Monday night!

First day of service!!!  The students had a busy day getting started with their projects.  Below a few students shared their experiences.  The group then toured Pacific Garden Mission which is the largest homeless shelter in the country and is funded with only private donations.  They also really enjoyed some time to take their first shower of the trip:). The day ended with Sunshine executive director Joel Hamernick teaching about poverty and social justice issues.  The students are doing a great job! - Beebe

Today I was in the gardening group. It was a great experience- there were so many options to help beautify the community and it was great to be able to talk with people who had questions about what we were doing. I was touched by how eager Tarina was to make us comfortable. It had never occurred to me that the very people that we came here to serve would be so focused on our own comfort or well being. It really reaffirmed in my mind that there is always a give and take when doing missions work.
- Abby Bilger

My group stayed at the City Church today and we started clearing out this little fenced in play area outside because there was a lot of weeds and trash and stuff in there. This man, Lawrence, who kind of helps to run the church told us his story and it was so crazy and awesome to hear how God has completely turned his life around. Today his face is pretty much completely structured by plates under his skin and he has a bullet that has healed into his spine....ah! It was so cool to listen to him talk about the passion he has for the lord and the changes he wants to help make in the city. He kept saying how inspiring WE were to him because we came to the South side of Chicago, slept on the floor, and sat on the ground weeding outside in Jesus's name. So that was really cool and then we ended up finishing earlier than the other groups and w e got to take showers before they all got back yay!
- Alex Orlowksy

Today, I worked with Mr. Wright, Justin Jochim, and Zach Goldberg in the group sent to serve the local widow named Sylvia. On our way to her house, however, we were informed that she would be indisposed for a few days due to a family emergency. We continued on to her house just to take a look and then were informed that we would have to be a little flexible, something that all 61 of us are trying to practice. After we took a look at her house, we headed on over to Sunshine to do what ever we could do to help. As of right now, we do not know what we will be doing for the rest of the week, so this gives us yet another opportunity to practice flexibility.
- Jacob Hann

Today I worked, helping the living hope church gather kids for a summer youth program starting on Friday. Me and a group of other students and some leaders went door to door asking if there were any kids interesting in coming to the summer program. We had many houses where no one came. Some with no kids, and some who just did not want to talk. But through all the rejections I saw God in many of the people. Many people politely declined but some said yes! I am just excited to see all the kids we met today at the summer program this Friday.
- Cole Michaelson

Today, I helped out at the vacation bible school that Sunshine Gospel Ministries runs. I worked with a few other students and a leader and we basically played with the kids and just showed them love throughout the day. We played some games outside with them, did some arts and crafts, and helped them with math. Even though we were new-comers and the kids had never seen us before, we were welcomed with open arms and felt extremely accepted. It was amazing how the kids just attached onto us. I am excited to see God work in these young children's lives throughout the week, and I hope that what we do with these kids in this short week makes an impact in their lives.
-Lindsey Carr

And this is just the beginning. Thanks for continuing to lift up this trip. I would ask that you specifically pray for the leaders and the families they have left this week. Feel free to check out the link for the Guatemala team's blog as well. It amazes me when think how big our God is and how he is using our little Wooddale Senior High at home, in Chicago, in Guatemala and more. He is good.

More pictures in the morning! Blessings...Kelli