A week and half left!

Honestly, I have been lazy with my blog posts. That does not mean, that I have been up to nothing, because I been up to something. A lot of things, actually.

The past few weeks have been great! I love it.
As mentioned in previous blog entries, my role as impact team leader has been challenging and rewarding. I have been able to lead our team through weekly meetings which involve debriefing from the previous week and preparing for the upcoming week. I have seen success within our group as a whole, individually and in my own life.
Success includes, but not limited to, being excited week after week to go out on campuses and meet real people with real stories, receptive or non-receptive of the Gospel. Whether they know it or not that are receiving the Gospel, and that's what we rejoice in. Seeing other group members not be discouraged and keeping excited to do the same thing week after week is encouraging alone because that are trusting that God is sovereign, and acting upon that!
We have developed multiple outreaches on campuses such as weekly Volleyball, handing out lemonade for the hot hot weather along with surveys, a Global Short-film Network outreach, playing four-square and handing out freeze-pops (I don't exactly know why or how but freeze-pops are extremely popular hear in our community), and starting today we are doing a prayer out-reach on University of Illinois at Chicago, UIC's campus because it is exam week. The lemonade outreach has worked tremendously well in finding people who are seeking or just interested in what we are doing there at University of Chicago, U of C. Volleyball at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) has been successful and fun, because its volleyball. Unfortunately the short-film and freeze-pop outreach are not doable because policies at UIC have limited our ability to do such outreaches . This is mainly because we are currently an outside organization, we are not allowed to hand out food items, and it takes 3 weeks minimum to reserve space for a large event. There is still success in the fact that we can provide great information to the Operations Team so they can prepare for next years summer project!

We have found great success with serving a specific student organization on UIC called LABS, Latino Association for Business Students. As a strong believer, the Vice-president is greatly interested in partnering with us. We have had the privilege to serve them and the city, while reaching people through volunteering on the Warrior Dash and Beachpalooza, two separate 5k events held for I don't know what because they are filled with obstacles consisting of fire, barbwire, mud, gigantic beach balls, and alcohol. Needless to say, it was fun. God provided a unique way to serve and we have seen success by trusting that God will use us to affect those around us, and providing a relationship with LABS. This gives us a doorway into the campus, while at the same time, strengthening Campus Crusade  for Christ's Destino movement in Chicago. (I still don't know what that means, but that's okay because I personally will not be working with them).
About 3 weeks ago, we were prevented from sharing inside the Student Center of IIT due to being an outside organization with no student or staff ties. But God, has lead us to the newly staffed (this summer) soccer coach who is a strong Christian and is thrilled that we found him. Also the volleyball out reach is successful in drawing new people. And besides, conversations are still happening outside around the campus. A student from Indiana University, Alex and I just had a 3 and half hour conversation with a student just yesterday...

In my own life, I have experienced God in so, so many ways. I have learned to trust him while sharing on campus and in the city. The people I meet are purposely put into my life regardless of their interest or receptiveness. God has confirmed this by providing more and more comfort and desire in my life where I was previously uncomfortable and had little desire. Learning to listen has been rewarding and it makes things so much easier to think and consider rightly about tools, relative scripture, and sharing my own faith in a context that an individual might understand.

More to come soon, I hope.

Christ-centered

Its so different being a person who follows Jesus, but not having roles to get in the way of defining who I am. Here on Summer Project my societal roles do not conflict one another. I am a student, employee, friend, son, brother, boyfriend, and such, but God has used summer project to reveal the purpose of these roles. That they are to fall short of my role as Christ-follower.

I am on summer, so of course , I don't have to worry about school much. Although I am pretty excited to start at Southeastern. I have a job, but its about 10 hours a week, honestly just enough (and a whole other blog's worth of praising God). I have established friendships here, but they only point me to Christ. My family and I are in good standing, so I believe. Rachel has only pointed me to Christ since we started pursuing a relationship. I don't have to worry about those things when Christ is the center of my life and where I find my identity.


Summer Project is an amazing experience where Christ reveals where he stands in a student's life. In such a monumental time in a person's life, college provides many roles which make it difficult to see a life Christ-centered. I think Summer Project is a great experience in such a time of life to reveal whether or not your life truly is.

Ideally , my week consists of:
Monday through Friday - Going out to campus until 4pm.
Saturday - Catch up on such things as this
Sunday - Church and meetings

Work is in between it all.

We do ministry here,, full-time. God has certainly confirmed that seminary is where I want to be to become more and more equipped to do this in the long run of life.

Tonight, Chris Burke and I are bringing two others to a Jimmy Johns's bowling party. It'll be interesting, but fun I'm sure. I am becoming more comfortable with the employees there now. Tonight should be a great opportunity to establish some friendships and hopefully some necessary vulnerability among others.

Project has just began

It's about that time of the project where things are kicked into high gear. The staff will be leaving soon, if they haven't already. All of the staff leaves, and they are done with summer project. Us students are to fill their roles on top of whatever schedule we have. We have been assigned our roles, and began training.

As mentioned in previous blogs, I wanted to really hit the ground running as soon as I arrived to Chicago. I would say I have been running pretty well, except for my evangelism. This was a particular area I knew would be challenging coming into project and it has been. I was unsure, but willing to let Jesus lead me. I have been challenged by the disappointment of DePaul and Loyola University, and also my discouragement and initial lack to trust the Lord with laying the Gospel on the hearts of the evangelized. I opened up to my discipler, Brian, before going out to UIC last week, and that conversation was more than necessary. It really pointed me to Christ and revealed to me my distrust. So, as mentioned, that day thereafter was a great day filled with great conversations. To me, this would be considered a great step forward.

Come Thursday, Brian tells me my future role will be/is "Impact Team Leader." This means I will be co-leading the entire group which previously focused on DePaul and Loyola onto the campuses of, UIC and IIT, the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Out of all the roles possible, this is the perfect fit for me, because I know it's going to be challenging and the Lord has been preparing my heart for it this whole time. Brian mentioned that from the beginning, he was voting for me to have this position, even before he knew what was on my heart.

We dropped DePaul and Loyola for this summer, because there was not a whole lot to work with. Knowing how UIC is growing, it makes sense for us as a project to invest so much in it. There will be three impact teams on UIC alone. Another team at ITT, and a team that Sara Graves from ECU will be leading at University of Chicago. At UIC, one team will be focusing on Internationals. Their movement includes the International Bible Study, and the English Club which my team will be helping out with when needed. They also have another team focusing on a Hispanic movement which is already pretty fruitful, with a Bridges International ministry already in place. My team will be focusing on the rest of the students. Also awesome, is the fact that UIC is literally across the street from where we are staying.

Some other things to pray for:
- the students would accept their given roles with humility and work them with a servant attitude
for the benefit of the entire project
- the Lord providing the small amount of support I have left
- my speech at work with co-workers would be "salty," and glorifying to the Lord

Feel free to comment or ask questions!

Seek, Trust, Wait, and Rest

The past 4 weeks, (yeah 4 weeks), the Lord has certainly shown me new things about His Kingdom. He brings new meaning to everything. It's truly great. He also surely shown me my inadequacy.  In many areas of my life, my love for others, my leadership, my ability to fight sin, me ability to share the Gospel, it is required that I am broken, and depend on God. 

(Brokenness - True brokenness is an ongoing, constant, moment-by-moment lifestyle of agreeing with God about the true condition of my heart and life. (not my words) 

My need for the Gospel is constant, my need for Jesus is constant, in my heart and life.)

John 15:5 - I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Every Christian knows that only Jesus can do those things, but do we trust that he can do those things? 

Psalm 25 is sweet. Granted, I am not currently a ruler of a kingdom and do not have to be in fear for my physical life, I have still have enemies and am in constant daily need to wait on the Lord. 

⁴ Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. ⁵ Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. ⁶ Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses, For they have been from of old. ⁷ Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; According to Your lovingkindness remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD. ⁸ Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. ⁹ He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way. ¹⁰ All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. 

To be honest , the Lord is teaching me His way, and what it means to wait for Him.  It can be be tough, but already I find less shame as I do so. 

My experience of evangelism is great and challenging. DePaul University is not looking well. It is summer school and we as an Impact group are having a hard time finding people. There just is not much of a mission field. I know we have not given up and there are individuals who have heard the Gospel and we pray will be called by the Lord. And leaders who can find the purpose of a DePaul student greater than receiving a degree. We are waiting on the Lord. My personal experience has been similar. I have had little conversation, except for with my discipler, Brian. 

Therefore, yesterday (Tuesday), Brian and I joined the impact group for UIC, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Whoa!, The Lord is doing so much on this campus. There are so many summer school students, and the place is filled with people who are open, and receptive to the gospel; people who are interested in spiritual things. They currently have an a new bible study for internationals, a weekly outreach program, and a full list on contacts of people who want to be contacted because of interest in what we are doing. 

So yesterday, Brian and I walked into a full cafeteria, and I was literally filled with excitement from all the students. We had four great conversations using the Soularium tool, (a picture survey that asks and allows individuals to discuss their spirituality and desires for their spiritual life, with the use of self chosen pictures) Mysoularium.com. I met an American Hindu, a local incoming freshman, a guy with a Jewish background who mostly goes to Tulane University but lives in Chicago, and 2 guys who were part of the UIC Intervarsity ministry. I recieved two emails and numbers to follow up with, and two guys to help share on campus and invite to Chi-time (our recently dubbed regular Thursday night meeting). The diversity is so great for God to do work on the world, and great for my ministry experience, both are awesome.

 I hope to go back out tomorrow, but I might have to continue looking for a job. I am currently sitting on 6 hours a week of work. I know I'm supposed to trust the Lord with providing, but I need to act. 

One last but not least thing. 

I still am trusting the Lord to provide the last of my support. I have received much blessings from those who care about me and this ministry; from family, friends, my church, and even from other students! That is so great and I love to see those part of his church come together. 

I am very very close to reaching the necessary goal, God is good.

The city, and a job

Chicago Summer Project 2011 has definitely commenced...

I hear it hasn't even started yet. 

I am interested to see how things will be once the staff leave and us students are expected to lead one another to continue and finish out the project.

I have only been here for just under 3 weeks, and I feel fantastic. This is awesome.

Our ministry on De Paul and Loyola is off to a slow start for a variety of reasons, but we haven't encountered much men, or potential leaders. I have had great experiences and will post more soon.

Fortunately, I have learned the importance of the city in God's plan for the Gospel. 

Not only because I have been exposed to this kind of population and environment for the first time in my life, but I am learning what God's original intentions for the city were and how far from that cities are.

To have an effective ministry in the city, we need to be willing to serve, of course, but by providing the people such good things that God offers. Things such as security, grace, justice, etc. Things not found in the city. I am praying that we can be creative this summer, and serve this city with passion.

I am extremely grateful for the purpose God has given me while in Virginia Beach, at ECU, and now in Chicago. I can't wait to find what else God has to offer me as I grow closer to him in the next weeks, while at Southeastern, and gaining so many brothers, sisters, partners in ministry I can call friends. If you want to pray for that to happen sooner than later, by all means, go for it! =) I trust it'll happen either way, and God will like the glory, I'm sure.

So I started my job at Jimmy John's today. I have to say, it was fun. I really like the other workers there so far, and I can see myself getting along and to know some of them pretty well. I also have to say, that God is good. I had been searching pretty hard for a job, 8am to 5pm everyday for almost 2 weeks.

After receiving an interview with Jimmy John's I was easily given a position. The part where the Lord comes in is in the fact that I had not earned the job one bit. I didn't apply, ask if they were hiring, give them any information, or even mention that I had previous sandwich making experience. I didn't see it coming. But I started today and I look forward to the rest of the summer there. I am praying for it to suffice in all its given purposes; ministry before money, but the money is a bonus I will not take for granted. I promise. Praise Jesus. Back in for the lunch rush tomorrow. 

I will have more pictures up as time goes by of some more relevant object, soon. 

Also, please feel free to comment on anything or if you have any questions. 

You do not need to be a member of Blogger.com, and if you like, you can make them anonymous. 

Just for the record, Ecu Cru rocks. I was open to what they offered but now I am impressed by the amount they have taught me while I have been involved. It has by far helped me understand, and be on par, when it comes to bible studies, talks, other scriptures, counseling my brothers, and what not. 

The more you know and understand the Gospel, the more sweeter the it is. 

Photo Update

I promise I will post some good pictures of events going on that evolve around our mission, but for now, here are some pictures that may  actually prove that I am in Chicago. =)This hopefully gives you an idea of how close to downtown our apartments are, if you wouldn't consider us, actually downtown, which we are.

John Hancock Center (haven't been inside yet)

Grant Park, at an orchestra concert.

The Roosevelt Auditorium, where we attend Willow Church of Chicago, every Sunday morning. Definitely a landmark, and a beautiful sight.

Day 12

In the previous post, the verse from scripture is important to remember, so that in any circumstance, whether facing prosperity or adversity we can rejoice in the Lord. 

Almost 2 whole weeks have past while here in Chicago. I have seen prosperity and adversity among us as the swing of things is in sight. Campuses are being sought, people are finding jobs, friendships are being made, and Jesus is the hot topic as he should be, as opposed to where we are from and what our name is. This past weekend and week has been busy, challenging, and revealing.

I am thrilled for those who have found jobs. I’m sure it is rewarding for them to know God’s will for their summer even more as he has brought them to the individuals he might want to call to him. It will hopefully be even more rewarding for those who are still seeking jobs. I am included in this group. I trust that God is challenging those individuals as much I feel challenged, if not more. It can be discouraging on many levels to be rejected, have zero to few leads, and see others find people who desire their work, and not ours. Granted most of our jobs are not being sought due to provide for anything other than ministry needs and thanks to supporters we can comfortably fulfill that, I feel challenged, stretched, and nervous for the future. 

I still rejoice because I am still under the same amount of grace that I was before looking for a job. 

I currently am waiting for a follow-up after an interview that went well with Caffe Rom, a Chicago, Italian Coffee and Gelato bar. I would greatly enjoy working there, for a variety of reasons. Also tomorrow, a recently gained friend, Chris, offered me to come with him to an interview for Jimmy John's. He was asked to bring another person to work as well. I am praying for either one to work out. Please do the same. 

Yesterday, Tuesday the 14th, I went out to De Paul university. While there we unfortunately learned they had just finished finals and were transitioning into summer classes. It was pretty dead there. I had the opportunity to venture on campus with Ryan, a staff member from Ohio State University. While there, Ryan used his deck of Perspective cards to get to know a student named Brian. I had been through training regarding the cards, but had never seen them used directly and effectively on anyone as such as Brian. If you are not familiar with them you can learn at http://perspectivecards.com/ . They are a tool created by Campus Crusade to help understand where someone is spiritually and allows bridges of conversation into the Gospel, so they can here it in a context they are familiar with. In this particular case, I was able to share my testimony in a context relevant to our conversation so Brian can understand. It was rewarding for me and I only pray, rewarding for Brian, and maybe Ryan too. 

I know what a little seed can do.