It has been almost a year since I told you about what I’m doing in the neighborhood and asked for your support.  I’ve been amazed by the generosity I’ve received since then.  People from all around the country have pitched in, saying,  “Adam, I believe in what you are doing and I want to support you.”  That means so much to Larita and I.
 
Sometimes, living in Walnut Hills keeps us focused too much on the evil in the world.  Having such a huge network of support makes it easier for us to dwell on all the good that is out there.  
 
But even here in Walnut Hills there is goodness, and my new friend, Tisha, is a good example.  She has been in this neighborhood her entire life, and it has taken a toll on her.  Earlier this year she was in trouble with the law and put on house arrest.  Just the other day her man went back to jail.  About a month ago her uncle was shot and killed just around the corner from where we stay.  She is no stranger to evil and yet, time and again she rises above and her goodness shines. 
 
A few weeks ago I invited some of the families I work with to come to a dinner.  Tisha was there with her son, Joe, who I work with daily at school and weekly for homework and games.  It wasn’t that Tisha did anything particularly special, but her presence brought light to the room.   She interacted with her son in a positive way, gently reminding him to be careful after he spilled his milk.  She talked kindly with the other parents and asked them questions.  She embraced Larita and Zoe warmly.  She doesn’t fit the stereotype of many of the parents at our school.  She is a kind person and a great mom.   I’m so grateful to know a mom like Tisha, when so many of the kids I work with come from homes where gentleness, patience and love are rarely seen.   Tisha inspires me to keep working to be a light in a place with so much darkness.
 
It is only with your support that I will continue here, and so I ask you to consider coming alongside me with a special yearend contribution.   You can make a secure online donation (through our supporting organization EAPE) to me at thewalnuthillsfellowship.org.  Just be sure to mark it for “Adam Hayden” in the comment section.   Or phone in your donation by calling EAPE at 610-341-1722.
 
Of course, you can also send a check to:
The Walnut Hills Fellowship
c/o Adam Hayden
2601 Stanton Avenue
Cincinnati OH 45206
 
Thank you and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
MC (Till)

Hip-hop helps me view life from different perspectives.  As the holiday season is in full gear I am reminded by a lyric from Nasir Jones…

“They call it Thanksgiving, I call your holiday hell day ‘cause I’m from poverty, neglected by the wealthy”

During this Holiday season I hope that I can enjoy, appreciate, and savor the joyful traditions of my extended family.  At the same time I pray that my new little family of three (Larita, Zoe, and I) can begin to imagine new traditions: traditions that can bring a bit of joy to some one or two that consider their holiday hell day.

May all of our holidays be filled with love for one another,

Peace,

MC (Till)

PS- if you would like to partner with me and a local principal in blessing some families this month please contact me for further information.  If you would like to bless me this month please purchase an electric car for my wife!

PSS- I will be officially releasing a new recording on Saturday, March 3^rd at Rohs Street Café here in Cincinnati.  Please mark your calendars.  In the meantime I hope you enjoy the following tune I wrote out of love and appreciation for my mom and dad. 

 It is called A Beautiful Love Jones and you can listen to it by clicking here.

Our neighborhood is becoming more and more beautiful, as dilapidated, abandoned buildings are being knocked down one after another. At the same time street entrepreneurs (i.e. drug dealers) are running around knocking each other down. You see, since many entrepreneurs use these buildings as office space (i.e. hide outs), when they disappear these businessmen are exposed and begin looking for new places to do business. Well, it just so happens that these businessmen don’t know the delicate dance of diplomacy, especially when dealing with one another. Instead, they know the turbulent tango of violence.

That turbulent tango came our way recently, when a young man was shot and killed just around the corner from our house. It turns out that this particular dealer was Joe’s great uncle, and the place he got gunned down was in front of Trina’s front door. Joe and Trina are two of my first graders.

Don’t worry; this isn’t going to be a downer of an email. Yes, this kind of street violence is always tragic. Yes, it came way too close to my home and family. Yes, there are way too many guns in this neighborhood. However, in the midst of my sadness, here is the upper: Joe and Trina are two of the best students in my class. That’s right, Joe is in the highest reading group and Trina is in the second highest. Both win awards almost every day for good behavior, and whenever I visit either one at home, at least one parent is always around. In fact, Joe’s mom comes to school regularly to help out in the classroom, and Trina’s dad walks her home from school every day.

Now, I can spend my time thinking about the bad stuff and sometimes I do! Or I can focus on all the good that is happening here in the midst of it. Frankly, I prefer the latter option. Because, while buildings crumble and drug dealers shoot it out, I see a few shining champions on the rise. These little champs remind me that God’s spirit is unquenchable, especially in the lives of kids.

Peace,
MC (Till)
new song

A few weeks ago I partnered with a local church, the local public school (Frederick Douglass), and a handful of enthusiastic volunteers to throw a big block party style celebration here in Walnut Hills. And it was fun.

Hundreds of people joined in on that fun. They enjoyed bouncy inflatables, corn hole, a healthy cooking demonstration, food, face painting, a few guest rappers, and an incredible DJ who had kids and parents dancing together.

During the event I gave away a few copies of my new cd, The Beautiful Shining. I didn’t think much of it. We had so much going on that a measly five free cds did not seem like a big deal.

Four days later a young teenager approached me. He gave me a hand written letter. In that old fashion media he communicated how much he enjoyed the cd. He wrote, “I think your music is fantastic.” He was also encouraged to hear me rapping positive lyrics saying “I knew there were more rappers out there with something good to say.” He also asked if I would write back. Heck yeah! Later, he told me that his dad is a rapper too and asked if I would call him. Heck yeah again!

I am very encouraged by this letter. I am also encouraged by the countless people who support what I am doing here in Walnut Hills. It has allowed me to make a lot of good connections like this one with a really cool teenager. Your contribution might be one in many, but it is one that counts! Thank you.

Peace,
MC (Till)
www.mctill.com