When I think of old people I immediately think of my cousin Becca who loves old people. Something about how cute they are, I guess I can see where she's coming from. This weekend she quickly came to mind as I attended the praise concert fundraiser at City Covenent Church (City Mission's church plant).
There were about 8 groups. These groups ranged from youth worship bands, Jesus rappers, mens choirs and (my favorite), the masters of harmony. There names says it all- they were an incredible a cappela group. This was a group of five older men. The leader was 96!!!!!! He didn't look a day over 60 and was an incredible man of faith, with quick wit too. He had such a simplicity about him and spoke truth to us- pretty much informing us that the tv is the devil. He shared for a few minutes and I think many of could have gathered at his feet and listened to him all night but the group quickly broke out in song. A tall, thin man took center circle for the first number. I'm sure it was an old gospel hymn that many knew and it outlined the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. But, the only line I remember is when this reverant man quietly sang the line....it causes me to tremble...and there he stood his fragile frame practically trembling as he sang these words from his heart and visualized the picture he was painting with his song. It was absolutely beautiful.
So then Mr. 96- but I look like I'm 60- takes over again and says we're going to sing a song for the kids and they break out in the cutest version of Old McDonald I've ever heard. Everyone was clapping and laughing and he was dancing his way up and down the aisle having the kiddos help with the animal sounds. It was precious. He goes back up front and starts a new line- "on his farm he had a wife"...he stops there and says, "I have to stay up here for this one, ...had a wife, e-i-e-i-o, with a gimme gimme here and a gimme gimme there, here a gimme, there a gimme, everywhere a gimme gimme...." Everybody was ROLLING! We were so shocked but thought it was so funny and there stands Mr. 96- but i look like I'm 60- toe tappin along as he finished the song.
Out of left field this man that we were ready to sit at his feet and listen to stories as though he was Jesus....has a wife that says gimme gimme. He was beautiful...and real. In his defense, he ended the song and then said ladies, we aren't nothing without you. Maybe you had to be there, but gosh it was so funny! It was an great night of worship and family as we experienced Jesus through so many different styles and of course ended the night enjoying food around the table- because there is not better way to experience community but through food :)
Boy, I'm going to miss my family here.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
stares
...i'm not talking about 190+ stairs i run each Sunday during boot camp with Rodney (who is the Ohio body builder champ as of Saturday to help you get a little visual...) but rather the many stares I've experienced living in this community.
The other day a friend of mine requested some 'magno arizona tea and jay's bbq chips with the ridges'- so i went to 'the store' as the kids would say, this means the gas station and got just that...juice and chips. In the first year I lived here i was too scared to even get gas at the gas station much less go inside and buy chips. But, I've long been over that and stood there amongst my community buying juice and chips. I wish you could have been an onlooker, I could almost feel the eyes burning on me with the questions of what is she doing here. I know I stick out like a sore thumb but I'm oddly comfortable with that because of what it stands for. (I also jump at an opportunity to go into 'the store' to take advantage of all the quarter candy at the checkout. It's the best!)
The store is only the beginning of the stares, but as the result of living and working in the community many of those stares have changed to hellos and for that I'm grateful. People seemed a little skeptical in the beginning- young, college-grad, white, girl...not a recipe for the ghetto of Detroit. But, through bbq's, sleepovers, and lawn-mowing understanding soon took over. I simply became a neighbor, one that happened to be ok with large crowds of children eating pancakes on her porch.
Though people still stare and the occasional mom demands an explanation of how south dakota ended up in detroit, my three years here have been a success. I have truly been blessed by this community that has grown in me a love for BBQ chicken and fat beats (i can already hear my mom...fat beats? haha) but also a passion and desire for this to be my life no matter where I land. Loving people and living with them and figuring out life together, even if that means people will continue to stare.
The other day a friend of mine requested some 'magno arizona tea and jay's bbq chips with the ridges'- so i went to 'the store' as the kids would say, this means the gas station and got just that...juice and chips. In the first year I lived here i was too scared to even get gas at the gas station much less go inside and buy chips. But, I've long been over that and stood there amongst my community buying juice and chips. I wish you could have been an onlooker, I could almost feel the eyes burning on me with the questions of what is she doing here. I know I stick out like a sore thumb but I'm oddly comfortable with that because of what it stands for. (I also jump at an opportunity to go into 'the store' to take advantage of all the quarter candy at the checkout. It's the best!)
The store is only the beginning of the stares, but as the result of living and working in the community many of those stares have changed to hellos and for that I'm grateful. People seemed a little skeptical in the beginning- young, college-grad, white, girl...not a recipe for the ghetto of Detroit. But, through bbq's, sleepovers, and lawn-mowing understanding soon took over. I simply became a neighbor, one that happened to be ok with large crowds of children eating pancakes on her porch.
Though people still stare and the occasional mom demands an explanation of how south dakota ended up in detroit, my three years here have been a success. I have truly been blessed by this community that has grown in me a love for BBQ chicken and fat beats (i can already hear my mom...fat beats? haha) but also a passion and desire for this to be my life no matter where I land. Loving people and living with them and figuring out life together, even if that means people will continue to stare.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Home
So, I guess I'm not so good of a blogger as life (like i've said before) here has become so normal to me. Which, is good I guess. But, apparently I do have a few fans that have reminded me it's been awhile (i think all bloggers say that) so, i thought i'd share some news (may be old, may be new)
Let me start off like this...
Growing up on Magnolia Ave. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota I had the most beautiful home. Now, it wasn't just beautiful because my mom painted every other year and ran 'errands' (right Dad? :)) every night to help in this beauty...but it was beautiful more because of the way it felt there. It was warm, it was loving, and it was so comfortable. Anybody was welcome in our home at any time (well, for the most part). In fact, Joy was so comfortable and welcome she would just breeze her way in and join the fesitivities even without a knock. We had many a parties at that house including the best surprise 18th birthday party thrown by the very best of friends a girl could ask for. Seriously, I had no idea and that was no easy feat. Well, that home that my parents and my sister and I created over many years is being packed up this very week and I've already 'said' my goodbyes. As my parents load the boxes and move in with Kell for a few months it's almost as if that era of life is being put to rest. Boy, will I miss that house and all the memories that were made there.
However, as I moved to Detroit (THREE YEARS AGO!) and eventually bought a house of my own those memories and tactics seemed to put into place quite quickly. Not only do the looks of it have a resemblance of my mother, but if you'd followed my blog at all or heard stories of my time here my house quickly became a home to so many. It was truly a place that I would welcome any, even if it meant giving up my bed for two weeks. Each night of the summer when the little knock at the door came I would welcome the beautiful smiling faces in with open arms to play connect 4 or ladderball. My house quickly became a home thanks to the memories and love that my parents shared with me and that was shared in my home on Magnolia.
In another few months this era of life will come to a close as well. Funny how it's happening yet again through a home. I'll be packing up my Detroit home, my very first home that I absolutely adore and moving back to Sioux Falls. I'll be loading up a Uhaul and delivering my belongings to a new house in Sioux Falls where I'll live and begin another community development effort. I'll also be doing after school tutoring programs out of this house with middle school students- a job I could not confidently accept without the position I had this year at City Mission. I'm excited to make this new house a home, and welcome and love those that find themselves there. I'm excited to use the experience and skills I've learned over the past three years in Detroit to give back and nurture a place that helped me grow into who I am today. I'm sad, very sad to leave the people that have become family to me in this place that have helped this place become home to me. I love these people so dearly. But, it's time for me to continue on and I'm excited to continue the stories from my new home.
Love, Jessi
Let me start off like this...
Growing up on Magnolia Ave. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota I had the most beautiful home. Now, it wasn't just beautiful because my mom painted every other year and ran 'errands' (right Dad? :)) every night to help in this beauty...but it was beautiful more because of the way it felt there. It was warm, it was loving, and it was so comfortable. Anybody was welcome in our home at any time (well, for the most part). In fact, Joy was so comfortable and welcome she would just breeze her way in and join the fesitivities even without a knock. We had many a parties at that house including the best surprise 18th birthday party thrown by the very best of friends a girl could ask for. Seriously, I had no idea and that was no easy feat. Well, that home that my parents and my sister and I created over many years is being packed up this very week and I've already 'said' my goodbyes. As my parents load the boxes and move in with Kell for a few months it's almost as if that era of life is being put to rest. Boy, will I miss that house and all the memories that were made there.
However, as I moved to Detroit (THREE YEARS AGO!) and eventually bought a house of my own those memories and tactics seemed to put into place quite quickly. Not only do the looks of it have a resemblance of my mother, but if you'd followed my blog at all or heard stories of my time here my house quickly became a home to so many. It was truly a place that I would welcome any, even if it meant giving up my bed for two weeks. Each night of the summer when the little knock at the door came I would welcome the beautiful smiling faces in with open arms to play connect 4 or ladderball. My house quickly became a home thanks to the memories and love that my parents shared with me and that was shared in my home on Magnolia.
In another few months this era of life will come to a close as well. Funny how it's happening yet again through a home. I'll be packing up my Detroit home, my very first home that I absolutely adore and moving back to Sioux Falls. I'll be loading up a Uhaul and delivering my belongings to a new house in Sioux Falls where I'll live and begin another community development effort. I'll also be doing after school tutoring programs out of this house with middle school students- a job I could not confidently accept without the position I had this year at City Mission. I'm excited to make this new house a home, and welcome and love those that find themselves there. I'm excited to use the experience and skills I've learned over the past three years in Detroit to give back and nurture a place that helped me grow into who I am today. I'm sad, very sad to leave the people that have become family to me in this place that have helped this place become home to me. I love these people so dearly. But, it's time for me to continue on and I'm excited to continue the stories from my new home.
Love, Jessi
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