The training meetings, the packing, the anticipation and excitement, the prayer… These are typical mission trip precursors. This year though, I was especially excited to bring some of our students to the city I call home: Chicago. I was totally one of those teenagers that would say, “I’m from Chicago!”, when in reality, I grew up in the comfortable suburbs. BUT, after four years living downtown for college, I can claim the Chicagoan label with a bit more credibility!
Chicago is a world-class city that has world-class needs. Our students are seeing some of these needs this week. We are not in one of the worst neighborhoods of the city, but still see the brokenness. We see it as the kids talk about their home lives. We can sense it as we go for prayer walks around the neighborhood. Our students are serving faithfully each day in a variety of ways and settings. The needs are great, they are varied, and they can feel overwhelming. And it strikes me in a different way this week, as I am coming home, but am also on mission.
As God so often does, He reminds me that this week SHOULD be no different than any other. Yes, mission came home for me this week. But this is the reality of every disciple no matter where they are. The mission is just as much in Indianapolis and Zionsville and Whitestown as it is here. The amount of energy and intentionality that has gone into this week should be our norm, not the exception. And any notion that physical needs are more heart-wrenching than spiritual needs should be dismissed. Jesus met both. We follow in his footsteps, meeting felt needs AND spiritual needs.
Eagle Church should be encouraged by our young disciples. Our leadership team is so proud of our students: how they work together and jump in, how they love on these kids, and how they are learning to take risks for Jesus.
Please continue to pray for us! We hope you have been praying for the student that you received a card for in the bulletin this past week at the worship service. We are excited to share with you what God is doing in Chicago and what He is doing in our team. Perhaps more than anything, please join us in praying that the experiences we have here, in experiencing greater community, purpose, and passion, would continue as we come home.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”-Ephesians 2:10