Panama City...Here We Come

Steven and I leave tomorrow for high school camp in Panama City, Florida! We will be riding the bus, but don't worry, I have a new book to read, so I will be ok. :) Pray that the Lord breaks students, stirs their hearts, and draws them closer to Himself this week. 

Chicago

Steven and I spent last week in Chicago on a mission trip with the high schoolers. We left Sunday, July 4 and returned on Sunday, July 11. There were 124 people in our group, including sponsors. It was truly an amazing week and the Lord revealed Himself multiple times in multiple ways.


We started off the week by grabbing dinner in Chicago. Our ministry team (12 people total) headed off for some Chicago-style pizza at Gino's. Unfortunately, the rest of the city also had this idea, and our group did not want to wait 2+ hours for pizza. After walking aimlessly in the streets, we finally found a random place to eat called Boston Blackie's. It was nothing special, and I probably wouldn't go there again, but we only had to wait about 25 minutes, so it was worth it. We then headed towards Navy Pier in an attempt to meet with the rest of the CFBC group. Because there were so many people going to the pier, the pier had been shut down and they were turning people away. As we were walking towards the Pier and about to be turned away, one of the police officers asked if we were part of a group. Steven, being our fearless leader, said, "Ya, we're part the group." We're still not sure if we were part of the 'group' the officer was referring to, but our team and another team made it through. :) We encountered several other police officers who tried turning us away, but we simply said we were part of the group, flashed our badges (which held nothing more than a name tag and 'L' pass), and voila, we made it to Navy Pier. The original plan was for all 10 CFBC teams to meet at the Pier, but we only found two other teams. We hung out on the grass until the fireworks started. We had to all move forward because the trees were in our way, but we at least got to see the fireworks. They were wonderful!!


Dave Miller and I were the leaders for the soccer camp. However, each morning we worked in a different area of ministry. On Monday morning, July 5, our team headed to Uptown Baptist Church and helped unload the truck that carried all of the ministry supplies, tools, snacks, etc. 

Unloading the truck @ Uptown

We then headed to our ministry site at Circle Urban. However, because it was a holiday, Circle Urban was closed and we were unable to unload all of the sports equipment or canvas the area. We found some lunch at a local place called MacArthur's. It tasted like good 'ole country food. Apparently its quite a famous place in Chicago. There pictures of Barack visiting there, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, and several other famous people. On Monday evening, our team helped out with a local ministry called GRIP (Gospel, Relationships, Immersion,  Prayer & Preparation). The parents of GRIP's volunteer coordinator are members at CFBC. This ministry truly impressed me. The ministry was founded to counter-effect the effects of a fatherless society. They are located right next to Cabrini-Green, one of the roughest areas in Chicago. GRIP connects kids from this area with Godly mentors who pour into their lives, with the goal of introducing these kids to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Every Monday night, GRIP has an event called SLAM (Saving Lives through Athletic Ministry). Our group helped out with SLAM. It was awesome and inspiring to hear some of the kids' talk about how Christ had changed their lives and listen to the goals they had for their lives.

SLAM

Tuesday morning our group headed out to Pacific Garden Mission. It was fun being able to return to Pacific Garden after going there in 2003 when I was a senior. It was so evident that the Lord's hand is on this ministry. They have been ministering to the homeless and needy of Chicago since 1877. Wow! They recently built a brand new 150,000 square foot facility. Pacific Garden receives no government or state support and never does annual campaigns or fundraisers for support. Our group had the opportunity to help prepare lunch in the huge kitchen; others helped prepare the compost, which Pacific Garden eventually sells both the soil and the worms; others worked in stock room sorting the good potatoes from the bad ones. We were given a tour by a man who is now on staff full-time at Pacific Garden, but just five years ago, he came to Pacific Garden needing help. His testimony is filled with brokenness, sin, horror, and heartache, but he said that he wouldn't give any of it up because it has brought him to where he is today with the Lord.  Wow! How often do I wish some of my circumstances were different or easier, but my life has not even known an ounce of the pain and hurt this man has gone through in his life. I am so thankful we go to meet Gerald, and to be able to witness first-hand how God's saving grace can truly transform a life. Tuesday afternoon we headed back to Circle Urban to do some canvassing and then start our sports camp. We only had one little boy named Eric who came to the soccer camp on the first day, but he was a delight.

Wednesday morning our group headed to the grocery store to buy food for Wednesday's dinner and the night ministry stop. In the afternoon, we had our sports camp again, and 6 kids came. However, a few of the little girls were more interested in doing our hair and drinking Gatorade then actually playing soccer. :) On Wednesday night, our group was able to be part of a Night Ministry stop. Essentially, this organization goes around to different parts of Chicago each night, and hands out a free meal to anyone who needs it. It was a different crowd of people than I think our students were used to being around, but I was so proud to see how they came out of their comfort zones and interacted with a group of people that most of society probably chooses to ignore. I recognize that a lot of the homeless are on the streets as a consequence because of bad choices they have made, but regardless, they are still human and deserve to be shown God's forgiveness and love. My prayer for the people we met on Wednesday night is that they will remember feeling truly loved and valued, maybe for the first time in a long time, and the the Lord will use this to call them to Himself. For we know that one meal is only a temporary fix; only God's grace can truly save them.

Thursday morning our group headed back to Uptown Baptist Church. We worked at the home of one of Uptown's pastors. Our team and a few other teams helped clean up the overgrown yard and house. The family had a very impressive garden growing, including squash, zucchini, onions, strawberries, watermelons, dill, basil, thyme, okra, and so many other fruits and vegetables. While working in the garden, I realized that I really do like pulling weeds, it's just the Houston heat that I hate. :) Thursday afternoon we returned to Circle Urban for soccer, and had about 4-6 kids again. Thursday evening was a free night, and our group finally made it to Gino's!

Group at Gino's (Front Row, L to R: Shannon Coyle, Danielle Sessions, Allison Wolden, Hannah Krob, J. D. Moore; Back Row, L to R: Me, Sean Darron, Ryan Boss, Karl Solomon, Hayden Jefferies, Samantha Jacobs, Dave Miller)

Friday morning was probably my personal favorite ministry day. We went to this ministry called 'Living Room Cafe.' The Living Room Cafe opened its doors to men and women who needed a free breakfast. Our group had the privilege of waiting on and serving these men and women. I truly had so much fun (I've secretly always wanted to be a waitress...at least for a few days). :) Seriously though, serving these people and seeing how the act of service made their day, reminded me of why the Lord has called us to serve in the first place. Serving was His idea. We are here to be His hands and feet to those who need him. Friday morning reminded me how great it feels to serve with my whole heart! Friday afternoon we had our soccer camp again, followed by a community wide-carnival. We had all different games set-up, music, dancing, hot dogs, and even puppet show. The best part of all, was that the carnival was completely free! I loved watching our students interact, mingle, and serve this group of people

Saturday was our free day. :) Our entire group divided into different groups, and Chelsea stuck together. We hung out at Navy Pier for awhile, I tried a smoothie from Starbucks (don't recommend that), and then headed over to the Magnificent Mile. We only had a little bit of time, so we popped into Banana Republic, but had no success there. After grabbing some lunch, we headed back to Navy Pier and met up with a group of girls to watch Cirque du Soleil Shanghai. It was pretty impressive. Not as good as the one in Disney World, but I'm still glad we went. After the show, Chels, the girls, and I headed back to the Magnificent Mile. We bee-lined it towards H&M...and there, I found victory. :) Seriously, I bought 3 items (a tank/dress, a shirt, and a little cardigan) for $45!! That is incredible, especially if you consider that sales tax in Chicago is 11%! Saturday night, the seniors led the entire group in a sweet time, as we remembered the sacrifice on the cross and partook in the Lord's supper.

After this trip, I really feel like a know a lot of the kids in the youth group. I think it has helped that I have been in The Lodge every Sunday, and then I had this opportunity to serve alongside some of them. I am so thankful that the Lord has called Steven and I to this church, in this position, and for the blessings He continually bestows upon us. In all, the trip was refreshing. It refreshed my passion for serving Him and serving alongside my husband; refreshed my relationships with the students; and just simply refreshed me.

*Are you wondering what Steven did all week? He was one of the three best chauffeurs in all of Chicago. Seriously though, he was in charge of transferring groups all across Chicago when the 'L' wouldn't take them where they needed to be. He was able to be part of all the different ministry activities that our kids were a part of this week.