Chicago Mission Trip

I just returned from my Chicago mission trip and visit to Michigan with the family. I don't even know where to begin, but I do know that when you put away the cell phones, the internet, and television and focus only on God he teaches you some amazing things.
From July 12-19th I was in Rogers Park-Chicago, IL. serving the Family Empowerment Center with a team of about 18 from my church-Living Faith Alliance(www.lfachurch.org). God had called me there for some reason, but I didn't know why except that I was to go. I had no expectations except to do whatever the Lord asked of us. The first day we were able to learn about the area. It was a very diverse community with 40 primary languages spoken and very little of it being English. 1 in 6 lived in poverty and 1 in 6 made over $200,000. There were kids involved with gangs and drugs. We did prayer walks; had training that prepared us spiritually, mentally, and physically. I was able to start most mornings with a run with two other team members. We would run down towards Lake Shore Drive and along Michigan Lake. It was beautiful and quiet and a great way to begin each day. We would come back shower, eat and prepare for a time of worship, a time of scripture
and direction into the work needed for the day. One of our main goals was to promote the center and it's services to the community. Family Empowerment center is a faith based, non-profit organization designed to bring the community together through tutoring, after-school programs, mom's clubs, camps and sunday evening worship. We would go around and hand out free bottles of water to the community while encouraging them to participate in an upcoming project called City Clean 2009. City Clean is designed to clean up the Rogers Park area. People were hesitant to take free bottles of water, but as the week progressed we found God working and opening up the hearts of those we came into contact with. We even had the opportunity to pray for some of the homeless people we met. The second call we had was to serve as camp leaders for their soccer camp. We had 65 kids sign up ranging in ages of 4-12. We set up soccer stations for the kids to learn drills. They would work on that for the first hour. The second hour was spiritual filled with a time of worship, a skit that started on Monday and left them with question " How do we enter into Heaven" They had to wait to Friday. Each night taught them a little bit more. The focus was thier salvation and so along with each new idea came a color and at the end of the week a bracelet for each of them. Known as a Salvation Bracelet. Monday was about Heaven(yellow), Tuesday-sin(black), Wednesday-death of Christ(red), Thursday-resurrection and trusting in Christ(White), Friday-everlasting life through our belief in Christ(green). After each skit and bible teaching the kids had time with us in a small group so that we could ask/answer questions and pray. There is a story, too long to tell right now, about a guy who was 43,named Brennan, he was a coach and member of the community who really took to our group and worked with us all week long. God put him in my life for a reason and it was for me to remember that we are all God's children, it took some praying but each day God showed me just how special he was and I am so blessed to have worked with him. The soccer camp was a great way for members of the community to come together. I know it sounds all good and not too bad so here is why we were called there. While working with the children and doing God's will and teaching about scripture and spreading the good word, drug deals were being made around the perimeter of the fence. Homeless people walked with their shopping carts, Projects and run-down housing was our view. On one of our last days there we had teaching on the Islamic religion, we ate in Little India and had a chance to experience that culture for a day. We visited a mosque and witnessed things very difficult to blog about at this time. But the pictures I will post may help describe the lonliness of that culuture. Our last day was spent in downtown Chicago sight seeing. It was a great way to end the week. We were able to see the Willis Tower(formerly the Sears Tower), Millenium Park, and Chicago Cubs stadium. I had one of my first true experiences on the public transportation system of Chicago. We got to sing Amazing Grace in a subway full of people and that was a beautiful experience. But for the time we were there God's great hand protected us as he taught us. I went to serve and I have come backed changed. I ask my friends and family that follow my blog to keep The Family Empowerment Center in your thoughts and prayers. There mission has just begun and the foundation has been laid, but prayer is needed to keep it alive.