage fully in ministry with renewed vision and passion.

Kristen and our boys are doing very well, we have made some great memories together as a family. Instead of a 2010 Christmas Card, I have compiled a 2010 year in pictures update that you can see either on this blog: http://thoughtsfromdetroit.blogspot.com or on my Facebook page. Feel free to check it out so that you can see some of our family highlights over the past year.

As we look ahead to this year, we anticipate God doing his sanctifying work in and through us and we covet your prayers and continued support. We will continue to be raising a portion of my salary in order to keep from burdening our young church with too much financial stress. If you would like to assist in that support, please feel free to send a check payable to Citadel of Faith Church (With a separate note “for the ministry of Mark VanAndel”) to the address below or give online at our website. We are so thankful for the faithful friendship and prayers of our friends and family!

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding our new endeavor. We look forward to keeping you updated on what God does around us here in Detroit.

Grace and Peace,
Mark VanAndel

Citadel of Faith Covenant Church
1419 West Warren
Detroit, MI 48208
Citadeloffaith.org

Jeremiah 20:9 But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

2009 Family Photo

2010-01-05T21:16:00.004-05:00

Here is our formal family photo from the fall. Thanks for your friendship and support of us in our life and ministry here in Detroit. We are thankful to God for the gift of quality relationships around the world.

Year in Pictures 2009 -4

2010-01-05T21:12:00.009-05:00

Quentin loves dogs. He takes every opportunity to play with dogs when we visit friends, but the chances of him having a dog of his own are quite slim.

7 of the 8 VandenBosch cousins at a weeklong vacation at the Cottage for Grandpa and Grandma's 40th Anniversary.

The whole VanAndel family at the Ludington cottage for our annual summer vacation together. What a fun and relaxing week!

Year in Pictures 2009 -3

2010-01-05T20:34:00.013-05:00

Mark led a group of young people on a Service-Learning Trip to Jersey City, New Jersey at the end of July. They assisted a day-camp for children for a week.

Jamison's costume as Gepetto in the Ambleside School rendition of Pinocchio. He is currently in 2nd Grade and loves school. He enjoys Spanish and Geography.

Kristen and Mark at Ford Field in Detroit for the 2009 NCAA Championship Basketball game to celebrate North Carolina's title game win over MSU.

Ty was the first of our boys to earn stitches with a fall on the playground at school. 5 stitches were not enough to slow him down for long!

We celebrated Jamison's birthday in November with a trip to the historic Garden Bowl in Detroit. Grandpa and Grandma VA joined us for a fun night of bowling with bumpers. The fall birthday season (Oct. 9-Dec. 4) was filled with 4 fun evenings of activities for our whole family.

Year in Pictures 2009 -2

2010-01-05T20:32:00.014-05:00

The boys take notes and draw pictures on a school field trip. Kristen is a parent volunteer so Quentin gets to learn with his brothers on those special days.

Jamison, our conscientious 8 year old. loves to read, play sports, collect baseball cards, and cheer on the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Ty, our creative 6 year old, loves games, jokes, snuggling, and acting. He often creates shows for us to attend in the basement, complete with tickets.

Quentin is our enthusiastic 4 year old. He loves to give hugs and kisses, tell stories, wrestle, and generally try to keep up with and copy his older brothers. He is such a joy. We keep regular contact through email with his birth mother which is also a blessing to us.

We enjoyed a warm fall afternoon at the Cider Mill and Corn Maze with our church youth group. We continue to enjoy building relationships with teenagers and showing them how to follow Jesus.
From

Year in Pictures 2009 -1

2010-01-05T20:15:00.019-05:00

All 3 boys at the fountains on the Riverfront downtown Detroit. They love to play at special places around the city like Belle-Isle, Hart Plaza, the People Mover, and much more.

Ty receiving his trophy from his Tball coach last summer. Jamison and Ty had the same coach, but Jamison played "coach-pitch" for the first time. They loved practices and games.

Mark and the boys trying to rally the Detroit Tigers to victory at Comerica Park. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful on that night and for the entire final 3 weeks of the season.

The first day of school, Sept. 09. Ty eagerly getting ready for Kindergarten and Jamison impatiently waiting to get to 2nd grade. They love their teachers and classmates at Ambleside Community School.

Even more happily married after 12 years! Kristen continues to care for our boys and our home while running road races (25K in May). She also leads the Children's ministry at church and a small group of mom's in our home weekly. Mark continues to work with teens at Central Detroit Christian CDC and is closing in on his Master's degree from Calvin Seminary (May 2010).

Elected officials descend on our Neighborhood

2009-08-25T15:15:00.004-04:00

This afternoon a press conference was held at our produce market to announce the replication of our mobile produce truck venture. Governor Granholm, Mayor Bing, 3 members of city council, and a number of state representatives were all present. It was quite a busy afternoon as Governor Granholm eventually climbed aboard our truck to tour the neighborhood. I don't get too into the media frenzy, but it was still exciting to have our organization recognized for being creative in developing the city.
Here is a couple of photos from the day.

Welcome!

2009-08-18T20:20:00.002-04:00

This was the first thing we saw as we got off the highway in our neighborhood after vacation. Priceless.

Long Time, no blog

2009-08-18T20:15:00.002-04:00

but not that long. No it isn't our baby, but our new nephew AJ.

FINAL FOUR FRIDAY

2009-04-03T23:56:00.002-04:00

A worthy day to pull the kids out of school.

April Update

2009-04-02T16:24:00.001-04:00

Thanks for your faithful encouragement and support of our ministry. We truly are blessed in the midst of our challenges.
In the past six weeks, I have experienced:
A shooting at the high school I volunteer in regularly
A great college tour with students to Chicago (where our bus broke down 3 times and we were stranded for a while)
Officiating a funeral for a 27 year old man
A suicidal student
A young woman from our club expelled from school for defending herself when another girl jumped her
And many more smaller daily battles.

In the midst of the challenges, there is grace. God’s grace is sufficient for even the most challenging of situations.

2Cor. 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.

God’s power can be displayed through our frail and cracked lives. Even in the midst of the pain and confusion that surrounds us and sometimes fills us. I am reminded in this season of lent of the writer of Lamentations who is able to recognize God’s compassion and loving kindness in the midst of his afflictions.

Lam. 3:18 So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD.” 19 I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. 20 I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. 21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

I covet your prayers for us as we seek to share this Gospel of grace which is made possible by a wooden cross and an empty tomb.

Please pray:
For the joy of the Lord to be our strength.
For healing for broken relationships in our community.
For the good news of Jesus death and resurrection to be proclaimed in our youth and adult programs.

Grace and Peace,

p.s. Thanks to a generous friend, we will be enjoying the Final Four here in Detroit this weekend. Go Tar Heels!

Semen

2009-03-30T21:01:00.003-04:00

So our oldest son is reading the bible today and asks Kristen "Mom, what is semen?" He was reading Genesis 38:9.
Here come the birds and the bees courtesy of a first grader who loves to read the bible. So I guess reading the bible is a catalyst for having good family conversations.

Club Photos

2009-03-14T08:47:00.003-04:00

Here are some photos from last nights Club. Very fun night.

Opossum

2009-03-08T07:39:00.003-04:00

So I"m coming home from work on Thursday night and as I pull into our drive, I notice an opossum walk up the stairs onto our front porch. My neighbor (retired Detroit Policeman) arrived home at the same time. I pointed out the varmint to him and he offered to take care of it himself (showing me his handgun tucked into his pants). This is actually reassuring to have that possibility available, but I declined to exterminate the animal, instead choosing to try to shoo him away myself. At the same time Kristen heard me talking and came to open the front door. Just as she was opening it, we yelled at her to stay inside as the possum was only three feet from the front door. I tried to shoo him away with a shovel, but it seemed he felt cornered and was ready to fight rather than run.

I entered through the back door that night. He joins the pheasant as our city wildlife zoo here on Pingree street.

CHICAGO!

2009-03-04T18:01:00.003-05:00

I recently returned from a three day college tour to Chicago with 6 students. We visited 4 schools (Northwestern, North Park, Chicago State, and University of Illinois Chicago). It was a great trip filled with adventures and a great variety of schools. Small to big, expensive to expensive, In the city to outside the city. We had some vehicle troubles through the trip, but it didn't prevent us from doing anything we had originally planned. Those problems even allowed us to see God's graciousness as we were rescued by friends and strangers. The trip culminated with Chicago style pizza and a visit to the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue. We had a blast and learned a lot about the college process and about living our faith on our own apart from parents.
Not even a broken window and stolen CD's from my car here in Detroit could dampen my excitement. My window is now replaced and I don't have to drive around the city with my window "rolled down". Thanks be to God.

School Shooting

2009-02-19T10:29:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday, about 4 hours after I finished walking the halls of the school, a 17 year old was shot in the school. The feud was between two non-students, but it got carried into the school building. There have been arrests and the injured boy seems to be recuperating.
Things were back to normal today, which I'm not sure is a good thing. Would it have been different if someone had been killed? What necessitates a crisis? Who cares?

Black in my eyes

2009-02-13T09:38:00.003-05:00

At the school yesterday, I had an interesting encounter with a student. Although I don't think I had ever met him before, he stopped me in the hall and said to me, "I just want you to know that you are the only white guy I know who doesn't talk at us all the time. In my eyes, you are black." It was obviously a compliment, but it left me asking more questions.

Was this a race issue, an authority issue, or an age issue? Do most adults not take the time to be still and listen to kids, instead choosing to talk or yell after making a quick judgment? Or are most white folks verbally paternalistic and condemning of young black men. Does "being black" mean being more relaxed and not as uptight, or tolerant of problems because I choose not to confront much of the delinquency in the school? All these things get mixed together in a mush of misunderstanding and hurt that perpetuate all kinds prejudice and systemic problems that destroy our community.

Whatever the case, I know that teens need caring adults who love them unconditionally, take time to get to know their situation, and offer compassion prior to discipline. Therefore, I will keep walking the halls and telling the story.

Writing, Seminary

2009-02-13T09:21:00.003-05:00

Now that my theology class is wrapping up, I hope I have more time to write on this blog. It seems like I have only so much time to write and if it is monopolized by justification and the salvific work of the Holy Spirit, then I don't have time to write about things like ministry or family life. Maybe I should paste some of my papers here for those nights you need something to help you fall asleep.
Speaking of seminary, my online program was closed this month, so all future classes will need to be completed on campus in Grand Rapids. Fortunately, I only have one year remaining, but it might mean a year's worth of driving back and forth to GR.

Quick Hits

2009-02-02T18:54:00.002-05:00

- Theology 403 is taking quite a bit of my time.
- We're finishing our basement which is fun and also time consuming.
- Snow is discouraging, Sun makes me happy
- UNC Basketball is back on track. Duke next week.
- Kids are happy and healthy.

UNC

2009-01-29T00:37:00.003-05:00

Piano Moving

2009-01-14T21:19:00.003-05:00

So tonight I was driving a pickup truck through the neighborhood with four guys sitting in the back playing a piano and singing as we drove down Hazelwood Street. Now Jamison needs to be a child prodigy in piano to make the lifting of that beast into the house worthwhile.

Worlds collide

2009-01-13T15:12:00.003-05:00

Driving two blocks from my house yesterday I spotted a vaguely familiar site - A Plymouth Salem High School letter jacket being worn by a 55 year old African-American man.

Quentin's Birth Mother

2009-01-01T12:26:00.004-05:00

So I guess my vacation time is my time to edit video footage. I spent a few minutes yesterday editing a short video clip for Quentin's Birth Mother. We send her photos and updates via email about once every two months. I asked in our last update if she would like to see some video footage and she said she thought she would like it. So I put this short video together for her. She is such a blessing to us in her encouragement and prayers. We are so grateful for the gift that she has given us in Q and the relationship that we have been able to form with her through email exchanges. We look forward to seeing how God will use this relationship to grow Quentin into the man he was created to be.

Club 7:37 Video

2009-01-01T00:11:00.003-05:00

If you have ever wondered what Club looks like on Friday nights, check this out.

Sadness

2008-12-19T22:01:00.002-05:00

One of our student leaders recently discovered that she was pregnant, the result of a poor choice prior to her commitment to Christ and subsequent commitment to abstinence. This week, she had some health concerns and the doctors decided to take the baby, unfortunately, the baby was not able to survive. It was difficult to sit in the hospital room and see the photos of this tiny girl who never got a chance to live. Please pray for the mother as she mourns this significant loss.

Never thought I'd see it

2008-12-19T21:57:00.002-05:00

Yes, three snowmobiles drove down our street today. Now I've seen it all.

Christmas Store

2008-12-15T11:14:00.002-05:00

Our "Pride for Parents" Christmas Store was on Saturday and it was a great day! Parents from our community had the opportunity to shop for brand new items at 90% retail prices. It affirmed dignity, developed discipline, and celebrated the gift of Jesus with an abundance of provision. Although only a small step, it helps to encourage families on the way to financial stability while providing for their immediate needs.

Van Conversation

2008-12-12T11:38:00.003-05:00

"Hey Mark, these are great books your kids have back here in the van."
"Yeah, I love being a dad so I get to read my favorite children's books to my kids"
"So you read books to your kids... like a bedtime story or something?"
"Yeah, pretty much every night"
"So your family is kind of like one of those TV families?"
"I guess ... it may be hard to believe, but some parents still hang out and read books to their kids."

Reformed Theology

2008-12-10T16:36:00.002-05:00

Here's my latest class..

The whole range of Christian doctrine—general and special revelation, God, creation and providence, the person and work of Christ, salvation, the church, and last things—are covered. Using Herman Bavinck’s Our Reasonable Faith as a basic text helps provide a strong biblical orientation within the framework of a Reformed doctrinal perspective since Bavinck’s one-volume work (originally Magnalia Dei) was intended as a more accessible summary of his magisterial four-volume Reformed Dogmatics. Now that the English translation of Bavinck’s larger work is available and can be used in the M. Div. Systematic theology courses (it is the foundation of Berkhof’s Systematic Theology), M. A. students will be receiving in abridged and summary form the same fundamental theological perspective as CTS’s M. Div students.

Any of my reformed brethren out there care to discuss Bavinck or Berkhof?

Breakthrough Enrichment Program

2008-12-10T16:21:00.003-05:00

Last night was our Christmas Program for the BTE. Some of our teens serve as leaders for this (K-8) program, and I assist with transportation. It was a fun and celebratory night.

Some of the highlights were: One of our teens shared about the reality and purpose of Christ's birth. A parent standing up and publicly thanking the staff, encouraging more parental involvement, and challenging us all to continue to raise the bar for our children to become excellent. One of my former soccer players in Plymouth who brought her youth group to serve as volunteers for the program this fall.

It was a blessing to play a small roll in this program, and great to have more relationships with parents and children in our neighborhood.

Busy Weeks

2008-11-26T06:55:00.003-05:00

The past few weeks we have been running. End of the semester for my seminary class, Thanksgiving outreach for work, Birthdays. Since I last wrote, we now have a 7 year old and a 3 year old in addition to our 5 year old. We had fun parties including a carnival and a horse party. I'll try to post more pictures once we get them uploaded onto the computer.
Now we are off to Grand Rapids for Thanksgiving. It will be good to rest for a minute.

Contrast

2008-11-18T22:34:00.003-05:00

This morning I left Central High School where nothing is sacred for a funeral at St. John's Armenian Orthodox Church where sacred filled every one of my senses. From the priest touching the crucifix to my head, and the pungent aroma of incense, the chanting sounds of the deacon in the Armenian language, and the visual impression of the historic sanctuary. Quite a contrast from smelling weed, seeing graffiti, and hearing the F word used as 4 different parts of speech as a hall monitor.

Hectic

2008-11-14T10:14:00.001-05:00

More posts next week. This week is party planning, club preparation, sermon writing, and work.

Long Day of running, without any exercise

2008-11-11T22:31:00.002-05:00

7am - breakfast meeting downtown
8:30 - Head to Central HS to volunteer as hall monitor
10:30 - office
11:30 - Lunch meeting with friend/donor in Southfield
1:30 - Office
2:45 pick up Jamison from school
3:30 time with family
4:30 cook dinner
5:15 drive van to pickup kids for tutoring program
6:30 Church leadership meeting
8:00 drive kids home from tutoring program
9:00 back to church for the rest of the meeting
9:30 home to prepare for Jamison's birthday tomorrow

Youth Dance

2008-11-09T20:33:00.003-05:00

Four of our teens ministered through dance at our church worship service today. I videotaped it for them and thought I would put it up here as well. I'm so blessed by the fact that young people in our neighborhood are able to use their gifts to serve the Lord. It is happening more and more that teens influenced by the Gospel are creating a new culture of Kingdom values in our community. That culture creates space for kids to be righteous and have a community that accepts them as "aliens and strangers" in this world. 1 Peter 2:9-12

CDC Club 7:37 Video 2 - Morphing

2008-11-08T19:51:00.001-05:00

Here's a look at something fun we did with our kids this week. They got a kick out of it. I think you'll recognize some of the faces.

Carolina Basketball Season

2008-11-06T21:41:00.003-05:00

The number 1 ranked Tar Heels begin their season in just over a week, and our family is ready thanks to a package that came in the mail today from Vaughn in Charlotte. Now we all have our game day T-shirts ready for a great season. The Heels play here in Detroit against Michigan State on December 3 and hopefully again in early April for the Final Four.

If God's not a Tar Heel, then why is the sky Carolina Blue?

Ever heard this one before?

2008-11-05T14:00:00.003-05:00

I just dropped Jamison off at school today and was driving off when I saw a car stopped and a woman standing beside it looking warily into the door. I rolled down my window and asked if I could help her. She said, "I was driving along when I felt something moving inside of the seat of my car behind me. When I stopped and got out, I saw the head of a raccoon poking out of a hole in the upholstery." Does this kind of thing happen anywhere outside of our city?

Handsome Boy

2008-11-03T14:49:00.001-05:00

Dress Up

2008-11-03T14:44:00.003-05:00

We didn't really do anything for Halloween with our family - I'm not big on it except as a time to get to know our neighbors better and no one really trick-or-treats down our street. But the boys still wanted to dress up so we had a pirate, superchick, and firefighter roaming from door to door through our house giving and getting candy that they had already received at their birthday party two weeks ago. We're not going for any parent of the year awards here.

Peaches and Greens

2008-11-02T20:48:00.004-05:00

So our long-awaited produce market opened yesterday. Here are a couple of photos from the grand opening. We acquired the building last winter, it was a dry cleaners before it was shut down when the owners were selling drugs instead of pressing shirts. The building sat untouched for a number of years. Our teens worked back in February to clear the building of all the old clothes and junk. Then through the spring and summer, volunteers from Trinity Church in Plymouth worked to renovate the entire building into useful space. Now we have created new jobs and stabilized another corner in our community. And what a gift to have fresh fruit, vegetables, and dairy two blocks away! This is a big gift to the physical and economic health of our community. Now we just need to sell some garlic and eggplant. (Thanks to Rachel for the photos).

Nights of Terror

2008-10-30T14:07:00.003-04:00

This week is our Church's outreach for Halloween, called Nights of Terror. Many of our young people are involved in the production, similar to a walk-through "haunted house" for the sake of displaying the consequences of our actions both here on earth and continuing into eternity.

How do you feel about "scaring" kids into believing in God? Is it wrong? Can it be done graciously? Feel free to make comments.

Home

2008-10-26T20:36:00.003-04:00

We're finally home tonight after a long day of travel. Our alarm went off at 4:30am this morning in the Miami Hyatt. Angel Pittman drove us to the airport for our initial flight to Charlotte. We had a 3 hour layover, so we got to visit with Vaughn Lamer at his new home in uptown for a while. Good fellowship before flying home to Detroit. Then we hopped in the van to drive to Lansing to meet Mom VB and pick up the kids. Finally arrived home at around 5pm. Good to be in our own home.

I'll write more about CCDA after I catch up on sleep, email, work, and seminary homework.

Bienvenido a Miami

2008-10-23T08:47:00.002-04:00

We are in Miami this week for the Christian Community Development Association annual meeting. If you are not familiar with CCDA, please visit CCDA.org since their principles are what we base most of our ministry upon. Especially instructive are the 8 key components of CCD.

1. Relocation: Living Among the People
2. Reconciliation
3. Redistribution (just distribution of resources)
4. Leadership Development
5. Listening to the Community
6. Church-based
7. Wholistic Approach
8. Empowerment

I get to spend much of my time focusing on Leadership Development, but definitely lean heavily on all of these principles in developing our ministry here in Detroit. It is an incredible blessing to be with like-minded people from across the world for a few days to worship, fellowship, and learn about how God is working in the under-resourced areas of our world to bring about justice, righteousness and ultimately the fullness of His Kingdom.

This is like my week of summer camp.

President Plantinga

2008-10-23T08:47:00.001-04:00

These words are marinating in my mind from one of my mentors in a meditation we heard Tuesday night. (not a direct quote)

Gratitude needs to be like breathing for a Christian. We inhale God’s good gifts, we exhale thanksgiving. Just like children, we need to be taught to be grateful, but with God’s grace, it can become as natural as breathing. Even in intense hardships (beatings, imprisonment, hunger, oppression), the Apostle Paul never wavered in the necessity of giving thanks, even stating it 3 successive times in his beautiful chapter of Colossians 3.

Quote

2008-10-21T10:25:00.002-04:00

"You must be a strong man to volunteer in the Detroit Public Schools. If I was white like you, I'd be scared as Hell."

Vehicles

2008-10-20T10:01:00.003-04:00

Please pray with us. I mentioned last week that someone had attempted to hotwire our bus. Well, this weekend someone stole one of our ministry's vans on Saturday night and attempted to steal the other last night. We are definitely fighting a battle here.

Divine Appointments

2008-10-20T09:19:00.004-04:00

Last Spring when I volunteered at Central HS, there was one boy who repeatedly tried to upstage me in front of his friends. He tried to belittle me to the delight of the crowd that had gathered. I liked him because of his creativity and enthusiasm, but was saddened by his need to demean me in order to get attention.
Skip to Friday night, driving the bus around the neighborhood, and who should step up onto the bus, but this young man from Central. He recognized me immediately and waited to see how I would respond to him. I greeted him and proceeded to give him as much positive attention as possible through the evening.
God has such a sense of humor. It's good to see my consistency in the school and neighborhood rewarded with relational connections that allow the gospel to be fleshed out and spoken over time. Thanks for praying.

1/2 Marathon!

2008-10-19T10:45:00.005-04:00

Who are these runners coming down the road? It's Kristen and her sister-in-law 11 miles into the 13.1 mile Detroit Half-Marathon. Don't they look great? It was a fun morning of celebration for the agonizing months of training. They actually run across the Ambassador Bridge into Canada and then under the Detroit River in the tunnel back to the U.S.A. We met them with just 2 miles to go to encourage them with their children cheering them on. Way to go Mom!

Soccer

2008-10-19T09:51:00.003-04:00

The older boys played their last soccer game of the season yesterday. They had the privilege of playing in front of their aunts and uncles and grandparents on a beautiful fall morning. Ty had some great passes and Jamison had some nice goals. They look to be far advanced from their parents youth soccer days. We're just happy they enjoy the game and get to learn some teamwork in the process.

Fun on Pingree 2

2008-10-16T14:06:00.002-04:00

So while Kristen was hosting her Bible Study Fellowship group for lunch today, the drug house on our street was raided by the police. Fortunately, it happened in such a way that it went unnoticed by the guests (mainly women from the suburbs). Now I need to make the call to the police station to thank them for their service.

In other news, I had the privilege of being in the middle of a fight at the high school today. I was just about ready to leave when I saw two girls arguing. I decided to step between them (maybe not a good idea) and their words became flesh as they crawled over me to get to each other. I might be on youtube later today since the fight drew a crowd of about 75 kids who crowded around and videotaped the entire thing on their cell phones. I managed to get out with only a small tear in my shirt. I proceeded to leave the school for a meeting, but I wonder if there were/will be paybacks or other flare ups later today. In contrast, I did have some good conversation with the usual gambling suspects today, so I still leave encouraged.

CDC Club 7:37 Video

2008-10-13T00:32:00.001-04:00

Here is a glimpse of the fun we have on Friday nights.

Question from Jamison

2008-10-13T00:06:00.001-04:00

"Why do people need to paint big words on the side of empty buildings?"

Fun on Pingree

2008-10-11T21:09:00.004-04:00

A new drug house has opened on our block, right next to the one that got shut down and eventually burned to the ground last spring. So I called the Police Drug Unit and reported the house two weeks ago. Then I called the next day and reported it again (the same tactic I had used last winter). The officer replied "this house was reported yesterday, why are you calling again?" I told him that I thought persistence would help to get the issue addressed more quickly than last time (about 3 months). He replied, "Would you like me to call your work and remind me of your daily tasks each day?" which kind of made sense to me, so I listened as he described their process a little more. I apologized for my impatience and asked how long I should wait before calling again. "Two weeks" he said.

I'm pretty sure I'll be calling again today. Not with arrogance, but with gentleness and firmness that display my care and concern for my neighborhood. We press on.

Last time we went through this, we prayed for redemption and salvation to come from the drug house being shut down. Then we saw one of our church members coming out of the house and felt sick. So I prayed about it, and eventually confronted her about it the next Sunday. She responded with remorse and the next week enrolled in an in-patient treatment facility for 120 days. She is since back in town, taking college classes and serving in our church again. To God be the glory. He answers our prayers beyond our wildest imagination.

Jungle Party

2008-10-11T20:15:00.003-04:00

We had a beautiful day for Ty's outdoor Jungle Party today. We had a variety of jungle foods (including peanut butter and banana sandwiches), jungle games, and a snake cake. Kristen really did a fantastic job of preparing a fun day and Ty was so excited.

How time flies. I remember the Thursday afternoon that he was born like it was last week. We are thankful to God for the gift of Ty.

Friday Nights

2008-10-11T00:22:00.003-04:00

Strange things seem to happen on Friday nights. Like the 5 student leaders who either called (or I called them) to let me know they couldn't make it to club tonight. Or like when I went to start up the bus to pick up kids for club tonight and someone had tried to hotwire our 20 year old bus. The ignition was torn up so badly that I couldn't drive it. So I changed plans and we drove the 15 passenger van instead. We managed just fine and actually had a really good club. There were only about 25 kids there, but the energy was good and they were really listening closely by the time I started giving my message from John 4. It was one of the most attentive club audiences I can remember in my three + years of doing club here. Then we went to the gym and one group of kids (and me) played basketball while some of our other leaders led a came of Catchphrase (think Charades) with the kids who didn't want to shoot hoops. At one point, I stopped and looked and almost every kid in the building had a smile on their face. That was an accomplishment. It was a good night despite the challenges.

Birthday

2008-10-10T09:27:00.003-04:00

Ty's birthday was yesterday and we had the opportunity to spend the afternoon together at Greenfield Village celebrating together as a family. We rode in a Model T, took the 1860 train around the park and observed many pumpkins lining the streets. The day was completed with a Slumber party in the basement for the boys while eating popcorn and watching "Mary Poppins" one of Ty's birthday gifts.

Court

2008-10-08T22:53:00.002-04:00

I'll be in court twice in the next two weeks supporting friends twisted up in the legal system. I'm realizing how complicated it can be to sort through the paperwork and details even as an educated, well-read adult, let alone, a young person with limited life-experience and education. One of these cases had me attempting to post bail at 1am in the morning and walking through a casino and the streets of Detroit with a significant wad of cash. Ask me if you want the full story. My life is rarely boring.

Terrible Tigers

2008-10-08T22:47:00.003-04:00

The Tigers have been bad this summer, but our boys still loved going to the ballpark. Thanks to some good friends, we got to go to 3 games in September alone! These were the best seats courtesy of the Vermeulens. Quentin was most intrigued by the Tiger Mascot, Ty is enamored by the ferris wheel, and Jamison likes to see the Tigers hit home runs (which didn't happen nearly enough).

First Thoughts

2006-05-07T21:56:00.000-04:00

I want to start to journal some thoughts from Detroit for family and friends to be able to access if they want to get inside my head for a while (scary!) Actually, this helps me process some thoughts I have about life in the D. The only problem that I have is that some people may read this out of the context of a relationship with me and misinterpret some of my thoughts. But I guess Jesus has been misinterpreted out of the context of relationship quite a bit throughout time and it hasn't seemed to deter him. So here goes the first chapter of my future book.