When All the Love in the World is Right Here Among Us, and Hatred too; And so We Must Choose What Our Hands Will Do...

Lately, my life has been CRAZY busy! Between working 30+ hours a week, going to school 3 days a week, coaching basketball, and putting sites together for MFuge Birmingham '09, I have found myself feeling slightly overwhelmed. I keep Facebook open as I plug away on the computer, just to maintain my sanity! Though it may sound like it, I'm not complaining... promise! I love being busy and I love most of those activities (besides school, and sometimes work... just sometimes). MFuge, however, is something I am extremely passionate about. For those of you who don't know what MFuge is all about, basically 500 teens come each week for seven weeks this summer for a camp experience. During the day, they go into the city (Birmingham in this instance) and get plugged in with various ministries. The hope is that they will find very practical ways that they can go home and find opportunities to serve... to meet the needs of someone besides theselves; it's about each student realizing what it means to follow the example of Christ. Some teens may hang out with the elderly in nursing homes. Some may do yard work and painting for those who aren't capable themselves. Some may work with kids. Some may volunteer at soup kitchens. The possibilities are endless really! The past three summers, I have worked in Nashville, TN and Greenville, SC. My groups have done some manual labor like painting:



























Some have spent their week loving on some little ones:



































Some got to use their love of sports:































But I must say that my favorite track ever was when I got to work with Metro Parks Disabilities:


















It was here where I found some of the most precious people I have ever met! They taught me so much in those eight weeks. Most important was that they taught me it is possible for a human being to love blindly. They truly love everyone; it doesn't matter what you look like, how you talk, how much or how little money you have, if you smell, if you're obnoxious... NOTHING MATTERS! To them, you are human, and therefore, you are a friend. Wow... an earthly example of the love of Christ! How beautiful is that?!

Now, I have the opportunity to help bring this experience to so many other campers, staffers, and residents of Birmingham this coming summer! So, while there is still much to do, I have an amazing opportunity in my hands! It is so cool to hear about all these needs (large or small) around Birmingham and get to say, "hey, we would love to help you out... when can we come?!" I really couldn't be any more excited! The journey begins... and I just got my bus pass!