A Day At Our Apartments!

I don't have any new pictures to share with you all this week, because I am thinking at this time it wouldn't be a very good idea. Being here for only 2 weeks there appears to still be some racial tension. You see there are only 4 white people in our apartment complex. Matt, my roommate, and I are known as "The Christians."

One of the guys, Tae, that Matt and Jason have been working with for the last 6 months or so is going to stay with us for a few days because he doesn't have anywhere to live at the moment. So, he was out shooting some hoops with the guys that are always outside hanging out and dealing in our complex. I went out for a few minutes, and then headed back in to throw some things away, then back out to hang. I had to leave for a little while to get some things accomplished for The Lot Project, and when I came back we played some basketball. I was really thirsty so I came inside and got everyone a water, and a glass of milk for one of their girl friends. The more I hang outside with these guys the more I realize how much traffic is in and out of our complex, and how much is really going on here. They always put there joints out when we come outside, and apologize for their language.

It wasn't until after we came back inside that, Tae, told me that when I left one of the guys had put his .357 handgun in the bushes. He than proceeded to ask if we were cool? Tae was able to tell them that we were, and able to give us a little street credit. A couple of the guys are really cool with us, and we are able to talk too, but there is obviously a total lack of trust with the rest of them. It can be frustrating at times when they don't respond the way you would like them to, just because of the color of my skin. However, the more I think about it and wrestle with this idea the more I can't say that I blame them.

2 Corinthians 3:9-12 says "If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that bring righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison to the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. "

It is going to take some time to build those relationships, but please continue to keep us in your prayers. Pray that we continue to be very bold for Christ.

My First Week!

I obviously made it safe and sound to Anderson, South Carolina! I am all moved in, and living in an apartment complex in one of the nicer area's of Anderson. However, this specific complex is fairly rough. There are atleast 3 drug dealers in our complex, and a one is said to be one of the largest in Anderson. When pulling into our complex it by no means is a stretch of the imagination for you to smell an all to familiar aroma.

It has been an amazing first week, and specifically last night. We do have a building and are trying to utilize it as best we can until we get the funding to build and operate the emergency shelter. On Tuesday's from 4 p.m-6 p.m. we give away food and clothes to anyone in need. It is also a way that we can provide a place for those in the church to volunteer and get involved in the community. Last night we were able to give away 110 sandwiches, bags of chips, and water bottles. We also able to give away 15 pairs of shoes, 74 articles of clothing, and a number of kitchen items! We had 44 volunteers last night, and a majority of our volunteers were jr./sr high schoolers that attend New Spring Church. As the word of what The Lot Project has spread more, and more people are wanting to get involved. The crazy part is that The Lot Feeding has only taken place for 4 weeks now!

Before I came to Anderson, I knew that God had something planned, but I had no clue what I was getting myself into. Right before I left I read Ephesians 2:8-10, which says " For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's Workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." I am beginning to realize that He has so much planned for us to do in this community, and it is so much bigger than us! Please pray for us as we continue to go into the streets and reach those in need!

-God Bless

Andy