April 2008 Update

Dear Friends and Family,

I am so excited to greet Spring this year!
The impact of this seasonal change on our ministry is truly remarkable.

Winter is a time of hibernation around here. Life completely changes: the neighborhood is quieter, the streets are emptier, and the people are bundled up indoors trying to keep warm.

When the temperatures start rising faster and the sun starts setting later it feels like a different place entirely. The social nature of our community returns as neighbors hang out on their porches, children play in the street, and pedestrians take their time walking past it all.

The effect of winter is most easily seen in our children’s programs where there is a dramatic decrease in attendance for December, January, and February. Understandably, parents prefer their children not be outside after the sun sets at 5pm in these months. And, since all of our participants walk to the programs, bitterly cold days keep the kids away.

But by April everyone seems to have spring fever and is looking for something, anything, to do outside of the walls of the house! Our program numbers pick up again each year beginning with spring break and continue to build through the end of summer and last into early fall.

The change of seasons is really great for ministry opportunities on the block.

However, it can also mean that the streets are also heating up with criminal activity. This was especially noticeable on my block last April when gunshots could be heard almost every night and the police were called on several occasions to break up fights. Sadly, one evening in the middle of the month, there was even a man shot and left for dead on the sidewalk just a few doors down from my house.

The reason I share these things with you is to remind you of how desperately we need your prayers:
-For our staff team as we strive to connect with neighbors and model Christ-like attitudes and actions.
-For safety and security for us and for our community.
-For God to use the warmer weather to warm hearts and draw them closer to Himself.


Serving in the City,

Beth