Many of you have heard my story…young years surrounded by abuse and addiction. Leaving home at 16 and living transitionally homeless because I was shuffled to various family members, then to a treatment center, Buckner Children’s Home, and finally to college. It was in college that during the most painful time in my life, the suicide of my mother, that I realized God had a very clear and specific plan for my life. God had indeed changed my life from the inside, healing my deepest hurts and personal areas of sin. He freed me so radically that I began focus on the outside, walking in the joy of being able to pour into others lives in order to be a part of God’s plan for my family and community. Never in my wildest dreams would I of thought God could take all my brokenness and pain and use it to impact, equip and encourage others.
As you can imagine, on this journey God has used several pivotal ministries and experiences to impact my direction and mindset. One of those was a ministry called Mission Waco, they help individuals and churches develop a biblical worldview to equip and mobilize their community in meeting the needs of the poor and marginalized. Early in our marriage, my husband and I attended what is called a “poverty simulation” at Mission Waco. I found it to be such an effective tool that I have since taken 10 different groups of adults and students to experience getting out of their comfort zone to see individuals and communities how God sees them.
So you may be asking, “What exactly is a poverty simulation?” A poverty simulation is a weekend experience for middle class individuals. During the weekend, you will engage in local missions along-side Mission Waco, learn about America as a culture, America’s poverty in comparison to other countries, and how all these factors affect us in living out the gospel.
You may be thinking, “Why would I need to even consider going on a poverty simulation?” Did you know that 38 out of the 76 Cy-Fair schools are Title 1 (which means that 40% or more of their students are on free and reduced lunch) and we currently have 1,538 transitionally homeless students in the district? I can’t think of a better equipping experience to help us understand and implement ways to impact the life of these children and their families.
As Elliott has preached he has stated, “We are called to be different, to make a difference.” I know in my life experiences such as this were critical in adjusting my mindset to be more like Jesus…affecting how I think transformed my inside in order to be effective on the outside.
If you would like more information on this trip you can contact me at snichols@lifepathhouston.com or go to the Mission Waco website at www.missionwaco.org and look for poverty simulations under “training and equipping”.
Poverty Simulation Dates
- Friday, Feb. 5th- Sunday, Feb. 7th or Friday, April 9th- Sunday, April 11th
- Cost: $60 due at registration (non-refundable)
- February poverty simulation sign-up deadline October 31, 2009
- April poverty Simulation sign-up deadline December 31, 2009
- For students: must have completed 8th grade to attend
Sign-up soon our spaces are limited!
Susan Nichols
Community Development & Outreach Director