Bethel Girls Movin' In

Three weeks ago 4 Bethel College Students & I made the move and entered into the Keller Park Community. At first it was a little bit tough adjusting to the house, with a broken toilet the first week, crickets that had invaded, and the flooding of sewer water...I literally felt like I was on a mission trip. I was a little worried about how the Bethel girls would get used to driving 15 minutes to class vs. walking, cooking for themselves vs. swiping their student ID, and being around 3 other students they didn't know vs. living with best friends. It was a rocky start as expectations were fleshed out. We were all getting used to the idea of a year dedicated to ministering to a broken neighborhood instead of other years that had been about ourselves. I am so proud of how far the girls have come. They are giving of themselves and encouraging each other to press on.

From left to right there is Susie, Chloe, Katrina, & Susanna. Each of them add their own personality & flair. They are all going to be involved with the youth group (The "Crew") we are trying to start here in the neighborhood that is actually kicking off Sept 23. Also, they are going to be involved in a variety of things such as tutoring students, joining my role as a House of Hope parent, involved at children's ministry at Keller Park, and simply being in the neighborhood to play with kids and build relationships. We're excited for what's to come! Thanks so much for your prayers!

-Ali

Foreign Smells... Familiar Places...

Ali and I went on a bike ride yesterday afternoon around Keller Park. We are trying to immerse ourself in this culture as quickly as possible and one of the best ways seems to go on walks or bike rides around the neighborhood. We are trying to take advantage of the nice weather while it lasts because everyone is outside right now (this is one of the bonuses of not having a beautiful house to plant yourself in and check your email and watch cable tv). Some days I try to read a book out on my porch to be available to my neighbors. This has been easier to find the time at my house because I have no distractions of internet or tv. It can be quite interesting some of the things you see, hear, and smell while reading a book on Rose Street. I already have more stories than I can share.

So back to what I was saying about my bike ride with Ali yesterday. We saw some kids out playing ball in the street so, naturally, I decided to showcase my skills (they are already declining rather rapidly). I played one of the kids, Dakota, one-on-one first. He is a junior in high school that just got out (4 weeks ago) of a juvenile delinquent center after being there for 5 years. He actually remembered me from when the Bethel basketball team visited 2 years ago. I then played with two little tikes, James and Jermeal, and felt like I was right back in the Dominican Republic. These shirtless kids were laughing hysterically as I backed both of them down into the low post with my big caboose. Needless to say, I won... again. It's amazing to see how sports break down so many color barriers and cultural differences. It's also amazing to see the respect level people give you once they actually find out you can "hoop."

The most interesting thing about our time with the kids playing basketball in the street was not the teenage girls cursing at some white lady on the porch. It was not the fact that I met a kid who had spent a third of his life locked up. It was not that I felt like I was in the DR with James and Jermeal while knowing I was only a block away from my house. It was the smell. The smell took me back to every place of poverty I have ever been: Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Vanuatu, etc. It reminded me again that I was on a mission field. It reminded me again that I living in it. This reminder... reminded me this is right where I want to be.

-Kory

Coaching at Brown...

Coaching started extremely slowly for me. The first few days we only had 4 or 5 kids that could practice. All the kids are required to have a physical before they can practice and this is a very difficult task with these kids. Whether it's because the parents don't know how to get a physical or they don't have the money it is no easy task to get kids on the field. I had meetings with kids during school and was basically walking around the school recruiting kids. I just wanted 11 guys to be able to play a game. Well, eventually I had nearly 20 kids and then... Grade Reports came out. I spent 45 minutes telling about 10 kids individually that they could not play because of grades. One of our best athletes had 7 F's. After hearing more of these kid's stories I quickly realized why they did not care about grades or physicals. They have a lot more to worry about than that. My heart brakes for these kids!

I never thought I would have liked coaching until I started coaching football at Brown Intermediate (in Keller Park). I realized that I not only like it, but I LOVE it! These kids are such a joy to be around. They are not a joy because they never fight, are well behaved, and always listen to me, but because they are in desperate need of somebody to provide stability in their life. They deeply desire a "big brother" who will encourage, discipline, and love them. I love these kids. Some days I get so frustrated with them, but always look forward to pouring into them for 2 hours the next day. This has been a great way to start building relationships with kids in the neighborhood.

We are now up to 22 kids (depending on who shows up each day). Yesterday was our first day with full pads and hitting. The kids had a blast... and so did I!

(Some of those pictured above are not on the team anymore.)

-Kory