on Mission Year

over the past several months, as i have put together my thoughts and reflections on the journey that God has led me through, i have gained a new appreciation for each of the "stops" along the way.  one of the most significant places that God has led me was to Oakland, California with an organization called Mission Year.  Mission Year gives young adults an intensive urban ministry experience in order to help them learn to live lives dedicated to loving God and loving their neighbors.  Mission Year has a clear sense of intentionality and purpose and some of the most amazing people in my life were a part of Mission year at one point.  indeed, the values and vision that Mission Year helped to instill in me were very formative in my next life step of joining the InnerCHANGE team in South Africa.

i say all this to give you some perspective on the personal impact of this organization.  sure, i helped tutor kids and cooked meals for neighbors and sang in the choir at the local church.  but, for all the hard work that I put in each day, the biggest impact of Mission Year was on me! God has used and continues to use this organization (and the sweat & tears that have gone into making it) in remarkable ways in the hearts of those who willingly sign up to spend a year in the inner-cities of America.   and i have no doubt that every alumni can say the same thing.

so why am i telling you all this about Mission Year?  because, like everyone else, this organization is feeling the strain of the recession and is in need of support. please check out their website: www.missionyear.org , peruse the team member blogs, look into their philosophy of ministry, etc. i supported Mission Year today and i encourage you to do the same!

**to give to M.Y. online, please click here**