July 30, 2007


Johnny 5 from Short Circuit.



Johnny Five aka Collin

Even though Collin almost got arrested, and even though he wore a "do-rag", and even though he STOLE the last peach green tea from me, i had a great time hanging with Reverend Doctor Collin Rockafeller. Even before we left for NYC Collin and i had some really cool chats. He has such a fresh take on life and to following Jesus. He was the first to share an "insight-on site" and he did an amazing job and showed some real courage to share parts of his life with some people he had only known for a short time.

i am really looking forward to getting to know Collin even more this upcoming year he is a truly special guy. But he does wear Michigan State stuff so i dunno....


here is the NYC trip in Collins words:


"The diversity in New York was the first thing that I really noticed. Compared to what we are used to seeing at home, it was very different to see so many different kinds of people. There were people from every part of the world, all speaking different languages and all interacting and living and working in the same place.

It was really cool to get to know eleven people who were for the most part strangers. I thought it was very powerful hearing others speak about their personal issues and their past openly with the group, as well as doing it myself. It takes a lot of courage to just spill your guts in front of a bunch of people who you don’t know that well. The way that all of us were so open and accepting of each other was very good to see. I feel that I have made friends that I don’t want to lose. I hope after New York I can still see everyone, and continue building relationships.

Also, after going to New York and interacting with all of the people and the little kids, I realized that kids are kids. It doesn’t matter where they grow up or their family’s socio-economic position. Kids just love being kids and having fun, which is what they do best. Through spending time with everyone from the Taft House, I was able to remember what it was like to just let loose and have fun. I was able to remember what I was like when I was younger. I had forgotten how much fun it is to play in the water, or swing on the monkey bars or play tag. It was a great experience.

Finally, it was great to see all of the sights and experience a lot of what New York City has to offer. Between Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, and seeing Phantom of the Opera, I felt like I got to see much of New York from a tourist’s stand point. However, I would love to go back. Even with all that we were able to see, there is still so much more to see and do. It was a great trip and I’m looking forward to more fugo activities."