Missionary....

For the past year and a half I haven't seen myself as a "missionary" even though I am doing full-time ministry. My experience in Detroit had me thinking that to be considered a "missionary" in the world of ministry meant raising financial support. Well, I was wrong. I'm wrong about a lot of things, and this was one of them. Do any of you remember the song from our childhood called "Be a missionary"? 

"Be a missionary every day... tell the world that Jesus is the way. Be it in a town or country, or a busy avenue, Africa or Asia the choice is up to you..." 

That song often pops into my head and I'm reminded that we're all missionaries wherever God has put us. My roll as a Missionary has changed once again. In order to remain that Lydia Urban Academy I had/have to raise support for my salary. 

Let me just tell you what God has done... 

I have not had to do any work at all in order for God to provide the money that he has brought in to go toward my salary. Two individuals (who were simply made aware of my need by an outside person) have given two large donations and my home church in Canton is going to begin supporting me as one of their missionaries. I shared my passion for urban teens and my desire to stay at LUA and the money was given. Now, I realize these situations are RARE! But I believe that God has allowed this process to be "easy" for me to show me HIS goodness and faithfulness. 

I have been OVERJOYED by this whole thing, and I know for sure that I am exactly where God wants me to do for this season of my life. 

Not all of my salary has been raised yet. I need about $3000-$5000 more in order for it to be at 100%. I have total faith in my Lord that this money will come in. At this point i'm not sure where it will come from, but I know it will come. I believe Lydia is where God wants me, and Lydia is where I intend to stay. 

Weeks like this...

A week like this one when i'm reminded why I love urban ministry. It might sound strange saying "why I love..." as I tell you that this week has been absolutely terrible. Our school goes through phases, one phase being when just about everyone is being polite (or at least their version of polite) and getting their work done on time, so on and so on. Well its in the middle of that phase where I begin to get nervous because I know what the other phase looks like. This week we entered into the phase, the phase of blatant disrespect, dishonesty, and self sabotage. Each phase has new students being the main contributors while others you can just automatically expect to be a part of it. 

Today I've feel sick to my stomach because of the amount of disrespect that has been happening this week. Disrespect to me, other teachers, other students, the building, school property, my own property.. basically you name it and its being disrespected. There has been sexual harassment, lying, and stealing. It has brought me to tears of anger, but its in that moment that God spoke to me and said... "LOVE these kids the way that I love them!" Wow, talk about a slap in the face. I am beyond frustrated and am counting down the hours till the weekend, but tomorrow I will go into school with love in my heart for my students. I truly do love my students the way a parent loves their child. I want them to be successful and learn how to live a life of love. They will learn that by watching my actions, words, and overall attitude toward them. 

So, its been a hellish week but through the pain, tears and anger God has revealed himself to me. It is weeks like this that I remember why I have responded to the call to urban ministry. Weeks like this don't scare me, I don't go running away scared, it only better equips me and trains me for years and years of ministry ahead of me. I know that God holds each of these teens in His hands, and I trust HIM with their lives. I can't chose their life path for them, but I can help steer them in the right direction.