We (Living Stones) wanted to see Mercy Street.

Jill wanted us to see Mercy Street.

After the luncheon, we went to Mercy Street.

We were blessed.

This is how I heard the story.   When they were tearing down the “project apartments,” they were going to tear down the old recreational center.  The city of Dallas was asked to lease the center to Mercy Street.  People laughed and said it would never happen, but three days later the city did lease the center to Mercy Street for the sum of $1.00 a year for ninety-nine years. (With God all things are possible.)  With the great need in West Dallas, the city welcomed people who would work for a transformation in this community

The foundation of the Mercy Street Ministries is the mentoring program.  Their logo speaks to the support for people in this community.

As we walked into Mercy Street, the first thing we saw was the Mercy Street Diner.  Be still my heart.  I love this. An organization remodeled this kitchen area, and it is so cute.

The red and white booths are so retro – just like an old fashion diner.  This is where we will serve meals.

The calendar in the hall shows the many and varied activities available at the center. (Makes me tired just looking at it.)  Mercy Street is a busy place, and it is wonderful that the children have a Christ centered refuge.

There is a gym for basketball and karate.  I think they also have programs in this area.

The mural in the hall was in the building when Mercy Street moved in.  I like it that they kept this mural of different races and cultures coming together.

Then we met wonderful, precious, and very pregnant Hannah (the office manager).  Hannah was one of the stars of the mentoring video at the luncheon.  I felt like I was meeting a movie star.  On the video, Hannah’s mentee (I hope that is the correct word.) told what a difference her life is due to having Hannah as a mentor.  Yes, for that young lady, having a relationship with Hannah was/is a life changing experience.  Mercy Street mentors are working through the love of Christ to transform this West Dallas community one child at a time.  This quote is from the Mercy Street website.  It is so good, I wanted to share it with you.

Jesus practiced the mentoring model with his disciples and they, in turn, replicated it. The apostle Paul took to heart the call to invest himself in others as evidenced particularly through his relationship with Timothy. Here is Paul’s mentoring plan for the church in Thessalonica:

But we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (I Thes. 2:7-8, 11-12)

Two thousand – five hundred (2,500) students live in this area, and it is the goal of Mercy Street that each child will have a Christian mentor, children will be given hope, and the community will be transformed – all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This is clever.  Chalkboard paint on the closet doors tell what is behind each door.  I love this idea.

This is Jill and Jerry.  Jerry will be starting a new church in the community in 2013.  It was a blessing to hear him talk.  His testimony and love for the Lord literally poured forth from his very being.  Jill’s love for the Lord and this community is an inspiration.

There is a library for students to use as a quiet place to study.  This is also a room for group Bible studies.

Outside is a large patio with picnic tables.  Sweet Mother of Pearl.  How good is this?  I imagine that some students never want to leave Mercy Street.

There is a community garden that needs some tender lovin’ care.

One of the programs available to the children is bicycle repair.  They can use your used bicycles.

This is a view of the community near Mercy Street.  It is difficult to understand the depth of poverty and needs in this community.  

As we drove across the bridge on our way home to Richardson, we could see this view of downtown Dallas – the skyscrapers representing the wealth and success of this vibrant city.  The mentoring program at Mercy Street is striving through the love of Christ to bridge the gap – or perhaps I should say the chasm – of these worlds.

I can not get these words from 1 Thes. out of my head – We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.

Blessings to you and yours,