Our House

Its official. Bekah is a homeowner, one that I will marry soon. After an incredibly short time of searching, Bekah and I came across a foreclosed condo two blocks from Powderhorn park. The condo is in an old brownstone and was originally two apartment units that the association merged into one. The place is quite spacious and full of unique character. I can honestly say that the only reason the place worked out was due to an absolutely breath taking price tag, and when I say breath taking I mean that I still wake up four times a night and pinch my self to see if this has all been one big dream. It appears that the situation is not an aberration but an incredible blessing.

The Powderhorn neighborhood is an inner city, south Minneapolis community, centered around a large park which sits in the middle of the neighborhood. Powderhorn is a vibrant community known for its diversity and although it has historically been viewed as a "rough neighborhood", in the "margins of Minneapolis" there is a spirit of entrepreneurship that permeates through the community and is embodied by the plethora of successful Hispanic and African store fronts along lake street.

I am looking forward to many a weekend painting, refinishing floors, and deep cleaning the place over the next several months.

view from the park

My trip to Pennsylvania

One of the facets of my position with YouthWorks is recruiting our summer staff at a variety of schools across the nation.  I love this portion of my job for a variety of reasons one being the chance to get out of the office for a bit and interact face to face with college students.  These trips involve a lot of hanging out in college cafeterias speaking in chapels and class rooms, attending evening christian fellowships, drinking coffee with the intrigued and casting vision to the apathetic and the skeptical. 

There is also something about a college campus that resonates well within my soul. Perhaps it is the air of learning, questioning and experimenting; or maybe it is the fact that caffeine runs at such a high concentration within the blood of an average college student that I get a false happiness of sort.  Whatever the reason, brick buildings filled with books, idealistic minds and learning gets my heart beating a little faster.  This week I've had the chance to experience a few great campuses. Among these campuses are Grove City, Slippery Rock, Geneva and the University of Pittsburgh. 

I have honestly been truly blessed by a variety encounters, moments and experiences that I have had over the past few days.  Last night for instance I had the pleasure of joining cornerstone ministry out at the University of Pittsburgh.  This campus ministry meets in the basement of a presbyterian church on campus and despite its damp, dreary surroundings the room filled up quickly with vibrant boisterous college students excited to be sharing in christian community.  I was impressed with the depth of the message brought and refreshed by the authentic worship.  Earlier in the day I sought refuge at a small coffee shop across the street from Geneva.  I had spent several hours fielding questions about our ministry, giving presentations in classes and handing out brochures and was in need of coffee.  What I stumbled upon was the beaver falls coffee and tea company.  Upon walking in I was immediately greeted by several students I had spoken with earlier and after receiving my drink (which I must say rivals the quality of mugswigz in Canton) was asked to join them.  What followed was a wonderful conversation ranging from tattoos, to finding God in odd places, to our role in God's redemptive process.  I walked away from beaver falls coffee and tea company not only with a few new friends, but also with a refreshed and rejuvenated attitude.  

It is encounters like these that make me love my job.  

Tomorrow I will be setting up an info table at the Jubilee Conference in downtown Pittsburgh.