(From our assignment this week which was to talk about our experience in the South Side Community, the most marginalized, impoverished area of BIllings)
Tonight at Hannah House Bible Study (The transitional home for women in crisis) we talked about spheres of influence and the story of Esther who was born and called “for such a time as this.” For whatever reason, I’ve been in a such a bad mood this week. I texted my sister the other day that for Thanksgiving week I’ve been really struggling with being grateful. Since I was in such a crappy mood it has been so easy for me to be discontent with where I’m at right now, really wishing I could feel like I “belong” and build quicker, faster relationships and connections and to feel that sense of community instead of feeling like all I ever so is just drive ‘ungrateful’, ‘entitled’ women all over to kingdom come (especially since I’ve never liked driving). When I was leaving Bible Study tonight Muriah told me it was snowing and I literally groaned. But, I went outside and the snow was beautiful and calming. In light of what we’d just been talking about at Bible Study and the peaceful, calming effects of snow falling, I found myself very much repenting and praying, “God, reveal to me and help make the most of whatever spheres of influence you have placed me in…” Spheres of influence. Where has God placed me so He could grow me and use me? What does my day to day look like in context of place and people and where my work, play, home intersect?
Timothy House
I do live on the South Side, but as Muriah has described it before, it feels like I live on the suburbs of the South Side. Interacting with my neighborhood outside of the Timothy House is challenging. I don’t really see anyone from my neighborhood except for the occasional kids that stop by to hang out or fundraise. When I first came here I was excited to see how open the house was for neighborhood kids, like Braedon, to just come in and hang out. But, unfortunately, that hasn’t been the norm and expect for those few instances my neighbors remain much of a mystery to me.
Where and who I spend most of my time with is at the Timothy House with my room-mates. An interesting, diverse group but each individual plays such a distinct role in our house, I can’t imagine Timothy House without any of them. My expectation had been that we would be a more “mature” group of Christians who have mutual heart stirrings to grow in Christ-likeness and loving neighbor, but the Timothy House has served more as a place of growth and healing to meet the unique needs of each individual.
S- My fellow Southern African American friend who relates with me in my fear/dislike of cold and winter. A fun friend to have on your side but a quiet, unsuspecting force to be reckoned with otherwise.
D-Wine and fine dining connoisseur. Restless spirit, snow and outdoor trekking fanatic.
H-New Yorker through and through, who keeps our place lively with his passionate outbursts of conviction, sudden ponderings, and loyal expressions of affection.
DT-Kind hearted, hard working “country” boy.
C-Enthusiastic, energetic Jesus lover.
L-Good natured, easy going room-mate.
J and S- Sacrificing, thoughtful houseparents who really want the best for the Timothy House and the people in it.
Work
After the Timothy House I spend most of my time at the office/Hannah House. Lately, most of my work time has revolved around driving our Hannah House women to and from work. These interactions are valuable times that I get to spend with the girls. I find myself closest to the girls I drive. It’s easier for me to offer to take them out for coffee, breakfast after work and having that shared experience of getting up early and helping them as they develop work and time management skills-in return they also witness my sometimes frustrated, directionally challenged driving skills.
Hannah House has from the beginning been a highlight of my time here. I love the women there and hearing their stories. Just tonight someone was sharing of the amazing way God has worked in her life to bring her this far; she has a wonderful, well paying job which she just got a promotion for, and she is looking at moving out after years of being at the Hannah House. Some of the stories are not always so positive. There is a lot of work in progress-one of the women relapsed, another one has run away, rough histories make it hard to move forward... Nonetheless, it is humbling and a joy to witness such grace and stories.
Orchard Elementary
Three days a week I’m at Orchard. Two days of the week I volunteer for lunch. This means cleaning tables, giving our sporks, pouring out lots of ranch and ketchup, opening milk cartons, being mediator for tattle telling kids, but the best part is where kids become familiar with me and I get to give hugs and see them excited to see me and talk to me. We’ve talked before about becoming a known and familiar figure in the community. Being able to help out with Orchard like this helps me to be a known character for when I see the same kids in other places like the South Side Community Center, breakfast at 316, and the Washington trailer court. When I’m not volunteering at Orchard I meet with my third grader mentee, Latoni. Our time together has mostly consisted of us just playing outside with her friends. I keep hoping to have her over and do more with her.
Other
Various other places I have spent my time include coffee shops (especially Off the Leaf), Washington Trailer Court outreach community, and Wyldlife. Wyldlife has been the most challenging for me. Middle schoolers are hard for me to engage with. I would like to do more with the Washington Trailer Court. In fact, I’ve been talking to Carter about helping out with a Bible Study, which I really hope works out. I would also really love to be connected and involved with a church.
There is still a lot of room for growth and I want to be better at reaching out and investing in the current places and roles God has placed me and potentially do more volunteering, and prayer walking in hopes that I can become a known character of my community and make the most of where God has placed me.
Tonight at Hannah House Bible Study (The transitional home for women in crisis) we talked about spheres of influence and the story of Esther who was born and called “for such a time as this.” For whatever reason, I’ve been in a such a bad mood this week. I texted my sister the other day that for Thanksgiving week I’ve been really struggling with being grateful. Since I was in such a crappy mood it has been so easy for me to be discontent with where I’m at right now, really wishing I could feel like I “belong” and build quicker, faster relationships and connections and to feel that sense of community instead of feeling like all I ever so is just drive ‘ungrateful’, ‘entitled’ women all over to kingdom come (especially since I’ve never liked driving). When I was leaving Bible Study tonight Muriah told me it was snowing and I literally groaned. But, I went outside and the snow was beautiful and calming. In light of what we’d just been talking about at Bible Study and the peaceful, calming effects of snow falling, I found myself very much repenting and praying, “God, reveal to me and help make the most of whatever spheres of influence you have placed me in…” Spheres of influence. Where has God placed me so He could grow me and use me? What does my day to day look like in context of place and people and where my work, play, home intersect?
Timothy House
I do live on the South Side, but as Muriah has described it before, it feels like I live on the suburbs of the South Side. Interacting with my neighborhood outside of the Timothy House is challenging. I don’t really see anyone from my neighborhood except for the occasional kids that stop by to hang out or fundraise. When I first came here I was excited to see how open the house was for neighborhood kids, like Braedon, to just come in and hang out. But, unfortunately, that hasn’t been the norm and expect for those few instances my neighbors remain much of a mystery to me.
Where and who I spend most of my time with is at the Timothy House with my room-mates. An interesting, diverse group but each individual plays such a distinct role in our house, I can’t imagine Timothy House without any of them. My expectation had been that we would be a more “mature” group of Christians who have mutual heart stirrings to grow in Christ-likeness and loving neighbor, but the Timothy House has served more as a place of growth and healing to meet the unique needs of each individual.
S- My fellow Southern African American friend who relates with me in my fear/dislike of cold and winter. A fun friend to have on your side but a quiet, unsuspecting force to be reckoned with otherwise.
D-Wine and fine dining connoisseur. Restless spirit, snow and outdoor trekking fanatic.
H-New Yorker through and through, who keeps our place lively with his passionate outbursts of conviction, sudden ponderings, and loyal expressions of affection.
DT-Kind hearted, hard working “country” boy.
C-Enthusiastic, energetic Jesus lover.
L-Good natured, easy going room-mate.
J and S- Sacrificing, thoughtful houseparents who really want the best for the Timothy House and the people in it.
Work
After the Timothy House I spend most of my time at the office/Hannah House. Lately, most of my work time has revolved around driving our Hannah House women to and from work. These interactions are valuable times that I get to spend with the girls. I find myself closest to the girls I drive. It’s easier for me to offer to take them out for coffee, breakfast after work and having that shared experience of getting up early and helping them as they develop work and time management skills-in return they also witness my sometimes frustrated, directionally challenged driving skills.
Hannah House has from the beginning been a highlight of my time here. I love the women there and hearing their stories. Just tonight someone was sharing of the amazing way God has worked in her life to bring her this far; she has a wonderful, well paying job which she just got a promotion for, and she is looking at moving out after years of being at the Hannah House. Some of the stories are not always so positive. There is a lot of work in progress-one of the women relapsed, another one has run away, rough histories make it hard to move forward... Nonetheless, it is humbling and a joy to witness such grace and stories.
Orchard Elementary
Three days a week I’m at Orchard. Two days of the week I volunteer for lunch. This means cleaning tables, giving our sporks, pouring out lots of ranch and ketchup, opening milk cartons, being mediator for tattle telling kids, but the best part is where kids become familiar with me and I get to give hugs and see them excited to see me and talk to me. We’ve talked before about becoming a known and familiar figure in the community. Being able to help out with Orchard like this helps me to be a known character for when I see the same kids in other places like the South Side Community Center, breakfast at 316, and the Washington trailer court. When I’m not volunteering at Orchard I meet with my third grader mentee, Latoni. Our time together has mostly consisted of us just playing outside with her friends. I keep hoping to have her over and do more with her.
Other
Various other places I have spent my time include coffee shops (especially Off the Leaf), Washington Trailer Court outreach community, and Wyldlife. Wyldlife has been the most challenging for me. Middle schoolers are hard for me to engage with. I would like to do more with the Washington Trailer Court. In fact, I’ve been talking to Carter about helping out with a Bible Study, which I really hope works out. I would also really love to be connected and involved with a church.
There is still a lot of room for growth and I want to be better at reaching out and investing in the current places and roles God has placed me and potentially do more volunteering, and prayer walking in hopes that I can become a known character of my community and make the most of where God has placed me.