Week 1, Day 6

Our final day!!!

What an amazing week we had together.  After a great week of working and worshipping alongside one another, we are finally gearing up to head home.  BUT, we had a fun day today at Navy Pier before we left!

Everyone got a meal voucher and a ticket for the Ferris wheel, which had some really awesome views!

After a few hours at Navy Pier, we got to go see Cirque Shanghai together, which was a really awe-inspiring experience for most of us.  So many outstanding flips and turns we all felt a little better when it was over because we were so nervous most of the time and in such disbelief.

Even the leaders got a few laughs (Stacey is frightened out of her mind during this picture)

We went to dinner around the Magnificent Mile in smaller groups and then had small groups and worship together back at Fourth Church.  Our incoming seniors led worship for us, and it was an uplifting night of singing and laughing together -- talking about how much we love the friendships and relationships we've grown and started this week together.

Last thing tonight we got to have movie night and spend some time eating delicious Garrett's popcorn (big thanks to the Timberlake's!) together before we depart Chicago tomorrow morning after a life-changing week together.

Please pray for us as we prepare to pack up and head home from our week.  Pray that we would have good rest and health, safe travels and great attitudes as we return home.

Thanks for following along with us this week, we appreciate all of your support!

Until next week.

Peace,

High School Mission Week 1

Week 1, Day 5

Good morning!

Heading into our final 24 hours of this week's mission trip, we can't help but be grateful and amazed at the things we've experienced together this week.

Yesterday we had our last work day of the week.  But this wasn't a typical work day like the rest.  This was a different kind of work.  Interfaith work.

In the morning we had breakfast and afterwards spent some time in quiet reflection and devotion before we got out for the day.  We had a 10 a.m. appointment downtown with CAIR Chicago.  CAIR -- Council on American-Islamic Relations -- is a national organization that focuses on seeking justice in our communities for Muslim poeple who are misrepresented or mistreated in society.  By whatever means necessary, whether that be lobbying or interfaith work, they do what needs to be done to ensure that everyone has a voice to be heard.

(The entrance to the CAIR Chicago office)

We spent the morning talking with staff and interns at CAIR and having an open dialogue about how they, as a faith group similar to what we're doing this week, view their place in the community and responsiblity to the people around them.  There were some great stories shared and all of our eyes were opened a little bit wider to how similar some of the different people around us can be.  

(Five of the CAIR interns share their stories and personal reflections)

Then, in the afternoon after lunch, we walked down the street from Fourth to Sinai Congregation -- a Jewish synagogue that often partners with Fourth Church in Chicago.  We met with Heidi Kon, one of their staff members, and she led us in a discussion about the Jewish faith and some of the things that they're led to do in the community of Chicago.

(The students got to touch the Torah!)

Later in the evening after our pasta dinner we had small groups and worship together to reflect on the day and the week we've had with one another.  Group 3 led us in worship in an awesome discussion of how we're not only responsible for ourselves but also for the well-being of the people around us.  We talked about the challenges and difficulties that can be encountered while doing interfaith work, but we also pointed out the great reward that can be felt in accomplishment.  

(Group 3 leads us in worship together)

All in all, we had an amazing and enlightening day filled with new learning and discoveries made.  Today, we're heading out to Navy Pier for our fun day -- including a Cirque Shanghai show!  

Please pray for us that we would have a wonderful culmination of our trip together, and that we would have safe travels home tomorrow morning.  See you all aroung 1 p.m.!

Peace,

High School Mission Week 1

Week 1, Day 2

We had an awesome first full day in Chicago!

After breakfast together and making our lunches in the morning, we went out to grab the Red Line train to head up to Rogers Park.  We arrived shortly after at our destination -- A Just Harvest.  Our task for the day was to go to the grocery and get supplies to make 200 lunch bags that could be handed out to people in the neighborhood who needed food.  We met with Mary from A Just Harvest when we arrived, and she helped us into our space and got us started with our work making bags!

After a few hours and a few hundred bags, we got the chance to meet some of the guys who work in the apprentice program at the organization.  They work on planting and maintaining community gardens in partnership with local schools.  We got to see a few of the gardens that they had worked on developing in the local neighborhood.

Our work and learning being finished in Rogers Park, we went back on the Red Line to Fourth Church and got to relax for a while before making dinner together and having our small group times and worship time together. 

Overall, we had an awesome day together today and can't wait to get up and continue our experience together tomorrow!

Please continue praying for us as we journey together this week: for our restful sleep and good health, for good attitudes, and for the ability to have our eyes opened to the city and people around us.

Peace,

High School Mission - Week 1