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!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, July 4, 2011
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
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
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