His Image: Summer Mission Blog Post #2

Hey all! Many of you have been texting me, telling you are praying for me, or have been texting to check up on how I’m doing. I wanted to give you all an update on my journey in Chicago. On Friday (June 1), my mom and her best friend Stacy dropped me off at my apartment. (yes, I did cry lol.) I was filled with so many emotions, from worry to extreme excitement. I’m pretty sure I haven’t felt that many emotions at one time since I moved to college. My roommates are all so so sweet. There have been many late nights sharing our testimonies, talking about Christian rap, and eating cereal at midnight. My whole team consists of 76 students, and about 30 staff! It has been so amazing to meet new friends from Colorado, New York, Tennessee, and all over the Midwest, and the most amazing thing is that these are my long lost siblings! I get to serve with my brothers and sisters in Christ who love Jesus as much as I do.

This week in Chicago has really been focused on orienting ourselves with the city and the campuses we will be serving with. I never really thought I would like Chicago, because 1. I don’t like popcorn. 2. I don’t like chocolate. And 3. I hate wind blowing on me. Weird. I know. BUT there are so many things I DO love about this city. 1. The artwork. 2. The Ice Cream. And 3. The weather. Y’all. If you ever want to move somewhere that has perfect weather like 65 – 75 degrees every day, come to Chicago. Watch, it’s going to start raining every day after I write this. I love this city.

This week, I also got to have spiritual conversations with 4 people, in two of the conversations I was able to fully share the Gospel.

It has been so cool to hear people’s stories. I walk around, and I see thousands and thousands of people, each one with a completely different story than the guy walking next to them. And then I see the brokenness. I see the sin and the destruction it causes in people’s lives, and I also see the immense need for good news.

One of the biggest things God has shown me this week as we toured the city and built community with our team, is that God is SO creative. He made each of us different, with different passions, skills, abilities, stories. Yet we are still created in His image. But if we are created in his image, then we are also CREATIVE, like God. As I look around, and see all of these intricate building designs, sculptures, murals, I often admire the artist, the human artist. But, if we are formed in His image, and God granted us the ability to create, then isn’t everything we make with our hands, supposed to glorify him?  I think about all the times that I say, I’m not a good writer, or painter, or drawer, or singer. Not good enough. But the thing is, God is glorified, worshiped, and honored in every single way I create, because he created me. And I am in his image.

Ways to partner in prayer with me:

I have 9 weeks left on this summer mission, and I expect God to keep moving in big ways, as we start to focus ourselves on ministry and evangelism. Here are some ways that you can pray for me this upcoming week.

1. That I would be able to find a job.
2. That I would have energy to keep going even when I’m exhausted and the days are long.
3. That our sharing on campus would be fruitful, and that would not be delight in being seed planters, when sometimes we want to be the reaper.
4. That I would have the opportunity to disciple a girl that wants to know the Lord.

Now that I am settled in Chicago, I hope to write more often. I miss and love you all! Thank you for your support, encouragement, prayers. If you would like to write to me here in Chicago, I have a little wall of encouragement letters I want to add to. My address is:

642 S. Clark St.
Apt. #1108
Chicago, IL 60605

 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
Genesis 2:27