This update is going to be a little bit less detailed than others.
Thursday we met with Chris from the Catholic Worker (an organization kinda like ours) It was a really good meeting . It was difficult to listen to though. He gave us a lot of History about the city and he also gave us some current statistics:
- connecticut is the richest state.
- hartford is the 6th poorest city, not because it’s doing better, but because others are doing worse.
- more girls have babies here than kids who graduate high school
- the north end has a median annual income of $6000, that’s half of the national poverty level
- home ownership rates are the lowest they’ve ever been, <10%
- 1/2 of the population can read at the first grade level
- every child knows someone who has been shot/murdered
- unemployment rate is high, and very few are gainfully employed
- 1/3 african american, 1/3 caribbean, 1/3 puerto rican. <>
We worked with the after school program on Thursday and Friday. It was great. I am so excited to work with the kids this summer. I am so excited to see how God is going to work in their lives.
Thursday we met with Butch, a resident of Hartford who helped start the Connecticut chapter of the Black Panthers. He gave us a history lesson about Hartford in the 60's and 7o's. It was so interesting to hear it from his perspective.
Friday we had our first YoungLife. It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to get to know the students even more. I got to see some of the street leaders I worked with last summer and that was great. I am so excited to reconnect and be in their lives!
We get weekends off this summer so we were finally able to slow down and rest. We went up a really cool mountain yesterday(probably the equivalent to Cowles in SD only much prettier) It was beautiful! It is considered Connecticut's most scenic hike and view at the top. Today I officially started the church searching process. We all went to this baptist church in Bloomfield. From first impression I don't think it's the church for me but I wouldn't be opposed to checking it out again. We then went to Enders forest and hiked along this great trail in a foresty and rocky waterfall area. It was beautiful. All I could do was reflect on the beauty of God!
God is working in me. I was struggling this morning. I don't really know why but I woke up feeling really weird. Hard to explain but as I was walking into church I was convicted to change. I prayed for a while during worship. I find comfort in His presence. He has been revealing to me that sometimes I am more of the problem(whatever it may be conflict fear ect) than I think I am. Not to get down on myself or anything but I have more responsibility for my feelings than I think I do sometimes. I'm not sure if that makes sense. It's kinda hard to explain. This is all so good though. I am thankful that He is active. I am thankful that I am building healthy relationships with new people.
Prayer requests: I am feeling homesick. well friendsick I guess. I really miss everyone a lot. Although it's a lot easier than I expected it to be, I am still really missing you my friends back in San Diego. Hearing about exciting things make me really happy for you guys but bummed out that I can't be there to celebrate with you!!! So you could just pray that God works in my heart to make me content with this situation...that change is not easy but it is good. Pray that the new friends I am making will become a great community. Please pray for unity in the house. There are not really any problems in this area but it's always a good thing to pray for. Pray for God to continue to reveal truth!
I should be getting to bed now. I'll check in later this week!
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