Farewell Friend

Dedicated to Nick Muroki.

My good friend, Nick Muroki, has decided to leave Doulos Ministries and return to Denver, CO.  Friday was the last day of work and in true "Muroki" fashion we celebrated (for the 3rd or 4th time).  Nick also lived in our home off and on for the for the past year.  He will be missed by myself and the entire family.  Nick and I have served together for 3 years with Doulos and Shelterwood.  Three years ago Nick began his Leadtime year as a Big brother while I was the Guys House Director.  Many adventures, hardships, wild stories and memories came out of that year.  Arguably the most difficult year I have experienced at Shelterwood during my 4 year tenure.  Nick moved into the role as Leadtime intern two years ago and then relocated to Kansas City with the rest of us and has served the past year as a Leadtime recruiter.  Nick is a gifted communicator and few others have exemplified the Doulos heart of community and personal relationship like him.  What others often mistake as a "free" and even "non-committal" approach to life is actually Nick's desire to truly go wherever God calls.  He walks the walk.  Nick will be missed and we all wish him well. 

Sweet Summertime

Summer time has definitely arrived in Kansas City.  90 something today and 97, 98, 96 the next three days respectively.  I'm lovin it.  The survival plan is to lay low during the day, stay inside or in the pool, and then come out at night. Simple.

Fathers Day is today and I had a wonderful time with my kids.  Went to church this morning and this afternoon we took a swim in the recently-completed Shelterwood swimming pool.  Nice.  Capped off the night with some grilled pork chops and home baked cookies, compliments of Jena.  I felt blessed today.  

As advertised, a full week of work awaited me at Shelterwood following my vacation.  I was buried but made it through.  As I mentioned above, the pool is complete.  The Boys Lodge is complete, and has been for several months, but we do not yet have the certificate of occupancy. Still some red-tape with that one so something to keep in your prayers.   Without the Boys Lodge we are unable to increase the number of families we can take in.  There only so much space in the Girls Lodge which houses the staff, the guy residents, and the girl residents.  Oh yeah, one more thing...Doulos TSTL (The Sky's The Limit) inner city summer day camp begins this week!! 

Vacation from vacation

Jena and I made it home safely from Savannah.  Like many of you, I feel like I need a vacation from my vacation.  It probably doesn't help that we both got bad colds while away and made the 15 hour straight-through-the-night drive to get home.  It's back to work tomorrow so today (Sunday) is truly a day rest.

Had a great time in Savannah.  Spent several days at the beach on Tybee Island.  I tried to catch high tide with my body board as often as I could.  The 70 degree ocean water is wonderful.  I don't miss the days of numb and blue feet from northern California and the Pacific.  Jena and I had dinner one night at Uncle Bubba's Oyster House.  If you ever watch the Food Network you may have heard of it.  Even had a chance to catch a Savannah Sand Gnats baseball game - Single A minor league.  Nothing like it if you like baseball.  

It's good to be home.  Work tomorrow will probably feel like a drinking from a firehouse but Oh well.  Glad I had a chance to get a way with Jena for a few days.

Back in Savannah

Jena and I made the drive to Savannah yesterday to begin some vacation time.  We started Thursday night at 6pm from KC and arrived at 11am on Friday morning.  I know, it sounds brutal but when you gotta drive, it's the best way to make it straight through, especially with a 3 year old passenger.  1000 miles, 15 hours, and only two fuel stops.  I stopped somewhere near St. Louis on the Illinois side to pick up an audio book.  Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.  Not exactly the best literature but it worked.  We made it safely.  

Shelterwood break ended last weekend and summer school started,  just as planned.  It was actually a pretty full week at the Wood.  We hired a new Shelterwood Director, Todd.  The previous director was carrying 3 jobs on campus and it was time to delegate.  A new Leadtimer joined our team, Doug.  The new class normally starts in August but occasionally we get someone eager to start early.  A new resident arrived Thursday and another will come Monday while I'm gone.  Will worry about that later...for now, it's off to the beach.

Blessings!

Summer break

It's been a slow week around here.  Staff usually rolls in between 8:45 and 9.  The kids wander past my office and into the front room around 11 with bed hair and asking about breakfast. Between now and Sunday all will return to normal.  Summer school starts Monday.  Half days  Monday through Thursday.  Back at the Albright home, summer break has arrived too.  Yesterday was Corey's last day and last week was Justin's.  Both boys hit the movie theatre in the afternoon and were probably up late last night.  Only a matter of days until boredom sets in.  Oh....the days of summer.     

Memorial Day

It's Memorial Day weekend and so many milestones have passed.  The kids all left for pre-summer break today.  It will be quiet around the ole' Wood for the next week.  Lots of hot pockets, frozen wings, and nuggets for those left behind.  The kitchen schedule goes into "break mode" and the prepared meals are temporarily gone.  Yesterday was the last chapel of the season.  Brought back a lot of memories because I remember the last chapel in Denver.  We will resume again at the end of August but lots will change by then.  A new Leadtime class.  Many new residents and probably even some turnover with staff.  I wrote a special song for the last chapel titled, "Ode to Chapel."  It was one of my typical Adam Sandler style songs with plenty of humor from life at the Wood.  It was a riot.

On a more somber note, one of our residents was pulled from the program today.  A guy who's been here for 17 months.  Always tough.  Honestly I think it will be good for him and the reasons are complicated.  It's times like these that I am reminded that I am entrusted by God to pour into the lives of these young people.  Could be a month...could be 17 months.  I give all I have because I never know how long it will be.  "Thanks God," for trusting me and "Thanks to my supporters for making this a reality.

Parent Weekend

Ok, so what about Parent Weekend?  Seems like it was eons ago but it was actually a little more than a week ago.  It was a smashing success.  Sure, we had the usual spots (those of you familiar with Shelterwood know what I mean)....Leadtime testimonies, Take-a-Big-to-breakfast, the Friday Night Talent Show, Parent Groups, The huge meals and clean up duty, Sunday morning chapel and family share time.  We didn't exactly re-invent the wheel but it was still awesome.  I had some encouraging conversations with several parents and the whole experience was authentic.  Two times a year during our parent weekends, I get to see the transformation of lives and the restoration of families up close.  I know....dramatic, but still true.  

I deeply appreciate all of your support.  Jena and I will be reviewing our ministry and support process in the next few months.  If you know of someone who may be interested in following our ministry and possibly supporting financially, please let me know.  I can still be reached balbright@douloscorp.com.  Blessings!