Christmas Happenings

Merry Christmas everyone!
 In the past few days I decided to do something a little different,  something I've not done before,  or at least to this extent.  I decided to check out 4 different Christmas Eve services at some area churches.  Here is a brief snapshot as to what I've been up to since last Thursday;

 Thu Dec 22 - Christ Community Church (St Charles Twp) 7PM service

 Fri Dec 23 - Parkview Christian Church (Orland Park) 7PM service

 Sat Dec 24 - Willow Creek Church (South Barrington) 12:30PM service

 Sat Dec 24 - Community Christian Church (Naperville) 11:00PM candle-lit service

 Believe me,  it was fun.  May even plan to do this again next year. 
 I spent most of today in downtown Chicago serving a meal to about 50 homeless men at a shelter.  This was a Christmas gift to them,  a nice warm ham meal.  It's especially rewarding to do this on a holiday.  I served them turkey back on Thanksgiving Day and it was just as rewarding. 

 As always,  do good and choose kindness

Haiti Revisited

I've returned from spending 4 days down in Haiti spending quality time with orphaned children.  I traveled through the Global Orphan Project,  a Kansas City area-based missions organization.  We arrived in Port Au Prince last Thursday evening and still noticed some earthquake-caused rubble in the vicinity,  as not much has been done to clear it since my last visit to Haiti in March of 2010.  It has improved somewhat.

 After spending the night in a Port Au Prince hotel,  we set out for Gonieve,  a community in northern Haiti about 3 hours north of PAP.  Passing numerous tent cities,  we joined the current of cars,  motorbikes,  tap-taps, (cabs,  some of them really tricked out by their owners) and 18-wheelers clogging up the streets of PAP.  The drive there was uneventful,  with an early afternoon arrival in Gonieve.  First order of business was sorting donations.  Then shoved off for Desire,  a childrens' village about 30 minutes drive away,  nestled at the foot of the mountains.  It's home to 63 orphans.  Crafts were brought out and distributed,  a soccer game was going on too,  and the kids received affection from us 13 blancs (white folks).

 We spent Friday night in a Gonieve hotel,  a nice place,  with electricity to boot.  On Saturday morning we return to Desire to love on the kids once again.  A boy about 6-7 years old slept in my lap the whole time,  over 2 hours!  Sidewalk chalk and bubbles were unveiled and were huge hits with the orphans.  I'm now realizing our departure is looming near,  and about 11:45AM,  it happens.  The kids did not want us to go.  Hopefully they'll have fond memories of our visit with them.

 After a brief stop at the hotel,  our next destination of St. Ilus was calling.  This facility is home to 19 boys.  Like in Desire,  soccer balls and crafts were brought out.  Frisbees and kickballs made an appearance too,  along with an UNO card game.  They already knew how to play,  believe me they did.  They cleaned the clocks of the blancs.

After St Ilus,  we then headed over to the Philadelphia church youth club.  It turned out to be controlled chaos,  bedlam,  and any other adjectives you can think of.  The place was packed!  The kids here were loved on also,  no matter how many of them there were.  Just past 5PM we headed back to the hotel for dinner and evening devotional.

 On Sunday we attended the worship service at the Philadelphia church in Gonieve.  Aw man,  what an experience!  It was quite a sight to see the Haitian Christians worshipping the God who created it all.  Their faith is all they have,  and their faith has persevered and pulled them through.  The worship raged on for about 40 minutes,  and the pastor came to the pulpit and preached a great message to his flock. 

 Our departure from Gonieve was about 2:30,  and after some heartfelt goodbyes,  we began the 3 hour trek back to PAP,  arriving just after dark.  It's now that the ministry portion of the trip is over,  and the process is now just getting back home.  Our devotional this evening included some songs of worship,  trip experiences from team members,  and numerous emotions were present.  It was a great way to cap off our adventure in Haiti.

Items for Haiti

I just returned from a successful mission to Target to pick up some final items for the orphans in Haiti.  I'll depart this Thursday and return next Monday night,  just a short jaunt,  but meaningful.  The need in Haiti is still very great.  Many folks are still living in tents,  even now,  almost 2 years after the January 2010 earthquake shook the already-wounded country to it's very core.  I'll visit 3-4 orphanages in and around Port Au Prince.  I just picked up some balls that glow in the dark,  along with some frisbees and Play Doh.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just 8 days away.  Thanksgiving is just what it means,  giving thanks.  It's one of my favorite holidays,  but in recent years it's been shut out by the always-earlier-apprearing Santa Claus,  snowmen,  reindeer,  and all the commercialization of Christmas.  Seems like we go from the pumpkins,  ghosts,  and ghouls of Halloween directly to Santa Claus,  with Thanksgiving crammed in between.  Thanksgiving likely has been snuffed out because you can't buy decorations or gifts,  or stuff you really don't need.  It's a simple holiday,  which has been forgotten in all the holiday hype and uproar. 
 
 What are you thankful for?

Last Sunday in Chicago - Haiti coming up

Last Sunday I rose early to train it downtown and attended the 10AM service at Willow Creek's Chicago campus,  even though I was there 2 weeks earlier,  just can't get enough of that place.  Afterwards I served some hot dogs and burgers to about 50 homeless men at a nearby shelter,  located on Clark & Van Buren streets in Chicago's loop.  The guys are always grateful to nourish their constant hunger pangs,  as the shelter does not feed them,  so they resort to begging on the street.  It was quite an experience last Sunday.  Many of these guys struggle with addictions,  depression,  and other habits.  Some were still "drying out" in the back,  and one man was zonked mindless on PCP (not kidding!).  I might serve them again on Thanksgiving Day.  I then caught a 2:30 train departure back to the northwest suburbs,  and reflected on the experience the whole way back.
 I'll be traveling to Haiti from December 8-December 13,  and will visit 3-4 orphanages in and around Port Au Prince.  One of them,  Jumecourt Inn,  I visited during my last trip to Haiti in March of 2010.  I'll be bringing donated items with me for the orphans here. 

 Also,  if you wish,  or are led,  to support Atala, (the handicapped widow I met in Uganda in September,  whose hut burned to the ground) you can log onto www.brighthope.org and feel free to contribute as you are led.

 On Monday evening we had over 100 souls pour into Bessie's Table,  which is a soup kitchen located in the basement of First United Methodist Church in Des Plaines.  They are open on Mondays from 5:30-7PM.  Seems like the need really increases this time of year.  Until the economy improves somewhat,  the need will always be there

What's Goin' On

I know I've not posted in a few weeks,  but much is going on now with many things.  Beginning next week I'll be visiting some small groups,  just for a change of pace.  Tomorrow I'll be serving at the Crystal Lake food pantry in it's namesake city.  The evening will be spent at The Gathering,  a massive single adult ministry at Calvary Church in Naperville

 On Sunday I attended service at Willow Chicago,  then fed the homeless afterwards.  I have not done this since late July,  and it was great to serve these guys once again.  I'm already planning to do it again on Sunday Nov 6.

 Just a couple days ago I found out about my next trip,  which will be January 21-29, 2012,  to Haiti.  It will be a joint partnership with Community Christian Church,  and World Relief,  a Wheaton-based organization. 

The Story of Atala

I returned from Zambia and Uganda,  Africa 2 days ago and it was a great trip.  Probably the most touching story was from a lady named Atala.  Atala lives in an impoverished rural bush village near Apac,  in northern Uganda.  She is a widow,  as her husband passed away nearly 20 years ago,  and she cares for her 4 children and took in one orphan.  She has been unable to walk for several years (due to reasons unknown) and currently uses a 5-year-old broken down wheelchair to get around.  She is supported by members of her local church,  which is very poor.  She received a micro-loan about 2 years ago and started a small resale business along the main road of her little village,  which is a dirt road and sees few motorized vehicles,  most of them motorbikes.  Atala buys gasoline,  flour,  beans,  and ground nuts and sells them in smaller quantities for a small profit.  She has a great location in the village center right beside the main dirt road,  which in the rainy season can become mud-caked and nearly impassable.  She is very faithful in repaying her loan,  and received another loan a few months ago.

I visited Atala on Friday,  September 23.  Just 2 days before my visit her hut burned to the ground,  which also contained her home and her business.  She was cooking dinner that evening when one of her gasoline cans flipped over and started her hut's thatch roof on fire.  She was able to crawl out,  but she lost all of her belongings and most of her flour and ground nuts.  She is currently staying with some members of her church in their home nearby.  But she needs to maneuver her broken wheelchair the distance from her temporary home to her roadside business,  as her hut was right next to where she sold her items along the road.  Atala does not know the meaning of the word "quit".  When I arrived in her village,  there she was,  all smiles,  back in business selling her items just 2 days after she lost everything.  Bright Hope International, (the organization I traveled with) wants to fund a new brick house for her,  with a tin roof in place of thatch.  The front would house her business and her resale items and she and her family would live in the back rooms.  She is also in need of a new wheelchair.  Atala is an amazing woman,  a real testament to God's goodness.  I'm considering supporting her financially

 That same day I also visited another lady and her micro-loan garden.  Her name was Harriet.  Her garden was flooded from recent heavy rains and is also under-funded. 

 The previous week was spent in Zambia,  in the communities of Samfya and Chapako.  I visited some more micro-loans and borehole water wells in both communities.  Many of the boreholes are funded by Willow Creek Church,  when they exploded on the scene about 6 years ago.  During my time there I stayed in the home of a missionary family,  and they were kind and gracious hosts.  They live in Samfya,  right on the shore of Lake Bangweulu,  which is a large inland lake.  This is also a fishing community,  with the villagers bringing in their fresh catches on a daily basis.  Chapako is very impoverished.  Naked children with bloated bellies and surrounded by flies. 

 This was a "different" trip for me.  It was probably my most relational trip yet,  with just a little ministry thrown in for good measure.

 I'll post a more detailed recap in the next week or so

 This weekend I'm participating in a single adult retreat up in Williams Bay,  WI near Lake Geneva.  This will be interesting,  with the lingering jet lag.  But it sounds like a rewarding time

Africa- Here I come

I depart tomorrow for Zambia and Uganda and will be visiting micro-loan businesses and water borehole wells in both countries.  If I'm able to,  I'll try to update from the field.  It will depend on the available internet access.

In Zambia I'll be in the communities of Samfya and Chapako,  and in Uganda I'll be in Kampala, (Uganda's capitol and largest city) and in rural Apac.

Can you believe it's been 10 years?

Can you believe it's been 10 years since the terror attacks in NYC and Washington DC (and on our country as a whole)?  I bet you can still remember what/where you were during the hours of 7:46AM and 9:03AM on that sunny Tuesday morning.  I was at my old job at Allstate Insurance CO.  I had just begun my workday about the time AA flight #11 slammed into the 94th floor of the north tower of the WTC.  A co-worker approached me and told me that a plane has just struck the World Trade Center in New York.  I gave her a dumbfounded look and told her she had to be kidding,  as nothing like that could EVER happen.  Well,  it DID happen,  and suddenly I noticed many subdued conversations going on amongst co-workers.  15 minutes later,  UA #75 clobbered the south tower of the WTC,  and then I knew this was no joke,  30 minutes later,  AA #77 slammed into the side of the Pentagon in Washington DC,  as I was really coming to terms on what was taking place.  Then about 25 minutes after that,  UA #93,  believed to be heading for either the Capitol,  White House,  or Air Force One had crashed in rural PA.  Many employees were even in tears,  being consoled by their co-workers,  and TV monitors were set up all throughout the office building.  Large crowds were tuning in by the dozens.  More tears were shed amongst employees,  more consoling in front of the monitors,  as the mighty USA was shook to it's very foundation that day,  exactly 10 years ago.

 As we have come to know,  the true heroes of this great country were the NYC police,  firefighters,  EMT's and rescue workers,  many of who perished while trying to rescue those who they will never know the names of.  They truly put their lives on the line that infamous day.  In the weeks following 9/11,  people united as one,  barriers came down,  church attendance soared,  and God was sought after by those who have previously shunned Him to the side.  In fact,  many churches in this country reported record attendance the weekend following 9/11.  People were curious.

 But as you know,  not all folks united,  some barriers went up instead of down.  Innocent Muslims were assaulted by angry,  vengeful Americans,  Mosques were torched.  Is this the way Americans are REALLY supposed to act?!  Some people never learn.

 Yes,  our country and world have changed in the last 10 years,  some for the better,  some for the worse.  Take some time today to reflect on the events of 10 years ago,  and how they may have even changed you.

 Now,  some other news.  I depart for Africa this Friday,  arriving in Johannesburg on Saturday night.  After an overnight in Johannesburg,  I'll then fly into Zambia the next morning.  I'll be staying in the home of a missionary couple.  After a week there I'll head into Uganda for about 5 days,  before returning to Chicago on Tuesday evening,  Sep 27.  Just 3 days later I'll head to Williams Bay,  WI to participate in a single adult retreat.  Considering I'll still be dealing with jet lag and taking malaria meds,  this should be very interesting.

 I'll post more trip details later this week.

 Always,  choose kindness

I was Rocked this AM! (In a good way)

Earlier this morning I once again rose early and boarded the 8:12AM train at Schaumburg to head down to the city.  As usual the Loop was pretty quiet at 9:25 on a Sunday morning,  and today was no exception.  I entered the historic Auditorium Theatre 10 minutes later and grabbed my usual seat in one of the opera boxes.  Where else can you worship the Creator of all from an opera box?  Only at 10AM on Sunday mornings at Willow Creek Chicago.  The service began with a great rendition of "Better Is One Day",  which made me think of how Willow Creek was back in the 90's and early 2000's.  In my opinion,  Willow was at it's high point during that time.  A couple of songs later,  the message (videocast from South Barrington) began.  The speaker was Blake Mycoskie,  founder of TOMS shoes out in CA.  He openly described how TOMS began in 2006 and grown to worldwide status in 5 years.  He initiated a "One for One",  you purchase a pair of shoes,  a child in a Third World country receives a pair of TOMS shoes.  I just sat there and took it in,  and could not believe what I was hearing.  In that moment this morning,  my world was rocked.  After the service I had a few conversations with some folks about what transpired in the last hour or so.  I was still in a daze as I walked out of the Auditorium Theatre,  past Willow Chicago's brand new ministry center at 418 S Wabash,  and headed for Union Station to catch the 12:30 train back out to the burbs.  During the train ride I was still processing the message.  Serving the less-fortunate in the Third World is my life's passion. 

In other news,  my upcoming trip to Zambia and Uganda is now finalized.  I'll depart on Friday Sep 16 and return on Tues night,  Sep 27,  which is now a day sooner.  During my 2 weeks there I'll be visiting some microloan businesses begun by poor villagers in Zambia,  some water purification systems,  and even a Willow Creek partner site (even though I'm traveling with Bright Hope International and not Willow Creek).  Most of my time in Zambia will be centered in/around the impoverished rural community of Samfya.

I'll continue to update.  As always,  remember to choose kindness

Trip Dates and other items

I'll be traveling in Africa (Zambia & Uganda) from Fri September 16 - Wed Sep 28,  returning a day sooner than originally planned.  I'll be traveling with a staff member of Bright Hope International (That's right,  just 2 of us now).  I'll have a trip-prep meeting this Thursday at 2PM,  and at that time I'll find out what kinds of items I'll bring with me.  One thing about this adventure is that we'll be constantly on the move,  no more than 2 days in one village.

 On Sunday morning,  August 28 I'm planning to head back down to Willow Creek's downtown Chicago campus once again,  and anyone is more than welcome to join me.  The service is at 10AM at the historic Auditorium Theatre (Congress & Wabash)

 I also recently hooked up with a great local organization.  Backpack Buddies is based in Hanover Park and last week they collected nearly 750 backpacks from local families.  Many of them will be distributed in U-46 school district and a few other NW suburban districts.  My small contribution consisted of 4 backpacks.  I'm also looking at some organizations and food pantries/soup kitchens in the Elgin area.  There seems to be a lot of need in that city.

 That's all for now.  I'll post back next week about collecting items for Africa

Today at Willow Chicago - and Zambia news

You probably have noticed that I often blog about my visits to Willow Creek's downtown Chicago campus,  it's because I totally love that place!  Just can't get enough of the energy,  vibe,  and passion that permeates the historic Auditorium Theatre at 10AM every Sunday morning.  This morning was awesome as always,  rockin' worship and a relevant message (videocast from South Barrington campus).  Anyone is free to join me here.  I'm looking at August 28 as likely my next time going there.  They will be feeding the homeless on that day too. 

 My upcoming trip to Zambia has finally made some progress last week.  The dates I'll be traveling are September 16-September 29.  Besides my time in Zambia,  I'll also be making a side trip to Uganda to visit some of Bright Hope International's ministry partners,  as well as visiting some microloan businesses begun by poor villagers.  Most of the Zambia portion of the trip will be centered in the impoverished community of Samfya.  I'll be visiting some partners there,  also checking out some new borehole wells in rural bush villages.  One of these projects I'll be visiting is (ironically) a Willow Creek partner.  If you wish to contribute in any way towards my trip feel free to do so.  It can be financially,  in prayer,  or just some encouragement.  I'll post again soon.

 The Bessie's Table soup kitchen in Des Plaines (where I often serve on Monday evenings from 5:15PM-7PM) is closed during August.  Last Monday was my final time there until possibly early October.  In their peak season they can serve up to 130 souls in an hour.

 Always remember to choose kindness!

Today's Experience in Chicago

Earlier today I again attended the 10AM service at Willow Creek's Chicago campus.  Man,  I just can't get enough of that place,  the energy and vibe is contagious!  Following the service I joined up with the 2Fish street group to serve a picnic lunch to many homeless men (and a few women) at Balbo & Columbus Drive,  in a nice area of Grant Park.  Around 50 homeless folks showed up for a meal,  and some nice hangout time as well.  Several men from the shelter were present,  and they even invited some other homeless men that they knew.  A couple of the guys were finally sober enough to join us today.  When you are homeless and down on luck,  addictions call out your name.  Drugs and alcohol are prime addictions for many of the guys,  and one of them was recently released from Cook County jail.  We were there from about 11:15AM until almost 1:30PM.  I caught a 2:30PM train departure back to the NW suburbs,  arrived home around 3:45PM,  a quick bite to eat,  then I made a quick trip out to Algonquin Commons in the namesake city for a band concert (even in the 95-degree heat).  It's almost 8:30PM now,  and time to rest.  All in a day.

 Not much progress has been made in trip prep since my last post 2 weeks ago.  I found out this week that I may not be able to make the trip to South Africa in November with Willow Creek.  This due to unusual circumstances beyond my control.  I did go to Parkview Church in Orland Park last evening and found out they have a trip to Kenya for late November.  If the S Africa trip does not work out,  I'll likely look into that.  Maybe a door was closed this week for a reason.  We'll wait and see.

Happy Birthday USA

I hope you're all celebrating safe and well on this wonderful sunny 4th of July.  It's been a rather slow week last week,  but activity will pick up this upcoming week.  I handed over my passport to Bright Hope International (the organization I'll be traveling to Zambia with in Sep) to send to Washington DC for a visa to be inserted,  my 3rd visa so far.  It will be returned in a month or so.
     This 4th of July holiday weekend so far has been much better than 1 year ago.  Yesterday I even made a trip to Lake Geneva,  Wisconsin,  met up with a few friends,  and hiked part of the Lakeshore Path.  I have not hiked this part of the path before.  This tourist town was totally crammed with folks enjoying the long weekend and the nice weather,  as I don't think I have ever seen Lake Geneva so packed out as it was yesterday afternoon and evening.  Later it was capped off with a good old-fashioned Wisconsin fireworks display.  I arrived home very late last night a little tired out from the day,  but it was well worth it.  Not much going on today,  possibly may view the fireworks in Itasca later this evening.
      It was my second Sunday road trip in a row.  Last Sunday I spent the afternoon and evening out in Galesburg, IL for their annual Railroad Days event.
      I'll update again later.  As always,  remember to choose kindness

Welcome to my World

Welcome to my new blog!  We're now beginning a journey of kindness together.  You have the opportunity to be a part of this exciting journey with me.  Keep checking back periodically for my latest updates on my upcoming trips to the Third World.

 My next international adventure will take place in September,  to Zambia,  Africa.  But between now and then,  I'll continue the kindness-spreading in local (Chicago area) food pantries and some soup kitchens.  I'll update again when I have a more significant ministry experience,  and I did have one just earlier today.

 This morning I attended Willow Creek's downtown Chicago campus,  and afterwards I took some food over to a nearby men's shelter.  I've done this quite a bit before,  and it's always a rewarding experience.  The guys are always so grateful to nourish their stomachs (and hopefully their souls). 

 It's going to be an exciting journey of kindness!