The Fortress Staff PRAYS for our summer program and that God blesses us to find more interns to help out and have successful interaction with the children.
Brittany PRAYS for guidance and strength as she finishes up her last week of grad classes.
Mrs. D PRAYS for the health of her two brothers (Lawrence and Bryce) and for John Carr’s health.
Robert PRAYS for his family and career/ministry direction.
Nikki PRAYS that Victoria, a teen in the after school program, gets the help she needs and that all the Fortress kids wrap up the school year strong.
Michael PRAYS for guidance in the next steps of the new building project and for doors to be opened with TAD and the city.
Kristen PRAYS for the kids’ safety and for her home buying process to go smoothly.
Ramon PRAYS for the kids in the after-school program and his immediate family.
Nikki PRAYS for her both her brothers who are struggling with their relationships.
Robert PRAYS for his family and his health.
I’ve had the blessing and honor of ministering to urban youth (and having urban youth minister to me) for almost 10 years. Over the years, as I transitioned from volunteer to youth minister to executive director, my role and hands-on involvement has changed some. I still get to interact and love on kids each week, but I also have to fulfill my ED responsibilities such as strategic planning, HR, fundraising, etc. Often I get so caught up in all the tasks that God has to remind me who I am and why I’m here. Last week was the latest reminder.
A couple of kids in our after school literacy program got in trouble and I had to take them home early. I was frustrated with them for not behaving and costing me an extra trip out of the office. Trying to stay positive, I prayed a short prayer for God to give me encouraging words for the young boy and girl on the ride home. As God often does, he answered my prayer with what I needed versus what I asked for. Before arriving at the apartment complex of the young girl, I mustered up a few kind words and said something along the lines of, “you know I love you, but you can’t act like that”, which in hindsight is not all that encouraging.
As we drove through the neglected complex, I became heavily burdened by the cloud of spiritual darkness that lingered all around us. Walking through the cluttered breezeway to the door of the apartment, I felt a deeper sense of despair. Once inside, the little girl sat on one of the two couches - the only furniture in the apartment - and I explained to the seemingly disinterested parent why she was home early. I left with a heavier feeling of hopelessness, and on the verge of tears that I would not shed in the presence of the young boy I still had to take home.
Driving out of the complex, my mind raced about what it must be like to live in poverty. Not the poverty of having little money, but that of lacking hope, dreams, emotional support, nurturing, love, etc. The absence of knowing God’s promises that are there for the taking, that you could and should have more. No words were spoken on the short ride to the boy’s house. We pulled in front and I tried to regain my composure to speak to the guardian. The boy unlocked the door with the key that hung around his neck. Grandma was not home yet so we sat on the porch and made small talk until she arrived.
When she pulled up, 4 other children jumped out of the car and took off on their bikes. While I helped unload a few grocery bags, I explained why the boy was home early. She listened as we walked into the house, but seemed exhausted and did not have much to say. With an aching lump in my throat, I drove off and watched in the rear-view mirror as the young boy jumped on his bike.
Instead of giving me some magical words for these children, God opened my eyes and made me feel. It’s easy to harden your heart and become blind to the injustice; doing so protects you from hurting over the suffering of innocent children. But that is not what God did. God, through Jesus, came to walk and suffer alongside his children, to give of himself for the sake of his children.
Praise God for the reminders of who we are - his children, and what we are to do - share his promises with others.
-Michael Thames, Executive Director
Fortress February Feature Family
Mrs. D PRAYS for her neighbor Joyce Crump; the family of Willie Lusk, who passed away recently.
Nicole PRAYS for patience with the kids and in her life as she goes through a transitional phase.
Robert PRAYS for his health as he gets over an illness.
Michael PRAYS for his health and that God touches the hearts of those who he has sent grant information too, in that they realize how their help could postively impact Fortress.
Kristen PRAYS for that she successfully continues her journey of buying her first home; for the kids (that they see Christ through us) and the staff.