One Small Step...by Jeff Logsdon | July 21, 2019 1:08 AM
On the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, Tucson, Arizona is excited to welcome our new friends from Cornerstone Church!
The first day included a brief history of Tucson and a tour of Hope City Church with some time to unpack and getting to know each other.
Our gourmet chef, Karen Wilson, prepared a wonderful dinner, but not before the students got to ruin their dinner with a local favorite--watermelon and strawberry flavored Eegees! Delicious! If this is only day one, just imagine how great the rest of the week will be!
That's one small step for man, and one giant leap for mankind!
An Interview with the FBIby Jeff Logsdon | July 22, 2019 11:45 PM
Following a trip to San Xavier, the team from Cornerstone encountered a visit with a 20 year veteran from the Federal Bureau of Investigation! Nothing from our life is random. God uses everything to bring about His purpose. In a peculiar way, Kari's background with the FBI is now being leveraged to head up a ministry called Care Portal and she is being used by God to help keep children in safe environments by providing basic resources whenever there is a need. Thanks for sharing your story, Kari!
A Little Piece of History...by Jeff Logsdon | July 22, 2019 11:48 PM
Following the Sunday gathering at Hope City Church, the students took a trip to San Xavier Mission! This beautiful piece of history is located on a reservation in a place that was once a part of Mexico prior to the Gadsen Purchase of 1854.
A Mountain Top Experienceby Jeff Logsdon | July 22, 2019 11:51 PM
Several students took the challenge to climb the hill overlooking San Xavier. This spectacular view is what awaits those who choose to accept this mission!
Ryan is a Coffee Snob?by Jeff Logsdon | July 23, 2019 12:01 AM
We're not sure if Ryan is a coffee snob or not, but Cartel Coffee Lab was the perfect setting to get together after the trip to San Xavier and to hear a story of redemption from this incredibly brave young lady! So proud to see what God has been doing in Crystale's life and the hope she gives to those who pursue freedom from addiction!
A Spike Ball Tourney in the Desertby Jeff Logsdon | July 23, 2019 12:04 AM
A little down time before dinner on Sunday night.
WATER BALLOON FIGHT!by Jeff Logsdon | July 23, 2019 12:08 AM
Guys vs. Girls! A showdown in the courtyard at Hope City Church. Who's gonna win?
The Showdown Continues...by Jeff Logsdon | July 23, 2019 12:10 AM
After the water balloon fight, the game turned into dodge ball!
Serving at Desert Sky United Methodistby Jeff Logsdon | July 23, 2019 12:15 AM
This is a ministry that collects furniture all year long and contributes over $130,000 per year to several different charities. PPM and Cornerstone Church were a HUGE blessing to the volunteers at DSUM, helping them create space for more storage just in time--a monsoon struck and the students would have missed this work day, the furniture would have been washed out in the rain. This is a pic of Ryan and Simon in the back of a trailer or the "sauna" as Ryan affectionately called it.
All in a Day's Work!by Jeff Logsdon | July 23, 2019 12:18 AM
Everyone worked SO hard today, moving piles of bricks, clearing mounds of dirt, moving trailers full of boxes and stacking furniture. Never mind the snakes and the scorpions they found. The wildlife is all a part of the experience here in the desert! This slab of marble looks every bit as heavy as it actually was, by the way.
The Work Party @Desert Sky United Methodist by Jeff Logsdon | July 23, 2019 12:23 AM
Here's a view of the work party from Desert Sky United Methodist moments before the monsoon hits.
Mother Nature Shows Upby Jeff Logsdon | July 23, 2019 12:26 AM
The monsoons in Tucson are simply amazing! Sheet lightening and thunder compliment moments where the sky is illuminated by rods that travel across the sky without ever striking the ground. We just stood outside and watched the show tonight. It was a nice way to end a hot day.
And the thunder rolls...by Jeff Logsdon | July 23, 2019 12:35 AM
Lightening flashes across the sky! This one is not as close as it looks, but the ooohs and the aaaaahs were incessant during this monsoon storm. The rest of the week promises to be a little less dramatic than tonight has proven to be.
Sheldon the Scorpionby Jeff Logsdon | July 23, 2019 12:44 AM
Local supermarkets sell black lights and scorpion kits just for this reason. Sheldon was found by the students during their efforts to move a dirt pile at Desert Sky United Methodist. Now Sheldon is a pet. Which leader or which student is going to bring this little guy home? It might NOT be Christian. Christian seems a little weirded out by Sheldon.
Raspados 1.0by Jeff Logsdon | July 23, 2019 12:47 AM
The best close to the first day of work is enjoying raspados at the local hang out. Great company and delicious treats!
Raspados 2.0 A God Encounterby Jeff Logsdon | July 23, 2019 12:55 AM
Tonight there was a divine appointment with someone I met when I first came to Tucson nearly 5 years ago. We haven't seen each other in at least 4 years. Our paths crossed tonight at Raspados. That's what these two treats are called. It is a local favorite. Anyway, I ran into Nate and he introduced me to his girlfriend Sabrena. Nate has had a lot of hard experiences. As we spoke, I mentioned that I am leading a new church that is about to celebrate its 1st birthday. Sabrena quickly chimes in that she is looking for a church and they have never been. They will join us for our BBQ tomorrow night with the students from Cornerstone! God's timing is perfect! We would have been at the Raspados place sooner, if it hadn't been for the monsoon. And they nearly decided to go somewhere else when they saw all the students from Cornerstone lined up inside the store. I can't wait to see what God will do through this reunion! What an awesome day!
Teaming Up with ABCSby Jeff Logsdon | July 24, 2019 4:21 PM
Arizona Baptist Children's Services was grateful for the help they got from our students at Cornerstone! A lot of work may pile up until the volunteers come along to help things get done. We may never directly see those children who are indirectly impacted by our work, but we know it makes a tremendous difference! You guys rock!
Beautification Projects at ABCSby Jeff Logsdon | July 24, 2019 4:26 PM
Who would ever believe that our students don't do this professionally?! The only thing better than the quality of their work are the positive attitudes they exude! It is contagious! Thank you, ladies! The Arizona Baptist Children Services appreciates your making the time to serve in our city!
Calicheby Jeff Logsdon | July 24, 2019 4:29 PM
Caliche is one word that describes the kind of soil you NEVER want to dig in! And the City of Tucson is synonymous with caliche soil. This is hard, compacted, cement-type soil! Today our team was grateful for the divine timing of last night's monsoon. It helped to soften the soil and make today's work just a little bit easier. God is in the details! Praise God!
Green River & A Taste of Homeby Jeff Logsdon | July 24, 2019 4:38 PM
Yesterday the students made the trip to a local ACE Hardware, the nation's second largest, award winning, ACE Hardware. Yes, we didn't know there was such a thing, either. Nonetheless, one of their greatest aisles includes the one that is lined top to bottom with obscure flavors of unique sodas. If you're from another universe, you might call it pop.
Nick found one called Green River that reminded him of home. This was a just reward for the grit it took to put a desk back together for Hope City Church. The students did an incredible job welcoming a diverse group of people from our neighborhood at this evening's BBQ! Hope City is super grateful for the love that was shared!
The Best Night of My Lifeby Jeff Logsdon | July 24, 2019 4:47 PM
BBQ's for the neighborhood are always a highlight for Hope City Church and the Tucson Neighborhood Food Pantry! The TNFP serves 1,000 people groceries each and every month.
Tucson is the 5th most impoverished, metropolitan U.S. city. Yet, it is also known as a City of Generosity! This is partly due to the kinds of people that God continually brings here from around the country just to serve the people that He loves! We are honored to be a part of such a calling with Cornerstone!
On Tuesday night the students helped to carry groceries out to people's cars, if they had one. They also played games with children and served Eegees to those who needed the refreshment.
Ryan and Kennedy barbecued hot dogs and served them up with a smile. Mostly, the students just sat and listened and asked each guest to share their stories. Vladimir, Stella and her dog, Pippy, and Trey were just a few of those who were blessed by the hospitality.
At the end of the night, Sean told me this was the best night of his life! It never ceases to amaze me what can happen when the church comes together to love people unconditionally!
The GAP Kitchen is Where the Magic Happensby Jeff Logsdon | July 24, 2019 5:26 PM
God Answers Prayers (GAP). The vision behind GAP ministry is truly inspired! The founding family relocated to Tucson with what they thought was a prompting to plant a new church.
When God revealed that He wanted them to serve foster children, they quickly responded. A gourmet chef is on staff with GAP ministries to ensure that the quality of food that our foster children receive is top-notch.
This past year a separate ministry was birthed, teaching former inmates culinary skills to help give them a second chance in life while also serving a quality meal to those who may never have this experience.
Cornerstone was a part of helping to keep things running efficiently for the many splash houses (foster homes) and volunteer organizations who benefit from the generosity of the GAP Kitchen!
GAP Warehouseby Jeff Logsdon | July 24, 2019 5:33 PM
The team from Cornerstone prepares to sort and organize various items at the GAP Warehouse! Being able to quickly access these items and get them into the hands of the people that need them is imperative. And they bless many, many children in the foster care community here in Tucson, AZ!
I Can See the Floor!by Jeff Logsdon | July 25, 2019 10:47 AM
Super proud of the determination and focus that it took from our students to power through the work they did at GAP Ministries yesterday! The before and after pics are shared here. You can see piles of boxes, each one needing to be opened and sorted. This is tedious work, but Karin (an employee at GAP) said for the first time ever, "I can see the floor!" Karin was literally in tears!
An Appointment with The King...by Jeff Logsdon | July 25, 2019 10:52 AM
The King of BBQ was sitting in the chairs at Hope City Church on Sunday when we introduced the team from Cornerstone Church. He asked if he could host a BBQ for everyone at his place sometime this week. None of us could have ever imagined the treat that was in store for us...original hot sauce recipes, shrimp, potatoes, rice, chicken, asparagus, pork, tri-tip, briskets, etc.! It was the perfect end to a week of hard work! Thank you The King! And THANK YOU, Praying Pelicans from Cornerstone Church! You have blessed our city beyond what we would have ever imagined!
Impromptu Team Pic by Jeff Logsdon | July 25, 2019 10:55 AM
The team got to commemorate the evening with their own pictures with The King of BBQ. A special memento was given to each student and they signed a picture to leave with us--something to remember them by! Tucson will never forget you, Cornerstone!
Showdown on the Streets of Tombstoneby Jeff Logsdon | July 26, 2019 11:17 AM
It's a dry heat...as you can tell by the person in the top right picture! Our students found refreshments and great food (ask about the rattlesnake bites) on the patio at Margarita's Restaurant before the showdown on the streets of Tombstone!
Some of the People Behind the Scenesby Jeff Logsdon | July 26, 2019 11:21 AM
Jamie shares her story with the students before dinner on our final night together. God's love and redemption never fail! Thank you for your transparency, Jamie. Karen and Dave were superstars in the kitchen, to say the least! Their food is truly award-winning and pales in comparison to the love that it is made from. The end of the night culminated with worship from Jer's bride, Tiffany along with Caleb, Christian, and Jamie! Ask the girls about their wrestling bouts in the auditorium after all was said and done!
Arizona Skies and One Final Picture Togetherby Jeff Logsdon | July 26, 2019 11:25 AM
When the sun went down the guys and the girls got together for their own pictures and then the girls had to do a separate picture in their best guy poses--which looks NOTHING like the guys' poses, by the way, but okay. ;o) You go, girls!
Where's Waldo? Or where is Ryan and the Cornerstone Team...?by Jeff Logsdon | July 26, 2019 11:33 AM
This late in the week, everyone is asking, "WHERE IS RYAN & THE CORNERSTONE TEAM?"
We just sent them off with an epic breakfast: oatmeal, fruit, frittatas, and four different french toast cobblers--cherry, blueberry, peach and strawberry.
The food was so delicious it helped to ease the pain of saying goodbye to everyone! Lot's of memories, several tears and countless seeds planted!
We aren't sure about Ryan's shirt, but we praise God for his leadership, your incredible leadership team, and all of your amazing students! Thank you for blessing our church and the City of Tucson, Cornerstone Church!
