It's been almost a month!

Greetings from East Garfield Park! I’m finishing up my fourth week in Chicago, my third week of my placement at Breakthrough Urban Ministries, and I just finished my first drumming class at Frist Church of the Brethren.

Even though I’ve only been here for a few weeks there have already been many lessons learned. 1) Communication is key, 2) Confirm, confirm, confirm, and 3) When the weatherman says there is a 10% chance of rain you should always take your umbrella; if you don’t take your umbrella you’ll end up standing in the pouring down rain for thirty minutes while waiting on a bus.

We can’t learn a lesson unless something bad happens or something goes wrong, right? There have been many struggles in the last few weeks; struggles so hard and frustrating that I wanted to give up. Then there was a series of thoughts that entered my mind: why am I doing this? What am I here for? What am I supposed to learn? Then I realized a common theme. “I” These are very self-centered thoughts. I was trying to do these things on my own. I can’t do any of this on my own. I really had to change my way of thinking about this year of service. What does God have in store for me? What does God want me to learn? Why does God have me here for this year? These are questions I don’t know the answers to, and I probably won’t get the answers right away. I have to be open to what He has for me and be ready for it at the time He chooses.

Now, let me talk a little about my jobs. Breakthrough Urban Ministries is an organization that has many community outreaches. I’m working with the Breakthrough Youth Network in the second grade class. The last week and a half was a bit crazy with the teachers’ strike, but we managed to get through it. Yesterday was the first day back to school for the kids and they were absolutely wild! It was quite the rough day. I imagine it was because they were back in school and didn’t have as much time to release some of their energy, so it came out when they were with us after school. Each day gets better, but there are still some struggles. I’d ask that you pray these wrinkles would be ironed out soon.

This evening was the first drumming class at First Church of the Brethren and it was so much fun! We have a professional drummer come in and teach the kids how to play. I’m learning right along with them. We had five kids tonight with three of them being returning youth from when the church had the program in years past, and the other two were brand new! I was very encouraged by this tonight! We aren’t learning on a traditional drum set, but rather African hand drums. I was having just as much fun playing these drums as the kids were! I’m really excited about next week!

Some other struggles have been some very real ones. I have never really considered myself to be “privileged”, but since moving up here to this neighborhood, I realized I am privileged beyond my wildest imagination. Also, I’ve never felt like a minority until I was the only white person on the bus. I’ve never known what it was like to have people stare, point, and whisper and know they were talking about me. I’ve heard comments like, “What does that white boy think he’s doing over here?” I remember not only being the only white person on the bus, but having the only empty seat next to me on the bus. I remember feeling like someone with a highly contagious disease that no one wanted to catch. The people getting on the bus were asking if there were seats available and others on the bus were pointing to the seat next to me. They would ask repeatedly and the response was, “There’s a seat next to that white guy.” To which the individuals getting on the bus would reply, “I’m not sitting next to him.” I had no idea how to take that. I still don’t. As an out, gay man I’ve had people yell inappropriate things in my direction. I’ve been able to let those things role off my back and not have a negative effect on me. For some reason, being the only white person on a bus, or being the white guy that walks up the block to the train is so much more daunting than anything anyone has ever said or done to me for being gay. This has been and will continue to be a tremendous learning experience.

I would ask that you all continue to pray for God’s leading every step of the way throughout this year. I have a strong feeling that He is leading me in a direction and I’m so willing and ready to go and extremely excited to follow this leading. I will keep you all informed as opportunities present themselves. Some things I’d ask you to pray for: 1) The struggles I’ve been having adjusting to my work placement, 2) my roommates as they adjust to their work placements, 3) that God will reveal Himself to me and lead me in the direction I should be going.

Finally, I’ve received a few emails asking if there are any things I need. After being here for almost a month there are a few things I do need. If anyone would like to take care of these needs, I would greatly appreciate it: 1) Postage Stamps, 2) Backpack (nothing fancy, no flashy colors or patterns), 3) Light jacket for fall (walking and waiting on the train could be a bit chilly in the upcoming weeks and months), 4) Bibles (I’m really making it a point to get into God’s word and study it and learn it. I have a couple translations but would love to have a few more. I currently have the King James Version (KJV), The Message, and the New American Standard Bible (NASB). I am open to any translation that would help me in studying God’s word)

Thank you all so much for your love, support and encouragement!

Blessings and the Peace of Christ to you all!

Two weeks of orientation

First, let me start by giving another financial update. I am now at $3,325 of my $6,500. Thank you so much to those who have given already. If you would like to donate, or know more about what I’m doing this year, feel free to send me a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Here it is the end of my Chicago orientation and I feel like I need to process a lot. We have had so much to take in over the past two weeks. We had a full week of orientation in Stony Point, NY and then a week of orientation here in Chicago.

Last week’s orientation was great! There was a lot of useful information given to us. At the same time, there were a lot of emotional struggles that came up during the week; things I had thought I had dealt with from my past resurfaced. I was not at all prepared for that. I am so thankful for the new friends I made and the staff that was there. Without them I’m not sure how I would have handled myself or what I would have done. The Lord worked in my life in so many ways. The worship services were a huge blessing every night. We were all there for the same reasons and with the same goal in mind and this is what bonded us together. From the time I set foot on the grounds of The Stony Point Center, I knew, and could feel it was a safe space, a place where I could be myself, no one would judge me, and a place where I immediately felt love.

This week has been a very long one as well. We’ve been asked the same questions many, many times. We’ve met so many new people. We started this week with a crash course in the grid system of Chicago. Then Tuesday afternoon we were given a list of addresses we had to find and explore. It was great. My group only had to ask for directions once, and even then we really didn’t ask for directions. Here’s that story. So, we had to find a library, and if we were able get a library card we were supposed to do that. We were heading in the right direction, but we weren’t too sure so we pulled out our handy dandy map. Yeah, that didn’t make us look lost at all. A nice young lady pushing a stroller stopped and asked if we needed help. I said that we were new to the city and we were supposed to be finding a library. She told us that’s exactly where she was going, but that it was the big brick building almost directly in front of us. Wednesday is when we started visiting our placements. It’s nice to see where everyone will be working and what they will be doing. There was just so much to take in all at once. I felt like sensory overload was taking place today. I am so ready for free time tomorrow. I’ll take lots of pictures and get out there and explore!

One thing I am going to miss this time of year is all the small town festivals and fun stuff like that. It’s been tradition for my family to go to the Sweetcorn Festival in Hoopeston, IL. I’m not sure the last time that I missed it. From what I’ve seen, it’s supposed to rain down there this weekend, so maybe it’s ok that I’m not going to be there. Watching a parade in the rain isn’t my idea of fun. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with myself tomorrow. I’m sure I’ll find something fun to do. I may venture out to Jazz Fest which is going on this weekend. We’ll see…

Well, it’s getting late (it’s 11:02pm) and I’m wiped out! I must be getting old! Not really, just a lot to take in this week. So, I’m signing off for now. I’ll be sure to take pictures and share some of my experiences about venturing out into the city solo. I’m sure there will be some funny stories about taking wrong turns, getting off at the wrong L stop.

Thank you all for your prayers! I love you and miss you!

James

Brief update

So, I haven’t written a blog in a while. I guess I’ll take this free time during orientation to give a brief update about some things.

First, I want to let everyone know where I’m at in my fundraising efforts. As of my last update I was at $2,900. This means that I still need to raise $3,600. That’s only 36 people giving $100 each. I know that not everyone has sent in their support, so I am confident that this number will continue to rise as the year progresses. If any of you would like to donate or know more information about what I’m doing just send me a message and I’ll do my best to get that to you quickly.

Second, I thought I’d let everyone know about my placements while I am in Chicago. I will be working with an after-school program at First Church of the Brethren. I will also be working with an organization called Breakthrough. With this organization I’ll be working with first and second graders during an after-school program. As far as specific things I’ll be doing, I’m really not exactly sure.

Thirdly, I am having a blast at orientation so far, and it’s only Tuesday! It didn’t really start off that way, though. See, I have been anxious about this for a few weeks. The few nights before leaving for orientation, I didn’t sleep very well, if at all. Sunday, I took some of my belongings to the house I’ll be staying while in Chicago. Walking around the city with suitcases can be pretty agonizing. But I managed to get it done. I didn’t sleep well Sunday night either. A very close friend reassured me all would be well. I started my trek to the airport at 7:30 am for an 11:05 flight. By the time I got to the airport my legs were sore and tired. My shoulders ached from the two bags I had draped over them. Then, out of the blue I began to get the chills, but I was feeling very warm. I thought to myself, “I can’t get sick, they’ll send me home.” It wouldn’t go away. I tried to sleep on the plain, but didn’t get to do much of that. We arrived in Newark and I found my way to the terminal where the YAVs would be meeting. They seemed like a great and fun group of people, but I was just tired and feeling miserable. I decided I would go to one of the shops and find something that would help make me feel better, even if only temporary. The Advil seemed to help, along with the Coke I washed it down with. I began to perk up and be my “normal” self everyone seems to know and love. But on the van ride to the retreat site things started to go back to feeling miserable. I knew that my anxiety and insecurity of going into the realm of the unknown, I was making myself physically ill. My group arrived at the site after dinner had been served, but they had made us plates so we could eat when we arrived. By the time we were done eating the evening worship service had just started. It was during this time of worship I let go of everything and gave it over to God. He is the Great Physician, if I was going to be helped, I knew He would be the one to do it. I’m happy to say I had an amazing night of sleep and, with the exception of some stiffness from carrying all my luggage, I’m feeling so much better today! I would still covet your prayers for continued health, not just for me and my housemates, but for all the other YAVs. The work we will be doing is going to be emotionally draining and at times physically demanding.

Finally, I’d like to say thank you to everyone who has already supported me financially, but also to those who are supporting me with prayer. I know the power of prayer is a very great thing.

I’m having a wonderful time so far and I know I’ll be learning many more great things during this week and also during the weeks and months to come. I’m excited for what God has in store for me.

Well, I think it’s time to go play Frisbee with some of the others! Until next time!

James 

Welcome to Beyond the Rainbow.

This blog will serve many purposes. One of which is so people can follow me and know what's going on in my life. Another is so people can follow what is going on while I am completing a year of service in Chicago. I will try to have an update at least once a week, but I will definitely have a posting once a month. 


So, for those who might not know what I'll be doing in Chicago, here is an article I wrote for my church newsletter:

“Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God’s good news to one and all…” Mark 16:15 (The Message)

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word missionary? For me, I think about people going to the jungles of Africa or to remote areas of India and Asia to share the Gospel of Christ. If you take this verse from the gospel of Mark, we are all missionaries. I remember a sign above the door at the church where I grew up that read, “You are now entering the mission field.” This is so true. We all can be missionaries right here in our very own community. Missionaries are needed everywhere: the jungles of Africa, the bush in Australia, and even in the large cities here in the US.

As Pastor Jimmy mentioned a few Sunday’s ago, I have been accepted to the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program through PC(USA). I will be serving in the great city of Chicago. The YAV program is a yearlong commitment to urban ministry. The following is a very brief description of what a YAV can expect during his or her year. This information is taken directly from the website:

           

Being a Young Adult Volunteer means living a year you’ll never forget. What do YAVs do? Typically, they participate in the following:

•   They serve for one year in communities of need in the Unites States and around the world.
• They meet regularly for prayer and Bible study.
•  They work with mentors to explore and grow in their expression of their Christian faith.
•  They build each other up as disciples of Jesus Christ.
• They are supported in their faith journey through orientation and an end-of-term debriefing event.

I will be living and serving in the East Garfield Park neighborhood. If you’re familiar with Chicago you know that isn’t the coziest neighborhood. There is definitely a need there. Some things I’ll be doing there in the neighborhood are working with after school tutoring programs, working with the homeless, helping in a local church, and many other opportunities. I will be able to use my gift of music in the local church I will attend regularly, my clown ministry, and working with the youth.

I am extremely excited about this opportunity and I am looking forward to growing in many ways. Most importantly, I will be strengthening my faith and growing in Christ. I am, however, a little disappointed that I will not be able to actively serve as deacon at FPC, but what greater experience is there than being sent forth to do the work of the Lord.

I am going to miss my church family dearly, but I know you all will be supporting me with your prayers. I know I’m sure going to need them. I will be sure to send regular updates of my work and ministry. I will also be sure to let the office know of my contact information. Cards and notes of encouragement (and maybe even a box of homemade goodies) will always be warmly welcomed and appreciated.

If you have any questions about this program I’ll be involved with, please feel free to ask. This is something I’ve become very passionate and excited about and would love talking about it with you all.

Love in Christ,

James M. Potts