Name:Cory Country:United States State:Oregon Metro:Portland Birthday:6/8/1980 Gender:Male
Interests:Making Music, Social Work, Travel, Design, Film, Reading, Bikes, Skateboards, Equality, Nutrition, Different Cultures, Icons, Robots, Theology, Tea, Art Galleries, Old Friends and New Dance Moves. Expertise:Least Of These... Occupation:Education/training Industry:Nonprofit
When we are told to love God and love others, is there a limit to how much? Should we only love others as long as we are comfortable? Safe? Able to easily set boundaries?
There is a woman whom has become a part of our family. Her name is Nikole. We met Nikole one night back in Nov 2007. She was in the grocery store using the phone and looking for a place to go. My housemates watched her as she hung up the phone in desperation holding the hand of her two year old son. She was fleeing from an abusive situation and has been running around to different shelters looking for a safe place to sleep. They invited her to stay with us for a little while and during that time, we found out that she was also six months pregnant. She stayed with us for two weeks while looking for another housing option. When she left, we were unsure if we would ever see her again.
About 5 months ago (May 2008), she called and asked if she could spend another night with us as she was planning on leaving the State by bus the next morning to live with a trusted family member. Not capable of leaving the State for legal reasons she stayed with us for another week but one night came back in tears. CPS (Child Protective Services) had taken her children from her for being tardy to a court hearing. Now a two month old and a two year old are gone from us. She has been staying with us ever since and contributes what she can. After months of tears, legal frustrations, CPS meetings and court hearings, we have been able to get her children back and she is very close to regaining full custody so she can move out of State like planned. The court has evaluated Nikole and has determined that she is the best situation for the kids.
Lord, be glorified, and reveal your Kingdom to Nikole, her children, and us.
Every Tuesday night, we have been hosting a free dinner out of our home for the local community. Its a time where we invite new friends and people in the area to come and share meal together, meet new faces, share stories and talents with each other and the meal is provided by us. The average rate of attendees is around 30 people a week, sometimes it's less, usually it's more. Through hosting our dinner, we have been able to make some really great friendships and minister to different needs as we grow in relationships.
When visiting you can expect times of laughter and conversation, singing and playing different instruments, sharing stories and spoken word, sidewalk chalk, ethnic meals and even a little bit of tight rope walking. Lord restore in us what has been lost.
I recently returned from a 2 week camping trip up in Washington where I got to be a Camp Counselor at a high school youth camp. I use to do this kind of work all the time but haven't really had the opportunity since I returned from Central America last year. Our days were filled with games, team building exercises, horrible food, boat rides and classes as you can see me teaching up top.
My favorite time was cabin time where I was given the opportunity to really speak personally into these High Schoolers lives. It reminded me of why I have invested so many years into youth ministry in the first place, our youth really need mentoring! This experience was very refreshing for me and God used me to lead 3 kids to salvation and encourage so many more.
This is our Trading Booth called Trader Shmoes that we use to reach out to our art community every month on Alberta Street in NE Portland. Art On Alberta is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the Alberta Art District's distinct cultural identity through art and educational activities. Thousands and thousands of people come out to Alberta street to walk, shop and socialize the 40 + blocks that are closed down for vendors, galleries, music, tall bikes, fire breathers and other live acts.
What is unique about our booth is that we are a trading booth and there is no money involved. This makes things a little more fun and gives us a great opportunity to meet new people and share what we are about.
We had a chance to work 2 food stands at Portland CityFest, one of the largest evangelistic events ever staged in the Pacific Northwest. Official attendance estimates were set at 110,000, bringing attendance for Friday and Saturday to more than 185,000 people!
