DOOR Atlanta Volunteers in "Grow: The Movie"

Our friends at Oak Leaf Mennonite Farm, one of our partner ministries for the summer, are being highlighted in a documentary film about small farmers in Georgia. Because of the work our Discover Mission Trip participants have done on the farm this summer, they were also included in some of the filming at the farm. Here's a link for more information about this film. http://growmovie.blogspot.com/. The picture above came from the filmmakers, Christine and Owen.

Well Done Good and Faithful Servant

This week we are focusing on "Persistence" as our leadership word of the week with our summer staff. Persistence is something that God often asks of God's followers. In my mind, persistence means trusting and following God, even when we're not sure how things will turn out or when it is difficult to follow God. When the Israelites were wandering in the desert for many years, God asked them to trust and follow. God asked them to follow even when it was hard and the promised land seemed to be only a dream. And eventually God's people reached the land of milk and honey. When the early Christians were being persecuted, it would have been easy to give up their faith. But the early Christians were persistent in their faith and eventually Christianity was spread far and wide. Although not as drastic as these biblical accounts, working at DOOR sometimes requires persistence as well. Our staff and participants see injustice, need, and sometimes disrespect all around them. At times it is tempting to believe that what we do doesn't make a difference; doesn't make a positive impact. We ask groups to weed in community gardens, to sort clothes at thrift stores, to prepare meals for soup kitchens, and play games with children who are homeless. But at the end of the week or summer, there will still be folks who need a meal, weeds will continue to grow in the garden and there will still be children who are living in homeless shelters. And so we must turn to God and persist in our belief that God can use our humble offerings to bring about God's mission in the world. That God can take the seed of what we do this week or this summer and grow it into something amazing. Sometimes I don't know how God will accomplish this, but I am persistent in my belief that if we try to be faithful, God will find a way to use our humble offerings and will ultimatately be pleased by our desire to glorify God through our service.

Now, here are the reflections of one of our summer Discern staff on "Persistence".

~Jannan Thomas, DOOR Atlanta City Director

"Persistence is, in the end, what separates the winners from the losers; but it also does not come naturally. This past week, we reflected on this word and how we can start applying it to the rest of our summer as staff. My first thoughts were to keep persisting in the way I show hospitality to our middle-schoolers and high-schoolers week by week: greeting them with a smile and a “how are you?”, willingly helping them when they’ve asked me a question, and giving them my best if I have to help lead an activity one night.

God also calls us to persistence when He sees that we’re losing speed in our lives. A perfect example is found in Matthew 7:7 when Jesus says “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you”. The Lord says that if we keep on praying, we keep on having faith, and we keep believing in Him, there is no doubt we will find Him! In the context of this summer, if we, as staff, keep persisting in the way we facilitate different groups’ experiences week by week, we will also earn a reward. Not only will we learn more about serving young people and our community, or about a hard summer’s work. But at the end of our summer, God will smile down at us and say “well done, good and faithful servant”."

Betty, Discern Summer Staff

Presenting is an aspect of Hospitality

This summer DOOR Atlanta is focusing on welcome and hospitality during our mission trip programs. We are asking folks to explore the ways Christ calls us to offer hospitality to those around us. At the same time, the summer staff are exploring different leadership traits each week during the summer. So far this summer we have studied and practiced initiative, motivation and problem solving, among others. This week, Charlayna, one of our summer staff explores the intersection between our leadership trait of the week and our theme of hospitality. Her insights make all of us think about how even something we do all the time, like presenting, can be hospitable to those around us.

~Jannan Thomas, DOOR Atlanta City Director

"Presenting is an aspect of hospitality. Here at DOOR Atlanta, we, the staff members make certain of presenting ourselves to the new groups that arrive each week. Each week we meticulously make sure to do an outstanding job in presenting their living space, the agendas for the week, their freshly cooked meals, and expectations through the philosophy of ministry. We can also attest to the significance of presentation from the different staff members of the agencies we visit throughout the week. The manner in which staff introduce their agencies and treat their clients has a strong effect on the perception and work attitude of the DOOR groups. And lastly, an essential aspect to how the groups return home to tell of their trip and lessons of hospitality is through their presentation of the trip. It is very important that we avoid complacency to present our ideas and other things in the best possible condition. "

Charlayna, DOOR Atlanta Discern Summer Staff

Make a Joyful Noise

Today's blog reflection comes from Alisha, one of our Discern Summer Staff. One of the ministries she has been working with this summer is the Friendship Center at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church. At DOOR Atlanta, we believe that service always includes both giving and receiving. Alisha's reflection points out one way we receive abundantly through service.

~Jannan Thomas, DOOR Atlanta City Director

""Who would like to lead us in a song?" asked Robby." I would, I would!" replied Marty. Marty proceeded to stand before the congregation to lead us in song. Everyone was ready to join in with Marty but no one could quite follow him because he mumbled the words and rushed through the song. But after his selection everyone cheerfully applauded. Several other guests led songs that the congregation joined in with, everyone singing to their own beat and own key. The whole experience reminded me of my days in middle school band when everyone would warm up their instruments independently, unaware of each other. As I sat in the congregation trying to sing along I could not help but wonder how this sounded to God. And by looking at the smiling faces I knew God was pleased.

What you do not know is those gathered here at the Friendship Center for noon day prayer are all dealing with some form of mental disability, ranging from severe to minor disabilities. The Friendship Center offers a safe haven for this population of people in Atlanta, Ga who are often ignored, shunned, forgotten about and abandoned. But today they are reminded that God has not abandoned them. When everyone else left them or mistreated them God was still there with open arms. Because of God's unfailing love, they sing praises. Their praise is not dependent upon a mass choir, or vocally trained soloists, or pianists. But their praise comes straight from their heart. Some of the guests at Friendship Center are musically inclined and they offer their gifts, like Ms. Mary who recieved no formal training but one day when she was a child hopped on the piano and started playing, fulfilling a need that was unmet in her local congregation. Those who are not as gifted in music and singing also lift up their voices unashamed, creating a sound that to a trained ear may sound like discord but to an ear that hears beyond the notes sounds like sincerity of worship. I can truly say my understanding of a joyful noise has been changed. God just doesn't delight in the melodies made by our voices and our instruments but God delights in the music that flows from our hearts as a communitiy of believers." *Names have been changed.

~Alisha, Discern Summer Staff