Sara Shackelford's Blog
I'm just a blind man asking to see... / 09.15.09, 03:24 PM
The words to that song have been replaying in my head continually in the past week. For those of you who do not know, I’m living in Roseland in the south side of Chicago. My team of 7 (5 girls, 2 guys) will start working at Roseland Christian Ministries tomorrow morning.
I’ll be working at the thrift store with Steve who lives on Skid Row (our block) too. Honestly, when they first told us the different jobs they needed people to fill, the thrift store was my absolute last choice. My first thought was “ugh.” But ironically, when we met Steve while we were buying dressers for our house, we really hit it off and I began thinking that the store didn’t sound like such a bad idea after all. Then Dave and Laura (the couple that live down the street from us, they work for RCM and were the ones who contacted mission year for volunteers) also told us how the thrift store had become a hangout/counseling sortof center for some people in the neighborhood. I thought that sounded cool since it’s sometimes still hard for me to approach people on my own. They followed that by telling me the majority of my time will be spent there helping Steve. I’m thrilled, but I was more amazed by how God really changed my mind and showed me the opportunities. My attitude was completely transformed and for those of you who know me well, that’s not a small thing.
I know there’s no way I can begin to explain to any of you the many incredible moments and realizations I’ve had since coming here, but I’d like to briefly try. First, the people in our house. Like I said, there are 7 of us – Sarah from Buffalo, NY, Jordan from St. Louis, MO, Shaun from TX, Rachel from Vancouver, Canada, Kerry from Atlanta, GA, and Becca from Flint, MI. I never stopped to consider that Mission Year’s statement “love God love people nothing else matters” wasn’t just about the neighborhood we’re living in. We’re seeking to create authentic community in our house as well, to really live transparently before each other. I’ve never before talked so openly about God and faith and justice with people who all understand where I’m coming from, who share similar passions. I’ve never felt like I was truly relying on God for grace in every moment until now. It’s freedom – and I’m beginning to realize that my life will not ever be the same again. We’re all really excited.
The neighborhood has also been so welcoming. Early in training, they talked alot about remembering that we’re not bringing God to this place, God is here and will be here long after we’re gone. Even though I’ve been trying to live in that, I’m realizing that I’ve been finding Jesus in the absolute last places I expected to. For instance, several days ago Jordan and Shaun were trying to cut our small front yard with a mower. They weren’t having much success with all the weeds – and Shaun had made the comment that they really needed a weed whacker. As I was sitting on the porch watching this play out, one of the men on the block (with a reputation, I might add) suddenly went behind a house and came back with a weed whacker. I sat staring as he came over and worked on our yard and then had his teenage son come through with a leaf blower to clean up when he was done. He didn’t say a word and just nodded when we thanked him.
I’ve been trying to swallow that since it happened…my world is turned over when the drug dealer down the street understands community better than I do. I, who grew up surrounded by christianity, don’t really understand what it means to live in authentic community. I’m awed by seeing the unexpected good in this place. Everyone of every age is outside all afternoon/evening. I used to think it was intimidating when I drove through certain neighborhoods in Memphis; now I feel incredibly blessed to be part of it. The lines of color and class, good and bad are starting to blur and I can’t describe how unsettling and cool it all is.
I don’t know a good way to stop..there’s so much more to say. Please be praying for focus for our team, that we see each other through the eyes of Christ first. If you want to be on my mailing list too, send me an email (sarashackelford1@gmail.com) or just leave your address on here!
Excerpts from Nehemiah 4
“When Sanballat heard we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed…he said ‘What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring those stones back to life from those heaps of rubble – burned as they are?’
…they plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. Meanwhile the people in Judah said, ‘The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuilt the wall.’
…but After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.’”
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I would love to be on your mailing list. aehardcastle@briarcrest.com I have your blog saved as a favorite so that I can pray for you and hear about what you are doing. What an awesome ministry!
By Annette Hardcastle / Sep 16, 01:29 PM / #
Oh Sara, Thanks for the blog! It is so great to see our great and awesome God at work. Why am I always taken aback by how big He is? You are in so many people’s prayers! xoxo K
By katherine nuccio / Sep 18, 08:10 AM / #
What an incredible experience this will be. God bless you and your team. What you said about “not bringing God to this place, because He’s already here and will be here after you leave” was remarkable. Thank you for sharing that. Thank you for caring about other people and representing the rest of us in your work. We love you! We’re praying for you!
By Kace Lykins / Sep 18, 06:01 PM / #
Beloved Sara. I had no idea you were that deep. I’m awed and humbled by what I have read you share. So many of us can talk a good talk, but how many like you are truly willng to walk the walk. I have called you Sara, Abraham’s wife in order to remember your name, but I promised you now that I can never forget it. You look beautiful and your character looks beautiful. you look to me like the Proverbs 31 women who price/value is far above rubies. Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that fears the Lord shall be praised(proverbs 31:30). I do praise you, my sister. With all my love and respect, your brother in Christ, Jeff Jones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Jeffrey Jones / Oct 20, 01:30 PM / #