The 2009 youth outreach mission trip was the first visit for the Crave high school ministry to the Englewood neighborhood of South Chicago. Each of the 14 individuals from the Fox Cities, Wisconsin stood at a different stage in their walk with Christ as we prepared for this trip. We left after church on Father’s day. The Sunday morning “send off” worship celebration (service) was emotional and everyone’s expectations of the location they were about to enter hardly skimmed the surface of what they were about to experience. Spirits were running high the morning after we arrived at Pastor Keith’s mission house but sooner than expected, arguments erupted. This, in addition to the unaccustomed heat instilled doubt in the existing unity of the group. The leaders including Pastor Keith could see the potential of the group but some people didn’t let their guard down.

                 In the first few days only a handful of kids came and the heat was almost unbearable. Some interacted with the local kids while others conversed with existing friends from our team. Our leaders, Ben and Sarah, knew something needed to be done, so during one of our daily devotionals the existing plan was scratched and the new goal was to learn to love each other before we can teach others about Gods love. Matthew 7:3-5 tells us, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.”

 

All of us began to realize that we were no different from the people we were meeting from the neighborhood. For most of the kids growing up around Englewood, gunshots, stabbings and emergency sirens were part of everyday life. This took some adjusting for our group because we come from a small town in Wisconsin, where extreme poverty does not exist. On the second night Pastor Keith told us a story of a little nine year old girl who was killed five blocks from the mission house the night before. We were there the night she was killed. We heard the sirens.  From that point on, Ben or Sarah would call a team member to lead a prayer for those involved in an emergency we identified by sirens. It helped to put a name to those in our prayers and showed us the brutal reality of life there.

 

                In my life this trip has been the most influential and unforgettable experience ever. Pastor Keith is a hero in my eyes and it’s amazing to see the influence that Pastor Keith has on the people of the neighborhood. I would encourage any youth group that is contemplating going on this trip to go and serve being the hands and feet of Jesus and uniting as one to further expand God’s kingdom. Once you encounter the love of God and experience Jesus first hand, you are forever changed. Once you humble yourself and walk away from the everyday privileges we have, you can more easily surrender yourself to God’s will and walk in the light of Jesus. I will never forget the wonderful people I met in this short but amazing week, I can only pray that somehow my actions helped plant the seeds in their hearts to have the strength to follow Jesus. I learned that working with kids and spreading the gospel should be a part of my everyday life. This trip has sparked an interest to volunteer for the children’s ministry at my home church. I hope I can share what I have learned and change the way I live my daily life. After my experiences this week the following bible verse helps me recognize God’s plan, ^“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.” Acts 20:24

                 We have had a great summer so far, God has been doing a great work among the community youth, the visiting teams and us here at the minsitry as shared in this letter by one of the visiting team members.

                 Would You Join Us as we continue reaching out during the rest of the summer? We need you!!!  We do thank you for al l the prayer and financial support you have given, God has used you greatly! Thanks again!!

 

Serving our Lord and Savior,

Humbly Yours: Pastor Keith Vosler

 

Making disciples of urban at-risk youth for Jesus Christ