At the end of the Arts project...

TOP: Sarah and I with Manhattan skyline in back
BOTTOM: The Arts Project in Times Square

I know it’s been a bit of a delay on recent blogs from us but we kinda got sucked into immediate life where it was difficult to find a moment for an update. But now we have a moment, and we wanted to tell you about the end of project in NYC.

Some pics of the students working on their art (It got a little messy at times)

We really had a great finish to the arts project in NYC, it was a refreshing time for both Sarah and I. The students were able to finish their collaborative art pieces in time for the show on July 6^th. We had a substantial turn out to see the art and hear about the project and Here’s Life Inner City and their work on behalf of the poor. The people that came to the show were mostly from the Long Island City neighborhood where we conducted the project. This turned out to be an advantage because we felt like we were serving the local neighborhood rather than feeling like we had to invite the entire city.

More pics of the students working hard on beautiful things

There are a couple of highlights that stand out: one, is that Sarah and I were able to have a great discussion with a gentleman who worked right next door to the warehouse. He seemed to appreciate the spirit of the art show, it represented a place for people to reflect and discuss meaningful issues. He also liked that we did the show in partnership with an organization that sought to meet the needs of the poor. We agreed (it was great to talk with you Harlan – please keep in touch!). The other story we really liked was about two older ladies who came to the show. During the previous week, they had been approached by a couple of our students and had gone through the Soularium survey cards. (Whenever the students went through a survey with someone, they invited the “surveyees” to the show.) Both these ladies came as a result of this interaction. One commented to our friend Leigh Ann that they really enjoyed the survey, saying that they were able to have a meaningful discussion about spiritual things without it being pushy. I find that to be a huge compliment.

Sarah working on a painting (she collaborated with fellow staff, Kristie Koll) and the finished piece

Students interacting with some of the art show attendees

Sarah with one of the students, Ziad and his finished works

We are posting some pics of the art work and show as well as a few from the entire time on project. We really are grateful to you all for your prayers and support­ – you helped make the time a great success!

Sarah and I after the project banquet in downtown Manhattan - that's Freedom Tower under construction making it's slow reach to the sky behind Sarah. When completed it will be 1776 feet tall.

We are currently in Colorado at the staff conference for Campus Crusade for Christ. We’ll be posting more updates about our trip here and other thoughts. Stay in touch!

Kirk and Sarah

Arts Summer Project update...

Hey friends,

We are at the end of our second week here in NYC with the arts project. We have a great bunch of students. We are finished with painting the mural that Sarah designed (see the pic), and the students are deep into the creation of the art for the show in a week

Sarah in front of the mural

It's gonna be a busy week. Sarah and I were here until after 11PM last night and this morning I led a teaching time on the basis of our reality - God. It was a great discussion.

Me leading a teaching time

We appreciate your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for our summer.

Thank you,
Kirk and Sarah

Weary legs and Beauty...

It had been a long wonderful day; lots of work with the satisfaction that you knew you were participating in something larger than yourself. Nevertheless, the weight of the First Father’s curse prevailed as it does on most days and our legs felt the weariness of suburban life, unused to the city. To reduce the burden, we spent a few hours on our friend’s deck sipping at two bottles of wine I had purchased at a local shop. It was nice to find some invigorating moments with good friend over drinks. It’s these times that make you look forward to the Great City when they become perpetual.

I told Sarah that I wanted to transfer to the next train even though it was one stop. As I was telling her that my shins were developing splints, we ran into a crowd coming down the transfer ramp having just disembarked from the previous train – one we would have liked to have boarded. Disappointed, we trudged our way to the platform. “10 minutes” flashed as an indicator of the next train and I began to regret the choice of taking the transfer. I knew we could probably walk the distance in the same amount of time but was too tired to even make that decision. Thankfully there was a bench with two seats, as we sat, we took a breath and settled in to wait the eternal “10 minutes” – at least my shins could rest.

Then, from across the tracks we heard the familiar sound of one of the many street performers in the City. It was unusual in that it was almost midnight, but we were thankful to hear the plucking of a classical guitar. The sounds grew more satisfying when the flautist joined in. “Where is that water?” Sarah asked. I hadn’t noticed the sound until that moment, but the normal sound of liquid draining somewhere through the complex pipe system of the City was evident. “I don’t know?” I replied. The guitar, flute, and sound of running water could well have been replicated in any rural scene where a creek is full of life. But here we were resting our weary legs ten feet underground waiting for the next train. It was worth missing the previous train, and making an attempt at a one stop transfer.

Peace,

Kirk and Sarah

A friend's project...Dickens...

John Hendrix's upstairs studio

This past March I had the privilege to go to a conference in St. Louis that was about the Church and the Arts. My friends John and Andrea Hendrix were gracious enough to take this poor traveler in for almost a week. I was able to spend considerable time with them all including going to see where John works as an illustration professor on the campus of Washington University, and partake of some ice cream at a favored Hendrix spot after bowling...I lost both rounds.

John hard at work on a "Charles Dickens" illustration

Andrea had story time with Jack and Annie (apparently Annie needed help smiling)

The whole St Louis Hendrix crew

I was also able to observe my friend's work habits as an illustrator. I slept on the futon upstairs next to John's studio. One of the projects John was working on was illustrations for a children's book on Charles Dickens. He recently posted on this project (click here for the site) saying it was ready for publishing. I thought I would share his site with you and also a few of my own pics of my time with the Hendrixes.

Peace,

Kirk and Sarah

On our way...

Smokey downtown Jacksonville, Florida

By the time you read this we will be in New York City for our summer project. We spent the last few days traveling up to Maryland where my (Kirk's) parents live. We traveled through wildfire zones (Jacksonville, Florida - the pic of the city skyline is Jacksonville, that's not fog, but smoke) stopped over night in Charlotte, NC with Scott and Audrey (thanks you two). We then drove through the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia (I was reminded of my Civil War history and "Stonewall" Jackson) before arriving today in Elkton, MD. It was two long days and I am quite tired - I hope I recover enough for the project.

I-81 in the Shenandoah Valley

Tomorrow we are taking the train into the Big Apple where we will begin the project for the staff - the students arrive on Monday. Sarah will be making furious preparations for the art work to be done and I will be doing more prep for the teaching times. Please pray that we focus and are able to get work done.

little white church on the way

We will be sending out a "funds update" (probably something referring to "pie") soon, but in the meantime ask that you continue to pray for God's provision for our summer.

Thanks for your continued prayers!
Kirk and Sarah