Well, I've been moved to Clinton, PA for three weeks now. Life is good, a little bit of a slower pace right now than I'm used to, but that's ok. I've been working at Alternative Energy Youth Farm pretty much since day one and I find the work challenging but good. Basically I spend 25-35 hrs a week (during the school year it will only be 25 hours) overseeing the guys while they do their chores, help me prepare diner, work on resumes and job applications, and do work on the farm. I also am beginning to develop opportunities for them to explore what it means to make good life choices, take responsibility, set goals, select positive role models and learn about characteristics of what a man should be. In addition, a couple nights a week I take the guys to a State Park which is close by so they can swim and interact with other people in a supervised setting. I am hoping to find some other places to take them for outings as well. The work is mentally and emotionally challenging. These young men come from hard backgrounds. For the most part they haven't had a father figure in the home, and the few who have had not had positive ones. Crime and gangs are the only life they have known. In general they don't want to be known by the staff or get to know the staff, so relating to them is hard, plus it's just hard to always know where they are coming from since they have grown up in such a radically different way. Tempers, attitudes, and testosterone keep things pretty interesting and I've learned to have thick skin and a lot of patience, while also having to learn to speak and act with authority, even in the face of confrontation, which isn't always easy for me. Last week was a rough one as many of the guys were seeking to push the limits as far as possible and see what they could get away with from "the new guy." I was very glad for the weekend! I am finding that I want and need to find ways to let these guys know that more than anything, I'm there because I care about them and want them to succeed in life. In their eyes I'm simply there to limit their fun and represent "authority/the law" and they don't like that. I'm making more progress with some of the guys than others. One thing that has been exciting for me has been the opportunity to share the Gospel with some of the guys and answer some questions they have had about God and faith. I am allowed to take the guys to church if they want and a couple have expressed some interest.
In other things I'm really enjoying Pennsylvania. Stephanie and I have already made many wonderful friends with other people from the seminary and from the churches we have visited. We are still in the process of visiting churches to find a church home and a place where I can complete the discernment process as I seek to be ordained as a priest in the Anglican Mission in America. Twp churches that we have really liked so far are Church of the Savior in Ambridge, PA (near the seminary) and Grace Anglican Church in Edgeworth, PA just a couple miles away from the school. We've explored Pittsburgh and some of the surrounding areas as well.
I am all registered for four classes beginning September 7. I will be taking Systematic Theology 625: God the Father, Pastoral Theology 500: Spiritual Formation, Biblical Interpretation 600: Introduction to Biblical Languages and Interpretation, and Church History 625: Early Church History. I have all of my books and have begun reading them and am very excited for classes to begin.
Stephanie is really enjoying her work as a nanny for three young children in Pittsburgh and is doing a great job! We are hoping that next summer when her time with them is done we can find work for her that is closer to where we will live as she drives about an hour to work right now.
God is providing for us financially with a full tuition scholarship at the seminary and work for Stephanie and I that pays the bills. We are still hoping and praying that the house in Michigan will sell soon so we can stop paying on it.
Below are some ways we would very much appreciate your prayers:
- For our health and safety
- For the start of the school year at Trinity School for Ministry
- For the boys living at Alternative Energy Youth Farm
- For Stephanie and her work as a nanny
- That our house in Michigan would sell
Grace & Peace,
Micah & Stephanie
Wow, your hands are full, Micah, as you establish relationships with those young guys. No doubt they will push you to discover the boundaries and it is understandable why they would have a distrust to open up and have a relationship with you - especially since you represent authority. However, if anyone can do it, Micah, it is you. Be yourself, compassionate yet firm, and love them authentically. Eventually they will discover the truth of your motivation and your sincere love and interest for them. But it will take time and patience on your part. This is challenging but I'm excited for you because I know you will see the fruits of your labor. Once you establish a deeper level of trust with them your reputation will spread to new guys coming into the program and some of those fences will come down. Stephanie, no doubt those three kids love you and I pray God will work through you as you invest yourself in their lives. Many blessings to you both. Mark
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