November 2007

November is a month that often causes us to reflect on the things, people, and experiences that we are thankful for. Psalm 107:15 says, “Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.” Each day as we work hard to support our team members who are serving in the city we see the Lord’s unfailing love and wonderful deeds for men (and women!). He has blessed us with teams of young adults that are committed to sharing God’s love, learning His ways, and seeking His justice. They have given up those comforts which we typically refer to each Thanksgiving (family, home, material possessions, etc.) to gain a deeper understanding of faith, hope, and thankfulness. Please pray for our team members as they will be spending this Thanksgiving in a new place, in fellowship with new people, taking part in new traditions and most likely giving thanks for new things.

As always, you can email me with questions or for more information. Make sure to check out our brand new website and you can apply for Mission Year online at www.missionyear.org/applynow. Have a great month and remember to live what matters!

With Thanksgiving,
Sarah Bell, Recruitment and Admissions

Ponder This

I wanted to share with you some Thanksgiving thoughts directly from our current team members. Enjoy their perspectives as you think on the things that you are thankful for this year! I am thankful to give my all to loving others and thankful to God for his Grace showing up in my life day by day.
Matt Roark (Philadelphia)

I am thankful that I have the privilege to live this year in Chicago and focus on doing the work of Jesus Christ…and not having any other obligations other than doing just that! I am so grateful that I am exactly where God wants me to be, and that I cannot imagine myself anywhere else and being happy at the same time!
Emily King (Chicago)

I am thankful for my team—the strengths they have and are willing to share with me as well as the weaknesses they are willing to share with me. I am thankful for God’s love for the oppressed and broken hearted. I am thankful that God’s love flows through me and can be expressed through my actions, words, and presence. I am thankful for people who are willing to be vulnerable and take risks for the sake of love. I am thankful for the diversity of the Body of Christ. I am thankful for God’s faithfulness and the faithfulness of those who listen to His calling on their life.
Kristen Fabick (Camden)

Now that I’m in the city, I’m SO thankful to have the privilege to share in the experience of my neighbors and to just have the time allotted to simply BE with other people.
Melissa McLamb (Chicago)

I am thankful for the changes God has made, both in my physical surrounding and in my heart. He is shaping my life with new experiences and revealing the truth. I am learning what it means to truly love, even when people seem unlovable. I am thankful for the prayer and emotional support of my family and friends back home. God has answered many prayers since my arrival in Atlanta. It is amazing to see his work constantly every day. ~ Laura Pritchard (Atlanta)

I am very thankful that I answered the call to do Mission Year. Ever since I made the decision to join Mission Year, I have been ultimately blessed. I am very thankful to be on such a wonderful team, and have a great church and community. I am also thankful for having a supportive city director and for you!!
Anthonika Miles (New Orleans)

I’m thankful that I chose to come because since I’ve been here I’ve learned a ton about what it means to truly love people; it’s a lot harder than I thought is would be. Also, living in community so far has taught me so much about communication, compromise, and being open with others.
Loren Friend (Camden)

As Thanksgiving approaches, and I begin to reflect on what I am thankful for, there is one thing that stands out to me. I am thankful for being in the city this year. Being here has allowed me to begin to understand what it means to be a “good” neighbor. Before moving to inner-city Atlanta I knew it would be a great contrast to living in suburban, middle-class America, but I wasn’t sure how. I thought I knew what a “good” neighbor was, but moving into my community made me realize I had a limited idea of what that meant. Walking through my neighborhood each day is a constant “meet and greet”, whether you have been formerly introduced or not. Those you know are always willing to catch up, and those who you don’t are almost always willing to get to know you—-so the next time you meet you will be catching up. There is a real since of community and looking out for one another here, and I don’t think I would have experienced this had I not moved to my neighborhood in Atlanta. Relationships seem to be of more value here than anywhere else I have been, so I am thankful to be a part of my community this year.
Emmy Johnson (Atlanta)

I am so thankful for Milk and a working sink! The first month and a half our refrigerator was not working right and later on that month our drain pipe got a big ol’ crack in it so we had to do dishes in a bowl. It was good to put things in perspective and realize all the things that I normally take for granted. Our pipe was fixed and we got a new (used) refrigerator, but I can’t help but be thankful when I wake up in the morning and have a nice bowl of cereal with milk and wash my dish in a working sink!
Seth Caldwell (Philadelphia)

Since I have been in the city I am more thankful than I have ever been. Since it is easy to lose hope amidst the devastation, I am thankful for prayer and the power of God! I am thankful for the good education I have had, a roof over my head, the chance to eat every day. I am thankful that I have been loved since the first day I was born. And I am thankful for God’s faithfulness and how He is not of this world but of something so much better. I am grateful to have people in my life that are willing to stretch and challenge me.
Jen Cato (New Orleans)

Highlight of the Month

This year Mission Year has teams (18 team members) serving in the Tri-State area of Philadelphia, PA; Camden, NJ; and Wilmington, DE. With Philly and Camden only being separated by the Delaware River and Wilmington just a short drive down I-95, our teams are led by just one City Director, Caz Tod. Our Camden and Wilmington teams work in partnership with the ministry Urban Promise serving the youth of these communities at their after school programs. Our team in South West Philly is volunteering part of their time at the Cornerstone Christian Academy. Please pray that our Tri-State teams would continue to feel passion for their work and feel a deep sense of community across the distance. If you are interested in financially supporting a team or team member in Philly, Camden, or Wilmington simply click Donate Now.

Faith Nugget

Something our team members often give thanks for is the opportunity to engage in a new church experience while they are in Mission Year. While all of our teams have different church partnership experiences the vast majority of them are substantially different than team members’ home churches. What a blessing to be able to experience the celebration and praise of God and His son in a new way – to learn customs and traditions that may seem different but are fully beautiful in the sight of God. Enjoy this poem by Nikki Grimes as an illustration.

On the March

We’ve got walking-in music at my church,
and we clap when the ushers strut their stuff,
high-stepping down the center aisle,
their backs all straight and proud,
the Joyful Noise Choir singing loud,
“We are marching to Zion”
The drums and tambourine keep the beat,
and soon my feet are tapping up a storm.
I am march-march-marching in place,
eyes on the alter, a grin on my face.
The choir, the ushers, and the pastor, and me –
we are marching to Zion together.

In Closing

Don’t forget to check us out on the David Crowder Band’s Remedy Tour! You can also take Mission Year on the road with you (via an mp3 player, that is). Yep, we’ve got a podcast! Each week you can hear what’s going on in Mission Year and enjoy a featured talk from great Christians like Shane Claiborne, JR Mahon (Starving Jesus), Bob Lupton, and others! Subscribe here.