Reflection

This semester I was involved with an afterschool ministry based out of JCBodyshop called Afternoons Rock in Indiana. It is a federally funded program to encourage kids to make positive choices in regards to things such as peer pressure, drugs, and alcohol. However, by it being done in a ministry setting we are also able to share about Christ freely. Honestly, at the beginning of the semester I choose this practicum because it was close to campus and I was able to do it through the week which left my weekends open for other practicums. It probably would not have been my first choice, but looking back on it now I would not have traded it for anything. I was considered a sponsor of the program and I basically got to help facilitate everything that went on from leading games, to helping prepare food, to leading a small group. I was blessed by the youth in this ministry so much as they opened my eyes to a love for middle school kids. I have worked with children of all ages and I have worked with high school students but I had never had direct ministry with middle school kids. I absolutely loved it and would do it all again in a heartbeat.
Upon doing the afterschool ministry, I had more like two supervisors. My supervisors included Pastor Mike Hofer and Brittan Bush. Mike was around a lot towards the beginning of the program but as it continued he allowed Brittan to fully take the reins. As far as supervised hours with Pastor Mike I did not have much more than about 6 hours. During this time we would either be talking about the ministry or working alongside in the ministry. Brittan however was the consistent form of a supervisor. We talked as well but mainly worked side by side throughout the entire practicum. There are a few things that I have learned throughout my time observing and conversing with these men, 1) that you need to set up rules up front and be prepared to stick by them or the kids will walk all over you (we had a little bit of a rough start but all was well in the end) and 2) organization is a major key in any ministry.
I think I have grown throughout this ministry in many ways. My perceptions of ministry to youth have been changed a little and I would almost consider pursuing such a career if it weren’t that I loved working with children so much. This practicum has also challenged me because there would be times that the kids would tell me about their home lives and it would just blow me away with the kind of situations that they were coming from. Professionally I think I have grown in my interpersonal relationships with people. I can come off pretty shy at times but God is working on me to come out my shell and I think I definitely did that a little this semester. God is still molding me into who he wants me to be and the plan he has. It is just so awesome to see some of that progress along the way.

Week 10

This was our last week for ASP other than the graduation on Monday. I have truly enjoyed this practicum and have felt that I have become an integral part of the program. Many times if you will only be there for a short time church's do not let you become as big of a part of their programs. I have really loved being a part of this ministry. I believe in what they are doing here. I know at times it can be rough and stressful for some but each day that I get the opportunity to spend with these kids my heart grows even fonder of them.
I have grown throughout this practicum experience in relating with middle school age kids. In all of my previous experience it has been either younger elementary kids or high school age. This was a great challenge for me but I would not trade the time or relationships that I have built for anything. I hope to be able to continue some of these relationships even after I graduate and move on to my own career in the ministry. These kids have definitely had an effect on me, and I pray that I have shown them the love of Christ in such a way that it affects their lives as well.

Week 9

This last week was a lot of fun. We only had ASP on Monday due to Thanksgiving being on Thursday. However, on Monday we celebrated Thanksgiving together with a feast. We mainly just hung out with the kids. We didn't have a whole lot of specific things we did other than just spend time with the kids. They loved the meal complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls, green beans, and pumpkin pie.
I am starting to think about when this semester is over and leaving these kids. It makes me really sad. Honestly I wish I would have started helping out at JCBodyshop when I was a freshman. I have enjoyed this so much. However, I will be graduating in a few weeks and with that I will not be around here. Although I would encourage anyone who is looking for some way to get involved in the lives of kids and the community of Marion to check out JCBodyshop. They do so much for the kids and you have an opportunity to build relationships with the kids.

Week 8

Last week was great at ASP at JCBodyshop. I actually didn't get to go and help on Monday because I was sick, but by Thursday I was very ready to get back. I really missed the kids. Many of them asked where I had been and told me that they missed me. It was a great to hear that. On Thursday we had a pretty big crowd but we didn't have the gym to play in so at first I wondered how things would turn out. However, I think everybody had fun but yet it did not get too rowdy. They were going to have the rummage sale the next day in the gym. We also had a guest speaker that was great with the kids. His name was Arthur. I can't remember his last name but he was amazing. He shared about growing up and also a lot about how God intervened in his life.

I was very impressed with him and I am almost positive the kids were as well. Thursday just went extremely well. Everything seemed to flow smoothly and I felt like all the sponsors and leaders knew what they were doing. It makes a huge impact if your team is ready for the day (as one). This has been one thing that has really stuck out to me about ministry in any setting, that you need to make sure everyone on your team is on the same page. Things just go so much smoother that way.

Week 7

This last week, November 5-11 was a great week at ASP. I feel that I am beginning to make some very in depth relationships with many of the kids. On Thursday I had an opportunity to sit down and chat with one of the girls. She is an seventh grader and she wanted some advice. It was great to be able to share with her and help her to see what the Bible has to say about the situation. I really felt blessed that she would come to me asking for advice.
I also had an opportunity to play a little b-ball with the boys in the gym. I did not tell them that I was on team for six years. They thought I probably couldn't play, however, at they soon found out I could. Now it has become a little game to see who can beat me during our free time. I think through this I have earned the respect of a few of the boys who always gave me trouble.
Overall, I am very satisfied with my opportunity to pour into these kids lives. Every day that I get to go and hang out with them (Mondays and Thursdays) it seems to be the highlight of my day. At times it can be a little stressful but that is what makes the good times so much better. I am blessed to be able to help out at JCBodyshop in the ASP.

Week 6

So I just realized that I am a little bit behind on my blog. Somehow I seem to have forgotten to post anything for the week of Oct. 29 -Nov. 3. I do however remember a few things about this week. We celebrated Abby Lennox's birthday with her during ASP. The kids were excited to get some cake but I was a little disappointed to see their ungratefulness.
I am starting to notice a little bit more about the leadership style of Brittan. I have had a few times when I felt as if I had no idea what I was doing and I was just thrown into a situation. That would be ok if it was necessary but I think he could have probably told me about this before fairly easily. I like to be prepared as much as possible in the ministry. I spoke with him about this a little and it has gotten better. Hopefully we will continue to work better as a team and show the love of Christ to these awesome kids.

Week 5

This week JCBodyshop was shut down due to Fall Break. I really missed the kids a lot. Each day I get to go hang out with them it brings joy to me heart. On Monday I did meet up with a few of the kids and we played in the game room for a little while. It was nice to be able to hang out with them outside of JCBodyshop and continue to establish trusting relationships with them.
I am excited that Bodyshop will be open this week. I am looking forward to seeing everybody tomorrow and asking how their breaks were. Although I had extra time last week it seemed that I was missing some of the most fun parts of my week. Both of my practicums were shut down last week which made it nice for catching up on homework but I would much rather be ministering to kids and youth than doing homework.
In relation to my spiritual life, I have been completely blessed this week with seeing God's hand at work. I have been praying that God would open the door that needed to be open and close those that needed to be closed. God once again provided another job opportunity, one of which seems to fit my passions and goals very much. Praise be to God because he really does hear and listen to our prayers. We just have to be patient. Now we will see how he continues to orchestrate the rest. Well that is about all for now! Hope you all have a great day/evening!

Week 4

This is for the week of October 14-20. This week I am only going to be making it to the Monday ASP. I have a ride leaving for Fall Break before ASP on Thursday. I spoke with Brittan and he said it was fine if I wasn't going to be there on Thursday. Today, however, was a great day during ASP. I have, in a sense, become the game cordinator for the ASP. Each day during the first part of ASP I get a chance to hang out with the kids in the gym and play games with them. I enjoy this a lot because their true personalities show up while we are just having fun. Yes, sometimes the games get a little heated but I have found that throughout the last few weeks there have been great improvements in the attitudes of the kids as they play games. We had our first actual competetion between the three teams today. Our team, the Fearless Force 5, has maintained our lead on the board which I am very proud of. The team is working together pretty well.
Today I had a little bit of a problem with some kids. It wasn't during the ASP but after it as it was time to go home. There was a lack of communication between everyone and it left me in a bad position. After Brittan went to take some of the kids home, Abby and I were left at the Bodyshop to wait on parents and send the rest of the kids home. We had a couple of boys that hung around for a while after. They were all supposed to go to one of the boys' house. It ended up being a little problem because they said their parents were coming to get them. They hung around and then Abby called Brittan and he ended up coming back because I guess he told them they needed to leave earlier. I guess they almost always walk. I felt as if I was left out of the whole picture. If we all would have communicated better the boys would have been gone before because I would have made them start walking. It all just made me feel like I didn't do my job well enough. Communication is a key to all ministries!

Week 3

This is for the week of October 7-13. At the ASP at JCBodyshop we are starting some new programs to engage the kids more. We developed a team based system where we have split the group into three groups. Each day the kids get the opportunity to compete as a team against the other teams. I can see this being a good thing for the program as it is bringing together kids that normally would not work as a team. I am the coach for the team with mainly 5th graders. The kids had to come up with a team name and chat for when they play their games as well as a flag design. I am excited to see how this is going to work out.
I am learning a lot about working with youth through my practicum experience. My experience before this has mainly been with students that are in high school so middle school age is a new thing for me. I have realized that these kids will really try to test you and see if you are going to be consistent. For many of the kids that we are ministering to, consistancy does not seem to be there in their home lives. I have seen throughout this experience of working at the ASP that there are a few things I might do differently in order to establish more consistancy for these kids. Brittan is doing a great job but as we all need improvement there are some things that could maybe be altered.
As far as my spiritually life, God is really working on me right now. I am in a time of confusion and indecision. As I look forward to the future and what comes after I graduate in December I am just waiting for God to show me where it is that I am supposed to go. I pray that God would reveal his plans to me soon if it be his will or that he would help me to be patient and to trust that He has it all in His hands.

Week 2

This last week I once again had a chance to be apart of the ASP at JCBodyshop. I work from 3:30 - 6:30 every Monday and Thursday afternoon. It is the highlight of my day to be able to hang out with middle schoolers on these days. I mainly help out with homework, crowd control, snack distribution, and just getting to know the kids and building into their lives.
We are restructuring the way ASP is run and so with these new changes comes a little bit of acting out. We had a little rougher week with the kids this week. There were a few minor problems we had to address with some kids making fun of others and just disrespecting authority. I think it was handled pretty well. The kids were talked to and we didn't have anymore problems with it. Also last week we had a girl that we think broke her finger. She doesn't like the splint so she takes it off at random times.
This week was a challenging week for me spiritually. I had a lot to get done and it seemed like regardless of the amount of time I spent on homework there was a never ending amount to come after it. However, God is good and he has allowed me to get a lot done and still have some time to spend with Him and to rest. I really think I could use a good rest to get me prepared to do the best ministry that I can.

Week 1

My practicum is at JCBodyshop helping with the afterschool program on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:30 - 6:30. This week I recorded 6 hours of hands on ministry. I am a sponsor for the asp at JCBodyshop. Basically I get to hang out with 20-30 kids grade 5th - 8th. We help them with their homework, teach them a lesson about positive action and just have a great time of fellowship.
I really have enjoyed my time working with these kids. I have never really had much experience working with the junior high age but this is a great experience for me. I really have enjoyed getting to know some of these kids a little. I have found that it is a huge asset to earn the respect of these kids. That is done by respecting them. I have a great time with them and pray that God would open up doors for me to share my faith with them even more.
Last week seemed like it was going to be quite a rough week for me. I had a lot to do and just started two practicums, however, these practicums gave me a fresh wind. I love to serve others and that was truly shown to me last week as I was energized by the opportunity to work at JCBodyshop and at my other practicum placement. I felt my heart just explode with joy that this is what I will get to do for the rest of my life. My heart was filled with thankfulness and I think that showed up in my ministry to these kids.

Yeah!

Well I think I have figured out how to use this thing! Yeah!

Test

Test post....let's see if this works!