Unpacked and ready to go!by Lana Thomas | July 25, 2015 10:13 PM
The team has arrived! We are excited that the mission here in Chicagoland has started!
Church time!by Lana Thomas | July 26, 2015 9:53 AM
The team is ready for bible study and church this morning! Nothing starts the day off right like digging into Gods word and having fellowship with other believers!
All in the familyby Lana Thomas | July 26, 2015 6:00 PM
Today the team had the opportunity to worship alongside some of their Hispanic brothers and sister during Sunday school, songs and a sermon. The speaker had went through 1 Peter 1. Followed by a fellowship cook out. During that time they got to chat with some of the congregation and play games with the kids (who knew tag and hide and seek could be so fun yet hard!). After the majority of the church had left we went out into the community to invite children to our VBS. Allowing the team the opportunity to meet some of the potential children, along with families of the neighborhood. During this walk we came across a church throwing a fiesta (party). We got some delicious ice cream from Azucar, and enjoyed the Spanish music they were playing. Today was a day of learning more about out church partner, and has prepared the team well for what the rest of the week will hold!
Colossians 3:23by Lana Thomas | July 27, 2015 5:20 PM
This morning the team went out to Cornerstone Community Outreach (CCO). It is one of Chicago's most unique homeless shelters in the fact that the are able to accommodate whole family units. The team was able to help carry some children's furniture down four flights of stairs to a loading area for it to go out to families in need. They also had the opportunity to work alongside a fellow PPM team in organizing and sorting clothing for CCO's 100% free thrift store. They worked hard and gave all glory to God. It was a humbling experience for us all. The day still isn't over; we are anticipating the fun and joy that VBS will hold tonight!
Prepareby Lana Thomas | July 27, 2015 5:36 PM
Terri hanging around!
For...by Lana Thomas | July 27, 2015 5:41 PM
Setting up for the night!
VBSby Lana Thomas | July 27, 2015 7:04 PM
The team is ready to serve dinner!
I thought you said a week!by Lana Thomas | July 27, 2015 7:14 PM
One of the children spoke up before prayer to ask how long the team would be doing VBS. When they said three days he very disappointedly replied, "I thought you were here for a week!" It's only been an hour or so and the kids already love them!
Deep!by Lana Thomas | July 27, 2015 7:49 PM
Can't have VBS without music! Here are some of the moments captuered of the the team and children with their listening ears and clapping hands! Take us deep into who you are, Lord!
Planted deep in the (he)arts!by Lana Thomas | July 27, 2015 10:16 PM
VBS included some great arts and crafts time with the kids.
Take a bow!by Lana Thomas | July 27, 2015 10:19 PM
Chalynn having some fun after designing her cup!
And we shall Pray!by Lana Thomas | July 27, 2015 10:20 PM
The day of ministry concluded with a time of gathering together and praying as a larger group!
Servants.by Lana Thomas | July 28, 2015 11:10 AM
The team was able to finish the last of the sorting that was assigned to them. Then they joined with another PPM team to make a bucket brigade to bring the finished bags upstairs to the free thrift shop! It was a busy morning but it is now finished!
The 3 Painters!by Lana Thomas | July 28, 2015 12:37 PM
These lovely ladies painted a dresser that is used in the Rumage store.
Conerstone!by Lana Thomas | July 28, 2015 1:59 PM
The team took their las tpicture with Sara from CCO. They worked hard and got a lot done. CCO was a growing experience and open the eyes and hearts to the team. Sometimes being a servant isn't what we want to do, but it is what God calls us to do!
Fueling Up!by Lana Thomas | July 28, 2015 5:47 PM
The team gets some dinner in before the kids show up!
VBS2by Lana Thomas | July 28, 2015 6:45 PM
Another day of VBS with these kiddos!
Courage!by Lana Thomas | July 28, 2015 7:32 PM
These children are learning about courage. And at the same time they display it by speaking up and participating during the lesson time.
Game time!by Lana Thomas | July 28, 2015 7:38 PM
Music... Numbers... Asking for a fun time!
Call and you will be answeredby Lana Thomas | July 28, 2015 7:42 PM
(Bird) Accidents happen... But it's always great when we can laugh about them!
Cross Craft!by Lana Thomas | July 28, 2015 8:05 PM
Crafting never looked so good! The kids get a chance to decorate some crosses.
BFFby Lana Thomas | July 28, 2015 8:06 PM
Shayla made a new friend! A girl who turned one a couple of months ago!
Jam sessionsby Lana Thomas | July 28, 2015 8:15 PM
The youth broke out into song and blessed us with there amazing talents!
Still hard at work!by Lana Thomas | July 28, 2015 8:16 PM
The time is up. But They are not done!
Mid day on Rec day!by Lana Thomas | July 29, 2015 5:34 PM
The team takes a break from their Rec day activities to eat at one of Chicago's well known pizza places Lou Malnatis. They eat as Mich deep dish as they could, and still walked out with some extra slices.
Take me deep!by Lana Thomas | July 29, 2015 8:04 PM
The team got a bit caught up in downtown traffic, but they still made to hang out and have a good time with the kids .Here is a snip pic of them performing Lord take me deep and getting their certificates for completing VBS.
El Fin! by Lana Thomas | July 29, 2015 8:09 PM
The last moments of ministry of VBS .
Bag Lunchesby Lana Thomas | July 30, 2015 9:50 AM
The team is up this morning making lunches... Not for themselves but for the homeless people that they have the opportunity to minister to while on Prayer TRAINing and park ministry.
Blood Alley by Lana Thomas | July 30, 2015 3:33 PM
The team got to pray over blood alley. A place once filled with hopelessness is now a beacon of hope! This is where they also did their homeless ministry work at.
Trainsby Lana Thomas | July 30, 2015 3:35 PM
The team during our prayer "train"ing! They got to see what it was like when its empty and when its busy.
Around the Townby Lana Thomas | July 30, 2015 3:36 PM
The team making their way through Chicago, during prayer training.
EHOP!by Lana Thomas | July 30, 2015 6:45 PM
The team made to Englewood to Ebenezer house of Prayer, a Jamaican church. Here they get to meet the other teams that were serving other communities here in Chicago.
Body of Believers!by Lana Thomas | July 30, 2015 7:14 PM
The team had the opportunity to share their adaptation of Happy and the step that goes along side it. After that the other teams shared some of their talents as well. One being a skit, in which they talked about how much God loves us! (They came around and handed some of ladies flowers!) The last team ended us with an uplifting fun song! The body of Christ is diverse and it is beautiful!!!
Chalynn's Highlights!by Lana Thomas | July 30, 2015 7:17 PM
The brave and wonderful Chalynn volunteered to share her highlights of the week! Her stories made everyone laugh, and we're very relatable to what the other teams felt during the week! She rocked it!
About last night...by Lana Thomas | July 31, 2015 11:40 AM
Tears of joy flowed freely as the team shared about their week. God brought them to Chicago and to a different culture for reasons. The body of Christ is a beautiful thing that the team got to experience first hand!
See you later!by Lana Thomas | July 31, 2015 11:42 AM
We said our good byes last night, and again this morning. The team is headed ba to Iowa to continue there mission with SWAG!
