O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;

you will strengthen their heart;

you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,

so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

Psalm 10:17-18

As I came to this verse in my reading through Psalms this afternoon, it was read through different lenses. This week, as the heat and humidity has risen, so has the violence. Even our staff have been experiencing the violence of the streets. Gangs war and bullets fly. While on our knees for peace on the streets, I think of the lives affected by this violence. One of our teen workers that I've been blessed to spend time with this week, poured her heart out to me about the death her sisters boyfriend. Living here in the community has opened eyes and ears more than reading and sympathizing could ever do.

I pray that God bring peace to the neighborhood, to the streets, to my block.

LORD,

You hear the people of the community crying out against the violence. Strengthen their hearts Father. Do justice. May men of the earth may strike terror no more.

Friday Night Lights

Through Chicago Peace Campaign, there is a new movement hitting the street corners of Chicago... Friday Night Lights. I learned about it only a week or so ago, and went to check it out this past friday. Two friends and jumped into the car at 9 pm Friday night, and drove over to the neighborhood next to ours, at the corner of 59th and Normal. Though to most of you this intersection means nothing, to that neighborhood, its the hotspot. Just four Fridays ago, a pastor counted 80 people on the four corners. Drug dealers, prostitutes, gang bangers, and everyone in between were congregated. Yet, just a few weeks later, the scene I experience was of Christ's light shinning brightly. Friday Night Lights is where a group of believers in the community comes together to shine light so darkness has to flee. Candles, huge lights, and gospel music are radiant. As we approached the top of every hour, we joined hands, prayed, took communion, and begged God to bring peace to the streets. I stood at the corner with a 6 year-old on my shoulders who shouted to the passing cars, "MAKE PEACE HAPPEN!" Her little raspy voice rang on the streets, as people honked in approval and the crowd grew. I knew God was working, I could feel him there as the darkness was pushed off the corner and peace of God dwelt there. Our prayer is to be able to replicate this in our neighborhood of Woodlawn. Pray that this summer God would allow that to happen.

Check more out on this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Yuy8z6oOA

ALL MOVED IN AND ALL STIRRED UP

So here I am, all settled in on the South Side! Last weekend I moved my apartment, only two blocks away from our building. My roomates are both interns for us too, but for our short term missions program-bridge builders. It's been amazing to get to know these girls and set up our apartment up for a summer of ministry.

This Monday we started our training and planning for the summer. God has blown us all away with how he picked and planned for each one of us staff to be here at this time. With four youth interns, two bridge builder interns, and the current Sunshine staff, we've had an amazing time fellowshipping, planning, and getting excited for what is in store. We have been challenged in unity and living a lives that reflect Christ in every aspect. God is surely pushing us in tough but needed places in our lives.

Next week holds finalizing of plans and sending the kids off to KAA (Kids Across America), which is a camp in Missourri. Though I'm not able to go because of a wedding, we are excited to see what God does in the lives of the kids! Here's a few prayer requests for where things are right now:
**That the kids will arrive at camp safely, and that they will have an amazing, life-changing time
**As we're having to plan and do more technical things for the summer for these few weeks, God will still present us with opportunities and open eyes to proclaim His name in the community
**Kids will continue to be drawn to Sunshine and get involved in our summer programs
I'll continue to keep you all updated when I can find time and internet! Thanks for your prayers!