I was recently interviewed by a local website called Emerge Detroit ran by a friend of mine! I am pretty excited about it, its suuuuper casual, but we talk about the gem that is Detroit, what I am doing here and his giant dog Moose eating cookies! So grab a coffee/tea, sit back, relax and check out this awesome ministry in the city of Detroit. And hey maybe you'll hear a little bit more about whats going on here!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Emerge Detroit Interview!
So this was a pretty awesome occurrence!
I was recently interviewed by a local website called Emerge Detroit ran by a friend of mine! I am pretty excited about it, its suuuuper casual, but we talk about the gem that is Detroit, what I am doing here and his giant dog Moose eating cookies! So grab a coffee/tea, sit back, relax and check out this awesome ministry in the city of Detroit. And hey maybe you'll hear a little bit more about whats going on here!
I was recently interviewed by a local website called Emerge Detroit ran by a friend of mine! I am pretty excited about it, its suuuuper casual, but we talk about the gem that is Detroit, what I am doing here and his giant dog Moose eating cookies! So grab a coffee/tea, sit back, relax and check out this awesome ministry in the city of Detroit. And hey maybe you'll hear a little bit more about whats going on here!
Monday, January 28, 2013
Photo of the Week!- MLK Day
So this week's photo of the week actually comes from last Monday which was Martin Luther King Day. I tell you what it was one beautiful and hectic day! The day started with Joni and I were in charge of a meal that would be served at NOAH. Well the morning started off right when about 50 or so volunteers showed up to serve meals! This is madness considering we normally need about 5 at the most! Anyway, there was pork, chicken and beef on a stick, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, pasta salad, bread, dessert and more pasta, so along with a lot of people there was a lot of good looking food! It was an awesome time to be at NOAH to just see the mass amount of food and energy that could go into a meal when a lot of people get involved and get excited about it, so thank you to the local 600! I am sorry I whiffed and failed to get a picture of the craziness of the lunch, but take my word for it, it was a beautiful sight!
Then I was a part of a MLK March, which was in memory of the June 23, 1963 march that was had in Detroit that went to Cobo Center. We participated in the march and there are a few pictures of it. It was a pretty powerful time to speak up about more of the issues that are going on today, while also giving our respects to the bravery and courage that Dr. King had in helping to organize and lead a march in Detroit during such a tumultuous as the 1960s.
Then I was a part of a MLK March, which was in memory of the June 23, 1963 march that was had in Detroit that went to Cobo Center. We participated in the march and there are a few pictures of it. It was a pretty powerful time to speak up about more of the issues that are going on today, while also giving our respects to the bravery and courage that Dr. King had in helping to organize and lead a march in Detroit during such a tumultuous as the 1960s.
The flyer for the march
Central UMC decorates the church with several Dr. Martin Luther King quotes.
Artistic Picture?
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Awesome Happenings
So currently I am in the process of writing up my next newsletter for December/January, I have my favorite drink, the Champurrado at my favorite coffee shop, Cafe Con Leche and I am hard at work on another update for everyone. So I thought I would just take a moment right off the bat to say if you woud like to receive my newsletter and have not yet or ever, e-mail me at: powellbc88@gmail.com! Alright, not that is out of the way, story time.
So this actually happened earlier today and I just thought it was a story worth sharing, with some awesome underlying ideas:
Today my good friend (we will call him Rick, and as a background Rick has become one of my very best friends at NOAH) Rick came in early in the morning as I was just finishing organizing a food donation we receive on Wednesday. Rick sat down at my desk and as I was relieved to finish moving boxes of food around, I also slumped into a seat across from my friend. Rick, like myself, uses his bike as his main mode of transportation to work and as Rick is a seasoned 60 year old who has spent some time on the streets, he has developed quite few tricks to riding through the winter and receiving handouts from other shelters of clothing, food and other items from shelters. Rick is very giving of these items and is constantly offering food and other things to his friends. I have never taken Rick up on these offers, as often times I have already eaten breakfast, I don't think I'll use the item or sometimes I just don't want to take his things. During our conversation of catching up we discussed how very cold it had gotten and I mentioned my hands were getting pretty cold while riding. Rick instantly offered to me a pack of hand warmers, but I declined saying I wouldn't use them. The conversation continued and came to an end and on Rick's way out he offered me an egg and cheese sandwich, once again I declined not wanting to take my friend's food. It seemed that was the last straw, Rick abruptly turned around, slightly irritated and says, "Brandon, why don't you ever accept anything I want to give you? Why can't you let me be your friend?" Rick exited and I was left stunned in my chair.
This really left me thinking. How is it that I expected Rick and I's friendship to continue to grow when I expected to be the only one pouring into it? I was convinced that by simply pouring into Rick and by being there for him and by letting him talk to me about things then we were good friends, I would give Rick almost anything. I think my track record of never ever accepting any of Rick's gifts was a reminder of an important factor of friendship that it much be a two-way street. I don't pretend to say that a friendship is built on giving and accepting certain gifts, but I do feel this served as a more tangible and blatant warning to myself. I feel that I am willing to give really anything to my friends, but the question is am I also willing to receive?
Later on I did snag a biscuit as I realized the oatmeal I thought was in my bag was actually left on the kitchen counter, it's strange how things can work out like that isn't it? I'd like to work on being more open to people's giving and more accepting of the small gifts people would like to give. After all its not much of a friendship if I am only willing to do half the job. Right?
So this actually happened earlier today and I just thought it was a story worth sharing, with some awesome underlying ideas:
Today my good friend (we will call him Rick, and as a background Rick has become one of my very best friends at NOAH) Rick came in early in the morning as I was just finishing organizing a food donation we receive on Wednesday. Rick sat down at my desk and as I was relieved to finish moving boxes of food around, I also slumped into a seat across from my friend. Rick, like myself, uses his bike as his main mode of transportation to work and as Rick is a seasoned 60 year old who has spent some time on the streets, he has developed quite few tricks to riding through the winter and receiving handouts from other shelters of clothing, food and other items from shelters. Rick is very giving of these items and is constantly offering food and other things to his friends. I have never taken Rick up on these offers, as often times I have already eaten breakfast, I don't think I'll use the item or sometimes I just don't want to take his things. During our conversation of catching up we discussed how very cold it had gotten and I mentioned my hands were getting pretty cold while riding. Rick instantly offered to me a pack of hand warmers, but I declined saying I wouldn't use them. The conversation continued and came to an end and on Rick's way out he offered me an egg and cheese sandwich, once again I declined not wanting to take my friend's food. It seemed that was the last straw, Rick abruptly turned around, slightly irritated and says, "Brandon, why don't you ever accept anything I want to give you? Why can't you let me be your friend?" Rick exited and I was left stunned in my chair.
This really left me thinking. How is it that I expected Rick and I's friendship to continue to grow when I expected to be the only one pouring into it? I was convinced that by simply pouring into Rick and by being there for him and by letting him talk to me about things then we were good friends, I would give Rick almost anything. I think my track record of never ever accepting any of Rick's gifts was a reminder of an important factor of friendship that it much be a two-way street. I don't pretend to say that a friendship is built on giving and accepting certain gifts, but I do feel this served as a more tangible and blatant warning to myself. I feel that I am willing to give really anything to my friends, but the question is am I also willing to receive?
Later on I did snag a biscuit as I realized the oatmeal I thought was in my bag was actually left on the kitchen counter, it's strange how things can work out like that isn't it? I'd like to work on being more open to people's giving and more accepting of the small gifts people would like to give. After all its not much of a friendship if I am only willing to do half the job. Right?
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Photo of the Week- We're a Community! (But not singers)
This week's photo of the week really has a lot more of a story to it than I can tell here, but this an awesome picture of our dinner party where Brian made some ribs and we made sides, dessert and invited people over! There were a few families in attendance and yes as you can see there was singing (mostly Motown music) and laughs all over the place! It was awesome to see some of our neighborhood get together under on roof and get to know one another better, I'm so thankful for that night and excited to just share my joy at street breaking bread together!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Time with the Family
One of the awesome things that occurred in the midst of my hiatus from blogging was I was able to sit and be with family, but there is so much to that.
I have experienced the awesome excitement of the day before traveling home after not being home for several months and the somewhat giddy childlike feeling of getting to go home to family and friends. I was so very excited to see friends after becoming engaged, catch people up in my life and learn about their's. I was excited to see my family whom some I hadn't seen for almost a year. To put it simply I was excited. As I should be right?!
I come back to a loving community that has certainly missed those that left and I am left with an odd understanding of what family can mean.
In my absence the NOAH Project closed for the holiday as there is an influx of other service agencies for the holiday season and the church we are housed in shuts down also, we take the much needed break to regroup and ready ourselves for the madness that awaits in January and February as grants are coming due.
However, upon returning and talking with many of my friends who work, volunteer and just come to NOAH, there is something that other service agencies can't bring, something that is very dependent on the presence of those who are a part of NOAH. This is the aspect of family that becomes absent at a time that for many need it the most.
This holiday season has taught me some beautiful things about homecoming and staying connected to home. However, I also have seen first hand the horribly painful feelings that can be associated with the holidays. I write this not to make anyone feel guilty about their holiday enjoyment (myself included), but to just make ourselves aware of the pains that are all around us, even in our most joyous times. I pray we have compassion and dont blind ourselves with our own personal drive for the "perfect holiday." In this time I am seeing more so what it means to spend time with family, both in North Carolina and in Detroit, Michigan. Family is all over and I am thankful for that.
I have experienced the awesome excitement of the day before traveling home after not being home for several months and the somewhat giddy childlike feeling of getting to go home to family and friends. I was so very excited to see friends after becoming engaged, catch people up in my life and learn about their's. I was excited to see my family whom some I hadn't seen for almost a year. To put it simply I was excited. As I should be right?!
I come back to a loving community that has certainly missed those that left and I am left with an odd understanding of what family can mean.
In my absence the NOAH Project closed for the holiday as there is an influx of other service agencies for the holiday season and the church we are housed in shuts down also, we take the much needed break to regroup and ready ourselves for the madness that awaits in January and February as grants are coming due.
However, upon returning and talking with many of my friends who work, volunteer and just come to NOAH, there is something that other service agencies can't bring, something that is very dependent on the presence of those who are a part of NOAH. This is the aspect of family that becomes absent at a time that for many need it the most.
This holiday season has taught me some beautiful things about homecoming and staying connected to home. However, I also have seen first hand the horribly painful feelings that can be associated with the holidays. I write this not to make anyone feel guilty about their holiday enjoyment (myself included), but to just make ourselves aware of the pains that are all around us, even in our most joyous times. I pray we have compassion and dont blind ourselves with our own personal drive for the "perfect holiday." In this time I am seeing more so what it means to spend time with family, both in North Carolina and in Detroit, Michigan. Family is all over and I am thankful for that.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
And we're back! Photos and a brief catch up!
Wheeeeew what a break!
Well I am making a comeback! It has been quite sometime since my last post and I thank yall so much for still checking in to see whats going on up here in Detroit! I took a brief break from blogging over the holiday as a way just to step back from the incessant desire to constantly write about everything that is happening in my life. But that is over and I feel like I have a whole lot to mention and talk about so I hope you continue to read and write me back as you have been! So thanks!!
So we'll start 2013 off with several pictures from the holiday away! I was able to go home for about a week which was an awesome surprise for the holiday! Then Celeste and I flew to Chicago to meet up REACH friends and App friends! We then took the ever cheap, ever sketchy Megabus to Detroit to make it in time for work on January 2nd. Sine then Celeste has been able to stay up here in Detroit and I am getting back in the groove of volunteering, working and continuing to build community in whatever way is possible! Here is just a small collage of those that I got to see over the time out of Detroit and the adventures during the last few weeks!
Well I am making a comeback! It has been quite sometime since my last post and I thank yall so much for still checking in to see whats going on up here in Detroit! I took a brief break from blogging over the holiday as a way just to step back from the incessant desire to constantly write about everything that is happening in my life. But that is over and I feel like I have a whole lot to mention and talk about so I hope you continue to read and write me back as you have been! So thanks!!
So we'll start 2013 off with several pictures from the holiday away! I was able to go home for about a week which was an awesome surprise for the holiday! Then Celeste and I flew to Chicago to meet up REACH friends and App friends! We then took the ever cheap, ever sketchy Megabus to Detroit to make it in time for work on January 2nd. Sine then Celeste has been able to stay up here in Detroit and I am getting back in the groove of volunteering, working and continuing to build community in whatever way is possible! Here is just a small collage of those that I got to see over the time out of Detroit and the adventures during the last few weeks!
While in Charlotte a group of friends got together to catch up and say hello, Hannah is just one of those in that group getting together!
While in Chicago we were able to dress fancy and sneak to te top of the Hancock building!
Chicago!
Personally one of my favorite experiences in the past weeks, Joni took Celeste and I to a Detroit Roller Derby! This will surely be something that happens again!
Not really sure why I felt the urge to put this one in, but hey it was an awesome French dessert for only 85 cents!
The Reach Reunion descended upon Chicago at the Bean to take nearly a million pictures!
Well there ya have it folks a brief catch up via random pictures, I cannot wait to post about some of the conversations and thoughts I have had while not in Detroit and upon returning to Detroit. Stay tuned!
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