Splash Out

Last Friday on the 26, we had a wet day! The day started off as any other ordinary day, like usual we started that day with breakfast and good morning time. We than would split up into our groups and go to different stations throughout the day. Each station would have different activities that for the most part kept the kids engaged. By the end of our day the kids were given their own sand bucket to decorate or do whatever they may have want it to do with the. After they were done with their buckets all the kids were asked to go outside, there they all were given 2 water balloons each to do what they pleased with them. Each kids did what any other kid would of, they found a target and launched it away. I had just happened to be a target for about 6 to 7 kids, even though they knew i was just suppose to be watch them, they attacked me anyway.When all was done and no water balloons were left the kids decided to grab the sand buckets, fill them up with freezing cold water and throw it at each other. At this point I was dripping wet from head to toe, and felt like I should join in and have me a rocking time with everyone else. The rest of the day seemed to have taken hours even though we really only had 30 minutes left. We had a good time even if the water did get a little cold and my shoes were no longer useable. ;)

This Week, I'm Ready for Whatever

This past week was our first week with a group. Yesterday brought a new group from Springs Town, Texas and they had a lot of guys, which is something we needed. A lot of these kids are so thirsty for positive male attention and I'm glad that these guys have stepped in and are doing there best to be there for the kids. This group is so awesome, today they were talking about Joshua and the Wall of Jericho with the kids and they built a makeshift Jericho out of boxes that was pretty awesome, pictures will come soon. The best thing I like about this group is there not out there to "fix" these kids, they are genuinly interested in hearing their stories and being a part of their lives this week. Anyway, thats it for now. Peace out Alex Duncan

For Lack of a Better Male

Last week was quite the shift in routine. We began bringing in groups instead of running the daily programs ourselves. This gave me the opportunity to talk to some of the kids a little bit more than I was the week prior. One of the things that I found out was that a very large majority, like all the kids I talked to except one, do not have a father figure in their home and also do not have the opportunity to see him outside of the home. I believe this father figure issue is whats contributing to a lot of behavior problems we experience at Urban, as well as some pre-cursor behaviors to unhealthy lifestyles. I am realizing that it is important that I role model character and integrity for the children, especially the boys, and address situations when there might be a lack of either. The kids will most likely not have them modeled on MTV. I wish I could say more about this subject but I am still getting a grasp on the effects that a father has on his children, good or bad, and how I can substitute some of the essential vitamins of guidance that the children here at Urban are lacking. God Bless.

A New Week with an Awesome Youth Group!

It has definitely been refreshing to have outside groups come to help us over the past two weeks. This week's is a youth group from Springtown Church of Christ in Springtown, TX. We have both guys and girls who have a plethora of energy and words of encouragement for the kids. I really liked how the group incorporated the Bible story of Moses, Pharaoh, and the parting of the Red Sea into their activities for today. I can't wait to see what they have planned to entertain and teach the kids for the rest of the week. Pictures to come! ~Bets

With or without love, that is the question.

Ok so this week we had a group come in a do programming and our primary purpose was basically to make sure that every kid made it to their next station alive! So that means enforcing the rules, making sure everyone's safe, and being on top of things: basically being the disciplinarian. To be the disciplinarian is a role that I apparently presume often. I love kids and I love working with people, however sometimes combining them can be a little stressful. Nevertheless the key to making sure that I don't loose my cool, sanity or kindess is to make sure that love is always my #1 motivating factor. 1 Corinthians 13 says that we could give all that we possess to the poor and the helpless, but we are nothing if we have not love. So I make a vow that when things get a little hectic and I find myself reacting out of the flesh, I will take a breath and remember that I can't do and should not do anyting except out of love. Posted by Candice Johnson

Creative Expressions

During these last few weeks I've met so may wonderful children. It amazes me to see how extremely creative they are. One child that stands out is Faith Garcia. Everytime she's given a chance to be creative she goes above and beyond to showcase her talent. When I sat down with her she told me that she's been serious about art for about a year now. Whenever she's given a task ideas come to her mind out of know where. She recently won first place in an art contest at her school, Crockett Elementary. I asked her what she wants to be when she grows up and she said a professional artist. Just from being around her in this little time I'm confident that she will succeed at this. It's such a blessing to be able to be surrounded with gifted young people. I truley believe that the sky is the limit for Faith, as well as the rest of the children here at Urban Connection.

Here's her rocked out penguin! Check out the Spikes....

This is a shirt she designed herself. I love the reflection of her name in the water. How creative!!!!

That's all for now....until next time be blessed and prosperous.....

-K. Smith

What I learned about kids

Here are a few things I learned about kids through just 1 week at Urban: 1. Your mere presence can scare the wits out of them. Sometimes they love it. Other times they know they're busted. 2. Personal boundaries are unknown. 3. Nothing is worth it unless it's dramatic. 4. They have no concept of time. "Five seconds is forever." 5. They always claim they "just fell in" or "it just happened" yet it's an intricate process getting them out or getting them through it. 6. It's funny how they both claim their not lying. 7. They will love you and hate you but never forget you 8. When they bonk their head the world falls apart and they need everlasting comfort. When you bonk your head they ask, "Well, why did you do that? Can we get back to playing now? 9. If they realize you went to the bathroom they wait by the door. If you take a bit they start talking to you through the door. Anything longer than that they start knocking on the door and slipping their hands underneath to make sure you remember them. 10. They always feel inclined to show you something disgusting, like a booger or a dead bug. Then they are confused as to why they have to wash their hands. 11. Siblings can be best friends and then arch enemies and then best friends again. And then arch enemies. 12. They proclaim on the highest mountain that they are the biggest baddest super hero around and nothing is gonna stop them. Then they ask you to fix their utility belt because it's loose. 13. Sometimes a nap, something in their belly, or a kiss will make them happy. But inspite of all this or rather because of all this, we keep coming back each day! Urban kids we love you and it's because of you that we do what we do! Posted by Candice Johnson

Week 1 Down and I am so stoked for Week 2!!

Week one at Urban Connection with having all of the kids was completely awesome and God really answered our prayers for the hopes we had for each kid this past week. Being in charge of Academics and Service was so much fun, I was a little hestitant about it since telling kids about facts may come off as boring. Surprisingly the kids loved it especially when I brought in all of my books and toys from Alaska. The four and five year olds wanted to know everything about Alaska and the cutest thing one of them asked was, "Can we pet Brown Bears?", and I said no they will eat you and the little boy's face was priceless in fear. This past week was completely awesome and I can really see God working in each and every one of us especially the kids. I am super stoked for this next week since it will be our first week with having a group come in to play with the kids. Please coutinue to pray for the Urban Connection Ministry and the Community. Gig EM' and God Bless Posted by Lindsey Hawkins

Arts and Crafts with Sabrina, Kishia,and Elizabeth

Kisha, Elizabeth and Myself were given the opportunity to work with the kids from around the community doing arts and crafts with them. Through out the week we decided to base our days and activities on certain kid movies. Monday was Kong Fu Panda, Tuesday was Happy Feet, Wednesday was the Incredibles, Thursday was Madagascar and Friday was Planet 51. The kids had a blast with all or out activities, although i think that Happy Feet might have been the one they liked the best, just because during their arts and crafts they got to make a snacks they could eat. As the week went on our class groups seemed to grow with more and more kids, luckily we made sure that each child had a chance to make something. Monday they made dragons, Tuesday they all got to make a paper plate penguin and an Oreo penguin, Wednesday the made super hero toilet paper roll crafts, Thursday some of the older kids made Giraffe puppets, and the smaller age kids made paper plate loins, and on Friday they each got to make their own alien spaceship.

The Circus;

On Wednesday 13 kids were chosen to go to the circus, for most of them it was their first time ever going to the circus, as for me it was my second. I know that each child had a blast and enjoyed it. Out of the whole show most of them enjoyed the part were two women were shot out of a giant cannon across the other side of the room. I personally love it all!

-Sabrina

The Swing Set

The shade of a few oak trees is a beautiful thing when you’ve been outside in the Texas heat trying to keep up with all the curious actions and minds of children. I caught myself in this glorious oasis today with my heart melting from something different than the 100+ degree weather. It was in this shade that I found myself pushing 4 children on the swings from our youngest age group at Urban Connection. Their soft, sweet voices, one after another, kept saying, “Higher Mr. James, higher,” as they would begin to slow down having not yet learned how to tuck their feet and kick them forward to keep themselves going. Their giggles and laughs could only make me smile as I breathed like a horse trying to match their insistent pleas of my master pushing skills. As I repeated this new laborious activity, a lofty thought passed through my mind, “This might be some of the only positive attention these children will get today. So many of the children in this city don’t have a male figure to even push one of them on the swings. And here I am, a 21-year-old college student, getting the opportunity to have just a little moment in their lives, even if it is just pushing them on the swings. Wow!” My eyes, admittedly, were a little watery as time wrapped up and they hopped off the swings and raced to grab my hand to be lead off the playground and to their next to activity. My heart was full of joy and a humbled gratefulness as their little arms were almost fully extended just to reach my hand. You see, I too was the child that wanted to be pushed on the swing set but this was the oh-so-common swing set of life. I once was sitting on a cold swing with no direction or force to change my static life, feeling all alone on a cruel playground with countless bullies to tell me of my worthlessness. This is when Jesus came up and with the slightest, softest pushes began giving me an excitement and direction to a once purposeless life. He Himself took the burden of the weight that the chains held and gave motion to my once motionless life, while at the same time reassuring me of my new found worth in Him. Where would I be without Him? I too, at times, find myself saying, “Higher Jesus, higher” when I might try to take credit for my newly transformed kinetic energy that is slowly dissipating from my inability to be the force that sustains it. He always faithfully responds though with the familiar soft pushes and smiles the warmest of smiles, as he knows that someday I will leave this playground too, holding His hand and ranting on and on about how great He is and how I can’t wait for what’s next. Thank you Jesus!

“…I have come that the may have life, and have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10

First Week ADVENTURES at Urban! =)

So last week was the very first week me and all the other "cool-cat" crew members started at Urban Connection, and might I say what a SPLENDID week it was!! The week was filled with so many adventures, from HEB -----> all the way up the street to Frank Garrett Gym playing dodge-ball! So far it has been excellent just hanging with the new team, and meeting a few of the neighborhood kids here and there. I am SUPER excited about next week, and all the adventures we have in store..its going to be AWESOME!!! Until Next Time America.......(well Urban, lol). Tooda-Looo!! :-) -Precious Nwigwe

I'm So Excited

Tomorrow is our first day being with the kiddos all day. I’m really excited and a little bit nervous, but mostly excited. I’m also really excited to meet the rest of the kids in the program. We met a few kids throughout the week whenever we had playtime. I think this week will be al lot of fun and hopefully the kids will enjoy it too. Since one of my favorite movies is the Incredible, I’m pretty excited for Wednesday. Also Precious and I have some really fun and cute activities planned for that day.  Anyway, I’m really excited about this summer and seeing what God has in store for us.

Posted by

Alex

Getting things done

This week we had a day when we took a huge chunk of time to organize and really get the place looking snazzy. We all teamed together to bust and move furniture, attack the dreaded supplies corner monster (which we defeated), paint the walls, and plan, plan, plan! It was really fun to see everyone use their talents (big shout out to Lindsey our organizing guru!) We worked really hard to make sure that the kids have a stellar summer. We committed alot of sweat, creativity and planning into this summer and we are so excited about seeing it all work out! That's the beauty of getting things done :)

Posted by
Candice

New Beginnings

What an exciting first week we've just had at Urban! I can't wait to get started with the new group this summer. Getting to know everyone has been a blast, and I know that God has great things in store for us and the kids this summer. Lives are about to be changed as we witness the love of Jesus Christ in the Lincoln Courts neighborhood!

Keep us in your prayers as we embark on a new journey this summer!




Posted by Juila Hoyack

Movie Day Planning!

This past Saturday Candice and I got together at my church to plan for the awesome week of having a different movie theme each day for the kids this past week. The station Candice and I are in charge of is Academics and Service. Monday is going to be the theme of Kung Fu Panda and we were able to put together an awesome game of Jeporardy for the kids, and bring in some awesome artifacts from China for the kids to be able to see. The day that I am most excited about is Wednesday for the fact that the theme is the Incredibles. In that movie the characters are all super hero's , so we came up with the idea of service being put in our station by having the kids write a letter to their very own super hero in their life and thanking them. I am very excited for this next week and the plans God has in store for each indivual child.
Until next time Gig Em and God Bless!!

Posted by Lindsey Hawkins

My first week at Urban.

Wow. Is really all that comes to mind when i think of the opportunity God has given me for the summer. To have the chance to be around these kids and bring smiles to their faces is going to be my joy. I really didn't know what to expect when we started but I have to say I have full confidence in myself and most importantly my team. By the way who are an amazing group and I am really happy that we all get along like we do. My favorite time this past week was 3:00 Playtime!!! I had a blast! Its been like 12 years since I played kick-ball. We tied both times but, um its cool lol. I forgot how much fun you can have with kids just running and laughing. After that first day I was so tired I felt old haha. Man we also played dodgeball! What!! Yes Dodgeball. After a week of play I think my energy has returned to keep me going all summer. I can't wait to start week 2 I'm SpongeBob Ready!! Lol. This summer is going to be a learning experience for me. I can't wait to see the changes God makes in these kids life and mine.
-Josh Miller aka Jmillz     

Our Fun Group

The past week at Urban was incredible not only because we were able to learn and develop skills that we'll be able to apply to our summer with the kids this summer, but also because our group of ten has already become very close. I find it quite miraculous that all ten of us get along so well and bonded in such a short amount of time. In the midst of lots of training, organizing, and extensive preparations for our first official week with the kids next week, we were able to also encourage each other to endure the outdoor heat, cram nine of us into a car, take quite a few silly pictures, have some dance parties, and even catch a mouse (James tells the full story in his blog from this week). 

Here are a few pictures from this week!

We fit nine of us into one car!

Josh, Kisha, and Sabrina preparing for Madagascar Day next week!

James and Josh chillin' in the Food Bank truck

Teamwork in counting and organizing LOTS of change!

Here's the ominous mouse that was chased all the way down the street!

I am so excited about working with my group for the rest of the summer. I can't wait to see what God will do. I know it will be something awesome!

~Bets

First Week at Urban

It has been an amazing first week serving at Urban Connection - San Antonio. I am having a blast and I am so grateful for the chance to be a part of whats happening here. We kicked-off last Thursday with Americorps training in Dallas where the whole team (8 girls and 2 guys) stayed at a hotel together. The hotel graciously upgraded Josh and I to a suite on the club members floor with free breakfast and appetizers at no cost. What a blessing! I didn't expect much from the training but it was very informative and stoked a fire in me to set my face towards neighborhoods often overlooked, in order that a few might be saved. One of the crazy things that I found out was that Texas has the highest child hunger problem with at least 2.2 million children going hungry every year. These are children that can't perform well in school because they're hungry and given no positive attention at home. Even more amazing is that this is happening on the Church's watch. How can you say you love Jesus but knowingly allow little children go without food in their stomach. The book of James in the Bible lands so much harder for me now. While at the training, I had the opportunity to lead one of four groups, composed of other Americorps members stationed at other non-profits in Dallas, in a trash pick up. The location we were at was one of the worst places in Dallas. I haven't seen so much drug paraphernalia in my life! We picked up crack bags, blown out cocaine balloons, and alcohol bottles of all kinds. I had to run between streets and through alley ways to manage four different sub-groups that had been split up through the neighborhood but God's peace was with me. It was a great opportunity to serve others and get my hands dirty! I couldn't have been happier with the chance to lead. On Monday, we were back at Urban in San Antonio and started our specific organizational training and planning. Josh, Julia, and I will be in charge of outdoor activities all next week. Each day, the activities will have something to do with a popular kids movie, such as Kung Fu Panda, Happy Feet, Planet 51, The Incredibles, and Madagascar. We have planned games like Asteroid toss, a penguin slip and slide, and super hero relays. Josh and I will also be doing a sports oriented, urban after hours (UAH pronounced oooahhh by Ms. Randi) program for only boys. We didn't want to exclude the girls but we figured that it might be some of the only intentional time we have with just the boys. Oh man! I almost forgot! Yesterday, we went to the San Antonio Food Bank to load up food into a big U-Haul truck for the Urban Resource Center. When we were unloading it at Urban, we found a live rat chilling in one of the boxes. I heroically went after him with just a broom to which he responded by jumping out of the truck and passing right between Josh's legs. The kids, the Spanish speaking women, and I were all chasing him down the street yelling "MATALE!", which means "kill him". It must have been a funny site. Luckily for him though, once he was trapped between one of the boys feet, one of the ladies picked him up by his tale and tossed him in the dumpster. I'm sure he was in heaven. Other than that we have been playing some super competitive games of kickball and dodge ball, and training for the many perceived situations that await us. I am confident the team can handle it though. We are each very different but every one of them is an amazing person! I really like the individuals I am serving along side and I couldn't say enough about them. Some thoughts that I will leave you with were given to us today by Pastor Craig, Director of Kingdom Relations, and are continuing to motivate me to give my all in the upcoming summer. The first one went something like this,"These kids that we are working with only know a life of survival, which is different from living. We are getting the opportunity to teach them how to LIVE!" and the next,"We love these children the same way God loves us, unconditionally. That means that our love has nothing to do with whether they are loveable or not. We love them either way." Thanks for reading!

New Member to Urban

Today was my the first day as a [new] Urban Connection member. We did some planing, discussing, and a little bit of kick balling. We had a BLAST!, and met some new friends from the neighborhood  in the process. Although, i did get some kick ball battle wounds, my team did manage to catch up and tie the score 7 to 7.

-Sabrina