Detroit Day -1

Tomorrow I will wake up at 3:30 in the morning and begin my 2,000 mile journey to the city of Detroit. Tomorrow; I can not believe that the day has already come. In January when I was praying about which mission trip I was going to go on, this day seemed SO far away and yet, here it is. Tomorrow. So many emotions are running through me, I am excited, nervous, determined, and full of love. I am ready, and am able, and I believe that God has equipped me to do his work. Don't get me wrong, I am NOT worthy, but I am thankful that Jesus filled in the gap for me. He filled in the gap for my sins so that I can be worthy to fill in the gap for other people and the day has come, tomorrow. 

Did you know that the first building ever built in Detroit was a church building? It was built in 1705 and still stands, it burnt down twice, but was rebuilt twice (St Anne's-see picture below). The early years in Detroit all point to the christianity and revival for Christ. Not a surprise that God blessed the city. Detroit was once a bustling metropolis with over 1.8 million people living in the city alone. It was the capital of the automotive industry and unemployment was practically nonexistent. In the 1950's it was the nations 4th largest city with one of the countries highest per capita earning. Beginning in the 1960's automotive companies began taking business elsewhere(including out of the country) and the decline began. Since the 1960's steady decline hurt the economy of Detroit and as the business moved so did the people.

Fast forward to today and Detroit has 40% poverty rate. That means that 4 out of every 10 person living in Detroit live in poverty. The population has declined from 1.8 million to just 700,000 and the average per capita earning is 26,000 dollars a year. To give you something to compare it to, California's per capita is around 55,000. Not to mention that Detroit made the national news last week as they are the largest city in the history of America to file for bankruptcy. They have the highest crime rate in the nation and a struggling education system. Abandoned buildings are a metaphor for the abandoned hope that remains for the people living there. The cycle of poverty that the people live in give little respite for the children growing up there.

My heart breaks because this type of thing is happening in America, America! It is insane that we live in one of the richest countries in the world and yet we have this problem. 

God has placed a calling on my life. I know that I am destined to go to Detroit. I don't know his exact plan but I do know that God is going to do great things in Detroit. I am praying that I bring (though the power of the Holy Spirit) hope to the people of Detroit. I am crying out to God for revival, and renewal for that city. I don't know exactly what to expect and I know it may sound crazy to some of you that I am going willingly into one of the most dangerous places in the USA, but I know that the safest place on earth to be is in the will of the Most High Abba. 

The city of Detroit was built upon the ROCK, Matthew said it best when he said,  “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Detroit was founded on the rock and I believe that the rain and storm of life has beat it up, but that city was claimed for The Lord at its foundation and my prayer is that Detroit will see renewal!

I am going to try and update this blog each day of my trip so that I can keep an accurate account of the days. I hope that you are blessed with my words and the amazing things that God is going to do in the city that needs him, his love, his hope, and his grace so much. 

Tomorrow.