Hi Again

Sorry for the inaction (is that a word?) as of late. I've been really busy between my 3 jobs and keep meaning to get on here but somehow continue not to. Besides being extremely busy (and tired) life has been really good and work in the North End, while stressful some days, has been rewarding. I'm connecting well with most of the kids and hearing God more clearly with every passing situation. One example is with a young man named "D Jr."

He was a bit too old for our program, but I heard God clearly telling me to make a connection with him rather than just letting him leave. So I told him to come back later and I could try and help him find a "real" job. I ended up taking him to Youth Employment Services on Portage Avenue last week. On the drive there and back we had some great discussions. He has numerous criminal convictions, but despite that I couldn't help but see a great man who God has big plans for. I can't really go into any details, but you all can keep "D Jr." in your prayers and I can relay how God is moving and transforming him throughout the summer.

Another amazing move of God has been how He's used all of you to support me financially. I received a couple more "deputations" this week and now have enough money for my summer wages, mileage, and meals. Your prayers are the most important thing I can ask for right now, but your financial support has been a real blessings.

I hope to write more frequently and relay more stories of how God is moving in the teens' lives, but it's just a matter of finding a few minutes to sit down at the computer. I pray for all of you and thank God for sending each of you into my life! Please be sure to send any prayer requests you may have to me at mike@willowlake.ca

Be blessed people!

Praise be to God!

Hey, I just wanted to write a quick note to thank all those people who are supporting me through prayer and financially! Thanks everyone so much. God is providing in awesome ways (through all of you!). I will be making phone calls to everyone soon, just gotta find some time!

Keep praying for me! (And email any prayer requests you may have also; mike@willowlake.ca)

Word.

What is your greatest fear?

Today was a long day. Very long, like 11.5 hours long (with three hours of Willowlake work yet ahead of me). But it was exciting, fun, and. . . kind of sad. We had around 30 kids again today. With only seven jobs lined up today that meant that 14 kids could go out and work while the rest stayed behind with me in the church and hung out. Some played Xbox games, others went online and chatted with friends on MSN, and some others just sat around talking amongst themselves.

I went and sat with two boys who I hadn't met before and tried to talk to them a bit. They were somewhat quiet so I grabbed a card game to try and break the ice. This deck of cards has six questions on each card; you roll a dice (di I guess?) and whatever number you roll, the other person then asks you the appropriate question from the card drawn.

So we played the game.

On one roll, "J" rolled a six. I asked question number six. What is your greatest fear? He didn't have an answer at first. "I don't know" he said a couple times, and then asked "what does that mean?" I responded "just, what are you most afraid of?" I'm thinking something along the lines of getting old, or death. The standard greatest fears, right?

His answer. . .

"My brother drunk."

What happens when his brother gets drunk? What does "J" go through every time his brother gets drunk?

A lot of these kids are dirty. They're rowdy too, but timid at the same time. And a lot of them have bruises and scrapes and scars. Most of all they have fears.

Finally some fun!

Today was the first day for the kids to come. Sadly, they were only there for about half an hour as we did an "orientation" of the program, giving them the low-down on how things work and what they should expect. I didn't count, but I would say around 35 kids showed up. For the most part they seem like a great group of kids; possibly some trouble makers, but that's why I'm there in the first place!

There should be more kids on-hand tomorrow, as those who came last year didn't have to attend today. They'll actually go out to different jobs tomorrow. We only have 10 jobs lined up for them, and at 2 kids per job, that will leave plenty of others left around to hang out with and get to know.

I'm getting anxious as the last 2 weeks have been spent doing prep and haven't seen any kids. I'm busy praying for the car thieves and drug addicts/dealers, gang members (or "wannabes") show up-- seriously!

Peace