Spring Break 2011 Rock Island Style

This past week the schools, teachers and students of Oklahoma City observed several days of Spring Break.  During this time we at Cross and Crown closed down the food pantry, clothing room and other ministries in order to focus our attention on the kids.  

Monday and Wednesday morning 15-20 kids from the neighborhood helped Ron and I pick up some food donations and then deliver the food throughout the neighborhood.  

Similar to the week before, the kids organized fruits, vegetables, frozen meats, breads and other foods in 60-75 boxes each day and then traveled with us throughout the neighborhood going door to door to deliver each family a nice Spring Break food basket.  The kids enjoyed themselves and the families were very appreciative.  Everyone wins!

Following their hard work and help we cooked up some pizzas and snacks for the kids, hit the computers and video games for a couple hours and then called it a day.

Tuesday we gathered up 20 some odd kids and headed to go skating.  We had a delicious meal at CiCi's Pizza and then hit the rink.  The skating outing was a first time experience for some of the kids, as you can see from the pictures with most of the girls clinging to the side rails and walls.

Some of the kids walked away from the rink with bruises to remind them of SB2011 Rock Island style for days to come.  There were kids falling and splattering all over the rink every time you turned around.  It was awesome.  

Below are some pictures and videos from our neighborhood food excursion and skating adventure.  

Be warned: some of the videos may contain footage of ridiculous dance moves that should never be mimicked or attempted.  Enjoy!

Loaves and fishes

Wednesdays are normally reserved for the elementary kids at Rock Island but this Wednesday had a little different look.

Instead of the typical Wednesday look of video games, pizza and lots of noise Ron, Paul, myself and several of the junior high/high school Rock Island'ers picked up a couple thousand pounds of frozen meats, fruits, breads and potatoes.

We then distributed all of this goodness to neighbors throughout the neighborhood. Some we knew and others we met for the first time.

This one, relatively simple, act that we were able to do yesterday is one of my favorite occurrences at my job.

People getting food is great but that's not what I'm talking about.

One of my favorite aspects of my job is when the youth from Rock Island contribute and invest in THEIR neighborhood.

Even though they may not realize it or completely grasp the significance of it all, it's crucial that these kids learn and practice practical ways they can influence and make an impact in their community; both now and in the future.

One of the most crucial truths we have learned firsthand about impacting this neighborhood is that there must be indigenous leaders.

We can try to develop ideas, programs and ministries to help stabilize this community but long, lasting impact FOR THIS neighborhood will be performed by people OF THIS neighborhood.

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No school and some snowy fun

Ron, myself and some of the boys from the neighborhood did some snow Olympics a few weeks back. Here are a few pictures displaying our work...
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Isaiah 61:4 in action

"They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations." - Isaiah 61:4 

As of January 25, 2011 Cross and Crown Mission is now the proud owner of the old Whittier Elementary School building located at 1900 NW10.  It is a three story building with long hallways, big rooms and lots of space (basketball courts require a lot of space, hmmmm).

Below you can check out some very unprofessional, blurry pictures taken by myself with my camera phone.  Paul closed on the building at 3:00 Tuesday afternoon and as soon as Ron and I got word of the news we quickly rounded up the Rock Island kids that wanted to check it out.

Most of the kids were excited to browse through the building because it has a old, vacant, haunted house feel to it.  I can't blame them.  It's old.  It's rough.  It has a lot....a lot of work to be done.  As you can see from some of the pictures, we, along with the help of many partnering churches and individuals, have a lot of work to do.

There have been several individuals and, undoubtedly, will be more who will ask, suggest and question whether or not this building is worth the time, energy and investment to restore.  And, I can't blame them.  That's the same thing I, along with countless others, thought when the original, founding group laid eyes on the building that is now Cross and Crown.  

Something I have learned during my time at Cross and Crown/Rock Island is that God has a special interest in restoring and transforming.  In the Old Testament God restores people (Saul/Paul), nations (Israel) and even buildings (the Temple).  

I happen to believe that God is still in the business of restoration.  I've seen individuals restored from addictions and in relationships with others.  I've seen homes and buildings restored and transformed through Christ-followers, his hands and feet, from this very neighborhood.

I would love for this building to be restored and completed in the next couple months.  I would love for 400 people to come at the snap of a finger with cars full of money, shovels, paint, brooms and other tools to knock this project out asap.  I also know that God's faithfulness and timing never fails.  His word is good. And, because I know this, I know that I, that we, might have to wait.

"LORD, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God." - Psalm 38:15

"Since ancient times no one has heard,no ear has perceived,no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." - Isaiah 64:4 

But, until then, we will be doing the best we can to recruit professionals, located supplies and find bodies that want to get dirty.  If interested or curious as to how you can help in any way you can contact us in one of the following ways.....

Phone - (405) 232-7696

or...

Email - crossandcrownmission@gmail.com

or...

leave a comment and/or contact information in the comment section of this blog.