While visiting the new/in process of being remodeled 1321 MLK offices I had a few moments to chat with Cheryl Jones, Executive Director of Allen Renaissance, our landlord and partner in the building.  She smiled as she looked around at the newly framed walls, sawdust and scraps of sheetrock. “Wow, I really like what I see!”, she said. I told her how excited are staff are to finally move onto the Hilltop.

She went on to tell me about a group of young ladies she has been mentoring for the past year. These girls are all from the Hilltop and Eastside of Tacoma and many  have had some difficult troubles in their recent past.  Cheryl asked them, “What will keep you from getting back into trouble, from ending up back in Remann Hall (Pierce County’s juvenile detention center)?”  One of the common responses was the powerful impact of SOZO, Tacoma YFC’s City Life outreach that takes place every Tuesday at the People’s Center.  ”Bobby, these girls couldn’t say enough good about your staff–their love, persistence, creativity and the many ways they go out of their way to mentor and guide these young ladies.  They love SOZO!”

Now, I’ll be the first to say that my “gifting” is not as a general contractor and that’s exactly what a good part of my time has been filled with over the past few weeks: working with an architect, getting permits, coordinating framers, electricians, sheet rock work, etc. But my discomfort with tackling these duties was quickly washed away when Cheryl shared this story of the power of getting into the “messy” lives of young people who are out of control and the incredible potential found in the hearts of kids like those in her small group.

Our hope is to move into that 1500 sq ft of remodeled office the first week of June.  I can’t wait for more partnership opportunities with organizations like Allen Renaissance–we’re so blessed to be a part of God’s work across Pierce County.  Psalm 13:6 comes to mind–”I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.”