MYM Day

Another successful MYM day is in the Book! We started the morning with some very berry blueberry pancakes w/ maple sausage patties. Everything was berry good and all the kids enjoyed 2nd's and 3rd's; thank you Robin, Kelly, Sharon and Renae, compliments to the chef's. With our field being wet we weren't able to play outside today so we had to make a last minute adjustment for what we would do for our free time today. We took 20 kids to the local Lowe's and participated in the build and grow project. Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month Lowe's puts on clinics for children. All the kids got an apron, goggles, a hammer and a small catapult project to put together. After they completed it, they received a certificate and a patch to put on their apron. You could tell they all really enjoyed it, but what was even more stunning to us was the fact that most of them had never been to Lowe's. It reminded us of the time we took a couple of the kids to Blockbuster Video to rent some movies and they ran around like they were at an amusement park. They had never been to a movie rental place before, the things we just do without thought are delicacies to those in poverty. So it was a great outing for them and thank you to the Lowe's employees that just embraced 20 at-risk youth with smiles on their faces.

Afterward we went back to the center a had our conversation with God time. We asked the kids before we left to write down what sins that they struggle with in life. As we dug into Colossians 3, the Lord talked about a lot of the same issues they had on their papers and we showed them that He knows their struggle. But as we went on we showed them the Way to overcome and that is by putting those ways to death and taking on the new ways He speaks of in the chapter; above all things putting on LOVE. It is our goal this year to really challenge the kids to become more like Christ and experience life the way He desires it to be, ALL-OUT!

Thanks to Mint Hill Baptist Church members we were able to also fulfill the other half of our mission statement today, meeting basic needs. They packed gallon Ziploc with toothpaste, soap, deodorant, school supplies, etc. We were also able to give out some really nice clothes donated by a close friend, thank you Kirsti. These are the kind of needs we are not able to meet without the help of others, thank you so much for you time and sacrifice.

We finished by keeping six of the older kids to cook three large pans of Lasagna to feed to our homeless friends in uptown Charlotte. It's always really cool to see their desire to want to cook and serve this community. We notice that every child does want to make a difference in this world, but they are never given the opportunities. They work so well together in the kitchen and out at the site where we feed. Here at MYM we firmly believe that the best way the lead in this world is to serve. Today they showed love by putting lasagna on a plate, water in a cup and giving precious smiles away for free. Thank you to all the MYM board members and volunteers who made today run smooth, without you we can't serve at our full potential. ALL-OUT!

Busy, Busy

It's been a while since we've have posted anything, there has been a lot going on here at MYM. Let's catch up, we traveled to Minneapolis the week of April 29 to attend the Summit six. It was a full two day event that was solely focused on the orphan. It is just a huge resource, networking hub for orphan care, whether that is adoption, foster care, orphanages and all other ways to work together to conquer the 147,000,000 orphan issue in our world. There is a movement happen within the body of Christ that is really exciting to see taking place. God's Spirit is moving in the hearts of His follower for the orphan. As we come together and lay down our self fess ways, God will do great miracles through all of us.

One of the main reasons we have not posted is because we have been working hard towards getting our web site live and running. In the next couple weeks MYM will be exposed to the world via web. We praise God for He has been patiently, but very strategically been putting together MYM. Before long MYM will be in Ethiopia making a difference in the street kid population. The need is vast and unmeetable on our own, but that is why we are so excited to be aligned with people who have a heart for the oppressed and forgotten one's of our world. For to long the rich keep getting richer and poor get even more forgotten about. Who will come to the rescue, who will be a voice for those who cry out in silence, we will! The world is falling apart all around us, just watch the news or read the web, but there is a God who is still sovereign and over all. His people are taught to be a city on a hill top, have you ever thought about a city on a hill top. They sit a top the hill shining their bright lights, from a distance they look like the twinkling of a star. The people look up to the top of that hill and desire to be there, wanting nothing more than to go and bask in it's glory. We should be that to this dark and broken world!

One of our older kids here in Charlotte had recently moved in with one of our family's to get on track with his life. He was 18 years old and still in the 10th grade with about a 5th graders education. Since being in his new environment he has been making positive changes in strides. He is in Huntington Learning centering and doing well. He works a part time job and is learning what it takes to live a decent enjoyable life. This story has hints of the movie Blind Side all over it. MYM is so thankful to be in a position to be able to help those in need, to all those who are and have supported Make Your Mark, we would like to say thank you for allowing us to better serve the world around us. Without you we would not accomplish near as much. ALL-OUT!