Today was an incredible day. If you watched our team work today you would have had no idea we faced so many challenges yesterday. I was so incredibly proud of them.
The baseball field is all grass and we needed to cut out baselines and areas for the bases. Pastor Bone rented a sod cutter and we thought it would roll the sod as well as cut it. Nope! So our students got on their hands and knees and spent the afternoon rolling sod. Our project that we estimated would take a hour or so took several hours. That meant our fun day had to be postponed. Even though our plans were drastically changed and we weren't completely prepared for it, our students kept working away without complaining. You would have thought it was our original plan all along.
We had to wait for quite some time to have someone pick up the sod so we played some baseball. These boys from the team would play 24-7 if you let them! And you'll never believe this...I hit the ball and got to pitch!!!! Some of the boys got a kick out of that. There was a ton of laughing and goofing around today. Lots of memories were built!
Unfortunately when our equipment was stolen it included Jeff's media equipment. The good news is they only got my wallet so we still have one camera. I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow so you can all see the field.
I can't tell you how awesome this team is doing. Everyone is giving their all and not backing down. We are going to bed exhausted and it feels great. TTomorrow we go downtown to serve the homeless citizens of Chicago. It will be a stretching day and the team is VERY excited.
hanks so much for the prayers and comments. God is moving. All glory to him!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Pressing On
What a day! We have faced our fair share of obstacles and hit many walls through out the day but our team is still going strong. Everyone is safe, has a great attitudes and is ready to tackle tomorrow. That is after we get some sleep!
It was an incredibly hot and humid day here. Our plan was to spend all day working on the ball field getting ready for the Angel's first home game on Saturday. However, there was a huge storm that came out of now where just as we were getting started. This forced all of us onto the shuttle in soaking wet clothes. Our students lead well and had all the baseball kids laughing and enjoying the memories we were making.
Shortly after that we discovered some equipment, wallets and other things had been stolen earlier in the day. God is faithful and we were able to freeze accounts and take care of all the details very quickly. We made it back to the hotel to get ready for dinner and shuttle died. Once again God provided and we found a great pizza place to deliver pizza and pop right to the hotel. And one of our amazing GCC staff members is going to bring the other shuttle in the morning and get the other fixed. God is good!
You would have never guessed we had had a long, hot day by the way these students talked about getting back to work tomorrow. The students want everyone to know we are doing well and not giving up. There is nothing our God can't handle and our students know it. I love that!!!!
We know one of the reason we came through today stronger is because of the amazing team of people praying back home. The entire team wants to thank you for that. Continue to keep us in your prayers. It is evident God has huge things in store.
It was an incredibly hot and humid day here. Our plan was to spend all day working on the ball field getting ready for the Angel's first home game on Saturday. However, there was a huge storm that came out of now where just as we were getting started. This forced all of us onto the shuttle in soaking wet clothes. Our students lead well and had all the baseball kids laughing and enjoying the memories we were making.
Shortly after that we discovered some equipment, wallets and other things had been stolen earlier in the day. God is faithful and we were able to freeze accounts and take care of all the details very quickly. We made it back to the hotel to get ready for dinner and shuttle died. Once again God provided and we found a great pizza place to deliver pizza and pop right to the hotel. And one of our amazing GCC staff members is going to bring the other shuttle in the morning and get the other fixed. God is good!
You would have never guessed we had had a long, hot day by the way these students talked about getting back to work tomorrow. The students want everyone to know we are doing well and not giving up. There is nothing our God can't handle and our students know it. I love that!!!!
We know one of the reason we came through today stronger is because of the amazing team of people praying back home. The entire team wants to thank you for that. Continue to keep us in your prayers. It is evident God has huge things in store.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Day One in Photo's
For some reason, they uploaded in reverse order, but enjoy some photo's of everyone making it happen for the kingdom. Great start!
-Jeff
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Great Start!
Can I just say I love this team?! We just checked into the hotel and are getting cleaned up from our first day of serving at Good Seed Ministries. Pastor Bone shared his story and how the ministry began. Then it was time to get busy.
We partnered with the some of the students from the church and started cleaning up around the church building. We estimated the project would take about an hour-and-a-half and we conquered it in about 30-45 minutes!!!!!
We spent the afternoon just hanging out and getting to know the students from Good Seed. We shared stories of how we met Jesus and how he has changed our lives. Then we took off for the park to play some football, basketball and just hang out together.
We have already shared a ton of laughs and are looking forward to working together in the morning. Parents, be proud of your students. They are quick to serve in any way possible.
Thank you so much for your prayers. We are so thankful for all of you.
We partnered with the some of the students from the church and started cleaning up around the church building. We estimated the project would take about an hour-and-a-half and we conquered it in about 30-45 minutes!!!!!
We spent the afternoon just hanging out and getting to know the students from Good Seed. We shared stories of how we met Jesus and how he has changed our lives. Then we took off for the park to play some football, basketball and just hang out together.
We have already shared a ton of laughs and are looking forward to working together in the morning. Parents, be proud of your students. They are quick to serve in any way possible.
Thank you so much for your prayers. We are so thankful for all of you.
We made it to Chicago!
Hey everybody just a quick update to let you know that we had a safe drive into Chicago and are spending some time together as a team before pastor bone arrives and we start jumping in! More to come later today!
Keep praying! God is going to do amazing things this week!
Johnny
Keep praying! God is going to do amazing things this week!
Johnny
Monday, June 22, 2009
Final Packing List
Hey team! I just wanted to post our packing list so you can double check everything as you are doing your last minute packing. I also wanted to remind you that our backing party is TONIGHT at 6:30. Bring your parents along for the fun. See you then!
6 DAYS WORTH OF WORK CLOTHES INCLUDING
* Shorts must be fingertip length, preferably to the knee
* Shirts and T-shirts must have sleeves and not be tight
* Work shoes (tennis shoes or boots as long as they’re closed-toe)
* Socks and undergarments
* Trash bag for your dirty clothes (helpful when repacking)
* 1 or 2 Plastic grocery bags or backpack (helpful for days we won’t be able to return to the hotel to change between activities)
PROJECT MATERIALS
* Baseball Glove
* Work gloves
* Small trowel and/or shovel (if you have one)
TOILETRIES
* Shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, brush/comb, deodorant, etc.
* We will have towels and washcloths in the hotel
REGULAR CLOTHES FOR EVENINGS INCLUDING
* Jeans/shorts-once again fingertip length
* T-shirts/Sweatshirt or jacket
* Regular tennis shoes and/or sandals
* Something clean for church Saturday evening and Sunday morning
* Swimsuit (one piece for girls)
EVERYTHING ELSE
* Bible, journal and pen
* Prescription Medicines-Must be in original containers
* Sun screen-we will be working outside on some days
* Camera (optional)
* Hat/sunglasses (optional – but helpful for work projects)
* Snacks for the hotel room (optional)
* iPods (optional, but must be left in hotel rooms, some students like having them to fall asleep to, but they are not to be brought to the work sites, bring at own risk)
* Cell phones (optional, but must be left in hotel rooms, there will be no reason to have them with you as parents will have emergency numbers for a contact and the urge to check your texts or voicemails will be a distraction)
* Spending Money
* ALL meals, transportation and lodging is covered
* We will have a team activity the cost of which is covered, but you may want some money for extra snacks/souvenirs.
WHAT NOT TO BRING
* Do NOT bring tank-tops, cut-off t-shirts, short shorts, offensive or crude shirts… You get the point. Dress with respect and modesty.
6 DAYS WORTH OF WORK CLOTHES INCLUDING
* Shorts must be fingertip length, preferably to the knee
* Shirts and T-shirts must have sleeves and not be tight
* Work shoes (tennis shoes or boots as long as they’re closed-toe)
* Socks and undergarments
* Trash bag for your dirty clothes (helpful when repacking)
* 1 or 2 Plastic grocery bags or backpack (helpful for days we won’t be able to return to the hotel to change between activities)
PROJECT MATERIALS
* Baseball Glove
* Work gloves
* Small trowel and/or shovel (if you have one)
TOILETRIES
* Shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, brush/comb, deodorant, etc.
* We will have towels and washcloths in the hotel
REGULAR CLOTHES FOR EVENINGS INCLUDING
* Jeans/shorts-once again fingertip length
* T-shirts/Sweatshirt or jacket
* Regular tennis shoes and/or sandals
* Something clean for church Saturday evening and Sunday morning
* Swimsuit (one piece for girls)
EVERYTHING ELSE
* Bible, journal and pen
* Prescription Medicines-Must be in original containers
* Sun screen-we will be working outside on some days
* Camera (optional)
* Hat/sunglasses (optional – but helpful for work projects)
* Snacks for the hotel room (optional)
* iPods (optional, but must be left in hotel rooms, some students like having them to fall asleep to, but they are not to be brought to the work sites, bring at own risk)
* Cell phones (optional, but must be left in hotel rooms, there will be no reason to have them with you as parents will have emergency numbers for a contact and the urge to check your texts or voicemails will be a distraction)
* Spending Money
* ALL meals, transportation and lodging is covered
* We will have a team activity the cost of which is covered, but you may want some money for extra snacks/souvenirs.
WHAT NOT TO BRING
* Do NOT bring tank-tops, cut-off t-shirts, short shorts, offensive or crude shirts… You get the point. Dress with respect and modesty.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Team Meeting Photos
Hola friends! Chicag09 is almost here and I don't think I could be any more excited about that. Here are some pictures from the last team meeting.
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