Jumping Right Inby Ronda Baldwin | July 9, 2023 11:32 PM
We arrived in Chicago early and had to wait for our last participant to arrive. We jumped right in and started decorating for VBS. Building spaceships is fun!
More Spaceshipsby Ronda Baldwin | July 9, 2023 11:33 PM
Summit Bible Church will be full of spaceships this week as we talk to kids about the light of Jesus!
For God So Loved...by Ronda Baldwin | July 9, 2023 11:33 PM
The World!
Getting to Know Our Host Churchby Ronda Baldwin | July 9, 2023 11:35 PM
Pastor Juan and his wife, Sophia, joined us for dinner tonight. We enjoyed hearing their story and more about the church as we prepare to serve alongside them this week.
Planning Centralby Ronda Baldwin | July 9, 2023 11:37 PM
It takes a lot of planning to cut a five day VBS down to three with just a few volunteers and no idea how many kids we'll have. But with the Holy Spirit in charge and Justin at the white board, we came up with a great plan!
Doesn't Everybody...by Ronda Baldwin | July 9, 2023 11:39 PM
walk down the streets of Chicago with a mattress on their heads? Hmmm 🤔
The Backside of Ministryby Ronda Baldwin | July 10, 2023 3:25 PM
Our Monday morning started with a taste of what has to happen in the background before ministry can happen. We started the process of stuffing 2000 bags of information about Summit Bible Church before we start canvassing the neighborhoods to pass them out tomorrow.
A Time to Learnby Ronda Baldwin | July 10, 2023 3:32 PM
We had the opportunity this morning to learn from Pastor Juan and Mr. Henry from Midwest Church Extension about their partnership in the revitalization of Summit Bible Church in this area. It is a huge blessing to play a small part in reaching their community for Jesus.
Ready for VBSby Ronda Baldwin | July 10, 2023 3:35 PM
We've been working and planning and shopping and decorating and practicing. Now it's time to welcome the kids for Stellar VBS!
Space Friends by Ronda Baldwin | July 10, 2023 11:34 PM
After our lesson about how Jesus shines His light on us, we made space friends out of play dough. There are bad friends (sin) that separate us from Jesus and good friends (the gospel) that point us to Jesus. All the kids told us their friend's name and if they were good or bad. It was a fun, creative, and funny time.
Light Over Sinby Ronda Baldwin | July 10, 2023 11:38 PM
We had to get our water balloons (light) past the sin trying to block it to our friends on the other side.
Light Squeezesby Ronda Baldwin | July 10, 2023 11:40 PM
We "passed the light" by squeezing each other's hands as we talked about how Jesus shines His light on us.
Jesus is the Light of the Worldby Ronda Baldwin | July 10, 2023 11:42 PM
Justin showed us an experiment that illustrated how only the light of Jesus in our lives can overcome the darkness of our sin. He encouraged all of us to choose Jesus over anything the world has to offer.
Canvassing and Conversations by Ronda Baldwin | July 11, 2023 11:37 PM
Our Tuesday started out with a few hours of canvassing the neighborhoods around Summit Bible Church. We passed out literature about both the English and Spanish ministries of the church as well as Awana's and gospel tracts. It was fun to interact with the neighbors and see how many of them already think highly of SBC. We are praying for fruit from our efforts and that people would visit the church.
Snow Cone Welcomeby Ronda Baldwin | July 11, 2023 11:39 PM
Our new friend, Jorge, one of the deacons at SBC, is having so much fun welcoming kids to VBS with snow cones on the street. It is also giving lots of opportunities for the church to connect with those just passing by.
Shine Your Lightby Ronda Baldwin | July 11, 2023 11:41 PM
The boys created a skit that showed how being mean to people can dim the light inside of them, but being kind can make it shine bright.
Reflect the Son by Ronda Baldwin | July 11, 2023 11:42 PM
Each kid created their own planet with a name and a story to remind them to reflect the light of Christ to others.
Passing the Lightby Ronda Baldwin | July 11, 2023 11:44 PM
We played a game where we passed the water (light of Jesus) over our heads to all the friends in our row. Some of us got VERY wet!
Shine Your Light Gladlyby Ronda Baldwin | July 11, 2023 11:46 PM
We had several new kids tonight, so Justin reminded them of the message that Jesus shines His light on us. Because of that, we shine His light gladly through the way we treat others.
What Storm?by Ronda Baldwin | July 12, 2023 11:16 PM
Who's going to let a thunderstorm and downpour stop them when a thousand more homes need to be reached before VBS starts? Not this crew! They pounded the pavement in the rain along with Pastor Juan, Sophia, and two friends from the church (not pictured because they broke of from the group on the way back to church) and finished the biggest neighborhood the church wanted to reach with literature. And it was fun!
What Storm? Part two!by Ronda Baldwin | July 12, 2023 11:18 PM
A storm like this at home would have cancelled VBS. Not in Chicago! As soon as it passed, all the kids showed up, and we had a blast!
Young Worship Leadersby Ronda Baldwin | July 12, 2023 11:19 PM
These guys opened every night of VBS with worship that got the kids pumped up to hear about Jesus. They did a great job!
The Good Samaritan C3 Styleby Ronda Baldwin | July 12, 2023 11:22 PM
The boys put together an amazing skit illustrating the story of the Good Samaritan. They've worked really hard to create skits that would get the kids' attention and make the point of the lesson. Tonight they illustrated "We share Jesus' light boldly".
Solar Systems??by Ronda Baldwin | July 12, 2023 11:24 PM
The kids made solar systems out of paint, glitter, and spike balls to remember the things in space that reflect the light rather than being the source of it.
Following Jesus' Voiceby Ronda Baldwin | July 12, 2023 11:26 PM
We practiced listening to the voice of Jesus while walking blindfolded through a maze. Anyone who stepped out got pelted with water balloons!
Water Balloon Toss/Fightby Ronda Baldwin | July 12, 2023 11:28 PM
If course, game time can't end without a water balloon toss that turns into a fight. Can you have a tradition after just three nights?
What's the Best Part?by Ronda Baldwin | July 12, 2023 11:29 PM
Everyone got a chance to share their favorite moment at VBS. Including the boy who said, "going to the zoo" 😂
The VBS Crewby Ronda Baldwin | July 12, 2023 11:31 PM
A true partnership developed as our team and the local church served side by side to love the kids and teach them about Jesus all week. We were so blessed by the teamwork and shared vision!
Into the Cityby Ronda Baldwin | July 13, 2023 11:25 PM
It's rec day! We slept in and then hit the Orange Line to head into the city for a few hours.
Always Eat Dessert Firstby Ronda Baldwin | July 13, 2023 11:27 PM
This is what happens when you give a bunch of guys a chocolate cake and a fork. Maybe the best way to wait in your real food in a very busy Portillo's!
The Beanby Ronda Baldwin | July 13, 2023 11:29 PM
After lunch we walked a long way to Millennial Park and the Bean. It was fun to have our new friends, Vegas and Zion, join us for the day!
Your Feet Will Thank Youby Ronda Baldwin | July 13, 2023 11:31 PM
When walking 9 miles around Chicago, your feet will love a break in the chilly water of the "Face Fountain"!
Sometimes You Gotta Runby Ronda Baldwin | July 13, 2023 11:33 PM
The wide open grass of Millennial Park was an open invitation for a race. You can guess who won...
Time to Climbby Ronda Baldwin | July 13, 2023 11:35 PM
A stop at the playground have Ara one of his many opportunities to climb on things this week.
Navy Pier by Ronda Baldwin | July 13, 2023 11:37 PM
We were running late for dinner, so we just had time for a quick walk to the end of Navy Pier. But it did give us the best photo of of the week!
Deep Dish Take Twoby Ronda Baldwin | July 13, 2023 11:39 PM
Our rec day ended with dinner at Lou Malnati's. Much to the disappointment of our trip leader, almost all of us said Lou's was better than Giordano's. But she still loves us anyway.
Prayer for Our Partnersby Ronda Baldwin | July 13, 2023 11:41 PM
Our last night ended with an opportunity to bless and pray over Pastor Juan and Sophia. It has been such a joy to get to know them, serve with them, and see their hearts for the Summit community this week. We are leaving with special new family in the Lord.
Continue Your Impactby Praying Pelican Missions | July 14, 2023 11:57 PM
