Next trip now in the making

As I write these words my next trip is now in the works.  It will take place in May,  to Johannesburg,  South Africa.  Details are sketchy at this time and tomorrow will find out exactly what will happen then.  I'll be caring for orphaned children,  and likely I'll be taking donated items to them.

This past Saturday I went to an all-day missions conference at the Wheaton Bible Church,  called "Missions On Our Doorstep" and received valuable information on how to effectively minister to the many immigrants and refugee families who are re-locating amongst us.  It was quite a day. 

Choose kindness

Once a Creeker, always a Creeker

I've made the decision to stay at Willow Creek for the time being,  at least keep membership there intact,  even though I've not attended there since mid-January.  I may make another visit to Wheaton Bible Church sometime in the future,  but will not pursue membership there.  Yes,  the change keeps happening.  My "roots" are,  and always have been,  at Willow Creek.

 You can take the Creeker out of the Creek,  but you can't take the Creek out of the Creeker.

Willow Creek attenders are nicknamed "Creekers"

A Nomad no more

For the last few months I've been kind of nomadic in terms of church attendance.  But last Sunday I visited the Wheaton Bible Church (W Chicago/Carol Stream area) and really enjoyed it.  They are a very outreach-oriented church,  externally focused.  I hope to begin volunteering with some of their outreach ministries in the next month or so.  They have a neat outreach program in a nearby apartment complex,  near Routes 59 and 64,  that is home to many immigrant families.  They have ESL classes,  after-school programs and tutoring for the kids.  They have changed the whole atmosphere of the low-income apartment complex over the past 3 years,  when it began.  A large decrease in crime and police activity. 

 I honestly felt at home here.  A great place to plug into.  After one last Sunday service at Willow Creek in 2 days,  I'll begin attending WBC regularly beginning the following week.  One exception is I'll still attend at Willow Creek Chicago once a month,  as I don't want to give up the ministry going on there.  I'll update as more things progress