melodic.

Though my main focus at the Boston Rescue Mission will be to organize, streamline, and implement new policy for the operations department, this week was intended to be a more general orientation to the Mission's various programs. In that vein, Tuesday afternoon was passed helping to make preparations for the 3:00 meal (open to the public) and 4:30 meal (provided for our clients who are enrolled in either our detox or prisoner re-entry program and live at the Mission). I was assigned the task of peeling sweet potatoes and butternut squash along with two clients, Amber and Hanna. Amber, though friendly, was on the quiet side. Hanna, on the other hand, was outgoing and funny. I liked her immediately.

At first glance, I don't have too much in common with our clients. Many grew up in abusive homes, where manipulation and drug abuse were commonplace. Most have dealt with addiction of some sort - alcohol, cocaine, heroin, OTC drugs. All have lost much. A deeper look, though, reveals those qualities common to us as human beings: the need for acceptance, love, security. It is from this place that I begin the process (which is quite simple but feels complex in this new context) of getting to know the clients.

As Hanna and I went about our potato peeling, we made small talk, chatting about the weather, the Mission, our hobbies. She told me that she loved music - "all kinds!" she insisted, when I asked about a favorite genre - and that she liked to sing. As quite the music-lover myself, I suggested that we sing something to pass the time. Hanna seemed to perk up at the idea and asked if I knew any Christian songs, to which I responded that I did, in fact, know quite a few. "What about All in All?" she asked, and we began to sing. In recent years I've taken a liking to more traditional sacred music, and in turn have discounted many modern praise and worship songs as lacking in depth, musicality, or both. As I sang with Hanna, though, I delighted in the realization that the simplicity of the chorus was beautifully relevant and accessible to us both.

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking you like a precious jewel
Lord to give up, I'd be a fool
You are my all in all

Jesus, lamb of God
Holy is your name (2x)

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again, I bless your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down, you pick me up
When I am dry, you fill my cup
You are my all in all

Hanna and I kept singing, discovering that we knew many of the same songs. After a few minutes, she revealed that she had been attending church services in prison and had been encouraged by the music there. I'm reminded of the story in 1 Samuel (in the Hebrew scriptures) of King Saul and a young David. The King was tormented, according to the scriptures, by an evil spirit. David, in the service of the King, would play his lyre, bringing relief to the King's weary mind. Though the times and circumstances are different, I think that music is as powerful today, capable of bringing rest to the spirit of she who is in dire need of such. I was inspired this week to think creatively about ways that I might bring a greater appreciation of music to the Mission and to our clients.

This is gonna be fun. :)

new.

Today was my first day at the Mission. I was introduced to most of the directors (finance, IT, programs, operations) and met with several of them, including my immediate supervisor, Win. Win's an older guy, probably a few years shy of 60, but has the energy of someone half his age. He heads up the Operations department, the area in which I'm going to be working, and I have a feeling that I'm going to love working with him. First of all, he suggested getting to know one another over a cup of coffee at the Boston Beanstock Coffee Company (my kind of guy)! Second, he has this really beautiful way of viewing the Mission's clients (a term used here to refer to the homeless individuals who come through our doors). Win "spoke from his gut," as he kept saying, reminding me of the upside-down nature of the kingdom of God as expressed in Scripture. He talked about how many passages in the Bible speak to the ease with which the poor and humble see God's kingdom. In other words, the poor - whether in possessions or in spirit, as Jesus spoke of in his sermon on the mount recorded in Matthew's gospel - are in a unique position in which to receive God's blessing.

I can't say that I understand much of this yet. I am, however, starting to realize that this year working with the poor will change me. I'm quite sure that I'll see and experience things that I haven't before. I'll be called upon to embrace a greater sense of interdependence among those with whom I'm working (when I'd rather, oftentimes, attempt to go it alone), and I'll be consistently expected to step into roles and relationships that are less-than-comfortable.

Though I can't anticipate what lies before me, I am so happy to be here. For the first time in several years, I think, I truly feel that I am following my heart. When I was heading up the prayer ministry at the BSM during college, I was struck by this passage in Isaiah's book:

The Spirit of the LORD God is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. ESV

Some of you will know that Luke records Jesus reading these words of the prophet at the commencement of his ministry, implying that he was the fulfillment of Hebrew scripture. In both instances, it touches my heart that God desires such things for his children: healing, freedom, release from the chains that bind - ultimately, wholeness. Is this not the kingdom coming on earth as it does in heaven?