CHICAGO

On Sunday, the "Expedition" team left for Chicago.
After the 11 hour drive, we went to an Afghan restaurant for dinner.
This was one of six cultural dinners including Columbian, Chinese, Thai...
The food was delicious. We ate very well on this trip!
Arriving at the housing center Sunday night, we quickly got ready for bed.
With a 5a.m. wake up call, we knew that we needed the sleep.

Bright and early, Monday morning, we started by packing our lunches.
We would be working at an elementary school every day from 8a.m. to 2p.m. 
I had the privilege of working with a grade 1 class.
This was a wonderful learning experience!
The students were so eager to learn and the teacher loved the extra help.
Interacting with the students was very inspirational for me.
Each student had something so special to share.
Fun Fact:
The teacher asked the students, "What do you know about Canada?"
     * They replied:
        Canada is cold.
        We have it as a state in America.
        It's down town.
        The people are quiet there.       
        Can we go with Ms.Samantha to see Santa Clause?...
       
In addition to working at the school, we spent our evenings serving in other ways.
Through out the week, we helped at various soup kitchens and shelters.
We also got to experience the streets themselves.
     * For example:
        On Monday night, we were sent by train to the other side of Chicago.
        In groups of 3, we spent our evening as "homeless" individuals.
        We had $2.00 for dinner and nobody to guide us.
        For 5 hours, we walked the streets.
        While we learned a lot, we didn't come close to experiencing the real thing. 

At times, I noticed a lot of need within this city. 
There was so much that we could have done to help.
With limited knowledge and only one week, there was little we could change.
On the first night, our guide even said:
"You will NOT be able to change the entire city but you CAN make a difference!"
Smiling at a homeless man, listening to a 6 year old, serving meals...
Even if our contribution was not huge, I think we were able to make a difference!

This past week was filled with amazing opportunities.
I was able to see God working through each person on the team!
As the week progressed, I noticed a huge change in myself.
     * As some of you may know, I am generally not good at talking to people.
       God was definetly working in me as I started various conversations.
       While walking the streets, serving soup, and tutouring I felt total comfort.
       God removed this fear of talking so that I could connect with these people.
       I was able to hold conversations with homeless people, students, etc...
       With this, I was able to see Chicago in a new light!
       The people taught me so much!

All in all, our trip to Chicago was fantastic.
I have no complaints.
God has a plan, it's going to be wild, it's going to be great, it's going to be full of Him!

CREATION CALLS

As the leaves continue to change... so as to my heart!

This week was spent on campus.

Our days were filled with devotions, meetings, and seminars.

We also had the opportunity to help with local ministries.

This week has been a very influential part of my experience so far!

I don't know how to explain it but, I have seen a huge transformation.

For the word of God is alive and active. ~ Hebrews 4:12

From teaching children to shovelling dirt, Christ is working actively through us.

From kneeling in prayer to shouting praises, the word of God has come alive.
For me, it took this adventure to show me what has always been.

God's love has always been. It is never ending, whether we recognise it or not...

We need to realise how true this is in every moment of every day.

God deserves all of the glory.

We can see how alive and active our God is through the works of His hands.

Look at the beauty that God has set before us...

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve... ~ Mark 10:45
Jesus Christ, actively lived the word of God by serving the people of this earth...
We are NOT slaves to a god, we choose to serve our God.
We are NOT forced to do work, we freely choose to glorify our Heavenly Father.
We shall live our lives as servants, NOT slaves...

May we shine God's light as we experience Chicago this week.

DADS BIRTHDAY

Today is my dad's birthday!
I am glad that Ican be home for this occasion.
To celebrate, we will be having dinner and CAKE with my grandma this evening.

My mom bought my dad a nice new coat.
Guess who decided to open this gift?

 

That's right, my dog loves wrapping paper!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

OTTAWA / QUEBEC

10 HOURS...
The "Expedition" team left Dunham, Quebec very early this morning.
It only took us 10 HOURS to get back to the school. (5:10 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.)
Not long after our arrival, I jumped in the car for the final stretch home!
I get to spend 2 days at home before going back to school for our next trip.

What have we been up to?

Ottawa, Ontario
Here, we were introduced to a christian program at the University of Ottawa.
While our stay in Ottawa was short, we got to experience a lot!

We got to explore the campus through various activities.
After dinner, we had a small bible study before calling it a night.
The next day, we participated in a tour of parliament!

 

Later, we had the chance to apply what we had learned in the bible study.
In John 4, Jesus talks to a Samaritan women about the "living water".
While many students were not christain, we asked about "thirsts" in their life.
This proved to be a very challenging task for me.

Before we left Ottawa, we walked around the campus praying for the school.
By 10:00 p.m. we were in Montreal!

Montreal, Quebec
Here, we stayed with a lovely couple who work together as marriage counsellors.
For their ministry, they provide a week-long retreat for couples.
Throughout the week, they challenge the couples to learn and grow as one.
The goal is to teach the couples how to care for each other's hearts!

During our stay, the "Expedition" team worked at preparing the house for ministry.
The home was divided into 4 separate living spaces.
This allows for privacy between the couples who are on this "retreat".
In order to make room for the couples, jobs were quickly assigned.
Personally, I was in charge of painting the exterior railings which I enjoyed greatly!

Our contribution to this project was greatly appreciated by the host couple.
They were so kind as to help with meals, to teach, and to allot time for exploration!
We got to spend an afternoon discovering Montreal!
The squirrels were very friendly, gently taking nuts from our hands!

Dunham, Quebec
Keeping with the same type of ministry, our team moved to help another couple.
Here, we worked a lot harder as there was more to be done.
This newly built home required much care before opening for marriage retreats.
The host family was amazing. They were so kind and generous!
We were spoiled with great meals and snacks through out the day.

 

The past 10 days have been amazing.

The "Expedition" team was able to help indirectly with various ministries.

Exploring each new task, we took this as a learning experience.

We all walked away with a new understanding of what it means to "serve others".

This has been a great opportunity, thank you for reading a long!

 

UPDATE

As you may have read in the last post, my grandfather recently passed away.
With this in mind, I did not post anything in regards to school.

At this point I would like to continue sharing my experience with you!

To begin, here are a couple of reminders:
   1. You no longer need a password to comment on this blog!
          * If you would like to comment, click on the word "comments" below the post.
          * Comment as: "anonymous" or "name" to comment without a password!
   2. The program also has a blog! www.ebcexpedition.ca

Moving forward...
On September 20th, the "Expedition" team left for Stayner, ON.
We spent four days at a youth camp.
There was a lot of set up to be done on the first day.
Later, over 800 teenagers arrived.
Worship, lessons, meals, and games filled the weekend.

Unfortunately, I came home to some sad news.
My grandfather had passed away while I was at the camp.
This was extremely difficult. Why did this have to happen like this?
I went home for the funeral but returned to school the next day.
Thankfully, I have a strong team supporting me through everything.
I was reminded that I need to trust God even through the darkest of times.

         The Lord is my sheppard, I shall not want...                               "God saw you were getting tired,  

         He leads me beside quiet waters...                                             and a cure was not to be.
         Even though I walk through the valley                                       So He put His arms around you,

         of the shadow of death,                                                               And whsipered 'come to me'.

         I will fear no evil,                                                                         A golden heart stopped beating,

         for You are with me;                                                                    Hard working hands now rest.

         Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me...                                God broke our hearts to prove to us

                                                              ~ Psalm 23                              He only takes the very best."

This past week was very interesting.
We spent 2 FULL days helping at a soup kitchen! (13hrs/day)
I helped with the food room where guests could pick out groceries for the week.
I got to see so many different people and hear about their struggles.
What an amazing experience. We are so blessed with all that we have.
In addition to helping at the soup kitchen, we also learned a lot through seminars.

On October 2nd, we are back on the road again!
The "Expedition" team will spend 2 days in Ottawa and 8 days in Quebec.
We will be exploring our nations capital and helping with various tasks.
In Quebec, we may get a little messy as we work to finish construction projects.

Off we go...
The next post will be after this 10 day trip!
I will be adding pictures for that one!