Servant Ministry

Shelterwood Beyond.....!  A week of community service with staff, big brothers and residents.  Thank God for good weather and good friends.  Each day we met for prayer and then split up into smaller groups of service.  On Monday, my team of 5 pulled up and cleaned out my elderly neighbors garage.  3 trips to the dumpster, 1 trip to the goodwill and 1 trip to recycling and the task was done.  The joy on the nice lady's face was priceless.  Tuesday we went to a local park and picked up trash.  Strangely enough I found several baseballs and even a new pair of shoes?  Funny what folks throw out.  Wednesday we went to Sanctuary of Hope retreat center in Kansas and laid trails with rakes and wood chips.  Thursday we visited a local church and painted the youth center and decorated Sunday school rooms.  The word Doulos is interpreted as servant and it felt good to take our work and ministry outside the walls of Shelterwood.

Friday was a time of sharing and rest from the week long projects but I had to bail out.  I had plans to take Justin to Warrengsburg, MO to visit Central Missouri University.  Another step in the journey of parenting.  The UCM campus was beautiful with old brick buildings and roughly 11,000 students.  Interesting tidbit: American Idol winner, David Cook, attended UCM. Go figure?  Anyway, Justin plans to transfer in next Fall or Spring.  

Thank you, as always, for serving my ministry through your prayers and financial support.  You are Doulos to me and I deeply appreciate it.  Blessings!

Shelterwood and Beyond

Shelterwood....

We had an amazing chapel this week (you know, the one I told about below in my last blog).  Our Shelterwood Director, Brad, addressed free will and the question of "eternal damnation" and a "fallen world."  Tough subject but Brad was up to the challenge.  Next, our counseling director, Sheri, focused on "how can God love us even though we disappoint Him everyday."  Stellar job by Sheri.  I wrapped up the discussion with "can I be free" and "how do I accept God's love and forgiveness."  My answer?  Freedom comes through our brokenness.  Yeah.  We're all broken and the need for God and others (community) brings freedom through confession and openness.  The weight of "having it all together" is crushing and brings no freedom at all.  Chapel closed with four of our kids performing Details in the Fabric by Jason Mraz.  Amazing stuff.

And Beyond...

Next week is beyond week, which means community service and missions for all.  The regular schedule is suspended and staff, leadtime and residents will work together off property to serve others.  We have a group headed south to El Paso for mexican-american missions and a group is staying here in KC to serve locally.  I'll be local and will report next week on the events.

 

Random Update

What do I see in this random picture of a winter sunset here at Shelterwood?  A construction trailer is an ongoing reminder of the unfinished work...the swing and slide represents our inner city summer camp, The Sky's The Limit, resuming in a few short months...the gazebo (behind the tree) is host to many a life changing conversations and, of course,  the icon Shelterwood tree.  The point?  What appears random rarely is.

The latest on my life and ministry:

At Shelterwood: Leadtime parent's weekend just concluded.  An annual event where the folks of our Big Brothers and Big Sisters come out and see what in the heck is going down at Shelterwood.  Eye opening and impactful.   Got a new resident last week.  Brings us back up to 17 total.  Thursday chapel is still amazing.  Last week one of our Big Brothers shared a powerful testimony and next week I am addressing some questions I fielded from the kids a few months back.  How does one accept love and forgiveness from God?  Can I be free?  How can God justify eternal damnation?  Good stuff. 

At Home:  Jena had a birthday last Friday and daughter Lauren turned 14 yesterday.  This weekend we're having the 14 year old middle school girl party.  Ugh.  Kaiden thinks the whole house is his person Indy 500 with his tricycle and the wooden floors.  Working on taxes this week.  Double Ugh.  Some good news though, the formerly flooded basement is now finished.  Carpet came yesterday!!

Blessings and thanks to all who continue to faithfully support the work of Doulos Ministries!

Mr. Case Manager

So this is me, Shelterwood Case Manager.  Sitting at my desk with new fancy eye glasses, a nice shirt to keep the brass happy but plenty of "Shack" attitude to bring uneasiness to the occasional complacency.  So what exactly is my role as CM? After all, my adventure at Shelterwood has been anything but predictable.  

First, there is the routine stuff.  I make sure the files of all our residents are up to state regulation,  I audit the medical records to ensure there no gaps and I keep the finances reconciled.  This usually involves frequent communication with counselors and parents and lots of time on the phone with doctors and insurance companies.  Exciting stuff, but someone has to do it.  

Second, there is the implied stuff.  As a former House Director, I support the current HD's with insight, mentoring, and administration.  We work in the same office and they don't really report to me but I try to provide a positive, calming, presence, when things go awry in the House.  The HD's are quite a bit younger than this old dog so I try and bring some life experience and even parental wisdom to the Shelterwood world.

Finally there are the extra's.  This probably takes half my time.  I have become the resident youth pastor organizing all the chapel services and leading worship.  I have become an unofficial counselor participating in our bi-weekly group therapy sessions.  As the worship leader at NCC I involve residents in the worship band.  I host a weekly guys night in my home with the young Shelterwood staff and still spend plenty of time taking kids to the Quick Trip for coffee or playing basketball on the outdoor courts.    

So there you have it, Shelterwood Case Manager.  A new position and title for Doulos but some not-so-new responsibilities.