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Epiphany UMC

Serving In Chicago, IL
June 18, 2022
Community: Harvey
Partner: Restoration Ministries
Staff: Anna Morgan, Juliette Aguirre

Staff is Ready!

by Anna Morgan | June 18, 2022 7:27 PM

Our staff is ready to receive the team soon! They will be arriving and settling in soon! We can't wait to see what God has in store here in Chicago!

Staff is Ready!

We're here!

by Anna Morgan | June 18, 2022 10:58 PM

The team has arrived! We've settled into our home for the week, had orientation, and are ready to rest up for an incredible week ahead.

We are staying at Restoration Ministries boxing club. Such a cool lodging facility!

We're here!

Getting our hearts ready for the week

by Anna Morgan | June 19, 2022 12:23 PM

After a good night's sleep in our home for the week, we work up and spent some time in the Word all together. This week we'll be walking through the story of Joseph each morning. 

Getting our hearts ready for the week

Happy Father's Day and celebrating Juneteenth

by Anna Morgan | June 19, 2022 12:29 PM

We attending Spirit of God Fellowship Church this morning! It was such an encouraging time worshipping with the people of South Holland. So many backgrounds and ethnicities are respresented in the congregation. It was a beautiful service. 

We acknowledged Juneteenth and the impact that has had on our country. "Freedom" is the battle cry of the Lord. He frees the captives. 

We celebrated father's today! We are so grateful for our dads. We also go to remember and be thankful for the best Dad, God. 

Happy Father's Day and celebrating Juneteenth

Prayer TRAINing

by Anna Morgan | June 19, 2022 8:29 PM

This afternoon we got on the train and headed to Chicago. It wasn't just about getting to downtown, it was about seeing the stops along the way and praying over specific issues and the people in those neighborhoods. 


We loved the experience of the train and we stretched our prayer muscles.

Prayer TRAINing

We're going Downtown!

by Anna Morgan | June 19, 2022 8:34 PM

We got to explore and little slice of Chicago right now and enjoy our favorite Chicago treat.

We're going Downtown!

It’s pizza Time!

by Juliette Aguirre | June 20, 2022 7:54 AM

We stopped by at Chicago’s famous pizza place, Giordanos! We all enjoyed a nice deep dish pizza.

After dinner, we walked to Millenium park to view the cloud gate (the bean) and some more cool structures! 

It’s pizza Time!

Restoration Ministries

by Anna Morgan | June 20, 2022 1:37 PM

This week we are partnering with Restoration Ministries on the Southside of Chicago, in Harvey. They have a men and women's residential program for those who have struggled with addiction, a children's program to help with homework and ready comprehension, a children's summer camp, a food pantry, a thrift store, and the boxing/art club(where we are staying). 


They are truly making an impact and changing families through their ministries and programs in this area. It's an honor to serve with them. 

Restoration Ministries

Serving at the Thrift Store!

by Juliette Aguirre | June 20, 2022 2:07 PM

The team was split up into 2 main groups this morning. One half of the group came to the thrift store to help! We organized clothes in the front of the store and also sorted and prepared clothing in the back room to be sold. We had a great time serving alongside wonderful women from the Tabitha house (women receiving help through restoration ministry

Serving at the Thrift Store!

Weeding and prepping

by Anna Morgan | June 20, 2022 2:38 PM

We were able to work at the community garden this morning. They have fruits and vegetables planted that are available for the neighborhood residents to use and the produce goes to supply the food pantry as well. We weeded the raised beds and the ground around it to get ready to mulch and do yard work in the surrounding yards tomorrow. 

Weeding and prepping

The cart shop

by Anna Morgan | June 20, 2022 2:41 PM

Restoration Ministries received a donation of 200 unassembled shopping carts. We have worked to assemble them today. These will be used at the food pantry each Saturday as hundreds of families come through and get the supplies they need for the week. 
The cart shop

Sorting and shifting

by Anna Morgan | June 20, 2022 2:43 PM

Some of us worked with Mr. Otis in the food pantry warehouse to get the donations and supplies sorted and to the right place. They get in huge donations daily and weekly, so the job is never done. 
Sorting and shifting

Dinner with the Harvey house men

by Juliette Aguirre | June 20, 2022 10:18 PM

For dinner, we headed over to Restoration Ministry and ate with the men from Harvey house! We enjoyed hearing their testimonies and chatting about how they’ve been engaging with the multiple opportunities that restoration offers.  It was really encouraging to hear how God has worked in their lives. 


Dinner with the Harvey house men

Hanging out with New Life Community Team!

by Juliette Aguirre | June 20, 2022 11:09 PM

Before the night ended, we met up with another mission team serving at New Life community church. We had some delicious ice cream with many toppings and played some games together! 

Overall, we had a great day serving within the restoration ministry and getting to know new people through restoration! We can’t wait to see how God continues to use us this week. 

Hanging out with New Life Community Team!

2nd day of ministry!

by Juliette Aguirre | June 21, 2022 8:58 AM

The team is pumped and ready for another day of service at Restoration ministries! We are headed over to have breakfast and then split off into teams. We will go to the thrift store, finish putting together shopping carts and laying down down some mulch! 

2nd day of ministry!

Cart Assembly

by Anna Morgan | June 21, 2022 10:56 AM

Many of us are working on the cart assembly project. We've gotten pretty good at it already! We are having fun and getting work done. 

Cart Assembly

Breaking down and building up

by Anna Morgan | June 21, 2022 10:59 AM

A group of us are helping prep for the Saturday food pantry by breaking down donations received and stacking them neatly on carts and shelves to be ready to be given out. 
Breaking down and building up

Sweat and laugher in the Thrift store!

by Juliette Aguirre | June 21, 2022 4:09 PM

Part of the group returned to the thrift store to help unpack, sort, and hang up clothes to sell! The group had fun while sweating in the back room and talking to some of the employees! We had some crazy breaks and look forward to returning one more time tomorrow! 

Here’s a picture of Grayson and Zachary taking a break on one of the shelves. 

Sweat and laugher in the Thrift store!

Ballet Bar installed

by Anna Morgan | June 21, 2022 5:18 PM

We were able to install new ballet bars for the art club this afternoon. Until now, they have been using portable ballet bars that weren't as durable. We tested them out and can promise these are sturdy and ready to go! 

Ballet Bar installed

Classroom Clean out

by Anna Morgan | June 21, 2022 5:20 PM

We helped Ms. Pam, who oversees the youth and children's programs at Restoration Ministries clean out the donation room this afternoon. In preparation for their July summer camp and the after school program, we sorted and organized donations, put them where they will be more useful, and cleaned everything up! 
Classroom Clean out

Musical Chairs

by Anna Morgan | June 21, 2022 5:22 PM

We were able to play and spend time with the kids who came for the reading comprehension program. Musical chairs was a hit! 
Musical Chairs

Playing Toilet Tag with community kids

by Juliette Aguirre | June 21, 2022 7:40 PM


Hearing Ray’s testimony

by Juliette Aguirre | June 21, 2022 7:51 PM

After eating delicious spaghetti, we took time to hear Ray’s testimony. He was the former executive director of Harvey house, a men’s program that fosters a Godly environment and a welcoming place for addiction recovery.   He shared about his previous life and how God had completely changed it and given him a second chance. God is truly evident in his life! 

Hearing Ray’s testimony

Clothes, clothes, and more clothes!

by Anna Morgan | June 22, 2022 5:05 PM

This morning we sorted clothes that were donated to the food pantry. Since it was donated from a store, the clothes can't be sold at the thrift store. So we got them sorted and hung up so that families that come to the food pantry can also grab a few clothing items they may need. 

Clothes, clothes, and more clothes!

Lookin' good!

by Anna Morgan | June 22, 2022 5:17 PM

Some of us worked in the community gardens and the courtyard of the Harvey House. We weeded, mowed a neighbor's yard, cut down overgrowth near by, and watered the crops to make sure the area was useable and welcoming. 

And we are so grateful for the clouds the Lord gave us this morning! They kept us a little cooler as we worked hard outside. 

Lookin' good!

Mission complete!

by Juliette Aguirre | June 22, 2022 5:17 PM

After 3 long days, the team finally completed 198 shopping carts! 

Mission complete!

Scrubbing, mopping, and sweating away

by Juliette Aguirre | June 22, 2022 5:24 PM

Today, Chevy and Kaden stepped up to help clean and organize the dining room at Harvey house. They did an amazing job cleaning the space! 
Scrubbing, mopping, and sweating away

Last day at the Thrift store

by Juliette Aguirre | June 22, 2022 8:26 PM


Something small and sweet!

by Juliette Aguirre | June 22, 2022 8:33 PM

After a hot day, one of our amazing trip leaders treated us to ice cream from Baskin-Robbins! It was a cool way to end the night!

The team had worked incredibly hard this week with an open heart to serve in the Harvey community. We are looking forward to a fun day of recreation tomorrow! 

Something small and sweet!

First stop, the Bean

by Anna Morgan | June 23, 2022 12:32 PM

It's rec day. We are spending time in downtown Chicago enjoying the city we have been serving this week. 

Our first stop is the iconic bean!

First stop, the Bean

Chicago dog time!

by Anna Morgan | June 23, 2022 10:43 PM

After visiting the Sky Deck at Willis Tower (which was awesome!), We headed over to Portillo's hot dogs to try out some famous Chicago dogs. It was such a fun atmosphere and a great place to rest out feet before trekking it over to Navy Pier. 

Chicago dog time!

What a week!

by Anna Morgan | June 23, 2022 10:48 PM

To end the day, we tried out another favorite pizza place, Lou Manalti's. We walked more than 10 miles and had a great time! 

What an amazing week, time, and ministry! 

What a week!

Signing off!

by Juliette Aguirre | June 25, 2022 12:18 AM

Today was the last morning at restoration ministries! The team woke up, got ready, pack, and did devotions before heading out. It was so fun serving at restoration ministries and getting to know the city of Chicago! 

Signing off!

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Comments

Doug Ransom

June 24, 2022 5:58 PM

Total awesomeness! What a great week of experience for these young teens!

Stacy Lorek

June 24, 2022 6:27 AM

Anna & Juliette - you did AN AMAZING job for our Epiphany team this week! We all feel so blessed for providing them an experience of a lifetime - both spiritually and socially. Praying Pelican is lucky to have you two leading the way for mission groups! 😘

Jill Huffman

June 22, 2022 9:26 PM

I think I know who bought the ice cream. His generosity knows no limits ❤️

Stacy Lorek

June 22, 2022 8:51 PM

I think I know who treated everyone to ice cream.....it's becoming his mission tradition ❤️😘

Stacy Lorek

June 21, 2022 11:02 AM

Just like Michele said, I look forward to these daily updates too! Keep up the amazing work, team!!!

Michele Stahl

June 20, 2022 10:31 PM

I love that you all had a chance to have dinner with the Harvey House men! I’m sure the kids learned a lot and had a great experience. I look forward to these journal entries all day ❤️❤️ God bless as you continue learning and touching the lives of others.

Pastor kathy

June 19, 2022 3:22 PM

Love the picture of all of you having a devotion together and preparing to serve. We are all praying for you!

Stacy Lorek

June 18, 2022 9:42 PM

Sooo looking forward to seeing what amazing things happen this week for everyone 🤩🙏 Go out and ❤️❤️

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