Off to a good start!

Hello bloggers and supporting friends and family! My name is Jessy Stark, and this is my first year as a Transforming Leader intern. I am originally from Brighton, MI. I just recently finished up classes at Central Michigan University this past semester, and will begin student teaching in the fall, followed by graduation in DECEMBER!!!!

We've been underway for about two weeks now, and things are going great. Last week was training at Lake Louise, and I thought it was great how we could escape to the (relatively) quiet wilderness for a couple days. I always love going up to Lake Louise. I'm able to really focus on what God is trying to speak to me at that moment in tim. One thing He was putting on my heart was the importance of community, particularly in 1 Corinthians 12... "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ" Working as a body to bring out the many talents and gifts of others is something I really want to achieve this summer. Living in a house with five others, I am sure there will be plenty of opportunities to do that.

Speaking of living with others and working as a body of Christ...

Last night we went and visited some friends over in Hamtramack in the Ailanthus House. It is an intentional living community that we can definitely learn a lot from. We went for a potluck dinner (hooray for Methodism and potlucks!), and it was great to just sit around and fellowship. Before we ate, Jeremy (one of the guys who lives at the house) showed us the community garden in their backyard. IT WAS SO COOL! Seeing his passion for bringing people together and helping the environment all at the same time has really had me thinking about making a lot of my own food. So I am going to start by making some hummus! It's so yummy, and one of the women who was at the house last night gave me a great recipe.

So this summer I will be working at St. Timothy's United Methodist Church off of 6 Mile. I will be part of running an educational enrichment program. Basically it's a day camp where kids can come and have fun, but there is also a portion of the day devoted to school subjects like reading, math and science. I will be teaching math to three groups: 6-8 years, 9-11 years, and 12-14 years. Now don't get me wrong. I am very excited to teach. In fact, I am getting my degree in education. The only thing is that it is Music Education... Needless to say, this summer will definitely have me out of my comfort zone, where God apparently likes me to be. I am okay with it, though; I know that when I am out of my comfort zone, God will stretch me to my maximum capacity, and that I am eternally thankful for! Praise God!


This weekend we are having an open house for our neighbors on our block. We invited them over for hot dogs out on the grill, and some fellowship and "get to know you" time. The neighbors that we have met so far are so wonderful to us. They are very supportive of us and welcomed us with open arms and open hearts. One lady in particular, Mrs. Martin, has been such an angel. Every time we see her, she is so full of joy! We invited her to the barbecue, but unfortunately she has to work that evening. She said that if we need ANYTHING, she'll bring it over in a heartbeat. I think the Lord is going to use her this summer to teach me about humble serving towards one another.


Things you can pray for us about:
*Unity in our house, that God would make us stronger in love, patience, and humble serving towards one another.
*Our neighbors, that we may live our lives as a light to them, and that they would continue to be open to us in their neighborhood, and that the Lord would bring many blessings upon them and their neighborhood.
*Our internships; many of us start making contact with people on Monday.
*That God would give me knowledge and wisdom when teaching my math classes, and that I wouldn't feel inadequate in a subject that I have not had training for.
*The city of Detroit, that people would not look down upon it as a horrible city, but rather an opportunity to show God's love through hospitality. Also that people can find ways to meet that need and serve God's people.
*The many sites that are struggling financially right now.