B-i-n-g-o for Jesus

Wow, another great day in Chicago at Merge. I have downloaded lots of pictures so that you can get a feel for what is happening within and around the group.

Our most recent lesson was about being and seeing Christ. We studied his Birth and Baptism, Temptations, The Kingdom (Pastor Burnham would be so pleased), and the Parables. It was a great day of noticing how the dynamic with God and his people completely changed through Christ. Previously God was so ultra concerned with ritual and purity but now through his Son was relating to the dirtiest of his creation and didn't even wash his hands (ritually). He was ready to get down to our level in order that he may lift us up. The students were really impacted by this lesson.

Art has been a huge part of the students expressing their new found lessons. I have included a picture of some students at a table working on their artwork. Another moment that deeply impacted them was visiting the nursing home this afternoon. We were able to play B-i-n-g-o with the folks there and have some conversations as well. What really touched the students was the abandonment the people felt and the helplessness they expressed by being stuck there and feeling as if they had no life left to live. One woman even mentioned desiring to have lethal injection but her family would not allow it. Our students were moved to see that just by spending time with those people they really were able to make an impact. Simply being Jesus to them with time and relationship made the difference. During our debriefing time we talked about doing the same thing in Boca. It will be one of our goals on the return home to set up times to visit similar places and represent Christ in love in our home town.

Funny moments: Dan stuck in the bathroom, Merge Monkey announcements, tickling on the way to the nursing home, Mark loves Cheetos, Caleb needs showers and moisturizer, Bianca loves her sunglasses, Carolina's laugh is contagious, more students asleep during multiple moments in the day, "Autumn", picking up trays for others, White Castle run, Pizza run, and more stories that must stay with the students until they return home. Needless to say the kids are having a great time and learning so much about living the mission. I think the style of this trip is really changing their perspective on what a "mission trip" is and can be.

I hope the pictures speak for themselves. Talk to you tomorrow.