Hey Everyone
I'm sorry that my posts have been so infrequent. We have a really busy schedule but I am going to try to post more frequently. We have finished 2 full weeks of Summer Project thus far and are pretty much in the swing of things. For some reason, though, it doesn't really feel like it has really clicked yet that Project has started.
One of the major focuses on this project is to tell people about Jesus Christ and spread the Gospel message. We do this by going out and sharing on college campuses throughout the city. Each student is assigned to one or several campuses that they travel to at least once a week on either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday with other students and staff. I am assigned to the University of Illinois at Chicago, which is just a short walk away. It has been great talking to students on campus, and I have had several great conversations so far. I even got the opportunity to share the Gospel in one of my conversations!
We have the days open Monday through Friday so that we can work. I recently got hired at Jimmy John's, and I start this Wednesday! Each Monday night we sample pizza from a different pizza place in Chicago. That has been delicious! Following our dinner we have a large group meeting where we hear a message from a staff member, hear how God has impacted one of our fellow student's life, and worship through song. On Tuesday nights we have "action group" which is a Bible study lead by staff members. Wednesday night is our "date night with Jesus" where we have the night open to take a step back and spend time with God. Thursday nights we have another large group meeting similar to the meetings on Mondays. We also sample a different ethnic food each week from around Chicago on Thursdays. Friday nights are open for working or to hang out with other students. Saturdays are our campus flex times where we can do different activities throughout the city or within our group. On Sundays we have church in the morning, then have a meeting with our impact teams, which is comprised of all of the people that are assigned to the same campus. Following the impact meetings we have mens and womens time.
It has been an amazing time here so far! The community has been incredible. I have been so encouraged and loved on by my brothers and sisters. The teaching has been amazing as well. We are studying the book of Galatians in which Paul is affirming the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, that we are saved by faith and not by our own works. God has definitely been present on this trip and I know He is not done shaping all of us into the likeness of His Son.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
1st Full Day in Chicago
Hey Everybody
It is the afternoon of my first full day in Chicago for Project today! In the intervening weeks between my last post God provided all of my support for me and then some, so hopefully that support will be able to bless others who have not received all of their support yet. It was a great growing and learning experience raising the funds to be able to participate in this project, and I am so grateful for everyone's generosity. It was very encouraging as well to see how many people believe in me enough to support me on this ministry opportunity as well as to know that this is where God wants me given that He provided all of my support necessary.
A majority of the students moved in yesterday, and it was a bit overwhelming. There are around 40 students here currently and 29 or so moving in next week as well as 30 staff members and their children. We have a really large group so I have met a lot of people. The community has been great so far! My apartment is really nice and I am very blessed to be staying in such a nice place. I have two other roommates currently and will have two more moving in next week. We all enjoyed some deep-dish, Chicago style pizza last night and just got settled in to our places.
This morning we had a group breakfast at 9a.m. Following that, one of the project directors, Bach Borjadze, taught us about Psalm 23 and how that relates to our focus this summer and our lifestyle as Christians. Then we had a meeting about some of the project norms as well as some general information about the city and life in Chicago. Our group headed out after our meeting to get lunch in Greek Town on the way to Dominick's to get groceries. It has been a great day so far, and I am looking forward to a life-changing Summer!
It is the afternoon of my first full day in Chicago for Project today! In the intervening weeks between my last post God provided all of my support for me and then some, so hopefully that support will be able to bless others who have not received all of their support yet. It was a great growing and learning experience raising the funds to be able to participate in this project, and I am so grateful for everyone's generosity. It was very encouraging as well to see how many people believe in me enough to support me on this ministry opportunity as well as to know that this is where God wants me given that He provided all of my support necessary.
A majority of the students moved in yesterday, and it was a bit overwhelming. There are around 40 students here currently and 29 or so moving in next week as well as 30 staff members and their children. We have a really large group so I have met a lot of people. The community has been great so far! My apartment is really nice and I am very blessed to be staying in such a nice place. I have two other roommates currently and will have two more moving in next week. We all enjoyed some deep-dish, Chicago style pizza last night and just got settled in to our places.
This morning we had a group breakfast at 9a.m. Following that, one of the project directors, Bach Borjadze, taught us about Psalm 23 and how that relates to our focus this summer and our lifestyle as Christians. Then we had a meeting about some of the project norms as well as some general information about the city and life in Chicago. Our group headed out after our meeting to get lunch in Greek Town on the way to Dominick's to get groceries. It has been a great day so far, and I am looking forward to a life-changing Summer!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Pre-Summer Project Post (May 18th)
Hey Everyone,
I appreciate your interest in my Summer Project! The intention of this blog is to keep my supporters updated on what I am doing in the city and what God has been teaching me. I am going to try to update it fairly regularly. I have no idea what my schedule is going to look like, but I think this will be a good outlet for me and help me process through things going on. I don't really have this whole blogging thing figured out so please bare with me if things are formatted a little rough or aren't entirely straightforward.
So I haven't started Project yet (as you may have gleaned from the title), but I might as well talk about where I'm at with everything. I am a little over two weeks away from moving into Chicago, and I am super excited! I am a little over $600 short on funds for support, but it has been coming in consistently and God has been faithful in providing for me so I am trying to be faithful in trusting Him. I am very excited about project, but a little nervous as well. I'm not sure what to expect and the thought of living in a big city such as Chicago is a little scary.
Again, I really appreciate that you are interested enough in my summer to check out my blog. I hope that God can reach you through me talking about the things that He is teaching me. Please keep checking my blog every once in a while for updates!
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
-Matthew 6:33
I appreciate your interest in my Summer Project! The intention of this blog is to keep my supporters updated on what I am doing in the city and what God has been teaching me. I am going to try to update it fairly regularly. I have no idea what my schedule is going to look like, but I think this will be a good outlet for me and help me process through things going on. I don't really have this whole blogging thing figured out so please bare with me if things are formatted a little rough or aren't entirely straightforward.
So I haven't started Project yet (as you may have gleaned from the title), but I might as well talk about where I'm at with everything. I am a little over two weeks away from moving into Chicago, and I am super excited! I am a little over $600 short on funds for support, but it has been coming in consistently and God has been faithful in providing for me so I am trying to be faithful in trusting Him. I am very excited about project, but a little nervous as well. I'm not sure what to expect and the thought of living in a big city such as Chicago is a little scary.
Again, I really appreciate that you are interested enough in my summer to check out my blog. I hope that God can reach you through me talking about the things that He is teaching me. Please keep checking my blog every once in a while for updates!
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
-Matthew 6:33
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