The Update

We’re having a great time on the Minneapolis Mission Trip. Today we painted lumber that will be used to expand the skate park that Urban Ventures uses to reach out to neighborhood teens.

The atmosphere was fantastic, and it was amazing to see such a bright place full of life amid what seemed to be a messy and hurting part of the city. A couple of kids showed up with their boards an hour early because they just couldn’t wait.

Perhaps the neatest part of the day was learning about the history of the urban poor in South Minneapolis. Why the community is the way it is and the effect that has on efforts to help. I think we all had our eyes opened and our perspective expanded.

Part of our conversation was about the “eco-system of Christianity,” a phrase I’m pretty sure we made up today. We were talking about how we drove down from Maple Grove to paint boards that someone else would use to build a skate park that someone else would invite people to that would put them somewhere to hear about Jesus Christ. So even though we weren’t directly telling that person about Jesus, we were offering our gifts to free up others so they could get the chance to share some Good News. God is clever, and it is fun to be used in such a neat way.

Tomorrow is hip-hop camp, and 3 white people from the ‘burbs are going to try and give a hand while a bunch of kids are learning to breakdance and freestyle… talk about being out of your comfort zone! Please keep praying for us that we can help this ministry succeed in every way possible! Peace.