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
