Monday: Starting Work, Meeting People, BLOCK PARTY!

TODAY'S REPORT:

Sunup to Sundown Monday and each day is the plan while we are here. Today we kicked things off with an 8am morning devotional at James Ward Elementary before getting started on the day's projects. We have a team that is working on stripping and re-painting the school cafeteria during the day, while other teams prayer walk neighborhoods and hand out fliers inviting people to this week's evening "family camp" activities.  And there is a cake decorating class we are providing for several women (and a few men) in the surrounding neighborhoods. Then, in the evening, we wait to see who shows up to the block party.

Good progress was made on the construction project and lots of contacts were made. Then, for the block party, we lost count of how many people showed up! Registration got about 175, but they know they missed a bunch who just wandered in. We gave out nearly 400 hot dogs, so that should be some indication. Tonight was an opportunity for City South Church to serve the community and just provide a great time for everyone, inviting them back for the rest of the week. We'll have craft projects, games, a spa night for the women and girls, and our own low-tech version of laser tag for the men and boys. Each night will also include a devotional message from the Bible. On Thursday night (our last night for the week), I'll be sharing the story of Jesus with the full group, so please start praying now that that goes well. I need to keep it brief (which you know is a problem for me) and to somehow bridge language barriers for many who will be there. Both can only happen in God's power, and then His real work begins: with the transformational power of His story.

I have a few raw pics and videos from today that I thought I'd share to give a feel for what is happening. Enjoy:

PRAYER NEEDS:

Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement. It was great to hear from several of you today already and to know that God's work here in Chicago remains a prayer priority for you too. Today please pray especially for:

• God's Word to be Lifted Up. It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of loving people and sharing a great time with them, but please pray that our purpose remains central and clear to those we are here to serve. If we leave here with everyone thinking how nice those people from Springfield were, we've really blown it. Pray they will feel GOD'S love and hear HIS saving message this week. 

• Physical endurance and strength. By the time we get to the evening Family Camp events each night, many will have put in a very full day's work already. Pray that God will keep everyone strong and in great spirits for the evening events and activities.  

Once again, please feel free to share these posts with others you know who will pray along with all of us for a succesful mission trip. We so desire to lift God's name and to share Him with those who do not yet know Him. Sign up at http://ourabfclass.blogspot.com (upper right hand corner) to receive this blog via email. You can also share it on facebook, twitter, or just by plain old e-mail via the links that appear at the bottom of this (and every) post on this blog. Or join our ABF Group on Facebook and you can follow blog posts as they show up there. 

We love you and are so thankful for you. Please know that you all remain in our prayers daily as well.

God's Blessings,

Matt