Valerie Jones
Mission Year and Me
Upon returning from my third mission learning opportunity to Nicaragua (February 22, 2008 – March 1, 2008) with my Alma Mater, Houston Baptist University, I knew that there had to be something bigger and better out there for me than just working and getting myself out of college debt. Throughout my last year at HBU I had no idea what I wanted to do immediately after I finished school so I figured I would stay in Houston and get a job. I knew I wanted to work somewhere that would help me achieve my life’s goal of opening a non-profit organization helping the homeless/working poor and a homeless shelter.
What, then, was a 22-year old college graduate to do? I could stay in Houston as planned and find some office job in a local non-profit organization to learn what it was like behind the scenes or I could devote my time to intentionally serving people they way God called me to. As I began praying for God’s guidance in deciding what to do for at least the next year, I also began talking to the leader of the service organization I was a part of at my school asking his advice on where I could serve. Being a Mission Year alum himself he, of course, recommended this program to me. I started the application process and watched as God basically laid out before me the path I needed to take. Things have never fallen into place as perfectly as they have with the whole Mission Year application process.
The first time I heard the Mission Year motto “love God, love people, nothing else matters” 3 years ago when Leroy Barber came to HBU to speak at the weekly convocation (aka chapel service) I adopted the motto as my own. I want nothing more out of life than to be a bond-servant of my Creator, to be a lover of His people and to love His people they way He would love them. I am so excited to be working with the Mission Year team as it is consisted of other Christians who affirm this life’s desire. I firmly believe that Mission Year will provide me with an incredible foundation to build upon to achieve my life’s goal and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me on this journey!
About Mission Year
Mission Year is a year long urban ministry program focused on Christian service and discipleship. We take teams of young people, place them in an area of need, and help them to serve people and create community. We are committed to the command of Jesus to “love God and love people,” by placing the needs of our neighbors first and developing committed disciples of Christ with a heart for the poor. Learn more about our first year program…
Valerie Jones's Blog
It's Always Bittersweet / Apr 27, 01:39 PM
Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of taking one of my Breakthrough friends, Angela, to her new apartment. The whole ride over there she talked about how excited she was and all about God’s faithfulness. My face hurt from smiling because her joy was incredibly contagious!
I sat with Angela in the project manager’s office as they went over the rules of the apartment (it was a supportive housing facility meaning there was more responsibility for a person but there was still the support system of case managers and other staff members) and began rapidly jotting down notes because I wanted to incorporate many of the things I heard or saw in the non-profit business I will run someday. The project manager then took Angela and me to Angela’s new apartment so she could finally move in.
We walked in this studio apartment and boy was it gorgeous! As the project manager was showing us around Angela kept thanking Jesus and, again, talking about God’s faithfulness. I was pretty reluctant when the time came for me to leave but I knew I had some work to get back to.
Yesterday (Friday) another Breakthrough guest moved into her new apartment and another guest will move next week. It’s always bittersweet…don’t get me wrong, I am absolutely ecstatic when one of my Breakthrough friends finally gets into her new place but the selfish part of me doesn’t want her to go because she is my friend and I won’t see her as much.
I finish with Psalm 145:13-16 which says, “…the LORD is faithful to all of His promises and loving toward all He has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food [or apartment] at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.”
Have a Fine '09! / Feb 2, 11:43 AM
Monday, January 12 as I was downtown using my Sabbath wisely (free internet at the library and a meal that I didn’t have to prepare myself) I met a man named David selling Streetwise. [Streetwise is a magazine that “helps people help themselves to self-sufficiency through gainful employment.” The Streetwise vendors are typically poor or homeless. The vendors buy the magazine for 75 cents and, since the magazine cost $2, the other $1.25 goes directly to them.]
Prior to meeting David I was walking trying to figure out where I wanted to eat lunch. When I began to walk by him I saw his magazines, told him I had no change (though I knew I probably did) and continued on my way.
While eating lunch I could not get this man off of my mind. He was standing in 20-some-odd degree weather with the remnants of Saturdays snow still all around and an occasional blast of cold wind that chills you to the bones all to earn some money to sustain himself. After not really enjoying my meal I decided to take some coffee to David and buy a magazine from him.
I am so grateful that I went back to talk to David. Being the self-righteous person I can be sometimes I thought this man would be so grateful to me, which he did thank me, but I never expected to be encouraged by him like I was.
David the Rainbow Guy (he was wearing a rainbow-colored scarf) was so full of life and passion even while standing in the blistering Chicago winter. His optimism was so inspiring. David kept saying that he was so happy it wasn’t currently raining or snowing and that he could handle the freezing cold any day.
Perhaps the thing David said that inspired me the most was the this year will be a “fine ’09.” He said, “last year was a great ’08 but this year, this year will be a fine ’09!!” This man is selling Streetwise because he is either poor or even homeless and he spoke confidently that ’09 will be fine.
I definitely pray it’s a fine ’09, not just for my loved ones and me but for David, too, a man struggling to make it in this life but somehow still managing to see every day as a blessing.
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Happy Anniversary / Jan 12, 04:14 PM
One of my most significant relationships at Breakthrough Urban Ministries is with my friend Roxanna. Roxanna is a guest at Breakthrough and I’m not quite sure how we met but we’ve shared quite a few meals together since.
Roxanna keeps me on my toes with her wit but fills my heart with joy every time she opens up her arms to ask for a hug! I’ve learned so much from my friend already and I am definitely excited for our relationship to grow!
I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Roxanna, too, because she’s honest and I can be honest with her. We share in moments of anger, frustration, sadness, and, my favorite of course, joy. One of the greatest joyous occasions I was able to share with Roxanna was in celebrating her first year of sobriety on December 3. I baked Roxanna her favorite cake, yellow cake with chocolate frosting and strawberries on top, to mark the celebration. I am so excited for my friend and am even more thrilled that I get to share this special moment with her.
On Thanksgiving Day I ran into Roxanna on the train as I was headed to dinner out in Evanston (just north of Chicago). We sat and talked as she accompanied me most of the way to my destination. This was actually the point when she revealed to me that her sober anniversary date was coming up. Roxanna told me a little bit about her life before sobriety with passion in her eyes as well as gratefulness and strength in her voice. It was hard for me to picture my friend any other way.
On December 3 I walked into Breakthrough and the first person I saw was Roxanna with a HUGE smile on her face. It was one of those contagious smiles that was radiating with a sense of accomplishment. I presented Roxanna with her cake and she didn’t hesitate to, not only cut into it, but share it with me and the other ladies at Breakthrough (there weren’t any leftovers…you know women and their chocolate!).
As anyone who as ever suffered from an addiction knows, the battle never really ends and each day free from the addiction is an incredible success. Roxanna has 365 of those days under her belt and I couldn’t be more proud of my friend!
