Day 6

Hello Niekerk!
This is Ross Vander Meulen giving an update once again. Group 1 finished their week at Jackson Park this morning by roller skating at a roller rink with the kids. It was an emotional departure as the majority of the kids did not want to see us go. Group 2 finished their week at Albany Park by doing a scavenger hunt and then saying their farewells as well. In the afternoon, both groups served at the St. Thomas of Canterbury soup kitchen. For supper, Group 1 had Puerto Rican and Group 2 had Afghan food. We all ended day with a big group debriefing and the final Ross story. It has been a great week, and all of us are looking forward to sharing stories with the congregation.
Signing off,
Ross

Day 5 - Lauren Petroelje

Day 5 was another great day for everyone. Everyone spent the morning with the kids like we usually do. We came home around 2:30, then had some down time to nap, relax, and catch up with the other group. Our guides came and picked us up, then took us to the lawn in front of the chapel at North Park University. We finally got to meet some of the other churches that were here with us all week. We ate a Mexican dinner outside on the lawn, and played a few games. We were also able to purchase shirts, hoodies, and other CSM accessories. Then we were all called into the chapel. The praise band came up and we sang a couple worship songs. Each and everyone one of the songs was wonderful and worshipful. Very powerful! After this we had the utmost privilege of hearing Amy L. Williams, a woman who pours her life into working with gang members, and kids who are in jail and need hope. She taught us to be "Hope Dealers" instead of "Dope Dealers". Her message was incredible and it was moving to many of us. Something that most of us will be talking about for a long time. After the gathering, we went back to our housing place, but only for a second. Everyone turned right around and bounced down to McDonalds for the wonderful taste of 49 cent ice cream cones. We loved them. :)

Thank you for your continued prayers throughout the week. As we finish out this week, we pray that God will lead us in the right direction on our last day in this beautiful city and that we will have safe travels home.

"Amen. Hallelujah."
-Austin Helder

Thank you again, I miss you mom and dad,
Lauren Petroelje.

Group 1 Day 4 Ashley Klaasen

Today we started off at Jackson day camp once again and had an awesome time with the kids there. This time we had the option of going outside right away so many of us enjoyed playing outside instead of in the gym. Most of us were beautified once again with a new hair style from a kid eager to play with a caucasian's hair. Later we walked to the beach and hung out there for a couple hours. We played beach volleyball, made sand castles, and ran around on the sand. We didn't bring our swim suits but the kids from the camp had theirs so they swam and played in the water as well. After the beach they ate lunch and we talked with them before heading back to our van. Before the next activity we had about 2 hours to rest and that was very relaxing. With new energy we headed out on a scavenger hunt type thing- the goal was to learn about the diversity in Chicago. One of the challenges was to learn how to say "hello" and "thank you" in 3 different languages. In my group- Dana, Jared, Tyler, and I [Ashley]- we all took turns talking to strangers and Dana had already spoken a couple times so someone else had to do it. Tyler went into a Jewish store but ended up finding out that the workers spoke Spanish instead. We went into a store that looked African hoping to find someone who could help us learn two words from a different language and I went up to a woman (customer) who was wearing a head covering and skirt- she was very covered- and I asked her if she knew how to say those words in a different language. She started out telling me how to say them in English and Spanish and I could tell that she wasn't as comfortable with those languages and then she told me how in Arabic. It wasn't like she just said how and left- she helped me try and pronounce them correctly! She was super nice and very helpful. When everyone got back from that scavenger hunt challenge we left for dinner- another Mediterranean place. It was good and we recognized some foods as we had had them earlier in the week. We got a half hour rest before we headed out to a men's shelter. I along with a few others went to talk with a volunteer there who just loves Chicago (we've been noticing that quite a few people who live in Chicago are very proud of Chicago). He loved to talk about Chicago and teach us about all the good places to visit and we ended up talking to him the entire time. After we left Jim and Dana told us about a man who lived in the Congo with his wife and two children and he was a pretty famous singer. But then he disagreed with the government and he went from famous to wanted. The man got a visa and has made it safely to the United States for a little while but his family still remains in the Congo. Another man at the shelter had a heart attack and wasn't able to keep working so he was just waiting for his doctor to tell him that he could go back to work then he wouldn't have to be at the shelter anymore. Overall we've been having a great time with the kids from Jackson day camp and all the other activities that we've been doing have been great! Please continue to keep us in your prayers: that we will spread God's love to everyone we come in contact with and that we will be touched by other people as well.

Group 2 Day 4 Maegan Sneller

Today we woke up and did our normal morning routine. :)
We spent another morning at Albany Park with the precious kids of that school. The two preschool classes went to the park today. The people from youth group who went also were: Trish (Trash, as called by the kids!) Lauren, Maegan, Eli, and Laura. There were kids running everywhere! It was total chaos. After we returned to Albany Park, we were so exhausted from chasing kids for an hour. :) We returned to our lodging, ate lunch, and crashed for about an hour and a half.
After our naps, we met our groups guide, Faith, outside. She introduced us to the next activity called immersion. We would be walking around different sections of Chicago. After we were split into 3 groups, we each received $2 for dinner. Faith said that this is what most homeless people survive on for a whole day! And we were only surviving on it for one meal! After this meal, we were not allowed to eat anything more that night until morning. We had such speechless experiences and we were all exhausted when we returned to our lodging. Most of us are still comprehending how this is how a child of God could possibly live like this. Also most of us are still hungry. This has defiantly been a perspective change for all of us.
Thanks for praying for us. :)

Day 3 Service Group 2

So, today was a busy and exhausting day. This morning my group went to Albany park community center again for day camp. The kids were, as Austin would say, legit". They are always smiling and laughing. So much fun! After that we headed back for lunch and right away left for our next adventure which was a prayer walk. We spent about an hour walking around downtown Chicago praying for certain areas and the people in general. We ended the night serving in a community kitchen, Cornerstone Community Outreach, as well as eating Puerto Rican food. It was amazing!!! All together We walked about 5-6 miles today. Hopefully we sleep good tonight :) Well...that's a glimpse for today now it's off to bed! Thanks for all of your prayers and support while we are here! Can't wait to see you all when we get back!

Kaitlyn :)

Group 1 Day 3 Update

Hello fellow Niekerkians!

This is an update for Group 1 who is serving in the South Side of Chicago this week. After a refreshing shower, we all headed off to Jackson Park for the second day to volunteer at a recreational day camp. When we arrived in Jackson Park, we started by spending an hour playing with the kids before splitting into our age groups. Jared, Tyler, Dana, and I have spent time with the 8 and 9 year olds. Today, we helped them with arts and crafts. Then we played Legos and all spent playing dress up with the girls in our group. Around 2:30 in the afternoon, we left Jackson Park for the day and went to an organization called A Safe Haven that helps give homeless people and families hope. We sorted the food in the food pantry there and helped get supplies ready for a 5k sponsored by the organization. Finally, we concluded the night by having Colombian food that was very tasty. Overall, we have been challenged to grow and be blessed spiritually and physically.

Sincerely,
Ross Vander Meulen

Group 2 Day 2 Lauren Petroelje

Day 2 of Chicago was fantastic! We woke up, showered, and ate breakfast. Then it was off to Albany Park Community Center. Our leader for this week, Faith, divided us up into groups of 2 or 3, and then sent us to various classrooms. The community center acts as a daycare center for kids ages 3-11. The classrooms are set up so that there's a preschool, kindergarten, first, second, and third grade room. We spent the morning doing various activities, like singing, reading, going to the park, even Zumba! Once the kids broke for lunch, we headed back to our housing site for lunch. We had an hour to kill before our next activity, so a couple of us took a nice nap. :)
Our next activity took us to an apartment complex for low income seniors, where we played the ever so classic Bingo with a few of the residents. Prizes were handed out to winners, and we played various versions of the game. Once the final round was played, we headed back to home for 45 minutes of rest. Then, our exotic dinner plan took us to a Columbian restaurant where we had rice and chicken, cornbread with cheese in the middle, plantains, roasted chicken with potatoes and arroz con pollo. It was absolutely delicious. After dinner, we came back and had a debriefing, and then we had a time of devotions for just us girls. All in all, we had a very fun day and met some very fun people!
 -Lauren


As leaders we were very proud of Lauren tonight as she volunteered to lead our girls in a devotion. She based our study on Hebrews 11 and 12 focusing on  searching for God's guidance and endurance as we attempt this week to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those we meet, and to continually look for chances in  our everyday lives for God to use us through our words and actions.

It has been a great day, We are seeing your kids grow and stretch themselves, and we can't wait to see what happens as we continue to serve and be blessed.

-Laura

Group 1 Day 2 Emma VanderMeulen

First, group one went to the Jackson day camp. There we played with the kids in the gym and then we split into different age groups. We stayed at the day camp until two-ish. Then we got a break before we headed to our next adventure. For this challenge we were given two dollars for each person. We had to think like a homeless person. During this challenge we got to know more about the city life and the people.

This update is from Group 1 lead by Dana, Jim, and Daryl. Our kids are being such good sports about being willing to give everything set before them a try.

Day 1

Greetings! We have had a fun filled day of experiencing the different sights, cultures, tastes and much more here in Chicago.  Our trip began with an easy and safe drive into the city, thank to our fearless van drivers Daryl and Ian! They have really shown their skills in the city traffic already. Our time at the Museum of Science and Industry was filled with the coal mine tour, a tour of the U-505 sub and many other fascinating exhibits. Upon arrival at North Park University we were met by our city hosts, Faith and Desiree who will be our GPS through the streets and our guides as we begin to serve tomorrow. This evening our group split in two, to experience Ethnic foods: Chinese and  Middle Eastern, and EVERYONE was open to trying what we had and found something they seemed to enjoy. After dinner we took a prayer tour through the areas which we will be serving throughout the week. I think the kids were very impacted by this eye-opening experience.

Please hold us close in your prayers tomorrow as we begin to serve and learn the stories of the people who God places in our path this week. Pray for health, hydration, and safety! It is VERY HOT here where we are staying!

Good night and God bless.
Laura and Trisha

11 Days!

In 11 days we will be loading 21 teens and 7 adult leaders into vans, stuffing in all our luggage, sleeping bags, snacks, and VBS materials and taking off for Chicago.  God has much in store for us. 

As with past trips, there will no doubt be much laughter, growth, and learning.  As with past trips, I am sure there will be a certain degree of homesickness.  As with past trips, there will be lots of energy from the students and very little sleep for the leaders.  And as with past trips, I am confident that God is going before us and that he has amazing things in store.  

Our group will be split in two groups, each going in the mornings to an ANCHOR site, working with youth in the city.  One group will be working at Jackson Park Recreational Day Camp, helping to facilitate games, sports, arts and crafts, outings, and much more.  The other group will be working at Cornerstone Community Outreach running a VBS for 5-12 year old kids, our theme for the week with be water and it's symbolism in the Bible.

In the afternoons we will be serving at several different sites in the city, including: Safe Haven Food Pantry, Epworth Men's Shelter, St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen, and Albany Park Community Center. 

Each night we will be eating at a different ethnic restaurant in the community.  

In this final week that leads up to our trip, we request your prayers.  Pray that God will prepare our hearts for what we will experience.  Pray that God will open our eyes to His people and the ways we can act as His hands and feet in the community in which we will be serving.  Pray for health and safety of those in our group.  Pray for the leaders.  And finally, pray for the people with whom we will connect while we are in Chicago.

Blessings.
Laura