Let's get a baptizer!

Another God-filled summer week has past, and I'm gearing up for week five of our day camp. Our numbers were down a bit last week, but our 30 or so kids still kept us plenty busy. Our theme for the week was "One Way to Serve Others." Through small groups we challenged the kids to take Jesus' example of washing the disciples feet and apply it to their lives. It's been encouraging to see kids own these challenges and come back to tell me the things they've done at home, for their parents, and even for the people on their block! We sealed off the week with our final beach trip- a sunny day at Chicago's 63rd St. waterfront. My favorite part of the summer is just hanging out with the kids and talking, and Fridays are filled with that. The kids always make me smile when we talk, especially with their questions about what sunburn is like! :)

The weather didn't stay quite as nice Friday night for our peace campaign. We were all set up and the grills were going, but God had other plans as a thunderstorm rolled in. The few hours we had went well though, and we're excited to host another Friday Night Lights in our community in a few weeks. We won't let our prayers stop though... God- BRING YOUR SHALOM TO OUR STREETS!

This weekend God blessed me with the opportunity to go home for one of my best friend's baptisms- Kelsey Cameron. Kelsey and I have been friends since the beginning of high school, when God uniquely placed us on the same traveling volleyball team, and high school softball team. (there's an amazing story about this to be told later!) She started attending church events with me and ended up accepting Christ the winter of her sophomore year. Taking the challenge from a camp message, we went back to our high school with a fervour for evangelism. Within 2 weeks, 4 or 5 of our friends had made decisions for Christ. Kelsey is someone that I bond deeply with spiritually, and her faith that was initially child-like and is now mature and inspiring. To make a long story short, she joined me at Moody and is now there for Women's ministry. To see her in the baptismal this morning not only brought tears to my eyes because of how proud I am of her, but stirred deep within me a gratitude and passion for Christ and his gift to us of eternal life. I praise Him for Kelsey and pray that His name may continue to be spread in this same way.

I was able to take three of the girls home with me for a sleepover, church, and a day at my parents pool. We had a blast, these girls always make me smile. We celebrated one of their birthdays with pink cupcakes! My favorite part of the weekend was laying next to one of them last night and talking. This little 9-year-old was asking me about what baptism was and why my friend Kelsey was doing it. Upon explanation, she was very persistent that she was ready to be baptized. I told her I didn't think it could happen the next moring, but that we could talk to Pastor Pete about it when we got back to the city. After a pause she said, "Yeahhh and we could put a baptizer tank right in the front part of the office!!" Praise God for her excitement about baptism! We'll have to see what Pastor Pete says about that baptismal next to the copier. :)

Havin’ a SUMMER BLAST!!

John 14:6 “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

This has been the theme verse as we’ve kicked off a successful and fun first two weeks of summer blast. 50 kids are registered, laughter is heard, and the ONE WAY is being preached! Though the weekends have been much needed for rejuvenation and rest, these two weeks have been amazing!
Mondays through Thursdays consist of stations of indoor games, drama, step it up station (tutoring), crafts, and indoor games. Thrown in the mix are Bible times, snacks, and lunch. Keeping the energy level high is the key, and so far the kids have loved it. On Fridays then, we head out for our day trips, which have been to Lincoln Park Zoo, and this past week, to the beach.

One of the most exciting parts for me to watch unfold is the kids’ curiosity in all things spiritual. We’ve had questions about the Trinity, the devil (who gets laughed at for having the name Lucifer), and many other questions about how God and heaven work. Their childlike faith is always refreshing! Pray that their questions will keep coming and as they sing the song, they will begin to, “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”

We also had an amazing kick off with bringing Friday Night Lights to the community! Over a 100 hotdogs were devoured, rappers proclaimed the gospel over speakers, and the shouts rang through the streets, “MAKE PEACE HAPPEN!” This is the first of 3 consecutive weeks we plan to have the gathering. Pray that the impact will only go further this Friday and the peace will spread. If you’re in the city, come join us!! My roommate sent me a text at about 2 a.m., after all of the festivities ended, “I just am driving home down sixty first… never before have I seen it so peaceful and quiet. Praise God.” God answers prayers!

Praises and Prayer

Life has been crazy but amazing these past two weeks. I know for sure that prayer has blessed the ministry in huge ways this summer.
PRAISES:
**We have 50 kids enrolled in SUMMER BLAST and we even have started a waiting list!
**SUMMER BLAST has ran smoothly and we've had a lot of fun. The kids are amazing, and many of them are delving deep into questions about God (they sure test our theology knowledge with some of the questions they come up with!)
**We had our first FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS in the community two days ago. It was one block away from our building. The Light shone brightly and many people came to see what was going on. His name was proclaimed on our streets!
**I have been blessed with a special relationship with two sisters in our program. As my relationship with them has deepened, issues with their attitudes and anger have been something we've been working on. This past week, after the 11-year-old had an issue at Summer Blast, she called me on the phone sobbing and apologizing. PRAISE HIM FOR TENDER HEARTS AND WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE! Apology showed that she wants to live differently. Lift her up in prayer as she seeks to honor God and make decisions that please Him!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
**That SUMMER BLAST will continue to run smoothly. That our staff will have energy, patience, and lavish Christ's love onto the kids. That the kids will continue to ask questions and seek to know Christ.
**Many of our kids are at the point where they are willing to live for Christ, but don't know how to do it in their worlds. Pray that God will guide our staff as we lead them and disciple them in Bible studies and individually.
**Nikki Blodgett and I are brainstorming how to reach a few of our girls that have health issues. As see Christ's heart for the holisitic individual, pray for sensitivity and wisdom in how to help some of these kids live healtier lives.
**Pray for Dave Clark (our city team leader) and his high school basketball team. They play in a league downtown. As the season wraps up in the next week, pray that he and the assisitant coach will have an impactful time with the guys and that decisions will be made for Christ!
**Continue to pray for peace on the streets, not just during FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, but every day and every night. Pray for the safety of our kids and families.

Thanks for all of your support, prayers, and words of encouragement. I am humbled by the amazing things that God is doing in this city!