personal shopper #19

The Neighborhood Ministries is a group that meets the needs of the poor community in the Metro area. Their headquarters/church/meeting place is in downtown Phoenix. One of the ministries they have is to the parents of needy families. They allow adults to volunteer there in exchange for ministry money. It's not actually money redeemable for cash, but it is redeemable for brand new items during the Christmas store. People donate brand new items to the Christmas store so that these parents can purchase them with the volunteer dollars they've earned throughout the season. Why have a store instead of just giving handouts? Well, the idea behind doing the store comes from wanting to give people a sense of dignity in providing for their families during the Christmas season when so many needy families find they have no ability to give to their children. Instead of someone coming in, giving them things, and the parents being left with a remorse and lack of dignity from not being able to support their family, they now are able to earn these gifts for their family. All that to say, KAIO, the college-age and twenty-somethings group at ncc, got to join in on helping out during the Christmas store. There were lots of different jobs, but we all were set up as personal shoppers. We got to partner with a parent, take them through the store's mad rush, carry their gifts, keep a running total of what they were spending, and make sure they didn't go over their amount. We got to do this three times. It was quite an ordeal. People rushing to and fro, looking for what they could get their family. There were bikes, video games, a PSP or two, an iPod Nano, a couple TVs, jackets, things for him, things for her, children's toys for both boys and girls, balls, movies, and even kitchen appliances (nothing huge, but there were a couple of smaller refrigerators about 3-4' tall). Carrying it all, getting it to the holding area, keeping a running total, trying to understand their Spanish (most were Hispanic and couldn't speak English), getting them checked out, and helping them to their vehicle. And all of that three times. It was quite a rush. I was truly blessed to be a part of it (and I got to utilize my Spanish a lot!). I was personal shopper #19.

facebook

I was just recently told that KAIO (college-age and twenty-somethings group at ncc) had a facebook page, I should join facebook, and that I then would be made an admin of that page so I could help everyone in KAIO stay informed and build community. I didn't take it seriously at first, but then I decided to try it out. I set it up last Friday at 1am. I had 100 friends within two days. I now have 159 friends. It is one of the coolest things I have dealt with online. Myspace can be really trashy, but facebook seems to be different, for all of my exposure so far of less than a week. I liked it so much that Amy made a facebook account for herself, as well. There is an iPhone app for facebook, so I am on facebook on my iPhone as much as I am on my computer at home and my computer at work, as well. I have connected with friends I had in high school who've I've not seen nor heard from in 9 years until facebook. It is an amazing networking tool. I just hope I can keep blogging and doing facebook without it killing me for time.

KAIO study

I took this picture a couple months ago, I suppose. We are doing a study through Colossians together in KAIO (college-age and twenty-somethings at ncc). This diagram represents Col 2.6-7. Look it up!

the band

I have been given the amazing responsibility to create a new band that will start leading worship once a month at ncc for the entire congregation.  We're not talking children's worship or student ministries worship, we're talking church-wide worship.  Don't get me wrong, all of those time are important and shouldn't be taken lightly, but my group has been honored with bringing some more youthfulness into the mix for everyone.  It is going to be quite the task.  The LORD just finished off the group by giving us an electric guitar player who's rapidly becoming one of my favorite people musically, philosophically, and comically.  So here's the group; pre-named "analogue groove" (it won't stick, I'm sure):

Adam Van Liew :: Leader/Vocals

Jenny Brothwell :: Rhythm Guitar/Vocals

Daniel Kwast :: Electric Guitar/Vocals

Kha Do :: Bassist/Vocals

Ben Esh :: Drums/Percussion

Jenny (23) has been a friend for years, but never really close; I respect her insight and ability.  Daniel (20) and I just met on the KAIO get away trip to Lake Elsinore, CA, but he has impressed me with his philosophy of worship and his desire for excellence in what he does before the LORD.  Kha (18) and I have known each other for years; he is an incredible musician with an amazing heart; I am truly blessed to be working with him (and we share the same birthday!).  Ben (23) is now one of my best friends; I can truly say that I love this man; he's about half my size, so I make fun of his height all the time (yes, I'm cruel and rude); he has a great heart and I am just glad that he and I can talk and learn from each other.  I am so pleased to be a part of this.  We practice as a group for the first time tomorrow morning, though Kha will be missing (he's at a student ministries lock-in right now and will need to be sleeping when we are practicing), and our first time to lead the congregation will be July 6th.  We've got three Saturdays to be completely ready.  These are an excellent bunch of musicians who care about the LORD and I have no doubt that we'll all put our effort in to make this worth something glorifying to the LORD.