School Volunteering

So I've started the volunteer process in the two local high schools. One is call Hyde Park Academy and the other is University of Chicago Woodlawn Charter School. The volunteer screening process, from background checks to fingerprints is pretty extensive, but is actually assuring. As I go through these forms, pray that relationships will be established and God will place in one or both of the schools that He sees fit. I probably be doing tutoring and eventually would love to coach.

Keep these schools in prayer. As I've looked at the stats and scores of the schools my heart breaks. You can see what I'm talking about, especially at Hyde Park Academy -http://www.cps.edu/Schools/Pages/school.aspx?unit=1390 , and you can check out U of C Woodlawn at http://www.uei-schools.org/woodlawnhs/site/default.asp . I'm excited to jump into these campuses and begin building relationships!

Welcome to Colorado!

Yesterday I flew into Denver Airport arriving for my two weeks at New Staff Training. 150 of us jumped into charter buses to take a gorgeous two hour drive through the Rocky Mountains to get to Young Life’s Crooked Creek Ranch in Fraser, CO.

Not only was I excited to be with 150 other first year Young Life staff members, but I was in awe of the handiwork of God all around me. This was my first time in mountains of this magnitude! I’ve walked around for the last 24 hours with my jaw dropped and my heart in worship to the Creator of this beautiful land!

Tonight, after our first day here, we are kicking of 1 of 2 seminary courses that all staff are required to take: Foundations of Youth Ministry and Communicating Christ to Adolescents. I am excited to learn, once again, as a student of the Word, this time sitting under professors from Fuller and Dallas Theological Seminary!

I have some prayer requests as I am away from the South Side and here in the mountains:

1. Academic focus. As this is a seminary course, we have had lots of reading and papers and there are many more to come. Often my mind is elsewhere, thinking of the upcoming ministry opportunities and new transition concerns
2. Urban connections. Many of the staff here are suburban and rural focused, and though I have made special connections with many of them, there is something about the connection with those who do urban ministry. Pray that I can be encouraged and encourage those around me to push forward for Christ.
3. Heart refreshment and new passion. I want this time to be that of renewal and new fervor for the calling of Christ to ministry.

I will keep you all updated on my time here! Thanks for keeping me in your prayers.

Starting Up!

On January 3rd I started my first official day as a full time staff member at Sunshine! My heart was overflowing with excitement and peace that I was exactly where Christ wanted me. It is amazing to look back and see how far God has brought me over the past 5 months, from support raising, trips back and forth to Chicago, to settling down in my desk.

I was there for 4 days working before I headed off to Colorado. When I get back, I will move into my apartment, and start our programming full force! Pray that the details continue to fall into place!