Mercy Street is one of my favorite places. It is dedicated to being a light for Christ in West Dallas. Using a one on one approach, mentors and students engage in “mutually transforming relationships”. Their motto is “Each 1 Reach 1”.
Mercy Street had an appreciation dinner for volunteers and donors. Now, none of us really felt we deserved any appreciation, and we haven’t done much, but Emily and Jill acted like they really wanted us to come. It did sound like fun – a Crawfish Boil. Never done that before. Would I like it? Sweet Mother of Pearl. It was so much fun.
The Crawfish Boil was held at the Four Corners Brewing Company which is right across the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge on Singleton.
The room was huge – just perfect for a big celebration. Emily had planned the party, and I loved, loved, loved the red checked cloths with fresh flowers in little trays. Let the good times roll!
Just had to show you this paper that covered the table. It is so cute.
This is Ramon (on right) and the new mentor coordinator for the high school students.
The pretty girl in the middle is our Jill. She is with two cute guys that work with the sports programs at Mercy Street.
Then Ann and I got to have our picture taken with the two cute guys. All of the workers we have met from Mercy Street have been beyond wonderful. They love the Lord and the kids.
When it was time to eat, they opened up the large coolers which were actually keeping the crawfish hot. Sweet Mother of Pearl. Just look at that. I told them to give me a few. I wasn’t sure. Nasty looking little things.
Nancy told us the legend of the crawfish. French Canadians brought lobsters to Louisiana, but over the years the lobsters got smaller and smaller and smaller until…. Crawfish is the results. I believe it. The tiny piece of meat in the tail is every bit as sweet and delicious as lobster.
They also served corn, potatoes and jambalaya. Delicious. The corn was sweet, and the jambalaya had some heat to it. Excellent.
Of course Excellent Cook Nancy knew how to properly eat crawfish. Appreciated her demonstration.
Do not be fooled by the pile of shells. Eating crawfish is labor intensive. You get so little meat from the little tails, but I must admit – I really liked eating crawfish. After I ate my small portion, I started eating from Ever-Lovin’s plate, and then he went back for more. I liked it. I loved it.
We even got beignets. Felt like we were in New Orleans.
BUT – the highlight of the night for me was meeting Maggie and Joe. They have been mentors for nine years. They began with their students when they were in fourth grade, and this year they are seniors. This is a couple that have three children of their own, and decided if this was what God wanted them to do, He would provide the time. I asked them how often then meet with their students. Joe said they recommend that you get together twice a month (Once at Mercy Street, and then another time away from Mercy Street.), but I got the feeling that Joe and Maggie did some more.
Joe shared the most amazing story – a God thing. The young man Joe mentors decided to participate in football his senior year. Get this. Said young man had not played football at all during high school. Well, he made the team. Not only did he make the team, he excelled. During the season he made seven interceptions and several (3 or 4) of these he ran back for touchdowns. The news stations noticed. The coaches made a scouting reel to be shared with colleges. Long story short – He has been given a FULL scholarship to college. I am so excited for him, and I do not even know him.
Maggie and Joe were given this plaque in honor of their nine years of faithful service at Mercy Street. The young man presenting the award shared the parable Jesus told of the master who gave his workers talents to tend while he was away. Two servants wisely used their talents, and their talents doubled, but one servant hid his talents because he was fearful. (Lanabird’s version.) To the two servants that used their talents wisely the master said, “Come and Share in Your Master’s Happiness.” I never noticed that little phrase, but it is such a wonderful thought. When we are serving our Master, we share in His happiness. WOW!
Blessings to you and yours,
The statistics at Pinkston High School in 1999 were disturbing. Here were the facts.
When Mercy Street began, the community’s high school drop-out rate was alarming. Of the 394 students who entered Pinkston High School in the fall of 1999, only 85 had been promoted to seniors in the fall of 2003. Of those Seniors, only 20% passed the TAKS test–now required for graduation – and the average SAT score was 758. Believing transformation best occurs in the context of relationship, we began Mercy Street with a mentoring program. Ultimately, we believe true and lasting change will be brought about by the residents of this community, but, sometimes an infusion of hope is needed from the outside. Following the pattern Christ established by dwelling among those he ministered to, Mercy Street seeks to be “incarnational” in our ministry efforts. Therefore, many of us live in the community. (From the Mercy Street Website.)
Statistic at Pinkston High School have greatly improved (Almost 90% graduate), but still too few students are equipped to go to college. Pray for Mercy Street and the students. Pray for the staff at the schools in the area. Click HERE to learn more.