Posted: Friday, January 27, 2012 | Author: Marti (Michalec) Williams | Filed under: 2k12, Frank | Tags: Elisabeth Elliott, Jim Elliott, missional, reflections, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, urban ministry |
“There is nothing worth living for, unless it is worth dying for.”
Elisabeth Elliot, wife of Jim Elliot, missionary to Waodani people of Ecuador
I moved to SBH almost 7 years ago. I had no idea what God was going to do, or why I was called to live here. In the first few years, a few things went awry…small items stolen from the yard, neighborhood kids presented minor challenges, etc. However some more challenging things occurred as well, like my car being stolen – what the police suspected was gang initiation because a bunch of Altimas got stolen that night and car windows being shot out on another occasion when kids were having a bit too much fun with a bee-bee gun. During these times, friends and family challenged me about my decision to move here. Others asked if I was moving out. Of course, there wasn’t a chance I was leaving. The good outweighs the bad.
Nothing was more challenging than the night a man got shot 9 times outside my back door…on my 4th date with Louis. I didn’t know him, but after the scene was clear, Louis and I responded with first aid, encouragement, prayers and the gift of presence. I am happy to say that Frank didn’t die in the street that night, but lived. That was 4 years ago to the day….January 27, 2008 at 8:30pm. I am sorry that Frank was shot that day. But, grateful that we were there and sooo appreciate the friendship we have developed since. I can now say we are family.
While still in the hospital, Frank asked me if I was going to move. He reminded me that not only was he shot 9 times, but that a bullet also went into my home. The hole is still in the wall actually. I’m not sure why we don’t fix it. It’s like this constant reminder at the bottom of our steps. If we had moved, who would have been there the night that Frank got shot? Who would have given him First Aid when everyone else ran? It reminds me that we do make a difference, even when things seem hard. God loves Frank so much that we found ourselves cooking on the grill that night instead of going out. He loves this community so much that the neighborhood kids were safely in the house that night, instead of being dropped off after Youth Group at 8:30, their normal time. God is in the midst. Even when I may doubt, there is no doubt.
If it’s not worth dying for, it’s not worth living for. There are a lot of other things we could be doing, a lot of other places we could live. But, this is where God has called us, and this is where we shall stay until God calls us some place else.
Especially after the last week, I am reminded again of how we are being used by God. I am thankful for the many opportunities we have had to love and be loved. I wouldn’t trade ANYthing for the last 7 years! In the meantime, my prayer is that we will follow the advice of Jim Elliot…
Wherever you are – be all there.
Jim Elliot
Posted: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 | Author: Marti (Michalec) Williams | Filed under: 2k12 | Tags: CBS6, first degree murder, incarnation, Mark Holmberg, missional, murder, psalm 23, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, wtvr |
I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.
~William Shakespeare
Wow. I’m rather speechless, which doesn’t happen too often. I am overwhelmed by and grateful for the positive response to a blog post I wrote on Monday called Heart Breaking. Soul Weeping. Mind Reeling. Knees Bending. Only a handful of people actually follow my blogs Miss Marti’s House and …into the neighborhood on a regular basis. So, I was quite surprised when this post started receiving 100s of hits! Miss Marti’s House started 2 years ago by telling the story of how I ended up living in Southern Barton Heights, how I met and married the ‘other half of my pair’, Louis Williams, and our life here. …into the neighborhood is a more recent development, somewhat of an experiment, a direct response from questions we get a lot. It’s meant to be a resource to individuals, families and churches who want to live more neighborly, incarnationally or missionally. We get regular requests to speak or consult with people and churches, so we thought we would create an online tool to talk about it. It will also showcase people, ministries , etc living it out and how God is being glorified throughout our city, country and in the nations. I have 2 great stories in the works. One from a friend living in a remote village in the country of Columbia. The other being my aunts in Oregon. Coming SOON! Stay posted! Go ahead and subscribe if you want to stay up-to-date.
Mark Holmberg from WTVR CBS 6 contacted me quite unexpectedly yesterday afternoon, because he had seen that post. (Thank goodness I had just gotten my roots touched up!!! LOL) He wanted to interview us about what and why we do what we do. Of course, it also involved one of the young men accused of First Degree Murder. He was a welcomed friend, almost a son, in our home on a regular basis. You know what? He and his family are still welcome! Kids make bad, sometimes even horrific, choices or decisions. It doesn’t mean we give-up on them. Don’t get me wrong. I still believe that people should pay the consequences of their personal decision, choice or reaction. As much as the public wants to make this a race issue or a urban/suburban issue, it is not that simple. I wish it were. All our youth need us. I’m still hopeful. Emily said it perfectly in one of the responses to the post…
…they do need us and we all need to stick together (near or far), continue to impact, never give up hope, and pass the message that all children are reachable teachable lovable and savable….
Amen, Emily!
You can find Mark’s story here… Miss Marti Brings Message of Peace and Love. That peace and love is rooted in none-other-than, Jesus Christ. He is my Savior. I can’t save each and every youth or adult I encounter. But, Jesus can. I am but one tool that He uses. Thanks, Mark and CBS6 for allowing the hope of Jesus Christ to be in the middle of this story. I know it wasn’t want you intended. But, you know what? God did. To God only be the glory!
My heart still grieves for the devastating loss in our city, within the many impacted families and network of friends. Words can not explain, nor can they alone comfort the grief felt. My prayers continue to be with those who grieve and our city. May God’s Spirit comfort us and bring peace.
Psalm 23 NIV
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Posted: Monday, January 23, 2012 | Author: Marti (Michalec) Williams | Filed under: 2k12, CCDA | Tags: 16 year old, brett wells, CCDA, first degree murder, mechanicsville, relocation, RVA |
My heart is breaking. My soul is weeping. My mind is reeling. I don’t understand. But, my knees are bending. And I have a pile of used up tissues beside my chair.
Almost 7 years ago, I moved into Southern Barton Heights in Richmond, VA. I knew life would never be the same. From the get-go, I fell in love with the neighborhood. Especially the kids. Literally, from the first weekend after I moved in, I met a bunch of the kids. After that, they were over all the time. I loved it. I never went anywhere alone….one of the kiddos was always with me. We watched sports together. Yeah…me. I watched sports and pretended to enjoy them. We went to the grocery store together. And cooked together. And played together. We did life together. They were often at church with me….and always at youth group and retreats. We talked about virtually everything! They were and still are…Miss Marti’s Kids.
But…over time…some of the kids moved to other parts of the city. And, now most are grown. Thanks to Facebook, we are able to reconnect. Some are…graduating from high school. Going to college. Or..in some cases, ending up in juvy. Today, one, now an 18-year-old young man, was arrested, along with 2 of his friends, for First Degree murder of 16 year-old Brett Wells in Mechanicsville, VA. People would always tell me….”Marti – You can’t save them all.” My response was “I can’t save any of them. But, my God can. If the kids will remember what it felt like to be loved. If they can remember God’s unconditional love, while they are laying on the cot. That’s all I can ask for.”
That response is really being put to the test this evening. Why CAN’T I save them? What else could I have done? What could I have said? Why does it have to be this way? Those are some of the many questions that roll through my mind as I weep over our city and for our youth. I know the standard responses….”You did all you could.” ”You loved those boys like your own.” I know. I know. I know. But, I ask myself those same questions just like any parent would.
One of the 8 Core Principles of Christian Community Development is relocation. Through my relocation – living in this community – the community’s assets are now my assets. But, the community’s challenges have also become my own challenges. Today….that is even more evident than ever. I can’t go into my home and go about life pretending like this hasn’t impacted me personally. I can’t ignore the fact that it has impacted my community, the Mechanicsville community, my church, and the rest of Miss Marti’s Kids.
No one said this would be easy. No one said it would be “happy, happy, joy, joy”. This world is broken. This world is fallen. And frankly, it sucks. Big time.
For those who have seen the news, it isn’t a black/white thing. It’s not a suburban/urban thing. It’s not the “boys from the ‘hood” murdering a 16-year-old in the white suburban community thing. It’s not that simple….at all.
But, it IS a tragic thing. Our youth need us. They need us in the counties and in the city! This is such a complex issue. It’s not a time to point fingers. It’s not a time to say “they” should take care of this. “They” meaning the government, the schools, the parents, the non-profits. It’s a time to say WE should take care of this. WE means each and every one of us.
I know people who know and love the victim and his family. I know and love one of the 3 guys…love him like he’s my own. How can I make sense of it all? How do we comfort the parents who lost their 16-year-old son? How do we comfort the mom who could lose her 18-year-old son to prison? How do we keep drugs and guns off the streets? How do we comfort the friends of both? How do we help the youth of our metro area?
How, we might ask? It’s obviously not a simple answer…or we would have done it by now. But, let’s see what the Lord has to say on the topic. The answer may be different for each of us. As for me….I’m gonna be on my knees. Please join me in praying for our youth and young adults. They need us on our knees. On my knees. God help us.
Posted: Monday, November 14, 2011 | Author: Marti (Michalec) Williams | Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: Cassie Matthew, CCDA, Christian Community Development, Hands Up Ministries, Northside, RVA |
Cassie Matthew is a fairly new friend of mine, yet I feel like I have known her all my life. I love her like a sister and so enjoy getting to know her better. Cassie is the founder of a ministry called Hands Up Ministries here on the Northside of Richmond, VA. When we met a year or so ago, she had never heard of CCDA (Christian Community Development Association), Dr.John Perkins, Bob Lupton, Wayne “Coach” Gordon or any of the well-known folks who have been doing CCD for years…dare I say decades. But, the Holy Spirit led her to do this work, and she obediently got busy. Now, we are partnering and learning this stuff together. She is such an inspiration and encouragement to me! This is an email that she sent out today to her “pals”, which I am grateful to be counted as one of them. I have posted it with her permission. Take a read…and check out Hands Up…you won’t be disappointed. I promise!
Cassie – Thank you for being my friend and sister in Christ. I am grateful for how you model being Jesus to our friends. You’re the best!!! I am sooo looking forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for us in the future! May God be glorified in all that we do and say! Love you! Mart
November 14, 2011
Dearest my pals….
I am sitting in the doctors office, patiently waiting for a biopsy report to come back…thinking of how grateful I am to have insurance that I can just waltz in here, fill out paper work sit down and have the work done…never paying a dime(today). Just a mole on the face…not to worry. There is a little coffee machine, and SNACKS…my darlin’ husband is having a big time while I’m all patched up here with a big fat swollen eye….I am comparing my experience with that of my friends, who don’t have the luxury of insurance(private), who sit in offices, without snacks, without coffee and piped in music….and are barely acknowledged. I have sat with my friends in the doctors office, with their “Va. Premier” insurance card, they are treated in a much different fashion than I’m being treated today.
The disparity is so obvious, hurtful, and unnecessary. Why? Why must we treat “the poor” so differently? ‘Perhaps’… I wonder, if we treated friends with dignity, if it were required, I dare to say many folks might take better care of themselves in a more positive way. Feeling uplifted versus leaving angry and indignant. It just makes me sad, and If you don’t see it firsthand, it doesn’t enter your mind.
Just wondering. Just praying God is leading me somewhere…social injustices abound.
On a lighter, happier note…..This semester has been amazing at the Ministry…I’d love to share with you. VCU students have been so wonderful, we started ”Adopt a Family” pilot and it is going so well. The city friends are grateful to have someone over who cares, and the Students are really excelling at loving others. Antonio(VCU) has been mentoring a friend, Allen, making decks, fixings friends homes(small jobs, however important), from this opportunity, neighbors want them to come over and help them…For a Fee for the friends! This my friend, is so exciting. I have to admit, it takes a real effort to help friends, without hurting them, or letting them think “WE” are the answer…“We” are not!…I am very conscious of this always. We must support and not enable…that isn’t always an easy call. Many times it’s not until I’ve(we) made mistakes, that I realized..OK that does/did not help. Many times, calling on God and asking for His Guidance, is the only comfort I have.
Without a shadow of a doubt, I have finally accepted, there is NO ONE I can change, my power is only working in vain, like a hamster on a wheel…i am just killing myself hoping for a change in individuals…NOPE..that does NOT work. There is only one HOPE: Christ. He is THE only answer. Christ and the individual have to come to terms with what they are willing to give Him, to make changes, I am no different..I must lean into Him, ask Him for the strength I lack for change…and for me, it’s as equally hard, frustrating, difficult, and often I want to quit, many times I do quit. Knowing what is best, I quit, or i don’t DO what is best for me.
In my own strength, I can’t do it. Imagine how my friends feel…who lack all that I have, i see their pain and difficulty. Still i wonder, is this the way to approach friends…with the encouragement of God, I push on, press in, listen for His direction and get up and try once more. Peace abounds.
There is joy in giving, loving, seeing others receive joy from giving. VCU students who are teaching dance class to our sweet babies, helping Mohammed with his fire stained home with a fresh coat of paint. Students who are taking the children on field trips to local parks.Tutors who are loving the children and see the true impact sitting with a child for 1.5 hours, right then and there you feel the impact. VCU lady rams who have taken a day to spend it with our kids to teach them basketball drills, but truly making the children feel so special for being them. Inviting us back, all 25 of us to cheer on the team…Amari says..”Hey there is my coach, Andrea…She yells..”Go Andrea” as if they are long lost friends…Fills my souls with love only God could be filling.
So I press on, trying to do all that this ordinary person can do, and when I am exhausted and defeated, He sends an encouraging word my way through His people. He sends me to an extraordinary Sunday School class with beautiful women…or a local Bible study in my neighborhood for His love. Know that there are moments when i say “Really God?”…I can’t…”Then it’s amazing, i look back, and He and I did.”
For those of you who like numbers: We are sending out 65 meals for Thanksgiving(everyone hand delivered by families, SS classes, small groups, circles, Schools), leting folks know we are proud of their hard work and we recognize them and letting them know there are families who care. 29 kids came to tutoring on Wed., with 30 individual tutors from around the city, with a hot meal from SunTrust and a bedtime story to send them home, loved, full, and tired.(Me Too)
25 of us went to see the VCU Lady rams play ball, that feat alone takes an act of congress to make happen…i wish logistics were easier…But they can make me stronger. Thanks to NHPC for always loaning us vans to get the babies around safely.
We visited Monroe Park to hand out 50 hygiene kits and warm clothes and blankets to the homeless, this is a tough gig….send in your warm coats/hats/gloves for men please.(used is perfect)…Let’s go back!
Knitting continues, Computer classes are increasing, jobs are still hard to land, but we are still pushing folks to keep working on new skills.
We’ve had over 180 volunteers this month, doing a variety of demonstrations of loving others, one favorite new act of love was Wally from NHPC who came and played his acoustic guitar and sang to MY SWEET FRIENDS…it’s so EXCITING when something so beautiful happens like that. He gave what he had…his gift of music.
We keep our focus on housing, knowing this can make the biggest tangible difference in a person’s life in the city…dreams we too have and want. I ask for your prayers for God to Bless this direction, praying for a tangilbe way to show our love in the lives of the working poor.
My love and thanks, for all of you, for your time, your donations, your love and words of encouragement….As I tell my children as I put them on the bus…”Be a Blessing…not a Burden!” Come. Give. Pray.
His in Christ,
Cassie Matthew
Hands Up Ministries/Founder
Posted: Saturday, November 12, 2011 | Author: Marti (Michalec) Williams | Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: FeedMore, Food Bank, RVA, UTurn |
Hope to see you there! Tell your friends….tell your church…bring some food!
Posted: Thursday, October 20, 2011 | Author: Marti (Michalec) Williams | Filed under: 2k11, Jobs | Tags: CCDA, Dr John M Perkins, Jobs for Life, Powered for Life, RVA, Social Service, united institute study, welfare program |
In yesterday’s post, “The Best Welfare Program is a Job” Dr. John M. Perkins, I started processing one of the workshops, Helping Those You Serve Find and Keep Meaningful Employment, conducted by Jobs For Life (www.jobsforlife.org). I’m going to continue that thought into today. In chapter 3 of Congregations in America, they took a look at “percentage of congregations participating in or supporting various social services programs”. Here are just a few of the results (found on page 48):
| Service |
% Participating |
| Food |
32 |
| Housing |
18 |
| Clothing |
11 |
| Homeless |
8 |
| Health |
4 |
| Substance Abuse |
2 |
| Employment |
1 |
This means that at the time of this research, 32% of church congregations were involved in a Food Ministry, like a food pantry, 18% were involved in housing, and so forth, leaving a small 1% who found or created employment opportunities. Imagine….what would it be like if at least 33% focused on Employment or Job Skills Training? More people would have and keep their jobs, right??? If more people have jobs, then, the church would need to provide less food, housing, clothing, etc. because people would be able to provide more of their own basic needs. In addition, dignity and self esteem would also be returned to the home. How cool is that???
This is yet another reason why we want to provide job skills training and job opportunities to people. How can you participate? You can help with training, mentoring, encouraging, etc. But, we also need job opps for folks. Do you or someone you know have opportunities to hire some of the graduates? Would you like to help find jobs for our students?
If you know someone who might be interested, please forward this to them.
If you are interested in participating after prayerful consideration, please feel free to contact me!
Posted: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 | Author: Marti (Michalec) Williams | Filed under: 2k11, CCDA in RVA | Tags: CCDA, Christian Community Development, Church Based Community Development, City Church, Dr John Perkins, East End Fellowship, Hands Up Ministries, Noel Castellanos, Northminster Church, RVA |
CCDA Institute is coming to Richmond! Noel Castellanos, CEO of CCDA is coming to discuss Church-Based Community Development. See the attached flyer for details. If you want to print the flyer, click here: CCDA Church Based Flyer – 10.29.2011.
Be sure to register early!!! Click here to register > REGISTER HERE!
Posted: Wednesday, September 7, 2011 | Author: Marti (Michalec) Williams | Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: Back to School, Commonwealth Chapel, prayer, Richmond, RVA |
Posted: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 | Author: Marti (Michalec) Williams | Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: Cafe, CCDA, Christian Community Development, East End Fellowship, Making a Melody, Richmond, RVA |
Just a quick reminder: CCDA Cafe tomorrow, Wednesday, June 30 at 6:30p. Hope to see you there! Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Thanks!
PLEASE NOTE:
Due to an unexpected response, we have obtained a larger location. What a wonderful problem to solve! I could not be more thrilled. Thanks to Northminster for letting us use your space! New .pdf is located below.
New Location:
Northminster Church
3121 Moss Side Avenue
Richmond, VA 23222
If you want this doc in a .pdf format, check this link - CCDA Cafe Richmond Flyer – New Location.
Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 | Author: Marti (Michalec) Williams | Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: documentary, public school, Richmond, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, Virginia, Waiting for Superman |
“WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” is a film that we made for and about kids who are struggling to get a great education and their parents who are doing everything they can to ensure that they get it. As you know, this is a dauntingly complex problem. There are many factors that led to the current state of our nation’s education system and there are many ways to put it back on the path to success. Reform will look different in each community, and it will take a variety of actions at all levels of society to make lasting change.”
Davis Guggenheim, Director and Lesley Chilcott, Producer
You are invited to view and discuss this documentary at our home. Let’s talk about how we can make a difference in the lives of the kids in our community. Here’s the 411:
Saturday, June 25
6pm – 9pm
Miss Marti’s House
2101 Barton Ave
Contact: Shonda Harris-Muhammed
foxinthebox1908@comcast.net
Look forward to seeing you! Remember to RSVP to my friend and neighbor, Shonda Harris-Muhammed at the email address above.
Cassie Matthew is a fairly new friend of mine, yet I feel like I have known her all my life. I love her like a sister and so enjoy getting to know her better. Cassie is the founder of a ministry called Hands Up Ministries here on the Northside of Richmond, VA. When we met a year or so ago, she had never heard of CCDA (Christian Community Development Association), Dr.John Perkins, Bob Lupton, Wayne “Coach” Gordon or any of the well-known folks who have been doing CCD for years…dare I say decades. But, the Holy Spirit led her to do this work, and she obediently got busy. Now, we are partnering and learning this stuff together. She is such an inspiration and encouragement to me! This is an email that she sent out today to her “pals”, which I am grateful to be counted as one of them. I have posted it with her permission. Take a read…and check out Hands Up…you won’t be disappointed. I promise!
