Tuesday, August 31, 2010

New Friends

The Lord has, somewhere along the line, given me a heart for foster youth. My heart was especially heavy for this population in May during CSM staff training. In May, I read a statistic that 70% of foster youth in the Bay Area turn to prostitution, or enter the world of sex trafficking. After this, I led CSM’s 9 interns in prayer for the foster youth in Oakland. Just two weeks later, my pastor announced that we would have 3 young women from foster care living in our church for the summer. This was a transitional set up before they enter college housing in September.
I felt that God was beckoning me to step up and connect deeply with Kayla, Jessie and Tasha*. Since June my friend Ashley and I have hosted 2 family dinners, a Tyler Perry movie night, participated in Jessie’s birthday, saw Jessie baptized, served food in our homeless ministry together, processed with, laughed hard and now have started seeing them off to their college communities. Kayla attends St. Benedict’s in South Carolina, Jessie and Tasha attend CAL State East Bay.
Partner with me in prayer for these beautiful women. God is so good!

-Tara Tremblay, CSM San Francisco Bay Area Associate City Director

*Names have been changed for privacy.

Monday, August 30, 2010

…for just one second… (a reflection of CSM Washington, D.C.)

We stumbled upon this great blog post from a leader of Mt. Zion Church's group that served with us in Washington DC. Thanks for sharing, Ryan!

"Give me your arms for the broken hearted,
The ones that are far beyond my reach?
Give me your heart for the one’s forgotten,
Give me your eyes so i can see,
Yeah yeah yeah yeah…”
Sometimes in our lives we are called to do something truly bigger than ourselves, and it is in those moments that we are foolish to not take them. This is something that I told myself on the plane ride back from DC as I finished my pre-trip orientation for CSM DC this July for Mount Zion.

Thirty-three students and adults, 33 people with different personalities, different talents, different gifts, maybe even different color skin, but one thing was common between us: we have some good news for so many… we got Jesus!

So on July 18, 2010 around 5:00 am; we set out on an adventure, but more so a mission. It’s a mission none of us expected, but we all knew it was going to be one amazing week. After 12 hours crammed in three 15 passenger vans we arrive: tired, hungry, restless, but eager to start the mission God had laid out for us.

I don’t have the time or the memory to tell you all that happened this one week between July 18 and the 24th. What I can tell you is that we as a group decided to adopt the song above not just as our favorite tune, but a clarion call for something truly supernatural. We were going to share the love of Jesus Christ throughout Washington, D.C., even if it seemed like “just one second.”

Truly interesting was that we all would split up into three groups throughout the week, hardly seeing each other except a day or so, and every night. We would all come back having different experiences serving different people in different ways.

Some would work at a homeless shelter serving food to those in want, some would do yard work for elderly people who can’t do it on their own, some would move furniture for those who are coming out of homelessness and don’t have much to start over again, some would make and pack and distribute food for low income families and those who have life-long illnesses, some would go into the inner city– the projects of DC and set up a “backyard Bible club/VBS” and just pour out the love of Christ on those who don’t experience it at home and who need to hear the good news, some would go to Boys and Girls Club and work with difficult children who seem to have no hope of changing but change would and did shortly come…

Some of us did so much to help out… even if the “footprint” of our impact was small, it was what was needed, and people needed us that week. Not because we are something great but because we are carrying something great inside of us: the Holy Spirit of God!

Have you ever experienced homelessness? Do you know what it is like? Do you care? Well for “just one second” we all felt it to an extent. Not to the extent of those who are truly homeless, but to the extent that it woke us up and changed us, humbled us and made us grateful for His blessings. Just to sit down and fellowship and commune with those who many feel are “second-class” or “in the way” or even “trash,” is truly enlightening. Many are brilliant, many had successful lives, they are all like you and me. But a mistake here, a fall out there, a lost job somewhere, left them in this condition… and we are called as believers in the resurrected Lord to help them out and to provide for their needs… so are we? I mean, are we really?

Our leaders, our guides, were amazing individuals who were set apart for such a time to show us what is going on in this place, and how we can do something about it. For every need there should be every answer. For every hurt there should be every healing. Are we truly being the “hands and feet” of Christ, or are we just living?

Lives were changed for sure, and I would like to believe we made a difference. We might never know. We might have to go on faithfully knowing that we planted the seed, but someone will water and it will grow! But more than us seeing other lives changed, our lives were changed all the more.

So I praise my Savior and Lord that He “gave me His eyes for just one second…” because that “one second” was truly a “second” that never left me the same…

Friday, August 27, 2010

Vacant Homes and the Homeless

We love UrbanMinistry.org and all the rich resources they provide urban min folks with! Check out a recent blog they posted...

Boarded up house"Current estimates say that there are approximately 3.5 million homeless Americans. There are also 18.9 million vacant homes. That means that for every homeless person in America there are 5 empty houses. Neglected homes are at best a waste of resources and at worst immoral in the face of a homeless population larger than Connecticut. 

Richard 'Skip' Bronson calls attention to this in his latest blog."



Learn more about urban ministry issues on UrbanMinistry.org!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

A Calling to High Standards

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27

This verse is so simple, but as I was reading through my Bible this week, these words really caught my eye.  This short phrase is actually a pretty enormous challenge to us.  WHATEVER happens, the standard for our actions and reactions is behavior that honors Christ and His sacrifice.  I know that in my own life I am all too often caught up in situations that occur and fail to even consider whether or not my conduct is honoring to the Gospel of Christ.

This week, God gave me plenty of opportunities to try to live out this verse.  Every single day something unexpected occurred whether it was with the schedule, the ministry sites, or just in my own personal life.  In each situation, I was presented with a choice of how to act: I could behave in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ or not.  Through these events, God was revealing to me just how high of a standard He has called us to and that I have not been considering the manner of my conduct as seriously as I should be.

I am weak and frail, but the Lord is my strength and my salvation.  The Gospel of Christ is so beautiful and so vital, how can I not be committing my every action to honoring it?

-Robin, CSM Toronto Summer 2010 City Host

Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Toronto!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Number of Homeless Kids in Houston Double

The number of homeless kids in Houston has nearly doubled in the last year.  For more on the situation, and some glimmers of hope for progress, check out this article from the Houston Chronicle!


-Paul Randall, CSM Houston City Director

Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Houston!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Encouragement in Houston

This week, my group and I spent a few hours each day at a kids program here in Houston.  Though I talked to the program director each day I never really spent too much time with her.  She always seemed incredibly busy and I was focused on spending time with the energetic kids.  I had come to serve the kids, thus I would pour myself completely into them.  We all had a great time diving into each day's activities.  We were entertained by things such as four square, mancala, and Father's Day crafts.

On the last day one of the youth leader's from my group, Steve, left while we had some free time to go find a gift for the program director.  Due to long lines and not enough time, he decided to just get a card.  The students all signed the card and just before we left Steve handed the card to her.  I expected that she would be appreciative but did not anticipate the following reaction.

With tears in her eyes, she told him that she had been getting ready to leave her job.  Now if you ever meet this woman you will see that she is one of the strongest, most loving individuals.  She knows each one of the kid's names, their parents, and even little quirks about them.

She told Steve that the only reason she would stay was because she needs the kids in her life.  Steve then told her "and they need you too".  These were exactly the words that she needed to hear.  I hope and pray that this encouragement will give her the strength she needs to continue along for as long as our Father desires.    

I am thankful for my group's kindness and the wakeup call that they have given me.  They have shown me the importance of really taking the time to encourage the individuals that work at our ministry sites.  It is certainly a blessing for us to come in and play with the kids or organize a closet.  However, we can be a blessing in encouraging those that keep the programs afloat.  I am thankful that even though I might go somewhere with one specific intention, God usually has more than just one.

-Courtney, CSM Houston Summer 2010 City Host

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Junior High=passion of my heart

This last week, 65 junior highers came to call CSM-Houston their home for a week. While many people in our world can't stand junior highers, I absolutely love them and all of their craziness. From the first ten minutes Sunday night, where it sounded like a herd of elephants had moved into our site to the last hour where they were excited about scrubbing toilets, I loved every second of my week with them. It just made me remember how much of a heart I have for junior highers. I loved the way 7th grade girls played basketball in the rain with 20 kids voluntarily. I loved the way they sang ridiculous songs in the van to and from ministry sites. I loved the way they held the children of Ujima. I loved their joyful hearts making hygiene kits at SEARCH. I loved hearing profound God moments and hilarious irrelevant stories that went on forever each day during debriefs. I loved the way they copied my every dance move at the Harbor Light choir concert. Above all, I love the way the Lord works in junior highers lives. I love seeing the huge change the Lord can have in a junior higher's life.
Lord, thank you for junior higher and all the fun they are.
-Crystal, CSM Houston Summer 2010 City Host

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

CSM Nashville Ministry Partner - Magdalene

Magdalene is one of our new partnerships in Nashville.  They are a community of women coming out of a life of prostitution.  Thistle Farms is a company Magdalene established to provide the women with both job training and an income.  It has been an amazing gift to hear the stories of these women and be a small part of the work God is doing through this community.


Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Nashville!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

A Franciscan Benediction - just for YOU!

May God bless you with discomfort -
at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger -
at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears -
to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in the world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Servin' it up in Denver!

Paradise Valley UMC served with us in Denver and did a great job blogging away about it - check it out!

Have you served with CSM and want to share your blog? Email us!

Monday, August 09, 2010

Stories Emerging from the Streets of Chicago

People-watching is as much a part of my life as breathing.  It’s crazy what you notice about people when you just watch them talk or act for five minutes.  Sometimes I think about their story as I watch them…observe various aspects about their demeanor and mannerisms and try to come up with their background.  There are times that I take an extra step and actually ask them their story, but usually I just watch and dream. 
One rainy day this summer I was journaling at Starbucks and enjoying my non-fat marble mocha macchiato.  I took a break from my thoughts and glanced out the window.  Normally I watch people and cars pass by, but that particular day I noticed something different out the window.  There was a worn-looking man sitting on the bench in the pouring rain.  A million thoughts started to enter my mind about this man, so I wrote them down:

The wet bench on Foster
    Is occupied by your camo jeans
People pass by without a glance
Your voice is your
    Only friend today
The rain falls upon
    Your weathered face
    Soaking and chilling
    Your worn clothes
The wrinkles near your eyes
    Outnumber your years
Your reasons may vary
Your story unknown
What keeps me from knowing?
What keeps me here
    In this warm seat
    With my luxury coffee?
While you move from the wet bench
    Gather your few prized possessions
    And find a new place of loneliness

This is just a reminder to me and all who read this that everyone has a story.  Yes, it’s fun to watch people and imagine what their background is, but so many times I can’t begin to imagine what this person has experienced.  I can assume that the homeless man on the street has had a rough life and the pill that he just popped in his mouth has been acquired with the money he received for that day.  But what about the man who walks down Michigan Avenue in a three-piece suit?  Maybe he, too, is spending all his hard earned money on drugs to relieve the loneliness in his life.  The homeless and forgotten of the streets are not the only ones who are broken in this world.  A millionaire can have just as many hurts and struggles as the man who is scraping by for one meal every day.  The crazy thing in all of this is that God loves each of these people equally.  No matter what their social status, economic status, race, religion, or ethnicity, the Heavenly Father loves them all.  God is not a God of favorites, nor is his love conditional.  If God loves them all unconditionally, it is my responsibility to listen to their story and love them as He does. 

-Sarah, CSM Chicago Summer 2010 City Host

Friday, August 06, 2010

Wise words: "I will fight!"

“While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; 
while children go hungry, as they do now I'll fight; 
while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; 
while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight, 
I'll fight to the very end!”

-William Booth, Founder of The Salvation Army

Thursday, August 05, 2010

Stepping off the Streets


Formerly homeless man shows his home, tells his story from Pine Street Inn on Vimeo.

What a great story! We thank Windsor for sharing his life and dreams.
Learn how YOU can serve with ministries similar to the Pine Street Inn with CSM!

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Living out the Gospel in Toronto

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27

This verse is so simple, but as I was reading through my Bible this week, these words really caught my eye.  This short phrase is actually a pretty enormous challenge to us.  WHATEVER happens, the standard for our actions and reactions is behavior that honors Christ and His sacrifice.  I know that in my own life I am all too often caught up in situations that occur and fail to even consider whether or not my conduct is honoring to the Gospel of Christ.

This week, God gave me plenty of opportunities to try to live out this verse.  Every single day something unexpected occurred whether it was with the schedule, the ministry sites, or just in my own personal life.  In each situation, I was presented with a choice of how to act: I could behave in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ or not.  Through these events, God was revealing to me just how high of a standard He has called us to and that I have not been considering the manner of my conduct as seriously as I should be.

I am weak and frail, but the Lord is my strength and my salvation.  The Gospel of Christ is so beautiful and so vital, how can I not be committing my every action to honoring it?

-Robin, CSM Toronto Summer 2010 City Host

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

“How was your summer?”

This is probably one of the most dreaded questions someone could anticipate when coming back from a summer experience like CSM.  Challenging.  Wonderful.  Sad.  Frustrating.  Bittersweet.  Heartbreaking.  Life-changing.  How could I possibly put two and a half months of numerous emotions and lessons into even a five-minute conversation?  God has taught me so much about myself, people, ministry, and the city of Chicago, and I feel like it will take me a while to figure out what all of this looks like once I get back into my “normal life”. 
It still amazes me that God has placed me at CSM Chicago this particular summer.  This was His plan for me all along.  Coming off of a great year full of healing and growth in a Christian college environment did not even begin to prepare me for the things I have experienced in my time in such a diverse city as Chicago.  My heart has been broken for the people I met in the soup kitchens.  My compassion and sense of loving discipline has expanded because of the kids at CCO.  My hope in the body of Christ has been renewed due to the pastors I have interacted with from various denominations and ministries I have partnered with throughout the city.  I prayed against complacency throughout the summer, but God definitely renewed my passion to serve Him in Chicago daily.  Now I must pray against complacency when I return home and begin my routine again.  CSM Chicago has been my life this summer…it must not become just a dream that I remember when I look at pictures. 
Here are some of my final reflections:

With every conversation
    A face to a statistic
With every ministry site
    An example of the church to this broken world
With every weakness
    A strength discovered
With every moment of exhaustion
    A passion renewed
With every joy
    A glimpse of Kingdom work
With every failure
    A piece of God’s grace
With every story shared
    A renewed sense of hope
With every city light
    A reminder of God’s promises
With every group serving
    An excitement for the future generations
With every unknown
    A reassurance of God’s faithfulness

So how was my summer?  I don’t think I could have grown in the ways I have this summer if I hadn’t had an experience like CSM.  I have seen God and his work in the lives of His people in a completely different life.  I pray I will continue to see the world from His eyes.

-Sarah, CSM Chicago Summer 2010 City Host

Monday, August 02, 2010

Faith Community Steps Up in Denver

Check out this encouraging article about how the faith community took a challenge presented by Denver's mayor to join forces in mentoring homeless families. The initiative has been a major success spurring on other cities to implement similar programs geared toward assisting families in securing stable housing.



-Keysha Boggess, CSM Denver City Director

Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Denver!