Emily King's Blog
May Newsletter / 06.11.08, 05:12 PM
As written on May 21, 2008
Dear Friends,
Have I ever told you that I LOVE Chicago? I love my neighbors. I love my church. I love my roommates. I love Mission Year. I love my service sites. I love this city. And I love sharing it all with you. God continues to be faithful, providing financial support, rest, strength and peace. He reveals Himself in the most unexpected moments, and often leaves me whispering thanks to Him for the most random things. For instance, I had the great privilege to attend, my best friend, Anna’s wedding one weekend. On the flight back to Chicago, I was pretty hungry, but didn’t have time (or money) to grab something from the airport before boarding. The steward came by with each passenger’s two bags of peanuts, and after devouring mine, I asked him if maybe I could get some more. He came back with six packs of peanuts, JUST FOR ME! A miracle, I thought to myself. It’s in the little things that I see God’s providence. That blessing from the steward reminded me of all of the ways God has blessed me, spurring me to a thirty minute “Thank You God for…” session. HE IS GOOD.
Last night was El Valor’s fundraiser banquet, a big fancy affair for people with money to attend, hopefully make a donation and schmooze with other rich people. As a volunteer, I was recruited to help set up before, and clean up afterwards. It was also a great opportunity for the art program to advertise our upcoming event called PROJECT S.N.A.P., which is a gallery displaying pictures taken by our adult participants with a disposable camera provided by us documenting their lives. We had six of these pictures on display for the night, and people could not believe that they were taken with disposable cameras. I really do believe that we will have a good turnout for the gallery opening on June 6. My big début, however, was having my marketing work published for the first time, on postcards, posters and even on the back page of the program! It was a great time to celebrate personal gifts and talent that God has given me, and to see a physical representation of those put into action at El Valor!
Our church/ Sí Se Puede hosted a block party for the kids in our neighborhood at the beginning of the month, as well. My sister, Amy, just happened to be visiting me in Chicago the same weekend, and was able to help out with this amazing ministry experience along side the members of our church and my team! I would dare to say that ALL of my kids from Sí Se Puede were there, and I am so happy that Amy got to meet my “Chicago kids”. Our job was to man the moonwalk, and I am sure it was the best job available. Not only did we laugh so hard that we cried several times from watching the kids enjoying themselves, but we also got a chance to take our shoes off and join in on the fun. I loved introducing Amy as my sister to different people, and getting the comment, “Are you guys twins?” even though we look nothing alike. A definite highlight of the day: a five-foot tall Nacho Libre wrestler piñata. The poor thing lost one appendage after another, until our pastor finished him off with one deadly swing to the torso. I love piñatas.
I would like to take this space in my newsletter to send a HUGE “thanks” to my home church, First Church of the Nazarene in Nacogdoches, Texas, for their incredible gift of support that I was recently presented with when I was home. My church has lovingly supported me with continual prayers and encouragement when I am able to go home from time to time, and this donation was no different. In fact, it has enabled me, along with the help of other faithful supporters’ gifts, to almost catch up to my goal for May. I have $3,400 to go for the rest of the year! If you would like to continue to support me financially, or for the first time, you can mail check donations, made out to Mission Year with my Account Fund ID# 07-0080 in the memo line, to Mission Year P.O. BOX 17628 Atlanta, GA 30316. You can also donate by clicking on the red “Donate Now” button on the right.
I know that many of you have heard many different things on the news about Chicago, and the recent increase in violence. In fact, when I was home for Anna’s wedding, I was asked if I felt safe and was taking care of myself. Our neighbors are people, God’s children. They are suffering, like every human being does from time to time. However, I do believe that suffering is handled differently in the city, especially in Chicago amongst the distinct separation of cultures and races. There is a spiritual battle, as visible as the battle for gang territory. Part of Mission Year, as a program, is to enter into our neighbors’ suffering with them, to be here and feel their pain. Sometimes, that means feeling fear for the lives of those surrounding us, and sometimes that means getting home before dark. My team and I, however, are certain that we are safe, because like my mothers says constantly, “There is no where safer than where God wants you to be.” God is our shield and our rock, and we cherish how He is working in our neighbors’ lives, and are blessed to see how He is softening their hearts towards Him through these hard times. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but a spirit of love, power and self-discipline,” and this is one of many of God’s promises that my team clings to. I ask that you, too, enter into the struggle with us, and pray. Pray for our neighbors and us as vessels of His love.
God bless and keep in touch
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