Thursday Wrap Up

The tutoring program runs Monday through Thursday each week during the summer. We did our final day. Darryl, who has been one of my charges has been challenging to corral and get focused. One of the regular helpers who has known him since he entered the program four years ago said that he had lead poisoning as a child. This caused some learning disabilities, but they have seen an amazing transformation in his reading and math. This is encouraging. JaJaun turned 10 yesterday and we celebrated his birthday. He wasn't sure what presents he might get, but his dad was going to take him to see a movie. I'm going to send him a Packer shirt.

Lunch was fatburgers from a local place. Two all beef patties, cheese, mayo and the works. Tasty. Though it did knock Sara out in the afternoon. Josh, Andrew's intern, and our work partner has agreed to ride back to Wisconsin with us. Just as St. Louis has been out of our comfort zone, this will be a trip out of his. He's going to share briefly in worship and is our featured speaker in The Circle. More on this later.

In the afternoon my group ended up moving scrap steel at a large old factory building. The folks there have set up a ministry that creates jobs for those with limited experience and education. They have set up a wood shop on the 1st floor and we helped load steel from the basement. It is a young ministry, but seems to have the potential to impact lives. You can check out their website: www.morethancarpentry.org

We had dinner at Andrew and Katy's place. We watched a movie called, The Road to Freedom, the story of Dr. Vernon Johns, the preacher who preceded Martin Luther King at Dexter Road Baptist Church in Birmingham. A glimpse into a godly man compelled to live out the Gospel and God's call for justice, at great personal risk.

In wrapping up, we wrestled with the question, who are we excluding from ACEFC? The close of the discussion revealed that if we are acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God, nobody will be excluded. But we will be seen as a foolish church and youth group. (That's the group where girls who get pregnant go)

We closed the day at a local custard place and with some clean up. Its time for me to wrap this for now and start loading the trailer.

God has visibly answered many prayers and I pray he will sink this trip deep into us and multiply every effort. I am extremely proud of our group. It is a joy.