I've been back for almost 3 weeks now and have got back into the rat-race pace of life of Chicago,  but minus the self-indulgence of our culture.  Yes,  the traveling in the Third World has had that effect on me,  a good thing,  a great thing.  In the last 4 years or so I have lived out a counter-cultural lifestyle,  the best I could.

On Sunday I rose early and headed downtown to attend Willow Creek's Chicago campus.

On Monday I served at the Crystal Lake food pantry in the namesake city in the afternoon,  and then served at the Bessie's Table soup kitchen later that afternoon/evening. 

An interesting side note,  I was just made aware that many school-aged children in our area are most hungry during the summer months.  Food pantry visits everywhere I am are on the rise,  and (this true for inner-city children) the summer can be a dangerous time of year,  school is out,  the hot weather,  kids are bored,  and crime goes up.  To combat this,  Willow Creek Chicago is sponsoring a week-long "day camp" for children on Chicago's south side in July.

Summer has now officially arrived.  Enjoy it!