Email: Laura Lee

Dear Friends,

Sitting in front of a blank page on a slow, stormy Miami Sunday, I'm overwhelmed by how much there is to tell you. First, I'm full of gratitude for all your support. I have been thrilled to get your letters, phone calls, and emails, which keep me tied into your lives as I acclimate to a whole new world here. Many thanks for your support in prayer and in finances—I am very close to reaching my fundraising goal, so praise God! Please know that you can still donate to the program throughout the year, and it will contribute to the ministry of DOOR/ YAV.

Many things have changed and shifted from my original expectations of my ministry, and I have definitely seen God working in that process. I am in a year-long program that is a partnership between PC(USA)'s Young Adult Volunteer program (YAV) and the Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection (DOOR) program of the Mennonite Church.  Furthermore, in my job placement at South Florida Urban Ministries (SFLUM)—a ministry of the United Methodist Church—I am also a member of AmeriCorps, a national service program. I’m learning plenty about partnerships! I am working with a great mix of people, quickly making connections throughout a number of communities in Miami and far, far beyond.

In my job at SFLUM, I am loosely focused on the development of "Prosperity Centers," places where a number of services aimed at economic empowerment will be provided. At our three sites, we have ongoing after school programs and hope to incorporate the organization's other services, such as health workshops, free tax preparation, and financial planning for small businesses. Part of my role is coordinating and nurturing that holistic range of services; part of it is getting to know our communities by tutoring students and helping with ESL and GED classes for adults; and part of it is reaching out to Spanish-speaking churches, strengthening those relationships. In all those parts of my job, there is so much learning to do! My tasks carry plenty of responsibility, so and I don't feel like a lowly intern. I am grateful for autonomy and flexibility, and for my supervisor's commitment to making this year challenging and fulfilling for me. Even so, I certainly welcome your prayers for my workplace, for the many tasks I'm juggling, and for God to guide me in this learning process.

It's not all about my job, though!  Investing in the DOOR/ YAV community here in Miami is a critical part of the program, most obviously in the fact that I live in a sweet blue house in "Little Gables" (between Little Havana and Coral Gables) with two other women. Alicia also works at SFLUM, focusing on one site where we hope to link the after school program to community development through a church. Andrea is in her second year in Miami, and she works in a coalition for affordable housing and community development. As you could guess, we talk and think about a lot of the same things and run into many of the same people regularly! We've enjoyed meeting our neighbors by taking them cookies, and we now laughingly field their questions and funny looks while operating our woman-powered push-mower out in the yard. We continue to pray through what it means to be a house of Christian women and what God may be calling us to as a house, whether that is Bible study, outreach in our neighborhood, or the simple hospitality of open dinners.

My final, and biggest, prayer request is about finding a church. I am thrilled that there are plenty to choose from in Miami. I am overwhelmed that there are plenty to choose from in Miami. So far, I've been in two Spanish-speaking congregations and one worship service for the downtown homeless population, in addition to a young adult Christian gathering every Saturday night. As I search for a "church home" here, I end up asking really hard questions. Just how uncomfortable am I willing to be when I am worshiping? How important are a church's theology and doctrine to me? Should I try to be strategic in linking my church to my job? Please pray for me as I consider these questions and remain open to wherever God may be leading me to worship each week.

I am grateful to be here, grateful to be sent by you and by our God, and grateful to be able to share this experience across great distances.

Until next time,

Sending warm, loving thoughts,

Laura