Our friend Cheese...

So today Cheese and I had lunch. We talked about our friends and the incredible things they were doing and how they were going to change the world someday. We decided we're pretty proud of everyone.

After lunch Cheese takes me around and shows me the Bing, where he works, introduces me to fellow interns, etc. It was awesome. I had never really grasped what exactly Cheese was doing and how big a deal it was. I still didn't understand.

On our way back to his house (there was no poop in the tub), Cheese tells me that we're going to stop by and see Miss Kitty. You see, Miss Kitty usually sits out on her porch all day and waves at cars. Everyone knows Miss Kitty. But Cheese hadn't seen her out there in a few days and wanted to check on her.

Miss Kitty is awesome. She's 60 but could pass for 40. (Jen- she talks just like Kayla. Not even kidding.) Anyway, Miss Kitty loves Cheese. As in, there are pictures of him on her refrigerator. It's really cute. Miss Kitty took me around her house and showed me everything that Cheese had done, repeatedly calling him a real hard worker. She even pulled out a cooking pot and showed me where she used to have to place it everytime it rained before Cheese fixed her ceilings. Miss Kitty used to have a room that was so full of crap that no one had walked in it in 3 years. She explains that since Cheese helped her clean it out, she doesn't sit on her porch as much because her neighbors like being in her house. Also, she doesn't have to sleep on the couch anymore because the invasive crap is off her bed.

I sat on Miss Kitty's couch as she showeed me her photo album. Cheese's face was on every page and every time she saw him she squealed with delight and said "Look at Andy! There he is! Working real hard!" I was starting to understand what Cheese does. He lives in the ghetto and serves people. He knows their needs and meets them. He gives people like Miss Kitty a safe haven on a street where people rob convenience stores and then stash their loot in her backyard (she's still real upset about that and thinks the thief should have gotten more time). He looks for opportunities for her great-nephew to serve with SOS and be discipled. Cheese actively loves people.

As I was driving home I was thinking that it's similar to what Matt does with his guys that he leads, what Wardo does with the freshmen he is investing in, what Pat does with Younglife, what Em does with her hospitality, what Eric and Emily are doing teaching, what John is doing in NI, Will in Maryland, Jen in DC, Candis every day of her life, etc, etc, etc...

What I'm saying is I'm proud of (and convicted by) you guys and the intentionality with which you live. It's incredible to see how the Gospel is being spread through you all serving others. Also, we should all understand what Cheese does because it's freakin' incredible. Also, I've been real emotional lately so if this is sappy... well, I'm not really sorry. At all.

Pat, I would say productivity is high.