The first day of vacation Bible school has come and gone at the East Chicago Salvation Army, consisting of about 50 children from 2-12 years old and about 20 volunteers. Power Lab exposed us to a positive connection between Jesus and science with many “Aha” moments to remind us of our God-given powers.

In order to prepare everyone for the madness to come, we spent Monday night competing in a plethora of creative games including the Elephant Parade Race and Over Under races. Though the team from Battle Creek, MI is small in numbers, they are filled with energy and heart.  While beginning with songs in the morning, our team worked hard to encourage enthusiasm in a seemingly apathetic group of  children. The small amount of response was discouraging, but we were all thrilled to hear children begging to sing and dance again by the end of the day and the excitement was nearly overwhelming by the end. We look forward to much adventure with Chadder the Chipmunk this week and are enjoying getting to know the Bible buddies themed for each day. We are expecting and prepared for as many as 100 children by the end of the week, so only tomorrow shall tell!

Mandy Schumerth

July 2010

Check out all the exciting things that are going on with Experience Mission on our website www.ExperienceMission.org

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Salvation Army Mission

Working with two separate Salvation Armies has been a great experience as we are learning about the different roles each unit takes. The Blue Island branch is more of a community center, equipped with a rock climbing wall, a large gym, a weight room, multiple classrooms, a chapel, a 24-hour prayer room, an art center, and a senior center. They are currently running day camps for children in which they have activities ranging from theater and choir to going to the movie theater and the local pool. Teenagers and adults with memberships are able to play basketball, volleyball, soccer, etc. all day in the gym area. Senior lunches are provided daily, and there is a Hispanic worship service on Saturday nights and an English service on Sunday mornings both run by Josh Polanco, the resident pastor.

The Salvation Army in East Chicago doesn’t have daily children’s activities, but rather offers a free daily lunch available to everyone. This is run mostly on donations, many of them being from well-known restaurants such as Pizza Hut, Panera Bread, and Red Lobster; needless to say, the public receives a good quality meal. Captain Daniel Paredes and his wife Captain Nivia Paredes run most of the operations, and are involved with getting to know the people who come in for these meals as much as they can. They offer support and prayer for the people that are willing to accept it. They also run a bilingual (Spanish and English) worship service on Sundays.

From the outside looking in, the name The Salvation Army seems to fit the organization. They are clearly appreciated by the surrounding communities, and they offer hope and help for many who would be lost without them. They are accepting and offer love daily, truly being light in a dark world.

The Salvation Army Crest

Team Chicago

June 2010

Note: Check out all the exciting things that are going on with Experience Mission on our website www.ExperienceMission.org

Also, check us out on Facebook (become a fan!) as well as www.twitter.com/LiveYourMission

East Chicago

During our first few days of meetings someone explained to us that when the word “free” is used, people flood in. The amount of free things given not just to the communities around but also to us has been overwhelming. The communities in which we have worked have not just been accepting of us, but have gone to great lengths to provide us with all the resources we could ever dream of. We have met people generous beyond our imaginations. After less than a week in Blue Island and only a few hours in East Chicago, we feel at home. In fact, we were even given a key to our own office in East Chicago! The people with whom we have worked are completely transparent and we see God in each of them.

With only a few minor setbacks, we have already welcomed and said goodbye to our team of 28 from Atlanta, Georgia, spent time developing the community garden, helped collect a donation for the Salvation Army, made a multitude of friends and a great support team, attended the Harvest Festival at Circle Urban Ministries, and become more familiar with The Salvation Army. We are currently preparing for a Vacation Bible School in East Chicago, with expectations of 100 children. Despite constantly being on the go, we have found sanity in people that have taken the time to love us before even getting to know us. Seeing God in everything makes our work easy.

Team Chicago

June 2010

Note: Experience Mission is sending our many more great trips to Chicago and many more great communities throughout the summer of 2010! Check out our website for more information at www.experiencemission.org.

Chicago

Our first team from Atlanta, Georgia has truly been a blessing. The work projects assigned were completed in a timely manner, with one group even finishing an extra painting project at Circle Urban Ministries. On our last night together, we enjoyed a worship service followed by an activity of encouragement in which we all anonymously wrote something positive about each other member. This seemed an appropriate way to send them off to the return portion of their week-long road trip.

Before the team left on Wednesday, we were fortunate enough to spend a day downtown relaxing with them and getting to know many of them on a higher level. We were able to go to the top of the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower), eat Dues Pizza, visit Navy Pier, and go window shopping briefly. We had many great experiences, including meeting a boisterous waitress named Shaun who used her notepad to write down some Bible verses relayed from one of our team members so that she could study them later and running what seemed like a mini marathon through downtown Chicago in efforts to catch our train. We became quite fond of each person from Mt. Pisgah Church, and were sad to see them go, but we have high hopes for each of them in their spiritual journeys.

Team Chicago

June 2010

Experience Mission is offering summer 2011 mission trips to Chicago. Learn more at www.experiencemission.org or by calling the Office at (360) 554-8060.

Chicago Skyline

Chicago Team Picture

The windy city greeted us harshly our second day here with 80 mph winds. Having now been appropriately acquainted, we have also become somewhat oriented with the area. Blue Island took us by surprise, being a very separate city from Chicago, as well as a friendly and welcoming neighborhood.

The first day of our work trips has led to bonding, stories, a workout, and many a paint stain. We have been openly accepted by all of the communities in which we are working and relationships look promising. People are eager to help and to inform us about the areas where we are located as well as about their own personal stories. From Stephen the friendly Menard’s paint expert to Von the seeming life expert, we are anything but short of outside support.
Rain and storms have tried to slow us down, our group has been perseverant. Significant work has been: raising the enormous tent at Circle Urban Ministries for their annual Harvest Fest, painting for H.O.M.E., and gardening/cleaning as well as activities with the children at Blue Island Salvation Army. Much more is to come in the next day of work!

The evenings have been full of worship and devotions, basketball, Frisbee, ping pong, Bang!, and Quelf. Dull moments are scarce with this “Dream Team” from Atlanta, but every activity has been enjoyable. We’ve learned new games, including Foot tag and Ninja, and have participated in such daily activities as Awkward Day and Dramatic Comment Day.  We now look forward to Sarcastic Tuesday! Mount Pisgah has had much to offer us since their arrival, and we are already dreading their departure in two days.

Experience Mission is offering summer 2011 mission trips to Chicago. Learn more at www.experiencemission.org or by calling the Office at (360) 554-8060.