Thoughts on community and Slam Poetry

The YLI interns had their ministry day with Jeff Nelson on Friday. We went over to his church, Redford Aldersgate United Methodist Church, and had a bit of a silent retreat. It was great to hear Jeff's heart a bit, but I'll get to that later. During this silent retreat, we went off for 20 minutes at a time, and really just let the Lord speak to us. He spoke to me about the summer, and how I want to take action on certain things when I go back to CMU. The Lord has taught me so much about loving others, whether they are so called lepers, the untouchables. I've learned to really reach out and love them for who they are. Hear their story, see their hearts and really just let God show Himself through the people I have come into contact with this summer. I know I am so much more of a patient person, but I also realize how important community is.

I'm not going to lie. Our house really did not have a great community. But it was because people didn't try. There was a sense of contentment, and it was more than frustrating at times. It really put things into perspective for me though; I was able to see how physical and spiritual contentment can hold people back from progressing any. I don't regret anything that happened this summer, truly. I don't regret anything that I learn from. But I do wish there were things we as a house did differently. Like pray more as a group. Besides dinner. And have a servant's heart as a group. But that all comes with personal commitment I think. I know I've said it a lot, but intentional community is so much different than community itself. Community I think just happens, but intentional community is just what it states. When intentions are present. And so, to the future YLI interns: I cannot stress enough how important being intentional is in an intentional community. Don't just view this summer program as a summer job, but rather view it as a learning experience. It is intended as a way for the Body of Christ to work together with one another, learn how we can serve as a unit and live with God's guidance. But none of this can happen unless 1. First and foremost, you let God be present in the house at all times (accept nothing less!), and 2. Only apply for this if you WANT to be there. Trust me when I say it will make living in the house with 5 other people so much less frustrating.

Oh boy, that was a bit of a tangent, but I think it is truthful. And not truth as in honest, but truth as in what Jesus would line up with.


In other news, Jeff invited us to 1515 Broadway, a place downtown where he does Slam Poetry with Echoverse. It was a really cool experience. I heard one of his poems a few weeks ago at Central UMC in downtown Detroit, but the stuff he shared Friday night was intense. He shared a very touching piece about his mother. As he was reading, I placed myself in the poem and was truly taken back at how beautiful this man could put a simple situation into the most ravishing words ever. By the end, I found myself crying as if this woman he wrote about was my best friend; even though I have never met his mother before.

When I originally got there, I saw my pastor from Brighton First United Methodist Church, which is my home church, along with another couple I knew. It was really great to fellowship with some people from home and update them on what God is doing in my life.

Well, thats all I have for my update today. Expect a big week coming up. Tuesday is primary elections in Detroit, and the church I work at is where a voting booth is. So we have to relocate 30 kids all day. Expect stories... or cries for help!

Until then....

Art and cleaning!

The house is clean and the world is at peace. Hahaha!

But really, we had our Kingdom Assignment party this weekend, where we invited all Mission Interns and Young Leaders Initiative interns to our house to share stories of what we have done this summer and how we saw God move. The first thing that happened when I found out up to 25 people could show up, was a minor panic attack in my head. I immediately thought of all the dishes we had to do, the laundry that was neglected for far too long, and the rooms that needed to be taken care of. So on Friday and Saturday afternoon, all of the Transforming Leaders interns cleaned out our summer abode and prepared for everyone to come. It was definitely a bit hectic in the mere minutes before people arrived, but we pulled it together and the house looked quite presentable.

If anyone has ever told you that a clean home is a happy home, they weren't lying. Now that everything is picked up around the house, I have so much less stress in my life!

Overall, the party went rather well. We were able to see some great friends that we met back in May, and catch up on how things were going in our life.

Before the party, erin and Josh and I went down to Redford to their iArt, and interactive art festival they were having. I grew up in Redford when I was younger, so one of my neighborhood friends was actually in charge of it and invited me to com. They had tents with different vendors, performing groups, and different workshops for everyone. It was really a great time. One thing that we participated in was a didgeridoo workshop. For those of you that don't know what that is, its an instrument made by the ancient Aboriginees. You hear it played a lot in the Survivor theme song, Crocodile Dundee, etc. In the workshop, we learned to make one, and then received free lessons. It was great, and I think I got a really great start on the playing technique. Josh and I have been practicing a lot, so I think some of the roommates are getting a bit annoyed. I'm working on how to circular breathe, which is a bit of an advanced technique, but its coming along rather well. I'll make sure to keep you updated on all my didgeridoo adventures.

Thats all for now. Tomorrow two of my classes are starting to learn about symmetrical shapes, and then eventually making tessellations. Should be a fun week at the Outpost!