Not So Extreme Makeover: Community Edition

From Numbers to Results

Site Admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:42:08 +0000

Now that X-week and come and gone, I’d like to share my view of this project.

From the time I got involved in this project, back in mid-January, up until X-week began, my view of this project had been different from most. I was concentrating on the process - how are we going to do what we need to do, and how could an automated information system make that process easier? As X-week approached, I watched the numbers grow - from 32 families, to 40, to 48, to 51; and from 200 volunteers, up through 650+. My view of the project, for lack of a better description, was all about the numbers. How many hits are we getting on the website? How many volunteers to do we have? How many people are there who signed up for [x] and [y] and aren’t yet on a Go Team? Necessary questions, certainly, but a little dry.

Then X-week arrived, and my website and database work was pretty much complete. This allowed me to begin working on one of the houses that our Go Team had been assigned. It needed a lot of work, but as just a few of us began working, we could see things starting to change. By the time Friday arrived, it was really looking different - the inside was cleared out, ready to clean and paint, broken windows had been replaced, and plumbing had mostly been repaired. Our homeowner had become ill, and some of his family had come in town. Our ministry was expanding.

Saturday arrived, and by 10:30am, we had a swarm of people at our house. The back yard was getting emptied quickly, people were scrubbing walls to prepare them for paint, and others were patching up broken stucco. Doors were replaced, paint was going on the walls - it was an absolutely amazing thing to see. But what was even more amazing was the fact that no one seemed to be struggling with the work - everyone was smiling, fellowshipping, and getting it done. By noon, there were people from the neighborhood who came up, asked what we were doing, and joined in with us. Our ministry was expanding even more.

Sadly, on Sunday, the owner of this home went to his Heavenly home. However, we have learned that his home will be used by Joshua’s Vineyard to house unwed mothers while they get back on their feet. What an amazing transformation! We started with number. We shifted to a ministry of helping one man be comfortable. It grew to a witness in the neighborhood. Now, this home that we worked on will be used to help who-knows-how-many people in the future!

To God be the glory - great things He has done!

God uses our “mistakes”.

curtisb — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:40:43 +0000

I designed the house last summer, and our builder broke ground at the beginning of January long before we knew anything about NSX. When my wife and I went out on Saturday to inspect the progress, we discovered that one of the exterior doors I had specified in the design just didn’t look right against the other interior and exterior features of the house. We agonized over having the door replaced, because our builder had already paid for the current door and a replacement would cost quite a bit to switch out. Our builder had no other use for the door in the house, so I was left with a $250, 6′ 8″ exterior pre-hung door with a left-hand swing, and no place to put it. On Easter morning between services I felt prompted to ask an NSX leader if by any chance he had need for a pre-hung door of this size and description, figuring that any such needs had already been provided for. To my surprise – Josh indicated that he DID INDEED need a door of this type, at this time, this height, and this swing, for one of the families being ministered to! I wasn’t sure whether to shout, cry or what! The door that I mistakenly worked into a floor plan last Summer, and which had been installed just last week, and is being uninstalled on Monday, is going to be put to (better) use this week by God for a family that needs a door right here, right now. It has also been a great opportunity for us to share with our builder about NSX, and the way God is using people to meet the practical needs of folks in our community. God’s reach is so far beyond our comprehension! I pray that I would never question that, and I thank Him for using us even it this small way.

NSX Launch Meeting: Saturday 22nd, 9:30 a.m.

curtisb — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:20:27 +0000

This is an “All Call” for every volunteer invoved in the project. We will hold a mass meeting and kick-off from 9:30 a.m. til 10:15 a.m.
Team break-out meetings will run from 10:30 a.m. til 11:15 a.m.
A silent auction to raise money for the project will begin with the opening bell at 10:15 and the closing bell at 1:00 p.m.
Jr’s Bar-B-Que will be serving mouth watering burritos for lunch (suggested donation $2.00)

Giving Financially

curtisb — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:34:57 +0000

This past Sunday, a man was visiting Albuquerque from Texas. To make a long story short; he heard about NSX, it resonated with him and he immediately wrote an unsolicited check for $2,000.00 to NSX! We have also had inquiries from a city in Texas and also Tulsa, OK, wanting to know how they could initiate their own NSX Makeover: Community Edition. It just doesn’t get better than walking with God and watching Him work through people!

Go Team Leaders Meeting Tues, Feb 26

gracenik — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 05:28:30 +0000

A meeting for Go Team Leaders (or their proxy) will be held Tuesday, Feb 26 at 6:30 at Hoffmantown Church. A great deal of information will be covered, so if the GT Leader cannot attend, please send a good note-taking representative from your team.

Just one out of more than 400 volunteers

Josh4663 — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:20:02 +0000

God is producing a good work in our city. Here is a recent e-mail in response to a request for volunteers:

I will volunteer for any one of those days, and if you need help on Sat too, sign me up for 2 days. You tell me which day(s) you need me, and I’m there. I’ll ask my boss now for either one of those days, so that part is taken care of when you know more. It is my joy to serve our Lord and make a difference in our community. I’m so excited for the move of our fellowship out into the community to show God is real and to be a catalyst for His Spirit to fall upon our city. We are in the process of an extreme makeover for our entire community!

Feb 24, Not So Extreme Lunch for Families

gracenik — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:47:26 +0000

A Not So Extreme Lunch will be held Sunday, Feb 24 from 12:20-1:45 at Hoffmantown Church in the Potter’s House. You will learn how young families can be involved in the Not So Extreme Makeover: Community Edition project. All families and Children’s area workers and volunteers are invited to attend. A light lunch and childcare will be provided.

More than just stuff

gracenik — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:57:17 +0000

Several weeks ago I visited a couple we are anticipating partnering with. I returned later and gave the lady of the house a Bible stick (MP3) with the New Testament on it and she seemed thrilled. This morning I called to set up an appointment for our assessment and after I told her who I was she said “I finished through Matthew 18 and my whole family is listening to the New Testament.” So this is not all about stuff. Praise God.

Go Teams In Formation

gracenik — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:03:16 +0000

What is a Go Team?

A go team is a group of people, partnering with one individual, family, or organization to address to their unique needs through Not So Extreme Makeover: Community Edition.

How will Go Teams be formed?

Go Teams will be formed to reflect the needed gifts and skills required to accomplish their objectives. Any group can form a Go Team, or part of a Go Team, and volunteers will help complete teams. Individuals may join a particular Go Team, or be matched according to their interest or skill to a particular need. Consider inviting neighbors to be a part of your team!

What do Go Teams do?

1. Meet your Partner Family and assess their needs
3-4 people from your Team will receive training, meet partner family
rely on your heart, as well as eyes and ears
The sky is the limit, look way beyond “stuff”
Make no promises: undersell, overdeliver
2. Work with Needs Team to determine the needs you’ll meet
Based on all resources available, decide which needs you wish to meet
Submit “Wish List” for assessment of suitability, feasibility and legality
Produce “Stuff and People Needed” List
Discuss general plans with the recipient
3. Get Stuff, People and a Plan to meet needs
List Stuff and People Needed in NSX database
Work with Stuff Lane to match stuff to your requirements (donated or purchased)
Work with People Lane to get additional skilled workers or manpower needed
Build a detailed work plan for X-Week, including feeding your team
4. Meet needs during X-Week (March 24-29)
Shop for needed stuff at Stuff Mart, purchase stuff still needed as funds permit
Prep your worksite: clean, dispose, start tasks that require more than a day
Pamper and/or involve your family on Saturday
Execute your plan

What earthly resources do Go Teams have?

NSX People Lane: Sole purpose is to give you the people you need
NSX Stuff Lane: Sole purpose is to give you the stuff you need
NSX Support Teams: Sole purpose is to support your effort to meet needs
Community Liaison: A liaison who knows the area, the culture and maybe the family
Community Partners: local businesses offering time or resources

Can I join a Go Team if:

I’m not “handy” in any way? Yes!
I work weekdays during X-Week? Yes!
I’m not physically strong? Yes!
I’m not good at home repair? Yes!
I have small children? Yes!
I’m not sure what I have to offer?
Yes, Yes, Yes!

What do I have to offer on a Go Team? Click the icon to see…

How do I sign up for a Go Team?

Simply fill out the Volunteer Pledge here. Be sure to note any Essential Role you’d like to fill in the comments block.

Key NSX Documents

gracenik — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 07:17:50 +0000

We’ll hang current NSX project files here for your use. I’ll only attach .pdf files, but will email you source files (Ms Word, Powerpoint, etc.) if you email me your request at b52bubba@comcast.net.

The DO Team

27 Feb: Org Chart are updated

NSX Org Chart 27 Feb

NSX calendar 24 Feb.pdf

NSX Snapshot

NSX Elevator Pitch

NSX Concept Summary