Friday morning

What a day family!

I am thinking you may not recognize your babies when they get home. They have been changed and it is good! God is good!

Thursday service projects saw answered prayer and new adventures. A few members of the children team volunteered to get up early to go to the school and help set up for an all school fun day. The whole team spent the day face painting, manning booths and playing with the kids that they have spent this week getting to know. It was a Fun Day!

The Living Hope team continued their work projects around the church but they also had the opportunity to walk the community and hand out flyers for the church's VBS that starts next week. It was fun for them to get out, see the neighborhood and interact with the community.

The SGM team continued to dig that hole. They had some positive interactions with the neighbors and they were also questioned by neighbors that wanted to know what they were doing and why they were in the neighborhood. They had prayed to interact with the neighborhood and they got a whole picture. They handled this interaction with grace and love and God was glorified.

The afternoon was spent traveling the El train to see the city, the different communities and segregation as well as to interact with the people of Chicago in the hopes of spiritual conversations. This is a "step out of your comfort zone" situation and it was a joy to watch our kids reach out around them. They had so much fun and had amazing conversations. Even the most shy kid took some risks and had a blast.

My Lia and Will and their helper Elizabeth are doing amazingly well. Thank you for keeping them in your prayers. Lia and Will have LOVED being with your students and it has blessed me much to see your kids love on my kids!

We had some more Chicago style pizza for dinner at Sunshine. Then we headed to the beach for a little quiet time and some fun. They swam - the brave ones - it was freezing! They walked, talked, played worship music and a big game of ultimate. It was a beautiful evening!

We went back to the church and had an amazing night. We spent some time sharing our El train experiences. Mark called from Guatemala and we prayed for them and they us. The family members from both trips got to talk and it was very sweet. We can't wait to be all together again Sunday morning!

Then we spent some time reflecting on all that God has done in and through us this week. We focused on how he is speaking to us. We spent some time in silence and the leaders served the students in a powerful way. We worshipped and responded to God after the leaders prayed over each and every student. The students prayed for each other and it was nothing short of beautiful.

We ended the night with everyone sharing aloud to give God the glory for what he had done in them. After the prayer, Micah yelled "one more song!" and the kids began to chant and so did I. One more song to give glory to him!

A few more testimonies from the students...

This trip has been so fun! I went into this trip very skeptical and wondering what it would be like. But after spending a week here and with these people, I know that I was meant to come on it. Working with the kids, though hard and frustrating at times was definitely rewarding. The biggest things i have seen was that even though there is so much brokenness and poverty, people are still able to have tuna and make the best out of their situation. Dani Marty

Being on this trip has had a huge impact on the way I look at other people. Getting to know the residents of the neighborhood and seeing the love for the people and the passion for helping them that Sunshine has has helped me to understand the love of Jesus in a new way. Micah Winters

This trip has been so amazing! Last night the leaders washed our feet, just like Jesus washed his disciples. It was so cool! It as overwhelming (in a good way) to see so many of us in surrender to the King. I was so filled with joy seeing our encouraging and united community. Praise God! Janelle Cross

So today we have our final day. Hard to believe it's over. They are finishing up projects and saying goodbye. This is especially hard on the Wadsworth Elementary team. They have built some real sweet relationships with those kids and they will truly miss them.

This afternoon we have the opportunity to tour Moody Bible Institute. Then we will pack up and clean. Debrief our time at Sunshine and end the week with a worship concert of hip hop music and dance. We will load the bus and head back to MN, more unified, with more humility and wisdom, with new passions and new friends and I do believe, more like Christ.

Thanks family for your love and prayers. Last night we were reminded of his goodness and how he always shows up and he never ever lets us down. Amen?

Mama Kelli