"Yo....Mr. H...."

I love to write. I believe there is something unique that happens when someone gives life to their thoughts and becomes vulnerable enough to share them with anyone (literally). However, as someone who loves to write, I am very particular on what each blog post is all about. I often think throughout the week of possible topics and eliminate them one by one in my head until I sit before the computer screen and my thoughts decide for me. Of course, there are exceptions. A few weeks ago I had my music on shuffle and Phillip Phillips "Home" came on, and I knew that was my blog topic for the week. Well, as I was trying to figure out what to write about for this week, I became flustered. As I paced around a small room full of computers and Sophomores, an often-heard phrase in my life reminded me that I have continually pushed back writing about one of the best parts of my experience in Philly...

Yo... Mr. H....

In this particular case, the student needed to get their vocabulary book from their locker to work on some homework. Other instances have included:

• Can I go to the bathroom? (Still surprises me every time that people ask if they can use the restroom..)
• I don't understand this question. (Followed by me doing very little, and the student arriving to level of understanding on his or her own..)
• Have you ever heard (Fill in random song that I have heard here)?... (Most students are still surprised that I know of Lil' Wayne, Drake, and Frank Ocean)
• I just turned in my homework, how much will it bring my grade up? (Ah, the perks of being a basketball coach)
• Come look at this jawn (For those of you outside of Philly reading this, jawn is a slang word used to mean pretty much anything. For example, you are currently on your jawn reading this jawn full of jawns... Have fun...)

For the past month, I have been working at International Christian High School located in Northeast Philadelphia in an area called Olney. The school, the first Christian high school in Philly, was started by a church called Cedar Grove. However, the members of the Cedar Grove church fizzled out and left the neighborhood and their ministry behind. The church left. The school stayed. Now, nearly 45 years later, I roam the halls, create documents in the office, monitor study halls, greet students, and am building relationships as the first Mission Year team member to volunteer at ICHS. 

Now, it's time for me to be real (and probably super cheesy at the same time). In just a month, I have fallen in love with my job. As most of you know, I am no fan of waking up early, but waking up Monday through Thursday is an absolute joy because I know where I will spend the rest of my day. And sure, not every minute of the work day is spent having intentional conversations with students or even helping them with schoolwork. Most minutes are devoted to office work, answering phone calls, or searching for things to do. But even in those moments, I love being within the walls of ICHS. Working in the office, monitoring study halls, being a substitute teacher (subbed for gym last week), coaching basketball, and most importantly just being there has allowed me to affected. You see, the students at ICHS have taught me so much about life. About perseverance. About dedication. About loyalty. 

I could go on and on. And it's only been a month.

Translation: You will hear a lot more about ICHS.

I look forward to every moment at school. Every "Good morning Mr. Hammond". Every handshake. Every homework question. Every pick up game against my team. Every conversation. Every jawn.

With love,

Mitch

Keep My Eyes To Serve... My Hands To Learn...

I must admit, tonight was an interesting night. Three of our roommates were not at the house, leaving just four of us at the dinner table feasting over tamale pie. After a casual reference to White Blank Page by Mumford & Sons, we began to delve into the world of Mumford music. The Cave. After the Storm. Thistle and Weeds. After singing together (quite nicely, if I do say so myself), we bravely explored into new songs of unknown lyrics. Beautiful lyrics echoed from the speakers as we would just look at each other in adoration of a beautiful songwriter. As I listened to more and more new lyrics, a few lyrics on Below My Feet stuck with me...

Let me learn from where I have been
Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn...

A beautiful cry to God.

I've spent 23 years in Kentucky, 3 of which spent at Morehead. Although I may not have known it then, in my first month here in Philadelphia (yes, it's been a month...crazy huh?!) I have used tools I learned back home and at school. Simple things. Speaking in public. Sharing my testimony. Knowing the Book of Romans and its contents (thanks Gene). Journalling. Studying the Bible (Joshua? Check. Judges? Check. Bring it on Ruth...). Talking to people. God has done a wonderful job (no kidding, Mitch) of preparing me for this trip with my experiences from home. For this, I'd like to say thank you to those back home reading this for teaching me, growing with me, encouraging me, and allowing me to leave to fulfill God's plan. Philadelphia would not be the experience it has been if not for your participation in my life.

With that being said, I cannot look back to where I have been. I am in Philly, and that is where my eyes must be focused. To the kids at the park. To my teammates. To John. To the students (and faculty) at International Christian High School (I'll be bragging on this eventually...). To the SEPTA riders. To Philadelphia. My eyes may get distracted and try to focus elsewhere, but I pray that God will always keep me focused on His desires and not my own.

Philadelphia has been great. In just one month, I feel an interesting attachment to the city that I didn't fully anticipate when I arrived in August. Philadelphia changed that, though. Every SEPTA ride. Each time a student says "What's up Mr. H?". A rebound for a made shot by a young kid at the park. Choir singing How Great is Our God at church (it was rockin'). Mary's kindness. Dave's sense of humor. Megan's laugh. Aaron's ZING. Emily's one-liners. Rigsbee's service. Four friends singing Mumford & Sons around the dinner table.

With love,

Mitch

...I'm gonna make this place your home....

American Idol winner Phillip Phillips released one of my favorite songs of 2012 earlier this year called "Home". I played the song while I was driving with the windows down, or while I was out on the boat, or walking down the street, or pretty much anywhere I could listen to music. A simple song, but for some reason I was addicted to the music and the lyrics. However, the song lacked true meaning for me until a few days ago when it came up on shuffle.

Now I have no idea what the meaning of the song is, but the song transformed into a word of encouragement for me...

Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you’re not alone
'Cause I’m going to make this place your home

This city, Philadelphia, and all that I may experience throughout this year is a long, unfamiliar road that I am trying my best to navigate through. I may get lost (I did miss my stop today on the subway) and things may not go as I expect them to, but through it all, I'm not alone. God has my back and He is with me through every wrong turn, speed bump, and missed stop on this unfamiliar road. And the beautiful thing is, on this unfamiliar road, I've met so many unfamiliar people through unfamiliar situations that God has put together to make a beautiful experience or friendship. 

On Monday I started volunteering at my work site, International Christian High School. Although I had spoke with the principal over the summer, I really had no idea what to expect. Over the course of just four days, however, I feel like I am truly part of the faculty at ICHS, not to mention that the students there have to be the coolest group of students in the country. It's weird being called "Mr. Hammond", or even "Mr. H" (more and more students are beginning to call me this), but I feel like I may get used to it as the year proceeds. 

Today was my Sabbath day, meaning it is the day of the week designed for us to do whatever it is we enjoy that brings us peace, relaxation, and allows us to "charge our batteries", so to speak. I met Heidi and Ashton (two West Philadelphians) and Aaron at the library and we worked on various things and hung out for a few hours. Then Heidi and I went walking around Center City, and we passed a younger guy, about my age, begging for money on the street. I was drawn to him, but I kept on walking. I was mad at myself for walking by and I just kept thinking about the guy. 

10 minutes pass...

Heidi looks at me and asks how I feel about people who beg on the street. As I was explaining to her how I felt, I mentioned that we passed a guy before that I wish I would have stopped at and talked to. We then looked across the street and there he was, looking in the trash for something. She said she felt like she wanted to stop to and brought up the brilliant idea to cross the street and talk to him. We did. Unfamiliar place. Unfamiliar person. Unfamiliar situation. God putting all three together to make the most beautiful experience I've had in Philly thus far. 

We didn't talk long, about five minutes. He was about my age, maybe a year or two younger or older, I couldn't really tell. He had a blackened eye that I noticed immediately, although I decided I shouldn't ask how it got there. He talked about his situation, his family, his method of sleeping on the hot vents with two pieces of cardboard, and his hunger. I asked him if we could pray together and he said "yes", although he didn't need to verbalize it, his face lightened up with a yes. We formed a small circle on the sidewalk, held hands, and prayed together. I told him I would come by next week to visit and he thanked me, explaining how he doesn't have many friends. Then when Heidi and I left, he asked if he could give me a hug. I hope and pray that I get to see my friend, John, again.

I know I've only been in Philly for 3 weeks, which doesn't seem like a very long time in the grand scheme of things. However, God is shaping this city and community into something more than just a destination for a year-long mission trip. He is the voice singing I'm gonna make this place your home...

Pure Joy...

When I first stepped onto the concrete pavement of Philadelphia, PA, I felt a wave of emotions engulfing my every being. Anxious. Excited. Nervous. Despite the smorgasbord of emotion, I was covered by a beautiful sense of peace and an unprecedented joy. Facing an 11-month journey filled with unknowns, I was completely unprepared... and completely ready. Weird combo, eh?

The first week was spent becoming oriented with the MissionYear vision, familiarizing ourselves with our neighborhood, and building a community in our residence. Monopoly. Live Action Mafia. Mao (I really wish I could explain you the rules to this one)...(actually, no I don't). Creating "inside jokes" in two weeks. And becoming a family...Real World style (with a Christian twist). Let's take a look into each of my housemates...

Dave "The Veteran" (from Maine) - A swell guy that did a great job of creating a "safe" environment to be ourselves from the onset.

Aaron "The Gramps" (from Oregon) - Although he is the elder of the group (just celebrating his birthday on the 12th!), he has such a love for loving people.

Mary "Miss Smiley" (from North Carolina) - Whenever confronted with cross-cultural conversations, she abrupts with smiling due to happiness, not to mention she introduced me to sriracha (amazing, get yoself some!)

Megan "The Jedi" (from California) - Have a day to plan? She is yo gal! Not to mention that she would probably whoop you in some Star Wars Scene It, just sayin...

Rigsbee "The Jokester" (from South Carolina) - He is always there to crack a joke and enjoys reaching out and meeting new people in the neighborhood.

Emily "The Baby" (from Michigan) - She is not only the youngest in the group, but also the youngest in MissionYear Philly but despite her youth, she has some great taste in music (can I borrow your iPod again?)

After an amazing week, something weird started happening to my body (Noah voice). I ended up having to go to the hospital on Thursday and discovered I had a case of tonsillitis. No bueno. I know that tonsillitis isn't the most extreme trial in the history of the world, but it is a trial nonetheless. That's when I realized something. When you are following Christ and pursuing social justice, "Bad" will not stop. Bad will do whatever it can to prevent you from befriending Good. My good friend James (the author of that book in the Bible...called James) reminds me to "Consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2). Obstacles may arise (thanks a lot convergent boundaries) but each obstacle is an opportunity to get closer to the goal in our race.

I can't wait to see what will unravel this year. I feel like in just two weeks I've already experienced Jesus in such a real way that surprises me to be honest. I won't be able to post anything until next Friday, but I will definitely be updating all of you on my first week of work at ICHS!

With love!

Mitch