Ministry to me is doing Gods work, giving yourself and not expecting anything in return. I have heard people say many times that they love "doing ministry" or that they are "going out to do ministry". I have always struggled with that statement because if we are to live a life serving and loving others with Christ in our heart, our whole life would be a "ministry".It wouldn't be a light switch that we turn off and on. We wouldn't need to DO it...we would LIVE it...
I am finding out that as we serve the community of Buffalo, our ministry days are running into eachother because there is so much going on. I'm sure most mission trips would be able to say the same thing. But what makes The Buffalo Dream Center different is that they live their lives in constant ministry. Many of the volunteers/workers are teenagers (who look like adults) who have been coming to the church & kidz club since they were very little. And many of those same kids are the only ones saved in their homes. This group of kids also known as the Dream Team live "ministry". A great example is that one day we were all eating lunch in a park. It was the time between our kids program and doing adopt-a-block (walking the streets and picking up trash, knocking on doors to say hi & offer prayer).While we were eating lunch, Jeremy- one of the Dream Team kids noticed some little kids (maybe 7 or 8) getting into Nico's bag (another Dream Team member) on the basketball court. Nico ran over to them and asked them if they stole anything. They said no of course. From a distance I was in awe at seeing Nico who is an athlete over 6 ft 3 in. get down on one knee to talk to the whole group of boys. I saw kindness and compassion all over him. over him. He was specially looking at one of the boys but as he spoke to them, it was another young boy in the group who spoke up and admitted stealing. Nico was given $45 back and personal items as well.Nico gave so much more then what he got back. He gave life to those boys. He gave them an opportunity to make their wrong right. Nico didn't yell and scream at them for stealing. He told them about what it means to be a man and living an honest life w/God...many of these boys and girls have never known the love of a daddy or father figure. Many of them don't even have moms. Many of them know about drug, alcohol, theft, prostitution & so much more. Nico took the time to love the little boys and bring them hope.
Over the last few days we have gone into several neighborhoods and loved on kid through playing games, singing, sharing Jesus and having fun. I noticed many of the older kid..and when I ay older I mean 8-12 year old be the "parent" to their younger siblings. I took a picture of Kathi holding a baby that was brought by her older sister and brothers. They had walked several blocks just to be a part of kidz club.
And, at kidz club and adopt- a block, the Dream Center gets to build relationships with people/families, find out needs & fill them! Many people are closed to outsiders coming into their homes but because of what the Dream Center I doing, those doors aren't closed for very long. Ministry in Buffalo Is happening everyday..all day and we have got to be a part of that.
-Jenn
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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