FINAL - Things you don't see at home

In St. Louis there are many things we don't see at home. Even as we spent the week immersed in an environment much more extreme than the Fox Valley, I was struck by how much we still have in common. There is still brokennes. There are still shattered homes, oppressed people, poverty, racism, unforgiveness, violence, and such. But there is also the presence and love of Christ. We found inspiration and encouragement from our brothers and sisters in St. Louis. Just as they have worked to find the lonely, abandonded, mistreated, hungry, and poor in their 'hood, so can we. And just as they have, for the sake of Christ, entered into relationships with people, so can we. We cannot recreate the wonderful and unique week we just spent, but we can, with God's help, continue to pray that God will show us who to engage. We can pray for the courage to move out of our comfort zones to serve those nearest us. We are not saviors, but instruments of peace. May God help us all. Thanks to all who offered support, love, encouragement, and prayers. It has been a joy! -Mike

Thursday

Jimmy's tired.

For those of you who will be fortunate enough to witness a Jimmy Cardio video at some point you will understand exactly what that means; but for now suffice it to say that we have had a great week and are a little more tired than usual but yet filled with more loving joy (and mercy-- MORE MERCY!) that compels us to go on than when we got here.

Last night was the final Kidz Klub. It had been a relatively quiet week, and that just didn't fit our style. So we went out with a bang by busting out all the stops. We played with bubbles, balloons and squirt guns and double treated them with Blow Pops and freezie pops. We managed to make and consume over 44 lbs of popcorn during the Kidz Klub times and who knows how much water. It was a little sad to leave at the end of the night after spending so much time loving them and investing in them and we will miss all the friends we met.

After the Kidz Klub we made a fun laundry run. We made sure to separate our lights and darks (or maybe we tried to be economical and crammed as much as we could into one washing machine...) and had a blast just hanging out while we waited. We even managed to spread a little cheer in the laundry room (the feeling, not the detergent) by handing out leftover licorice rope and freezie pops. I (A.T.I.) left at one point to go help Mike and came back to find out that one of my shirts had shrunk in the dryer! Fortunately, it was my white tank top with a bow on the neck line. I didn't really like that shirt any more anyway. So, it was okay. And now we are turning it into a memento to remember the trip by. (Just so everyone is clear: that was not my shirt at all but must have been left in the washer by someone who used it before us and was then transferred to the dryer with our clothing. It just became a running joke.) Laundry was followed by ice cream from the local grocery store and then it was off to bed so we could be well rested for our last day of activity here in St. Louis.

As for today proper, it was a little bitter sweet. It was the last day of tutoring and some of our kids were happy to see us go while others were brought to tears. Personally, it is a little hard to know that these kids have to go through this kind of emotional attachment and then quick detachment every single week, but I suppose a little love and support is better than none and I can only hope that in the end the little amount of love we were able to give them counteracted any bad emotional habits that might be forming. Today also marked Jimmy Cardio's last appearance, he has gone the way of all great performers these days and will pass on into our memory until he is only shadow and dust (...shadow and dust, Maximus!). But while he was with us the kids really enjoyed his presence. The little boy I tutored liked him so much that today after the performance he requested to have Jimmy's paper plate (used as a note card) bequeathed to him as a special parting gift. The request was forthrightly granted and the young boy scampered off to show his wonderful treasure to his friends.

Some of us spent our final workday split between two places. We finished at a carpentry shop by heling mount some A/C units and throw away a spider infested couch, but we first returned to the apartment complex to have lunch with the owner and put the absolutely final touches on the swing set. The food was delicious. I want to give one member of our groups some major bonus points for living out 1 Corinthians 9:23 because while I found the food delicious, others did not. Yet this person was willing to to put aside personal preferences for the sake of the Gospel even in this small way. Seeing these amazing students, my friends, step up to challenges like this has been one of the highlights of the trip for me.
On a note of interest, I want to throw a teaser in at this point:::: ask someone you know who went on this trip about the Arab/Muslim/African-American friend we made right after we finished up the swing set. And maybe ask a few people, because some versions of the story are more exciting than others.

This evening instead of Kidz Klub we were treated to Pakistani cuisine. Again, this was delicious food and the best part is that our table decided to go traditional and ate using only our hands. I have to admit that since I haven't relied on my hands as the medium of transportation for a majority of my food since I was younger, I was a bit out of practice.

We came back after dinner for a final debriefing session with Andrew. We talked about who is included and who is excluded at our churches, whether intentionally or unintentionally. The discussion helped frame the idea of Paul confronting Peter about the conflict concerning circumcision for new believers about twenty years after Jesus' death. It helped us ask “What kind of requirements or other additions do we tack onto the Gospel at our churches?” I could give you our answers and some examples from the other groups, but that's not nearly as much fun as giving you a reason to engage a group member who was there or even to allow your mind to wander on your own.

We made final cleaning sweeps after the meeting (Mike finished a luxurious case for the popcorn maker, it is now much more safe to travel with) and a final slushy run after that. Slushies are good. So with spirits and sucrose levels high we returned to the New City campus for a time of happy last minute memory making and shirt decorating. Everyone should stop by the youth group room to see the memento displayed (it's not just the shirt, but there is a twist to it) and maybe you will see some other nicely decorated shirts in there as well.

For me, tonight had some touch and go moments (I had to chuckle to myself because “touch and go” is such an appropriate phrasing for some of the things that transpired), but it also had some great fellowship and laughs.

I enjoyed this trip. It was not always fun, or easy, or exotic (although it was hotter than an otter). I enjoyed it because of the perspective, experiences, and joy I have gained from being involved. I continue to pray that God uses our small acts of big love (and even those times I screwed up) to water the seeds that have been planted in the St. Louis area by our brothers and sisters. Our prayers stay with the friends we have made here and even with some who we have never met.

Our return is scheduled for Friday. Be prepared. We are returning with love and joy, both of which are contagious.

THURSDAY PIX

Thursday morning

Thursday morning - Last night we wrapped up the last Kidz Klub with a grand finale. Bubbles, balloons, and squirt guns. More play, noise, music, popcorn, conversations, and play. We used up all 44lbs of popcorn and had to buy more. It was sad to say goodbye and we went til dusk again. We will miss our new friends. The swingset is finished and was in full swing with a few fights for turns. I was able to build a wooden travel box for the popcorn machine that has become a powerful ministry tool. We did a laundry run afterward and an ice cream run to Schnuck's the local grocery store.

TUES/WED PIX

Wednesday - Guest Writers: Sara (“The floor recognizes Sara H”)

Getting done with work on time today??? OMG NOOO WAY!! Rachel, Ruby, and I worked with a new boss today (we were usually stationed w/ Mike building the swing set) and were able to shower and get to dinner with ample time to spare unlike the last two days with rushed showers and running to dinner. Tutoring has been an adventure for me this year. The past two years I had little girls that adored me and we had tons of fun together, but this year is a bit different. I was assigned two girls, Domia and Imani, the first of which I tutored last year. Domia and I get along great and she was overjoyed to see me again this year. However, Imani is another story, she seems to love me one minute and hate me the next. We have an interesting relationship so far. Today was better though, Domia has been sick the past two days :( which has given me more one-on-one time with Imani. She is getting better and our friendship is slowly developing despite our earlier struggles. I woke up this morning strangely missing home (not that I don't miss it everyday). It's Wednesday now, so our trip home is getting closer. I have developed new friendships with ATI (Andy the Intern), Hannah Welk, Calvin (Mike's nephew), and Mike Ziehr and have grown the relationships with Tate, Rachel, Ruby, Ryan, Lori, and Julie. I have deeply enjoyed my time here but I look forward to getting back to my regular schedule and my safe home and family. As I close I would like to say: “4-3-2-1...Earth below us....” (Major Tom-the song of the trip). Appreciate your loved ones and the comforts of your homes because it must take a lot for a small child in St. Louis to excitedly run up to you and hug your sweaty, smelly body hoping for love in return.

Guest writers: Ruby

Whats happening in Wis-CON-sin? Today was a good day. I finally got one of my two girls that I tutor to like me to the point where when we had to leave she hung onto my leg and I couldn't get off. So Andy, the intern tried to get her off and she bit him! It wasn't bad or anything but it was still very funny. My other girl that I tutor is very quiet and is not where she needs to be academically so it is a bit of a challenge. This afternoon Sara, Rachel and I went out in the backyard and helped some people weed. It started raining and the lead guy gracefully let us go inside and shower and then nap which was a blessing after the late work afternoons with Mike in the heat. So goodbye fellow wisconsinities I am off to take my first nap which I desperatly need! See everyone soon, hope everything is fantabulous in the North Pole (lol Tate) :D

Tuesday - Guest writers: Tate

Hey y'all. Tu plaisantes!! Tuesday. Oh what a day. So it started of usual. Eating, devotional,Tutoring. At tutoring I tutor a girl named Tieana and Aleah. Spelling doesn't count bear with me here. Everything was going great until the classroom. My two girls talked SO incredibly much that they were split up to either side of the room. Talk about difficulty helping. I was going from one side of the room to another. That is until some helpers arrived. Phew! Then everything usual. Working at job sights mowing with Hannah and I while Capt. Culivers, Ryan, and Lori weeded. Oh wow, at kids' club last night I lost a chunk of my hair and my head felt a bit lighter this morning. A little boy (Issa) that I had become friends with last year was back and we played for a while. Then I had to go help somewhere else which would mean I would have to put him down after I had been carrying him for a while. He was not excited with that idea, I put him on the ground and he clung to my hair! He was pulling so hard I could lift him off the ground by my head only! While I was in pain I tried to direct him to the joys of Mike Ziehr. But that plan failed, he still clung to my hair for dear life. Mike tried to assist me and after I was practically in tears from pain Issa released me with a fist (and mouth) full of hair! After I showered this morning I was convinced my head was a little lighter than the day before. Oh the joys of small children! Excuse me. Okay … then all Kidz Klub long I ran from the kids trying to capture me because Issa wanted to. Yeah me! After runnin gg andpicking small kids for HOURS!!!! We left for QuikTrip (QT) To get a wide range of slurpies!!Tomorrow... ICE-CREAM!!! temchatted @ devotional and THANKED MICE FOR HIS HELP with Issa. Yes I wrote Mice. Why? Because Mike Z. wanted to be different like Lucas with a K. So he chose Mike with a C. Silly I know. Lastly SLEEP but NoooO! Mike C.(Little mike) wanted me to film his jam with some other guys(after I find a lock in the back trailer. I was like sure, but I never atually looked. Instead I looked for Lori's water bottle. Which we found. HIGH FIVE! Then When tying to look for where the jam was we stumbled onto a basketballgame and lori asked me if I wanted to stay andwatch the “hot?'” guys like the onewho looks like a power ranger. I responded with an “As much as i'd like to I have to go.” response. And Sara and I left and found the auditorium.) like Kile(Kyle?), Tyler, Capt. Culivers, Ryan, and other kids. WhoHoo What a Hoot. I took Sara along with me because, common, girls MUST stay together. YEAH. Stayed until 10:56 and FINALLY went to bed. Good night!

MONDAY PIX

Monday

Okay, it was hot, really hot. We were lathered in holy sweat from breakfast on. Chris and Nick Matula arrived in good spirits Sunday night and jumped right in . After breakfast Tony Myles, one of the new New City pastors shared on the topic of humility. Coming to his car to go preach his first Sunday he had spring in his step all excited to share about the love of God. He found his car had been broken into and the dash was ripped apart with the radio gone. Humble circumstances is a written and practiced core value at New City.

Monday morning tutoring was a bit chaotic. They added a sports camp so it is a split day with half the group doing tutoring in the morning and the other half doing sports camp then after lunch they switch. I introduced my crazy walk in teaching character Jimmy Cardio McBones. (A cousin to last years Dr. Vinnie Bones) I'm a brightly colored washed up sports hero sharing a message about muscles, aerobic fitness, exercise, stretching etc., with a bunch of goofy lines.

Chris helped me do the wood buy at Home Depot to build the swingset at the N. Hodiamont apartments where we do Kidz Klub. Ray Asplund loaned us his trailer which can accommodate 12 foot lumber, it works well. We are loaded with tools and games and spend plenty of time in the trailer.

The difficult first stage of the swingset – building the basic frame was our days task. We worked late getting it built. My Makita drill short circuited and caught fire briefly. The cause of the fire is under investigation. But the cordless Makita stepped up its game to handle the large holes. We had a partial crew digging holes to set the swingset in during Kidz Klub. Some of the Iraqi dads helped us. There is much rubble in the ground – concrete, asphalt, stone, and old garbage. There were, as you might expect, many little helpers who wanted in on digging. By the grace of God we got the set in, leveled, and the footings concreted. The kids are very excited.

We have a group of four adults from a St. Louis area church. Richard, Jin, Jon, and Charlene are wonderful younger adults who are our partners during Kidz Klub and evening devos. Richard helped me rig some wires for the music system when we didn't have the right adapters. They also picked up the concrete for us. After Klub we did a slushee run to the local Quik Trip (no relation). The St. Louis group went Chinese. We sat around sharing stories and encouragements over Icees and Crab Rangoon. It was great. They are terrific partners with us as we play, laugh, dance, listen, and love at the apartments. Again, over 50 kids and adults. A young woman (20 something) was talking to Ruby asking why we would work in the heat building swings and throwing a party for people we don't even know. She shared about New City and had a meaningful conversation. Lori and Sara got the Love Shack dance party going with a number of the kids. Joy is contagious.

Mike

SUNDAY PIX

Here's a few pix

Sunday (w/ a Saturday Update Thrown In)

SATURDAY

Yesterday we enjoyed God, the city, and each other as we explored becoming the answer to our prayers and the city of St. Louis. It started off like any other day in St. Louis- a little sun, a lot of heat, and your very own ACEFC youth diligently pouring over old copies of the Torah when a question was raised: What would it look like if we fastforwarded to the New Testament and took Jesus at his word? So we cracked open a copy of the the book you previously read about and hashed out some thoughts. We talked about doing small things with great love and really living in community with those around us. Our goal is to see those thoughts become reality acted out.

And to that end we left the couches behind, grabbed an extended lunch at Che Wendy's and then headed out to the City Museum. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the City Museum it is less museum and more giant playground for the young and old alike. The idea is that the architecture at the museum is interactive and should be explored and we didn't hesitate to fulfill their dream.

After the City Museum we headed over to the Arch. Yes, that Arch. Mike, Julie, and Lori couldn't find their inner Lewis and Clark to give them the courage to ride to the top, but the daunting height of 630 feet was not enough to keep the rest of the group from trekking up. After much picture taking we descended in our futuristic and cramped pods to the ground level.

We rounded out the night hearing about Tom and Kelly. There isn't enough space or time to truly capture the full experience of the Tom and Kelly story, so I won't even attempt it. But you should know that it happened. Because it did. And because it was a large part of our experience on Saturday.

On a flashback note: it was nice for the group to have Jake Zeihr mix in with us again to hang out whenever we can steal him away from his internship responsibilities with New City. And there was morning and there was evening on the second day of the work trip- and it was good.


**This was written quickly and wryly and is all Mike's fault if it's bad. But if you appreciate the small embellishments and like it in general then tell Mike and he'll pass along the warm wishes.

SUNDAY

It was a new dawn and a new day that greeted us today. After a small orientation type meeting in which we learned the names and faces of the other groups that are living and working with us this week, a New City worker shared his testimony with us. His story started in an easy life where he had everything he wanted. He grew up in a Christian home but found himself drowning in drug culture and finally waking up one morning after seven years in college and no degree to ask himself what the point of life was.
He ended up getting involved in the church again and started to rediscover God's plan of redemption and love. But after more than a decade of church involvement and ministry he and his wife became stumped by a question a twelve year old girl asked him: What makes the Gospel good news? This girl had been abused as a child and was out of work with little education and no hope. What did it matter that Jesus died for her sins? The speaker, Steve, came to the conclusion that the Good News is actually good news because it is more than just salvation from sin. It is an entrance into the family and kingdom of God- an event that should have actual earthly consequences. It tied in so well with what we had been talking about because Steve and his wife realized that they needed to be the ones to care for the orphans and widows in their neighborhood-- to be the answer to our prayers as we have been discussing.

Church was an experience that can't really be summed up for the group, but I (Andy the Intern) can at least tell you about my take on it. We walked in and the first song played was sung in at least five different languages, each time through switching to a new one. It was a beautiful picture of the body of Christ. I've been to a couple foreign countries and other places where language can be a barrier, but in those same places there is always a church that manages to overcome that barrier and actually turn it into a beautiful mosaic of praise and worship.
The service had other unique aspects like breaking into small prayer circles to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world and to praise God for His blessing, leaving our chairs and taking communion in a circle around the sanctuary, and a sermon from Numbers (yes, the one with all the numbers in it that usually gets skipped) reminding us that we are all part of a holy (set apart) priesthood.

After the service we were divided up and taken by church members to eat lunch. The type of lunch fare ranged from Egyptian to Vietnamese to hotdogs and beyond all depending on who took you. It was a really welcoming gesture from the body of New City church and was a great way to connect, hear stories, and fellowship with believers with whom we may only have our Heavenly Father in common.
After lunch we had some more orientation started gearing up for the first Kidz Klub (creative spelling not A.T.I's invention). Although this is my first year, the group has benefited from previous years experience here. We started popping the popcorn during our dinner time and packed up the trailer with all the games and supplies needed. This year we returned to do our Kidz Klub at an apartment complex with mostly refugee residents. A four member group from the St. Louis area was added to our numbers and their presence was a blessing to us as much as to the kids we shared some time with. Each member of our group was able to connect with at least one person today. I can't tell the stories everyone else shared because then they would have nothing to tell you when they get back and it would be sad because I would have robbed you of some good dinner conversation.
One of my cool experiences was being invited to sit down and drink real Iraqi Chai tea with a group of recent immigrant fathers. I really like tea and their Chai was delicious. But beyond the tea it was good to sit and talk about their kids and get as much of their background story as well. Mike was able to sit with them for longer than I did and might have more to say about them, but I appreciated making a connection with them today that can be revisited throughout the rest of the week.

As we debriefed with the group, the idea of making connections which lead to relationships and eventually to spiritual impact as the Holy Spirit moves came up from multiple people. It brought to my mind 1 John 4:18. In verses 11 through 17 John talks about how God gave us the Spirit and now God lives in us and in turn we live in God. He says the major reflection of that dependence on God is that His love is in us. Verse eighteen says “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” We were spending time and spreading the love of God that is in us with people who used to and most likely still live in fear because of the places and refugee situations from which they come. But perfect love (which is only the love of God) drives out fear! We are excited to see how perfect love (even if it comes from imperfect people) can and will drive out some of the fear that has plagued these people.

We continue to need your prayers for our safety, that the Spirit would continue to move in the work of New City and that we would have eyes and ears to hear and see what God is doing here but also at home.

On behalf of the St. Louis Work Trip Team '09,

Andy the Intern (A.T.I.)

SATURDAY PIX

Saturday Morning Update

Final pack up and loading at church. Extra props to Andy for all his organization helps. I've nicknamed him Andy “the Intern,” but he is truly Andy, “The Angel.” He has helped with the shopping, game building, and packing. Julie took care of the rest of the paperwork. Props!

We hit the road nearly on time, 8:30 and rolled to Sam's to pick up Kidz Klub snax. Honestly, it is lots of fun shopping with a group of high schoolers. Sadly no free snax were out yet.

Listening to Blind Melon's song “No Rain” on the 90's mix didn't help to keep from getting blasted four times on the drive down. Some mysterious traffic hold up we never really saw kept us in a state of crawling parking lot the majority of the length of the 294 through Chicago. All this said, we met my sister Julie near Joliet within 10 minutes of each other. This was a planned kid exchange. My daughter Alyssa was heading to MI to work at my sister's and parent's group home/farmette. Her son, Calvin came with us to St. Louis. We ate pizza at a lovely park in Channahon, IL.

We arrived by 9:30pm at the New City campus. Andrew, the project leader met us. For those who don't know, he was a middle schooler in my Wheaton Bible Church group when I was an intern in a galaxy far, far away. Jake Ziehr soon followed. We unloaded and headed to Steak and Shake. Amid the conversation, Calvin ate hot peppers, followed by a milk chaser. Jake is doing well and having a blast here, three weeks in the stories are piling up. Among others, he is teaching English to recent refugees from Burma.

The outgoing groups from SC and Iowa look like what we will a week from now.

Due to a baseball tourney, Chris and Nick Matula are driving down on Sunday night or Monday morning depending on the outcome of the game. We can't wait to have them join us, and thus conflicted on praying for a loss. Jarrel Davis has been planning to join us for many months but returned home from Chicago Thursday sick. We are praying health and that he can hitch a ride with the Matula boys.

Here's the team in brief – as that summer is here, grades will reflect fall.

Andy “The Intern” Spoehr – Junior at Wheaton College, IL – Christian Ed major

Calvin- 9^th grader from Parchment, MI

Chris Matula – Wise elder and children's ministry overseer

Hannah - 10^th grader from Hortonville

Julie Morrell (J-MO) – church office administrator and owner/operator of car #2

Lori McCarthy – a returner from spring work weekend

Luke - 10^th grader at Xavier

Mike Collison – blogster, driver, pastor, pirate, senior hamster trainer for the circus

Mike – (Flavian Davis) 11^th grader at Hortonville

Nick - 11^th grader at Kimberly

Rachel - 9^th grader at Neenah

Ruby - 9^th grader at Neenah

Ryan - 10^th grade home schooler

Sara – recent Neenah HS grad – headed for Vet Tech school in Fondy

Tate - 11^th grader at Neenah

Our trip book is Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers- Prayer for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. It is a nice thoughtful prayer-infused book about following Jesus in community with others and reaching out to serve. This prayer on page 59 seems a good one to pray and reflect on this week.

RADIATING CHRIST

Dear Jesus, help us to spread your fragrance everywhere we go.

Flood our souls with spirit and life.

Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly that our lives may only be a radiance of yours.

Shine through us, and be so in us, that every soul we come in contact with may feel your presence in our soul.

Let them look up and see no longer us but only Jesus!

Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as you shine; so to shine as to be a light to others; the light O Jesus, will be all from you, none of it will be ours. It will be you shining on others through us.

Let us thus praise you in the way you love best by shining on those around us.

Let us preach you without preaching, not by words but by our example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what we do.

The evident fullness of the love our hearts bear to you.

Amen

Game building

Andy, Luke, Ryan, and I have begun building some games for our Kidz Klub. Yesterday we made two pair of bean bag tossers and 4 double dutch jump ropes. Neighbor Louie let us use his drill press to drill out the oak handles. Luke and Ryan had way too much fun melting (burning) the nylon rope ends.

Hannah shows Mike that words longer than two letters are harder to guess.

PRE-TRIP

We are one week out and starting to shop for supplies and materials to build some carnival style games for Kidz Klub. Andy "The Intern" Spoehr is a great to have along rollin' through the aisles of Home Depot and Toys R Us.