Sexton Elementary

Yesterday when asked by my new youth pastor what my favorite part of Chicago was i thought about it and then said the South Side. Even as it was coming out of my mouth i realized how truly bazar that it. If i were home the answer would have been Alki, a favorite coffee shop, or something that was a place you could curl up and have some good convo and watch the rain... but my response was about some of most dirty, neglected, issolated, hopeless places here in Chicago...my favorite. Yes, i'm sure if i had more time i would get to find some really great places in the nicer parts of town that i could love but the South Side, hmmm. People living as though racism is still in action as it was when Martin Luther King Jr. was still alive. Gangs taking over, housing projects, racial profiling, and the disgusting list continues. Neglect. They've been shoved into a place where people can forget about them, where poverty is the only thing they know, where it's been passed down from generation to generation. Schools and situations that shouldn't even exist today because last time i checked we're living in 2010. I watched a drug deal happen across the street from the school i'm working at.... while pre- kindergarten kids were playing outside. Neglect. it makes me sick. Some of these kids won't even make it to 21 because they'll be shot in gang conflict. People neglected. People who are created by Jesus, in His likeness and yet people who were also created in His likeness have chosen to banish them from even a respectable life. They're called dirty. Trash. Forced into a lifestyle and making a choice to be proud of it, accepting it as a culture.

I miss the beautiful Northwest, the healthyness of it. Maybe it's just the people, the lifestyle. I don't know. It's weird to be so far away. so so far away. Life will continue, so much to come in the coming weeks. I love it here, the people, the ministries we work with, and my roomies...

I want to help, to make a dent in this incredible poverty but i have to remember that only Jesus.. only He is capable of overcoming generational curses of brokenness and poverty. Only He can conquer in the most destitute parts of Chicago. South Side watch out because the love of Jesus is going to get you. i believe it. i do.

So far now. we keep going. waking up and sleeping in belief that Jesus is going to do something. That He'll change our groups, He'll do something in our hearts, and expectant for Papa to love. love that's the biggest one. Oh screw it, i don't even care anymore about the talking. There are people who are bad off, there it is, and Jesus well. He knows what He's doing. I am looking forward to some time back in the Northwest. Some coffee to be drank. Shows to savor. All of it. but for now i look to this moment. My beautiful group and the sites we get to be a part of. mmmm Papa, so so grateful to be here. :)