We Have Arrived!by Andrew Janicki | August 1, 2015 9:41 PM
We have arrived safely in Pittsburgh! We made good time and enjoyed the view of the city as we entered through the tunnels.
We got settled into our rooms, ate at a nearby mall food court and purchased some supplies for our work projects this week.
We are looking forward to church tomorrow and all that this week holds. Especially serving the children at the Kids Meal Network!
A Multi Cultural Dayby Andrew Janicki | August 3, 2015 9:22 PM
On Sunday we attended a multi cultural service at Cornerstone Church. Pastor Mike Guthrie preached about how we are to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. The church is made up of American born individuals and people from Burundi, Tanzania, and Kenya among others.
In the afternoon we visited the Strip District with two members of Cornerstone, a brother and sister named Victor and Meg, and we enjoyed a wonderful meal together. The Strip District is a cultural district made up of a "strip" of land in the city. We explored a variety of restaurants, craft stands and shops where we purchased some mementos to take home.
Youth Night/Food Fusionby Andrew Janicki | August 3, 2015 9:35 PM
Sunday night we participated in a youth night at Cornerstone Church. We spent some time getting to know each other and then spent the evening cooking a meal together. We first shared our recipe for chicken and dumplings with them and in return they shared their recipe for African sambusa with us. Sambusa is a deep fried tortilla pocket in the shape of a triangle that is filled with a seasoned ground meat.
We all had an amazing time together as we shared a lot of laughs and good conversations. We even enjoyed cleaning up together afterwards!
Co Chefsby Andrew Janicki | August 3, 2015 9:39 PM
Here are all the amazing cooks!
Food Prepby Andrew Janicki | August 3, 2015 9:42 PM
Jenna making the pockets for the Sambusa.
Into the Potby Andrew Janicki | August 3, 2015 9:44 PM
Breading and frying the chicken with Rachel, Theresea, and Jeff.
Shredding the chickenby Andrew Janicki | August 3, 2015 9:47 PM
Seti & Alexis working together.
Chop Chopby Andrew Janicki | August 3, 2015 9:53 PM
Cristina, Emma, Alexis, Jenna & Abigail preparing the veggies.
Kids Meal Network by Andrew Janicki | August 3, 2015 10:05 PM
Today we met Pastor Les and worked at Warren UMC in the Hill District of Pittsburgh.
We started out our morning by helping to organize a children's office and a storage area in the basement of the church. The church was built in 1907... so we found our fair share of antiques and relics.
Around lunch time we helped to serve a meal to some of the kids from the area and afterwards went to a nearby basketball court to share the love of Christ with some of the other children from the community.
Later, in the afternoon, we built a raised garden bed and cleaned up from our days work.
On the ride home we stopped by the Pitt campus to see where Rachel spent many a day studying.
We capped off our day by enjoying a Pittsburgh original Primanti sandwich. The sandwich features meat, cheese, slaw, and french fries piled high between two slices of fresh Italian bread.
Praise God for a wonderful day!
Painting for Pastor a Dianaby Andrew Janicki | August 4, 2015 7:13 PM
Today we painted a fence for Pastor Diana. Pastor Diana oversees Church or Our Savior in the North View Heights area of Pittsburgh (the only church in that community). She is a wonderful woman who sacrifices for others and that community.
We were able to give her some love and encouragement by helping her with this project. Many other teams had planned on painting this fence, but were unable to do it because of rain. We are the last Praying Pelican team in Pittsburgh this year and the job is almost done! Hopefully we will finish it off on Thursday morning.
Please continue to keep Pastor Diana in your prayers as she continues to minister to those in a tough neighborhood.
Beforeby Andrew Janicki | August 4, 2015 7:17 PM
The fence in the morning before painting.
Afterby Andrew Janicki | August 4, 2015 7:18 PM
The fence in the afternoon!
Afterby Andrew Janicki | August 5, 2015 10:00 PM
The fence in the afternoon!
Pirate Gameby Andrew Janicki | August 5, 2015 10:03 PM
On Tuesday evening, we were able to enjoy a boat ride across all three rivers aboard the Gateway Clipper as we traveled to the Pirate Game at PNC Park.
The Pirates didn't play so well (5-0 loss), but we had a fantastic time hanging out together. What a beautiful night!
A Little Bit of Everything!by Andrew Janicki | August 5, 2015 10:18 PM
Today we went back to Warren UMC to complete the tasks we already started and to continue helping with the KMN.
In the morning, we completed our organization of the storage room and the children's office.
Around lunchtime, we helped serve and eat with the kids. After that, we did some crafts with them for awhile and enjoyed each others company.
In the afternoon, we filled the raised garden beds with soil, laid landscaping fabric on a hillside, and repaired a step in the storage room. We ended our time at Warren UMC by getting a picture with and saying goodbye to Pastor Les, and Diana.
For dinner, we ate a polish meal. Many of us tried pierogies and kielbasa for the first time. There were varying opinions on kielbasa, but the pierogies were loved by all.
Later, in the evening we rode the Duquesne Incline up Mt. Washington for a lovely view of downtown Pittsburgh. While we were there, we all spent time in prayer over the city.
To cap off our day we stopped for a treat at the Milkshake Factory on the Southside of the city.
Praise God for a fantastic and diverse day!
James 5:13-16
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
The Organized Storage Roomby Andrew Janicki | August 5, 2015 10:23 PM
Look, there's now space for us to take a group picture!
Beforeby Andrew Janicki | August 5, 2015 10:25 PM
The children's office before our awesome job.
After by Andrew Janicki | August 5, 2015 10:27 PM
The children's office after our handiwork.
The Stepsby Andrew Janicki | August 5, 2015 10:29 PM
Abigail and Cristina repairing the steps.
Steps Completeby Andrew Janicki | August 5, 2015 10:32 PM
Girls with power tools rock!
Raised Garden Bedsby Andrew Janicki | August 5, 2015 10:34 PM
Filled and ready for planting next spring.
Finishing the Fenceby Andrew Janicki | August 6, 2015 8:45 PM
Today we spent our final morning finishing the last part of the fence. We painted it red since it is on the neighbor's side.
Afterward Pastor Diana prayed over us and invited us to come back any time! She is truly a blessing to her community.
This afternoon, we will be enjoying Kennywood Park for our recreation day.
We've been having so much fun in all we do. Praise God for a mission completed!
Kennywood!by Andrew Janicki | August 6, 2015 8:47 PM
Having fun in Kennywood Park. What a beautiful day!
Kennywood!by Andrew Janicki | August 7, 2015 8:46 AM
Having fun in Kennywood Park. What a beautiful day!
Heading Homeby Andrew Janicki | August 7, 2015 8:49 AM
This morning we packed up our vehicle and prepared to head home. We had one final breakfast together and shared some encouraging words with one another.
God has truly blessed us this week and we are so very thankful for all that he has done and will continue to do through us!