Day 1

So, I am now here in Camden, New Jersey. I really can't believe it. After months of anticipation, and not a little prayer, I've actually arrived.

This city has so much color. Not just that the folks who live here are colored - cause they certainly are - but there's something about these streets, the many abandoned homes, the men and women sitting out on the front steps of their row homes, and the children splashing in the water from a fire hydrant that really gives this place character.

I'm definitely not in Kansas anymore, and I'm humbled by how ignorant I am about life outside of the west coast of Canada. The air is hot and muggy here. South Camden is the former home to a prison, and the current home to a sewage treatment plant, and a garbage dump - so the air is also toxic. The skin of the people who live here is as dark as mine (I've never been the majority before...its a nice change). Most of Camden is black and latino. And due to many different factors (which I am learning about each day that I'm here), Camden is one of the most impoverished cities in North America. I wouldn't doubt it. Though the town has a lot of character it is obviously poor. Though the dark skin of the folks here is beautiful, its obvious in their faces that life out here can get ugly. I've only been here two days and already I know I'm in over my head.

I'm working at Camp Faith here in South Camden. There are several others too (Camps peace, saved, promise, spirit, freedom, and courage). And I live in a place called The Brick House. Its got a lot of character. I'll take a video tour of it with my camera and post it in a minute. I live in a house with 9 other girls (Rachel, Ashley, Dacia, Doreen, Sarah, Natalie, Suzi, Katie & Sammie) and we've got one and one half bathrooms - its gonna be one hell of an adventure.

if you wanna pray for me, just pray God continues to be who he is. I know he's with me, I know he's in this city - hell, he's even with the 16 year old selling crack on the street corner. As long as God continues to be who he is, then all of us have a chance of finding meaning and hope in all this. I'll try to keep this blog updated, but if i'm honest I can't make any promises about the frequency.... i'm just saying. ;)

peace & love.

check out: www.urbanpromiseusa.org