Tuesday morning and it is hot!

Good morning!

We are off and running this morning! The pictures above are from two of our work teams and our ministry visit. One is a picture of a mural that they will trace and paint today. The others are from a work team that is installing insulation into apartments in the Sunshine building. These apartments will house Sunshine staff and people from the neighborhood in need of shelter. Other groups are out taking kids to the zoo, swimming, building a wall and cooking and delivering food.

Monday was a great first work day! I have a few testimonies of the day after my update.

In the afternoon our ministry visit was to PGM, Pacific Garden Mission. This is one of the largest missions in the U.S. They serve thousands of people each day. Our tour guides were graduates of their bible program. These men had come in homeless and now have earned certificates for a year of Bible study. We heard powerful testimonies of transformation. We saw first hand an amazing ministry helping many but also the challenges and realities of serving the homeless.

Joel, the Sunshine director, gave a powerful message last night based on Jeremiah 29:4-7. He encouraged and challenged our kids, our faith and what we think of as poor. We are no better off and if we just came here to serve not only will we miss out but we will not help. We must see that we all have something to give each other. We need them as much, if not more, than they need us.

In the afternoon a group of us walked to Walgreen's for some supplies. It was great to be in the neighborhood. It was totally safe and everyone was very friendly. It is funny how God works in the unplanned times. A young man was talking to Shane Connelly(we were all together but he picked out Shane to talk to). He was telling Shane a bit about his life. Shane will give details but the 5 minute talk ending in Shane taking the initiative and praying with this man. Our kids are doing great and God is at work in and through them! Thank you for praying!

Today after work groups is the day we share a meal with the homeless. We are going to the business part of town - super safe - and sharing a meal in the afternoon. Pray for compassion, boldness and ears to hear someone's story.

A few other prayer requests: that the group would continue to mix and match and be open and accepting to one another. for servant heart's in the midst of stretching circumstances. for the people of Sunshine and the Woodlawn neighborhood. and thank Him for his amazing love, protection and grace.

Here are few notes from some of our students! More tomorrow! Love...Kelli

So far, Chicago has been awesome. We experienced our first ministry day yesterday. My group worked with kids at a day camp. It was so awesome to be able to spread love onto them as they latched onto me and were constantly calling my name. God is evidently at work here and I am excited about what he will continue to do in the next couple days.
Kate


The first couple days of our trip were surprisingly different than what I expected. God is showing me different ways that I can serve other than being in direct contact with the Chicago children, which was my first expectation. God put me in the cooking/food group where we make dinner for our team and treats for the kids. I have to put my trust in him and he has challenged me to change my mind set of what ministry is. Monday night, Joel talked to us about the idea of shalom and how we ALL are without shalom and in poverty. This means that if we don't have the right mind set in going on this trip then we are like the blind trying to lead the blind. We are not here to help the Chicago people because they are at a disadvantage but we are here to learn from the poor. We are here to humble ourselves to their point and learn from their lives. This is what God has revealed to us on the first day and I am SO excited to see what else God has in store for us.
Sami

The Chicago missions trip has re-enlivened me in faith and excitement for serving God. The cliques in our group have relaxed and comfort zones stretched. We are learning from the people here as we help them. Theirs is an honest culture that says things like they are. A valuable lesson when thinking about how we act "Minnesota nice" about something when it would be way better to speak the clear truth, minus the sugar-coating. More importantly, you can see the good effect of your actions upon people here and they will treat you just as nicely. This kind of interaction helps dissolve built up stereotypes and allows you to see the other person equally. And this is the only way that will enable you to minister to anyone effectively; you need to respect them and see them as equal to yourself.
The love and protective spirit of the almighty Father are definitely with us, looking over us.
God Bless,
Josh

Amen? Amen!