Half Mile: Southside Block Party

Friends -

What an incredible weekend...from Breakfast with Baby and Bikers for Bethany on Saturday morning, to the incredible time of worship, prayer and praise all day yesterday...I'd like to tell you a bit about Saturday afternoon's first-ever Southside Block Party (my apologies if it's a bit long-winded!):

- There were more than 50 Central servants (not including kids) and something like 500-600 neighbors on-hand during the high points in the afternoon.

- Over 65 backpacks filled with school supplies were given to Van Raalte students and Half Mile kids. On Thursday I handed out some coupons at Meadow Lanes to kids that told me they didn't have any backpacks, pens or notebooks, and that school was tough this week...on Saturday, they found me, all wearing their new backpacks and big smiles on their faces, excited to go to school on Monday.

- 20 pairs of eyeglasses were handed out to adults and kids!

- A team of volunteers spent three long hours giving manicures and haircuts to heaps of women and kids. Parents couldn't express their thankfulness enough as their kids got much needed back-to-school haircuts...hard-working women walked away feeling beautiful after receiving their manicures and the volunteers couldn't express how wonderful it was to have the undivided attention of a gal for 15 minutes, and for the many opportunities to share about Jesus.

- Our free raffle was a success - one month's rent at Harbor Village, Crown Pointe and Meadow Lanes were given away to residents (one volunteer said that the look on the winners' faces was worth the whole day), gift certificates to Family Fare, Rite-Aid and Captain Sundae, as well as blankets, shoes, and bonus backpacks.

- Judy B. and La Roca lead the charge and served dinner to the neighborhood (hot dogs, pork sandwiches, chips, cookies, lemonade) - best count is that over 370 meals were served. As people waited in
line, countless volunteers mingled, shaking hands, getting to know our neighbors, and praying with them.

- ResLife organized bounce houses and free ice cream sundaes for the kids (we even got the Chief to dish up bowls for kids)

- Volunteers and families from Central helped kids create arts & crafts.

- local breakdancers "Circle Junkeez" put on an amazing show and
taught a bunch of kids how to bust a move on the dance floor.

- several neighborhood people and families visited Central for the first time on Sunday morning!

- a joint worship team made up of folks from Central, ResLife, La Roca, Christ Memorial and Maple Ave lead a group of us in a time of worship and praise. It became a bit cold, and most of our neighbors left, but we cranked up the volume and worshiped outside, on the corner. It was beautiful to watch shoppers at Family Dollar come out, singing along, and to talk with neighbors last night who appreciated the fact that they could hear it from their apartments (even thought they weren't able to come to the party). We were able to spread the fame of Christ all over the Half Mile.

Thanks to everyone involved and for your support leading up to this event. Looking forward to what God will do as our neighborhood revival continues.

Blessings -
Jason

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Jason K

Half Mile Influence
Local & Global Influence Team
616.395.3096 office
centralwesleyan.org/halfmile