VBS

Last week I had a great time volunteering as a "tribe leader" for Vacation Bible School at Winnetka Covenant.  Everyone did a great job of organizing a week filled with activities that were creative, educational and fun. I know the kids had a great time.  One of the girls in my group told her mom "I wish I could go to Bible School for infinity!" Oh my. 

Another exciting part of the week was that my ministry in Congo was the cause the VBS committee chose to raise funds for! I had an opportunity to share with the kids about clean water and nutritious food, and how much of a struggle it is for kids in DRC to have both on a regular basis.  It was amazing to see how the kids repsonded to that, and how many questions they had.  I spoke with one of the Sunday school teachers, and she is interested in having me skype with the kids sunday school classes while I am in Congo so they can continue to learn about the differences and similarities between their lives, and the lives of kids in DRC.  I am passionate about bridging knowledge gaps between cultures, so this is something I am really looking forward to.  Maybe someday these Winnetka kids will have the opportunity to meet the kids in Congo that they have heard so much about!

Some pics from the week (thank you Jess Carley!):

Tie Dying Pillowcases

Loom Weaving with Miss Joan - This is a cool idea for an income generating activity in Congo too!

Planting seeds at the farm

Making clay beads


The total amount of money raised through VBS was over $800! I feel humbled and blessed to have such a wonderful community of support.  It was very rewarding to share about my work and generate interest in this generation for transformational development and social justice.

METE continued

Thanks to my new friends Josh and Lori, here are some more pics of our Covenant Missionary Training (METE) so you can have a little insight into the last two weeks of my life.  I really valued this time to connect with my new team members and to experience spiritual renewal.  Every morning we had solitude time built into our schedule, and I was reminded of the power of PRAYER.  When we take the time to be quiet before God incredible things can take place in our hearts.

This was one of our first nights out together - ECC President Gary Walters had us to his home, and we played a game that was a mix between charades and catch phrase.  This is one of my Congo teammates, David, acting cold?! We did not win this round:)

Mary (with Michael), on the left will be working at the International School in Cameroon, and Lori (with 9 week old Charlie) will be serving in Central African Republic (CAR). Lots of baby love in this group!

One of our learning excursions was a cultural analysis walking around Devon Ave.  Of course the best way to start conversation is by going to the salons! So we had henna done.  It was part of the assignment!

Lori had the Evangelical Covenant Church symbol done so we could discuss religious symbols and what they represent to us.  I've heard people say that this symbol looks like four guys in a hot tub...:)

Paul and Gretchen DeNeui had us over for a Thai dinner on our last night.  It was great to have so much opportunity to get to know the Covenant World Mission staff.  They are truly wonderful resources and friends for us.

It was fun to see everybody talking about where in the world they had been and were going around the world map.  We are a very well traveled crowd!

My country of service, DRC.

This is Paul, with one of my Congo teammates, Debbie.  It was a blessing to meet her and her husband.  We are going to share some exciting adventures together! 

We were taught a Thai string tying  ceremony  that has been adapted in the Thai church  from traditional local religion.  A beautiful example of contextualization done well. 

The whole group with our string blessings. I am thankful to know these folks, and am excited to see how God provides for us as we embark on our fundraising and missionary journey!

Cincinnati and METE in Chicago

June is flying by!  I started this month with a trip to see my brother Carl and cousin Dave in Cincinnati.  We went to Findlay Market the first day to pick up some organic farm fresh produce.

These strawberries literally tasted like sunshine.  No joke.

I also had the opportunity to do the children's sermon at my Aunt Kathleen's church , Immanuel Presbyterian in Clifton, and share a little bit about my work in Democratic Republic of Congo.

My big brother Carl helped me with my mini geography quiz.  The kids did a great job!

After I returned from Cincinnati I jumped right into a two week intensive training for new Covenant missionaries.  I met 11 other folks who are fundraising and preparing to serve as an extension of the church all around the world.  A large number of us were headed to Africa, so it was a great opportunity to get to know my teammates and talk about everything from cross-cultural sensitivity to packing ideas.  One of the nights I took some of my fellow missionaries to see the bean in Millenium Park.

Chicago is always fun (especially in the summertime, and more especially when Iron and Wine is playing a free concert!), but I look forward to the days when I can share pictures of the Congo River and tropical African forests.  Those days will be here before I know it!