We're Home!

We wanted to let you all know that we made it back safely last night. We praise the Lord for His gracious provision for this trip and for the many ways He answered prayer. We will be putting together a video presentation of our trip to help you rejoice with us. We are so grateful to the family of God!

~Katelyn, for the Team

Day Nine - the Final Day

Good morning - we have come to our final day here in IL. Tonight we come home to California. We had a very encouraging "team time" this morning! Each of the students shared how God has taught them during our time here, and they each shared how they desire to change as they come. It was such a blessing to sit and listen as they shared what God had taught them and how they each desire to submit to His leading in their lives! Praise God for what He has done!

Just to make sure we are all on the same page (i.e. the parents of the students), we are arriving tonight at 10:05 on Delta airlines. We will be connecting through Salt Lake City on our way home. If we have any delays, I'll call you to let you know.

We were up bright and early this morning to do one final service at Wayside Cross Rescue Mission in Aurora. It was a wonderful opportunity to sing the gospel & share the gospel. Even though it was early, the students did very well! They are learning to find their strength in the Lord even when they are weak. Our voices were just a little worn out from cheering last night, but the men were encouraged by our ministry to them.

We are now doing a final clean up/projects at Grace for Life. Most of the students are working to organize Pastor Steve's library (which we moved this week). We are about to go to lunch at a "local favorite" Chinese buffet, before the Gregorys fly out.

We will see you all tonight! Thank you for continually holding us before the Lord!

Victor giving his testimony

Austin doing pushups for a competition (he won:)

The Team at Wayside Cross this morning

Days Seven & Eight - Part 1

Good afternoon~

We had a great evening last night with several more students coming for the first time. We played Commando Tire Assault where the guys and girls compete at different intervals trying to get blown up tire tubes to their side. It was quite fun. :) After food and a testimony, the students then watched the Stop and Think DVD presentation. Justin finished by challenging them to spend time alone and think about what they had just heard -- how the God of the universe desires a relationship with them.

This morning we had about an hour for team time. We had some quiet time and then discussed our chapter for the day on meditation. It was great. We then went to a Sunrise Assisted Living Center and did a service for the residents there. The students sang, gave salvation testimonies and did a devotional. The residents enjoyed the young people and it was a great opportunity to encourage those that were in the Lord as well as share the gospel with those that have not responded.

We are now busy finishing up painting jobs, organizing books and setting up for the evening. I will do my best to update you tonight about our final evening of the Cola Clash!

~Katelyn, for the Team

Resting for bit before the Cola Clash

Commando Tire Assault

Chocolate Pudding Eating Contest

Joel is on both Pepsi and Coke Teams

Austin giving a Devotional

Singing for Sunrise Assisted Living

Day Seven

Good afternoon~

I am sitting in the lobby of Grace for Life as the students are around me cleaning, painting, and sanding. We are using the daytime to do various cleaning and maintenance jobs around the property. The church recently merged with another church whose facility is older, so these jobs are both needed and helpful! We will have the second night of the youth rally this evening.

The youth rally is called the “Cola Clash.” It is kind of like a VBS for Jr/Sr high young people. They are separated onto two teams, the Pepsi team and the Coke team, and compete against each other with various games, including Big Ball Basketball, Intertube Races, etc. They then eat dinner while they hear a testimony. Following this time is a skit, some salvation testimonies, and then a “truth talk.” Last night we had about 40 young people. Each team gets points for bringing friends, so we are anticipating more this evening.

We thank you for praying for us. It is amazing that we only have 2 days left. Please pray for diligence and faithfulness, especially at the end of the trip. We want to end well!

~Katelyn, for the Team

Big Ball Basketball

Just had to throw this in. :)

Intertube Games

95th Floor of the John Hancock Building

Days Five and Six

Good afternoon~

We have now shifted to our final area of ministry in Naperville, IL. Currently the students are making posters and setting up for the youth rally outreach that begins this evening at 6 pm. Due to our travels I have not been able to update the blog, so here we go!

FRIDAY:

The students could not believe this was their last day at PGM. They diligently worked in all different areas. By this point, they had built some good relationships with the men in the program, so they had a lot of fun working together! The day went by all too fast. In the afternoon we had some team time at the Lincoln Park Zoo. We have been going through the book Spiritual Disciplines by CJ Mahaney. Our team time normally includes each of the member sharing what they have learned from their time in the Word and in the book, and then how they think things are going overall on the trip. We also use this time to encourage the students to continue in faithfulness, as well as address anything necessary. We then normally close with prayer. This time has been very profitable and enjoyable.

The evening service was good as well, though different than any other night. We were once again in the main service room, and did songs and testimonies. However, there was another church that did the song leading and preaching. We then ended the evening with sitting on top of the van and watching the fireworks show over Lake Michigan. What a neat way to end the ministry at PGM. The students really did not want to leave!

SATURDAY:

We picked up the team in the late morning and took them to a "surprise." We made reservations for lunch on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building. What fun it was to be together as a team in this amazing setting. It was really special! We then drove to Grace for Life Bible Church in Naperville, IL. We spent the rest of the afternoon/evening making posters, cleaning and practicing skits. We ended the evening watching fireworks from the church parking lot.

SUNDAY:

This morning we shared testimonies and songs during the morning service. After the service there was a fellowship dinner. Now we are busy preparing for the rally that begins tonight. We look forward to updating you tomorrow!

Katelyn, for the Team

Day Four at PGM

Good morning~

Well, yesterday was definitely the best day we have had so far! Every aspect of the day was great! By now the students are very comfortable with the tasks at PGM and they are busy about them. They are receiving direction still, but are being very proactive as soon as any job is completed. There is much singing, talking, laughing and calorie-burning that goes on during these times. :) The service last night was a blessing as well. We were able to be in the main service area. This room holds somewhere around 600 men and women. Jason, Jacquelyn, and Victor gave their testimonies, we had various musical solos, duets and group songs. Justin finished by preaching on the kindness of God that leads to repentance. How great God is, and how great it is to share that with others!

I was thinking that some of the tasks we are doing here might be confusing in other updates, so I thought I would explain them. Here are some examples:

• Dishwash: The students take the used dishes from meal times, rinse them, and place them in the commercial dishwasher. Then they put them all away. Remember, the mission serves anywhere from 600-12oo guests. So, LOTS of dishes!!! They also wash the dishes used in food preparation.
• Meal Serving: The students ladle out soup and put sandwiches on the plates as the men and ladies come through.
• Food prep: LOTS of chopping, cutting, peeling, etc.
• Table Setting: There are several shifts for lunch, which means that the tables need to be reset every hour.
• Unshackled: Because PGM moved locations 2 years ago, they still have around 60,000 tracts that still have their old address in them. They have made labels with the current address to be placed over the old ones. Needless to say, this is a never ending job. :)
• Stockroom: This includes sorting food that gets donated daily and stacking them on shelves. This process moves fast from pallet to shelf in order to not clog the hallways. Also, this means cleaning out the fridge and freezer, which are two separate large rooms. They also throw away bad/rotten food.
• Greenhouse: PGM has desired to grow some of their own food. They have several large greenhouses. Also, in a desire to use their food waste, they have developed a system to get rid of it in a profitable manner. They have huge boxes of worms that they throw this food waste in and then the greenhouse staff use the worm manure to nourish their plants, as well as to sell. It is rich stuff! Some of our guys have been working with the worms and taking care of them. :)
• Soul Winning: A couple of the guys have been able to go out with men from the mission and share the gospel around Chicago. This has been a great experience for them.

Well, there is more to share, but hopefully this gives you somewhat of an idea of what we have been up to. The students are sad that this is our last day here at PGM. They have grown to love these people and the opportunities to serve. We praise God for this time! As we came together after the service last night, one of the men in the program asked us if we know the song, "Here I am to Worship." We all sang it with joy and adoration of the Savior. The lyrics are below. I hope that today you can worship God in California as we seek to worship Him here! Because we are kept pretty busy at PGM, I do not always get pictures. However, below are some from when we were walking around the city yesterday.

Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness.
Opened my eyes, let me see.
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

Here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
All together worthy,
All together wonderful to me

King of all days
oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came
To the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor

Here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
All together worthy,
All together wonderful to me

~Katelyn, for the Team

Enjoying Time after the Service

In front of the Buckingham Fountain

Concert Stage

The famous "Bean"

Art Museum

Day Three at PGM

Good morning~

Yesterday was another good day at PGM. Some new tasks included working in the greenhouse with 15 huge boxes of worms and compost, and getting rid of old/rotten food. The energy of the students was a little higher which was great for the middle of the week. We meandered around the shops on Michigan Avenue for a little while in the afternoon due to drizzly weather. The evening service was a blessing again. Victor and Abbi gave their testimonies, Austin gave a short sermon from John 3:16-17, and we sang several songs. The overflow room was somewhat less occupied last night, but the gospel was shared thoroughly. The following are pictures from our evening. Enjoy!

~Katelyn, for the Team

Publish Post

Day Two at PGM

Good morning~

Once again the team is off to PGM for the day after a successful train ride, van pick-up and some team time. Joel is entertaining both himself and Panera customers with his hands and sounds as I update you all. :)

Day two held many of the same tasks during the day at PGM. However, instead of having a tour, we jumped in to various jobs upon our arrival at 10 am. So...many more labels, dishes, pounds of food and more! The attitudes of diligence of the students have been wonderful, and it has been a joy to watch. We were a little more comfortable yesterday, so we could find more things to do if a task completed early. I (Katelyn) was grateful for the opportunity to meet some of the moms and children. I feed Joel up in the playroom/nursery, where other moms in the program and overnight guests take care of their children. What a joy it was to encourage, talk "mom talk" and share from God's Word with these ladies.

We ended around 3:30 and spent some time driving around the city and at Navy Pier. It's been a little chilly and drizzly so we stayed inside. Actually, as I type, it is raining a good bit outside. After some hotdogs and beef sandwiches, we headed back to PGM for the services.

Because the ladies gather in the meeting area before the men, we girls joined them and had some great opportunities to talk. Overall, they are very sweet and we have greatly enjoyed talking and encouraging them. As always, we leave extremely encouraged as well, with a burden and love for these ladies. They love being able to hold Joel, and he has been a precious blessing to share. It is such a joy to see these women light up as he smiles at them.

Last night, we did the service in the overflow room. There were over 100 men in there. Jared, Will and Suzanna gave their testimonies and we ministered in song. It's actually kind of funny because after diligent preparation of music, we do not have a piano in the overflow room so all of our songs are ending up to be a cappella. We are learning flexibility and how to stay all together in rhythm and tune without an instrument. :)

Well, I'm off to join the rest of the group now. We are thankful that you can rejoice with us as God answers your prayers here. Brother Ray, the man who preached last night, told us that one of the men thought we were a big family because of the way we interacted. How amazing it is that, because of Christ, we are family. God is so good!

~Katelyn, for the Team

During the Service

Men in the Overflow Room Service

Brother Ray Preaching

Working Dishwash and Having Fun in the Kitchen

Stocking Shelves in the Store Room

Day One at PGM

Union Station (prepping the guys for the train ride)

Dinner at Gino's

Getting Instructions for Lunch

Stockroom

Greenhouse

Dining Room

Good morning~

We have just had some team time a few blocks away from the Pacific Garden Mission (PGM). Now they are off to begin another day of ministry. Joel and I are staying here to update you and then we will head over as well. :)

What an amazing day yesterday was! We began with a 1 1/2 hour tour of the mission. God has richly blessed PGM. It was so amazing to see not only the facility that God has given them, but the joy of the believers that work there as they demonstrate the love of Christ. Over and over again during the tour, our guide, Kent, encouraged the students to use the talents and abilities God has given them to show Christ's love. Many businessmen and women from various fields use their abilities to serve -- doctors, beauticians, cooks, mailmen, and the list goes on. These believers come sometimes once a month, others a couple times a week, to love others in this way. How neat for the students to see that God can use them as they yield their lives to Him -- no matter what the profession!

We then ate lunch and were broken up into various groups to serve in different areas. Jason, Justin, Victor, Austin and I worked in the kitchen serving food and setting the tables. Jacquelyn, Suzanna and Jared worked in the Unshackled room putting labels on tracts. Abbi, William and Elli served in the stockroom organizing and sorting through hundreds of pounds of food. What a blessing it was getting together in the afternoon and sharing what happened that day!

After dinner at Gino's East pizza we then went back to PGM for the evening service. About 15 minutes before the service started we found out that the church in charge of the service did not show up so we were going to lead BOTH the services. We were slightly surprised! So half of us went into the main room and did testimonies, music and preaching for about 600 guests, and the other half did the same for about 100 guests in the overflow room. What a tremendous experience.

Needless to say, everyone slept well last night. :) This morning the guys rode the train into the city, since they are about 45-60 minutes out from the city because of traffic in the morning. They did great and enjoyed the experience. They will be doing this each morning and night. Justin and I are still driving the girls. :) Each of their host families has been so kind and gracious, and the students are enjoying them.

Well, that sort of sums up day one at PGM. If I could say what the greatest lesson learned so far is, I would probably say our view of "homeless people" as people for whom Christ died. Before our time yesterday, we kept reminding the students not to refer to these people as homeless, because it is easy to just put everyone in a box that way. Rather, we need to have genuine compassion and realize that their primary need is Christ, just like the clean, well to do neighbor next door. The mission refers to the men and women as "overnight guests." What a joy and rebuke it was to see the way that they esteem and care for their guests -- not as homeless people but as men and women created in the image of God and for whom Christ died. By the end of the day our team never used the term "homeless people," everyone was talking about the "guests of PGM!"

Thank you for praying for us. We genuinely desire to see Christ lifted up and our view of God enlarged as we serve Him here. We are growing in this way already and look forward to the week ahead!

Katelyn, for the Team

We are here!

We have made it to Chicago, all in one piece and with each piece of luggage. Yay! We met bright and early at 4:30 this morning. Checking in and security was thankfully uneventful, and we left Sacramento at 6:22 am. After a good lunch and some rest, we are looking forward to beginning tomorrow at Pacific Garden Mission. Thank you for praying for our travels. We are grateful to be at our destination!

Sacramento Airport

Katelyn, for the Team

June 23 - 2009

I am writing on Tuesday evening, a few days before we head to Chicago. As you are probably aware, we are leaving for Chicago soon. There is much to be done, but we trust by God's grace that He will see us through! Just to let you all know, we are praising the Lord that we have finally worked out the lodging situation! We will be spending Sunday-Saturday in the homes of believers from Westchester Bible Church. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!

As the time soon approaches for our departure, please be in prayer for:
- The team members to remain diligent and faithful in their love for God and His Word
- That those who will hear the glorious gospel of Christ will respond with repentance and faith
- That we will all safely arrive in Chicago (and our luggage).


We are looking forward to what He has in store! Thank you for holding us before the Throne of Grace.

Justin - for the Team