Vlog #7. Lunch with Streetlights

Streetlights is an amazing ministry.  You can read about them here.  

We also enjoyed an amazing lunch at Portillo's.  That is one of my favorite places to eat in Chicago although it certainly isn't on my new eating plan.  They have a chocolate cake shake that is absolutely one of the best desserts I have ever had.

Urban Emphasis Week at Moody Bible Institute

I will be leaving today for my seventh recruiting trip to Moody in the past three years.  This trip is extra special as I am traveling with Rev. Dr. Don Davis, who is the main speaker for the week.  Every Spring Moody has a special focus on urban ministries and they invited Don to speak in three chapels, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Don will then share several other times in classes and other meetings with students.

I have helped set up the schedule for Don and then will get to be his “bodyguard” for the week. I am excited about the opportunity to network and follow up with students interested in World Impact. Don is a very motivating speaker, so I expect to find lots of interest in World Impact!

After our time at Moody, I get to stay an extra day to see Esther, my sister-in-law, and Anna, my niece. I am very excited to see them as well.

Here are some things you can pray for:

-          Safety as we travel to, in, and around Chicago.

-          Energy for Don and me as we will have long hour days.

-          God to call students into urban missions – openness to the messages Don will be preaching.

Vlog #6: James and the Oaks

I actually filmed this over New Year's weekend but am finally posting this video now.  James is a great brother who has a Bible study starting in his house. This is birthed out of Lighthouse Community Church, the church we helped start. Pastor Jerry is leading this Bible study every Saturday.  God is doing great things in South Wichita!! 

Why do people make fun of each other?

This is the question Ethan asked me after school this week.  At his school, he is in the minority but I am not sure that he even notices that.  He has friends from different ethnicities.  He described two situations this week that burdened his heart.  First he observed some friends making fun of an Asian boy.  Then some of his friends asked him if he likes African Americans. When he answered yes, they just started to laugh.

Sadly Ethan is experiencing something that has been a part of humanity from the beginning.   I explained to him that people have always wanted to be with their own culture and often they think it is superior to others.  It is the root of wars and incredible sufferings that different groups have had to experience because of this attitude.

While these are hard lessons to learn, I am grateful Ethan has a love for people and that he is experiencing life as a minority at his school.  It will give him a great perspective as he grows and matures and interacts with those from many different walks of life.  

Vlog # 5: 10 Day Juice Fast

Vlog # 4 @ Lighthouse Community Church

Vlog #3. Shelton's Testimony

World Impact has a long history of working with children and teens.  During the 70's and the 80's we were known for our Bible clubs.  Our veteran missionaries often run into former Bible club kids who have now grown up.  During the Christmas holidays, Shelton stopped by our office to look for past missionaries.  I had the privilege of meeting him and hearing him share how World Impact laid a great foundation during his teen years.  He loved reconnecting with Andy Entz and Al Ewert who both had taught him during those years.