On the way, by the way.

Laura and I are now a little over half way through our Support Raising Trip Across America. It has been quite a journey getting to see old friends and family and let them know all the amazing things that are going on at Urban Impact. Thus far we have stayed in four different cities, five different beds, and Laura got to play with one dog, one cat, and a stuffed cat. The last part of our trip will take us briefly into Wisconsin before ending our journey in Kansas City and taking the very long 14 hour trip back to the 'burgh.

Speaking of getting back to Pittsburgh praise is due. Laura and I recently found an apartment on the North Side! It is very close to Urban Impact and to where many of our kids and students live. There are many great things already about this apartment but one of the biggest blessings we found came from a misquote in the rent. The landlord's sister quoted us a price that was a less than what the landlord was asking, but when we called the landlord said he would stick by the quoted price! I felt that God had given us a Monopoly card that said, "Bank error in your favor: Pay $100 less in rent." So... That is pretty amazing. Thank you all who were praying for our housing.

Prayer Requests:

• God would continue to guide us and give us safe travels.
• That we could be able to quickly get back into the swing of things in Pittsburgh.
• Transition time between Summer and Fall programs.
• One of our students trying to learn how to be a good father.

So much has been happening that it's hard to keep up with it all

Urban Impact's summer programs are now in full swing and the days and weeks seem to go by faster and faster. This means to things: We're keeping busy and having fun. For me this summer has been composed of a smattering of programs. I have been teaching two drama classes one for "Tuesday Nights" (which rocks) and one for the Summer Day Camp as well as starting a young men's discipleship group and coaching a Leadership team called the Servant Team. These have all been great and through them I have been building deeper and deeper relationships with the students on the North Side.
In the midst of all this Laura and I have also been planning a support raising trip across America (really just toward Kansas City) for the end of July. We start out in Pittsburgh and then weave across Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and even a little bit of Wisconsin. We will end the trip with an eight hour jaunt to Kansas City to meet the Anderson clan for rip roarin' fun at the Anderson Reunion. We are very excited to see many friends and family members and hope that this will complete a large chunk of support raising.
Speaking of family and friends Laura and I were very blessed by the chance to go to Camp-of-the-Woods with the whole pine cone aka Brautigam family. (For the reason why they are called the pine cone family you would have to ask my niece, but I don't know if you would get a straight answer out of her.) Camp allowed for all things summer related. We had s'mores, played sand volleyball, ate ice cream, and hung out with family. This trip was a huge blessing to Laura and I, not only to see family but also to slow down a little bit and gear up for the second half of summer.
The second half of the summer and the second half of the summer Blog should include highlights of "Tuesday Nights" and Summer Day Camp. With clips from the student written story of Shadaracha and Meshaka and how they stand up to Queen Nebuchanesia and won't worship boys, and the reason why "Tuesday Nights" rock! All of these great stories and more will arrive in the weeks and months to come.

Prayer Requests:

• Support Raising Trip Across America
• One of my students who is grieving the loss of his sister who was hit by a car just weeks after his girlfriend committed suicide
• My Grandma
• Laura and I finding a place to live on the North Side
• Summer Day Camp and Tuesday Nights