Welcome to the new Chicago Team for 2011!
We will use this blog to send updates and information for our Urban Missions experience.
Be sure to join the facebook group and work on your memory verse every day!
We are so excited to begin this journey together!
Please leave a comment below with a prayer request for this Chicago experience! Be sure to sign your name.
LOVE!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Monday, June 28, 2010
from shelby
WOW! I dont even know where to begin. Thank you Kelli SO much for everything you did for us.
Everyday God used to speak to me like intensely either through a person or a situation. When we got stuck in the ice cream shop a man talked to me and Will and I got SO much out of it. He talked about a tortoise and hare in a race and related it to faith. I realized that our faith isn't just all gonna burst out at once and take off cuz then where would you go when you got to the end but it goes slowly and grows and takes time to get to the end to fulfill God's plan for us.
On the el train God gave me the opportunity to actually talk to some one about their religion which I have always been scared to do but it got intense and it just showed me how we are meant to bring life to others with Christ but it is easy to turn people away when we say we are christians but we don't act like it. And for me I would get really bored with the Bible and stuff and so I asked this lady on the train if she was bored with religion and she said no. She said religion was probably one of the most interesting this there is which hit me and really made me think.
One of the most life changing things was the gospel choir, me and three others listened to them all night one night and at the end we got to go up and pray and sing with them! They had SO MUCH passion it was incredible, I wanted that passion so bad and just thinking like that is natural for them its crazy. I love it! God showed me right then that there is NO WAY this should be boring like its all out fun and we should love it and have that crazy passion.
The people and kids in chicago were another testimony. they were so open, like anyone would just walk up to you on the street and just talk to you and tell you their life story and it felt good to have that bond for even just two minutes and just here from another person God made and relate to them. We really gotta be more open here like just tell people how your doin and just love them. And the kids! wow to see their faces having us there and just having that attention and love was amazing. having to leave them was so hard. One 16 year old boy was going along side the van when we left friday and he told us he loved us and just thinking how we were only with them 3 days and how much we impacted them and what God did. That song "your love never fails" I thought about that and its like our love is gunna go away and leave them but God's love never fails and its always gunna be there for them. Its sweet!
The rap concert was crazy fun just seeing people worship like that was sick and just goin all out! Loved that too! And the talks joel gave were SO intense and so much info it was hard to take it all in but it was SO good because I think we all needed something new and getting all that info makes you think so much and find answers and it was just a huge positive.
God really showed me what I want to do in life and it was the first time I actually felt like legit so close with God and a for sure answer of what I should do. like I can't even explain it.
Before this I always said I wanted God but I don't think I did but now dude its like I really do want him like that passions is sweet just thinkin about it all the time and its obviously not even close to perfect. And i'm scared this feeling is gunna go away but I think thats what makes you strive for it all the more. Like God really did change my life and I hope he did for everyone else. And don't let the things we have cover stuff up talk to friends talk to God, go out and do stuff, reach for it and don't go back! Go forwards! Now since I've gotten back its crazy cause I have wanted to talk to everyone I see and go down and talk to the homeless. I wanna go back to chicago really bad. This trip was legit amazing, sweet, all God!
Everyday God used to speak to me like intensely either through a person or a situation. When we got stuck in the ice cream shop a man talked to me and Will and I got SO much out of it. He talked about a tortoise and hare in a race and related it to faith. I realized that our faith isn't just all gonna burst out at once and take off cuz then where would you go when you got to the end but it goes slowly and grows and takes time to get to the end to fulfill God's plan for us.
On the el train God gave me the opportunity to actually talk to some one about their religion which I have always been scared to do but it got intense and it just showed me how we are meant to bring life to others with Christ but it is easy to turn people away when we say we are christians but we don't act like it. And for me I would get really bored with the Bible and stuff and so I asked this lady on the train if she was bored with religion and she said no. She said religion was probably one of the most interesting this there is which hit me and really made me think.
One of the most life changing things was the gospel choir, me and three others listened to them all night one night and at the end we got to go up and pray and sing with them! They had SO MUCH passion it was incredible, I wanted that passion so bad and just thinking like that is natural for them its crazy. I love it! God showed me right then that there is NO WAY this should be boring like its all out fun and we should love it and have that crazy passion.
The people and kids in chicago were another testimony. they were so open, like anyone would just walk up to you on the street and just talk to you and tell you their life story and it felt good to have that bond for even just two minutes and just here from another person God made and relate to them. We really gotta be more open here like just tell people how your doin and just love them. And the kids! wow to see their faces having us there and just having that attention and love was amazing. having to leave them was so hard. One 16 year old boy was going along side the van when we left friday and he told us he loved us and just thinking how we were only with them 3 days and how much we impacted them and what God did. That song "your love never fails" I thought about that and its like our love is gunna go away and leave them but God's love never fails and its always gunna be there for them. Its sweet!
The rap concert was crazy fun just seeing people worship like that was sick and just goin all out! Loved that too! And the talks joel gave were SO intense and so much info it was hard to take it all in but it was SO good because I think we all needed something new and getting all that info makes you think so much and find answers and it was just a huge positive.
God really showed me what I want to do in life and it was the first time I actually felt like legit so close with God and a for sure answer of what I should do. like I can't even explain it.
Before this I always said I wanted God but I don't think I did but now dude its like I really do want him like that passions is sweet just thinkin about it all the time and its obviously not even close to perfect. And i'm scared this feeling is gunna go away but I think thats what makes you strive for it all the more. Like God really did change my life and I hope he did for everyone else. And don't let the things we have cover stuff up talk to friends talk to God, go out and do stuff, reach for it and don't go back! Go forwards! Now since I've gotten back its crazy cause I have wanted to talk to everyone I see and go down and talk to the homeless. I wanna go back to chicago really bad. This trip was legit amazing, sweet, all God!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
home and happy but everything looks different.
Welcome home Chicago Team.
What a blessing this last week has been. I was talking with some of you about how we haven't just been on a missions trip but I feel that we have come through something. I have said it many times this week but I am so proud of you all. For the way that you worked, served, reached out to each other and the community. I think even more though, I am so excited about the way you really dove in to the teaching & experiences. You allowed God to break your heart for the things that break his heart but then, in the light of the gospel, you are looking for hope. And - this might sound cheesy but it is absolutely true - you are the hope. Your love for Christ and his people is exactly what he will use to bring hope to our broken world.
Feel free to send me your thoughts and we can keep posting and keep talking. This was not meant to be a week where something happened. This week was a catalyst and we get to go from here.
I love each of you and I know I speak for all the leaders when I say, it has been a sincere pleasure to serve with you!!
Some famous words from our trip:
Heavenly Father - Lord, we need you - in our lives.
Oh yeah!!
Shalom,
Kelli
What a blessing this last week has been. I was talking with some of you about how we haven't just been on a missions trip but I feel that we have come through something. I have said it many times this week but I am so proud of you all. For the way that you worked, served, reached out to each other and the community. I think even more though, I am so excited about the way you really dove in to the teaching & experiences. You allowed God to break your heart for the things that break his heart but then, in the light of the gospel, you are looking for hope. And - this might sound cheesy but it is absolutely true - you are the hope. Your love for Christ and his people is exactly what he will use to bring hope to our broken world.
Feel free to send me your thoughts and we can keep posting and keep talking. This was not meant to be a week where something happened. This week was a catalyst and we get to go from here.
I love each of you and I know I speak for all the leaders when I say, it has been a sincere pleasure to serve with you!!
Some famous words from our trip:
Heavenly Father - Lord, we need you - in our lives.
Oh yeah!!
Shalom,
Kelli
Friday, June 25, 2010
Friday - last day? it all went by so fast.
It is funny how when you are on a trip like this each day feels like 5 days in 1 because you are doing and experiencing so much. On Wednesday we were joking that we have been here for months. Now it is Friday and we are all wondering where the time went.
What a day yesterday. Both the tour and the EL were great experiences for our kids. Stepping out in faith to talk with people, deepening our understanding for this city and it's neighborhoods and racial divide, and having fun.
Last day of work groups. For those groups working with kids this will be a tough day to say goodbye and leave Jesus' mark as best they can, trusting that he will continue to do the good work in both their lives and in the lives of the kids. For the other groups it means completing work and saying goodbye to each other - the bonds have been made on these special teams.
We will switch experiences today and ride the bus or the El. Then we will come 'home', pack and have pizza with the sunshine staff and the other churches that we have been sharing this space with.
We are too large a group for Friday night lights, which at first was a disappointment but the Sunshine staff is taking us to a Christian rap and break dancing contest wtih worship through rap and dance. The kids are PUMPED! Following that we will share and pray and close out this time together before we get on the bus and head home to you.
Last night Joel encouraged them to keep talking, to pay attention, to reach out. To keeping seeking God for all of his people and the roles he has for us in fighting injustice, loving others and being more like Jesus.
Then the church choir invited us to watch a rehearsal. There were dancers and singers and the band was awesome. The drummer was 'sick'! It was so fun to watch our musicians soak in that band and their amazing skills but how they worshipped through playing. The experiences here have been so varied and so rich. I am so excited for tonight to hear all the stories! WOW.
Thank you thank you for praying and encouraging. They have loved your notes. If you have a chance to write today I will come and check once more so I can share it with them.
We are asking God to give us energy for this one more day. To hold off the homesickness and to use us powerfully. Bob is our bus driver. He will be off this afternoon and evening to rest for the drive. Pray for him if you would. And for the people of Sunshine who will be here when we go. Pray that we will have left a positive impression for their ministry and for Jesus.
I wish we could all get together so I could tell you face to face how great your kids are. Paula, Joel's wife, told me this morning that they see a lot of groups but that our kids and leaders are at the top of the list. I think so too!
Thanks for sharing them with us. What a pleasure. We will see you tomorrow! 10am.
Love...Kelli
A few quick notes from some kids...
We went on the El train yesterday. We rode through all of the stops there and back. One experience was we were sitting and we could see all of the change in the housing and the landscape and people. We were probably the only white people once we got passed the Sox stadium. It was a very cool and different experience.
Abby
Last night there was a choir at the church. They were just practicing but it was heaven (shalom). A group of us stayed really late. The choir finished and then they had us come up with them to pray. It was so raw! There was not any shame and it was all God. It was so cool how we came together no matter the race.
Will
One thing God has taught me throughout this trip is to be thankful for the life you live.
Also, this trip has taught me to contribute to others. The day we ate with the homeless was incredible! It felt amazing to help out people in need. It also felt amazing to be helped. The homeless people taught me so many outstanding life lessons, and it was a reality check. I came on this trip hoping to change someone's life and the funny thing is...someone changed mine.
Chris
Before I came on this trip, I only thought that God could be worshipped by conventional things, like singing, praying and reading the Bible. Even though these are all ways that we can worship our Father, I have realized that God can be worshipped by painting or listening to a friend. This trip has opened my eyes to so much and I want these new ways of worship to be a part of my life. I have realized, that though I cannot change the world by myself, I can make an impact on others. I feel so blessed to have been on this trip and grow in new relationships. We love you and we'll see you soon!
Charlotte
What a day yesterday. Both the tour and the EL were great experiences for our kids. Stepping out in faith to talk with people, deepening our understanding for this city and it's neighborhoods and racial divide, and having fun.
Last day of work groups. For those groups working with kids this will be a tough day to say goodbye and leave Jesus' mark as best they can, trusting that he will continue to do the good work in both their lives and in the lives of the kids. For the other groups it means completing work and saying goodbye to each other - the bonds have been made on these special teams.
We will switch experiences today and ride the bus or the El. Then we will come 'home', pack and have pizza with the sunshine staff and the other churches that we have been sharing this space with.
We are too large a group for Friday night lights, which at first was a disappointment but the Sunshine staff is taking us to a Christian rap and break dancing contest wtih worship through rap and dance. The kids are PUMPED! Following that we will share and pray and close out this time together before we get on the bus and head home to you.
Last night Joel encouraged them to keep talking, to pay attention, to reach out. To keeping seeking God for all of his people and the roles he has for us in fighting injustice, loving others and being more like Jesus.
Then the church choir invited us to watch a rehearsal. There were dancers and singers and the band was awesome. The drummer was 'sick'! It was so fun to watch our musicians soak in that band and their amazing skills but how they worshipped through playing. The experiences here have been so varied and so rich. I am so excited for tonight to hear all the stories! WOW.
Thank you thank you for praying and encouraging. They have loved your notes. If you have a chance to write today I will come and check once more so I can share it with them.
We are asking God to give us energy for this one more day. To hold off the homesickness and to use us powerfully. Bob is our bus driver. He will be off this afternoon and evening to rest for the drive. Pray for him if you would. And for the people of Sunshine who will be here when we go. Pray that we will have left a positive impression for their ministry and for Jesus.
I wish we could all get together so I could tell you face to face how great your kids are. Paula, Joel's wife, told me this morning that they see a lot of groups but that our kids and leaders are at the top of the list. I think so too!
Thanks for sharing them with us. What a pleasure. We will see you tomorrow! 10am.
Love...Kelli
A few quick notes from some kids...
We went on the El train yesterday. We rode through all of the stops there and back. One experience was we were sitting and we could see all of the change in the housing and the landscape and people. We were probably the only white people once we got passed the Sox stadium. It was a very cool and different experience.
Abby
Last night there was a choir at the church. They were just practicing but it was heaven (shalom). A group of us stayed really late. The choir finished and then they had us come up with them to pray. It was so raw! There was not any shame and it was all God. It was so cool how we came together no matter the race.
Will
One thing God has taught me throughout this trip is to be thankful for the life you live.
Also, this trip has taught me to contribute to others. The day we ate with the homeless was incredible! It felt amazing to help out people in need. It also felt amazing to be helped. The homeless people taught me so many outstanding life lessons, and it was a reality check. I came on this trip hoping to change someone's life and the funny thing is...someone changed mine.
Chris
Before I came on this trip, I only thought that God could be worshipped by conventional things, like singing, praying and reading the Bible. Even though these are all ways that we can worship our Father, I have realized that God can be worshipped by painting or listening to a friend. This trip has opened my eyes to so much and I want these new ways of worship to be a part of my life. I have realized, that though I cannot change the world by myself, I can make an impact on others. I feel so blessed to have been on this trip and grow in new relationships. We love you and we'll see you soon!
Charlotte
Thursday, June 24, 2010
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