Band of Survivors Team Update 9
Today was our first day at the LaVillita Corps. When we got there, the Morans greeted and fed us. We did different jobs like washing windows and sidewalks and pulling a lot of weeds. We also did a lot of planning for tomorrows activities. Also we made bags with Corps information and tracts to hand out for tomorrow. Then we were fed pizza. Also the worship team prepared for the Prayer & Praise Night. Jon preached on perseverance using scripture from 2 Kings 4. Dietrich hurt himself yesterday while playing Dodgeball and his wrist was really swollen. After Cathleen took him to the doctor he learned that thankfully his wrist was not fractured. It was only sprained. God blessed us a lot this day.
Astrid Carrion
Friday, July 07, 2006
Band of Survivors Team Update 8
Today has been a battle won against the forces of darkness. It’s a life changing experience for me.
First, we started the day at the Evangeline Booth Lodge for homeless families once again we were able to serve the homeless lunch. It was so awesome. To see the smiles on the face of just one person when you show them you care about them is just so fulfilling. I was able to sit down with a family that I served food with and share a conversation with them. I was able to be a part of their life for the day. Then we left to come back to the CFOT. We went into a time of passionate worship and prayer. You knew the Holy Spirit was present, we prayed that God would open our hearts to love the homeless and the poor and needy. God tells us to love everyone and sometimes it can be hard to do, but God makes all things possible. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. I was also praying that God would give me courage and boldness because we were about to go into the streets of Chicago and talk to homeless people.
It’s amazing how God is.
Earlier in a one hour prayer shift in which we have been waging war against the devil and defeating him through prayer, God gave me the verse in 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and of self-discipline. This reaffirmed the boldness I was seeking.
We were divided into groups of two to go down different streets and find homeless people. The challenge was to get as much of their story out of them as we could. We were also given McDonalds gift certificates to hand out to those we talked to. I was paired with Lindsey Bailey. We went out into the street we were assigned and walked as far as possible and found no one so we turned around. On the way back we looked down one of the cross streets and saw a man sitting on the steps leading to a church. WE walked around the corner of the nearest building and began to debate if this man was homeless of not. After a while of indecision I decided we would walk by and see if he would ask us for money. So we began to walk towards him. There were two people that walked in before us and he didn’t ask them for anything. I thought to myself, “Ah, man! He must not be homeless.” So Lindsey and I decided at least we’d say hello and ask how he was doing with that. He shook his head as if saying “No” and said "not good." There was the opportunity to be Jesus to this man. We both quickly sat down and began to talk to Victor. What a man of God we found out he was. He shared that his son had been killed just recently, selling guns and drugs. This affected him so much that he gave up his job and eventually lost everything he had. This is his second time on the streets as a homeless person, but he has faith and is claiming victory in Christ that he will find the exit to his homelessness. He told us of his hunger pains and how hard it must be for him. I can never feel the pain of not eating for many days. He told us a few of his testimonies that he has had as a homeless man in the past two months. One really stuck out to me. He told the story of a day he was sitting down and witnessed another homeless man steal a woman’s purse. He decided to go and help. He caught the man and gave back the purse. The woman was so happy that she pulled out $300 and gave it to him only to give it back. He said, “It’s not about the money. It’s about right and wrong.” He said he didn’t want the money, what he wanted was to see that right was done. Not every homeless man would do that. Only a man of faith.
He was such a joy filled man. He said he uses his present state to witness to others. He said that God had a purpose for all of his troubles. That’s hard to even fathom, that a homeless man could and would say such a thing. WE handed him our gift certificates to McDonald’s and held hands with Victor and I was able to pray for him. He said, “I know the Lord will provide” and he shook the gift certificates in his hand as to signal the blessing and provision he had received. Praise God! As we fed him we fed Jesus. What an overwhelmingly joyous experience. This man has a heart for God and he will remain in Lindsey’s and my heart forever. We were able to give him a hug and then departed for the CFOT.
If I can say one thing to all who read this is pray for God to use you wherever He wants you because He will place you in the right place at the right time to do His will. Don’t be afraid to do His work. “I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed.” 2 Timothy 1:12.
Alberto Carrion
Today has been a battle won against the forces of darkness. It’s a life changing experience for me.
First, we started the day at the Evangeline Booth Lodge for homeless families once again we were able to serve the homeless lunch. It was so awesome. To see the smiles on the face of just one person when you show them you care about them is just so fulfilling. I was able to sit down with a family that I served food with and share a conversation with them. I was able to be a part of their life for the day. Then we left to come back to the CFOT. We went into a time of passionate worship and prayer. You knew the Holy Spirit was present, we prayed that God would open our hearts to love the homeless and the poor and needy. God tells us to love everyone and sometimes it can be hard to do, but God makes all things possible. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. I was also praying that God would give me courage and boldness because we were about to go into the streets of Chicago and talk to homeless people.
It’s amazing how God is.
Earlier in a one hour prayer shift in which we have been waging war against the devil and defeating him through prayer, God gave me the verse in 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and of self-discipline. This reaffirmed the boldness I was seeking.
We were divided into groups of two to go down different streets and find homeless people. The challenge was to get as much of their story out of them as we could. We were also given McDonalds gift certificates to hand out to those we talked to. I was paired with Lindsey Bailey. We went out into the street we were assigned and walked as far as possible and found no one so we turned around. On the way back we looked down one of the cross streets and saw a man sitting on the steps leading to a church. WE walked around the corner of the nearest building and began to debate if this man was homeless of not. After a while of indecision I decided we would walk by and see if he would ask us for money. So we began to walk towards him. There were two people that walked in before us and he didn’t ask them for anything. I thought to myself, “Ah, man! He must not be homeless.” So Lindsey and I decided at least we’d say hello and ask how he was doing with that. He shook his head as if saying “No” and said "not good." There was the opportunity to be Jesus to this man. We both quickly sat down and began to talk to Victor. What a man of God we found out he was. He shared that his son had been killed just recently, selling guns and drugs. This affected him so much that he gave up his job and eventually lost everything he had. This is his second time on the streets as a homeless person, but he has faith and is claiming victory in Christ that he will find the exit to his homelessness. He told us of his hunger pains and how hard it must be for him. I can never feel the pain of not eating for many days. He told us a few of his testimonies that he has had as a homeless man in the past two months. One really stuck out to me. He told the story of a day he was sitting down and witnessed another homeless man steal a woman’s purse. He decided to go and help. He caught the man and gave back the purse. The woman was so happy that she pulled out $300 and gave it to him only to give it back. He said, “It’s not about the money. It’s about right and wrong.” He said he didn’t want the money, what he wanted was to see that right was done. Not every homeless man would do that. Only a man of faith.
He was such a joy filled man. He said he uses his present state to witness to others. He said that God had a purpose for all of his troubles. That’s hard to even fathom, that a homeless man could and would say such a thing. WE handed him our gift certificates to McDonald’s and held hands with Victor and I was able to pray for him. He said, “I know the Lord will provide” and he shook the gift certificates in his hand as to signal the blessing and provision he had received. Praise God! As we fed him we fed Jesus. What an overwhelmingly joyous experience. This man has a heart for God and he will remain in Lindsey’s and my heart forever. We were able to give him a hug and then departed for the CFOT.
If I can say one thing to all who read this is pray for God to use you wherever He wants you because He will place you in the right place at the right time to do His will. Don’t be afraid to do His work. “I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed.” 2 Timothy 1:12.
Alberto Carrion
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Band of Survivors Team Update 7
The day started off with people rushing through the halls, making sure they were ready to start the day. Meanwhile, I was opening my eyes and listening to Andy’s commands to get ready. After quickly showering and making myself presentable, I joined the rest of the team. We finally arrived at the Evangeline Booth Lodge and awaited our instructions. After being escorted to a waiting room and discussing with Mark Zinke, an employee at the Lodge, we got ready to volunteer work for the homeless shelter.
The work started out fairly simple, wiping down tables and baby seats were our main concern. Then, we began serving food saying greetings and working in the kitchen. During our time in lunch, Jim, the head cook at the shelter, would give us small errands. After serving the clients at the shelter, we ate lunch. A truck, full of heavy donations waited on us. After lunch, a group of strong men (and women) came in the basement to lift boxes. The boxes of pineapple tid-bits and tomato paste were extremely heavy. After finally unloading the boxes some of us were probably worn out but we were still ready to do more. We split up into a couple of groups where we did different jobs. While some of us were raking garbage and sticks off the lawn, others were taking pits out of cherries. We finally finished and we sat down with Jim and talked about homelessness and his eighteen faithful years at the Lodge. He gave us a bag a snacks and we all said “goodbye” and “see you tomorrow” since we were coming back the next day.
After coming back from the shelter some of the guys went to the gym to go play soccer and basketball while others stayed back and ate popcorn (out of starvation). Dinner was made and we had chicken soup and salad. After dinner we had about half an hour or so before peer groups. My peer group and I went to Cozy’s where they had good Thai food. We stayed there to read that day’s lesson in RevoDevos and the day portion of the Bible. After finishing and returning to CFOT we closed in prayer. We got some cake and the lounge was decorated with streamers for Dietrich’s birthday. We all sang for him and we told him that around the flagpole he must go (he must go, he must go). After running sixteen times around the flagpole we ate our cake.
After celebrating, we rounded up to go to go to the lake. We walked to the lake and we talked with each other and took pictures. Eric called us all together and we sat down to listen. He gave us the story why July 5th was an important anniversary and how the Holy Spirit had been such a key player to do so much. We closed in prayer (while fireworks were being blown to the right and left of us). We went back home and had some free time and around two hours later we were told it was time for bed.
Sam Arias
The day started off with people rushing through the halls, making sure they were ready to start the day. Meanwhile, I was opening my eyes and listening to Andy’s commands to get ready. After quickly showering and making myself presentable, I joined the rest of the team. We finally arrived at the Evangeline Booth Lodge and awaited our instructions. After being escorted to a waiting room and discussing with Mark Zinke, an employee at the Lodge, we got ready to volunteer work for the homeless shelter.
The work started out fairly simple, wiping down tables and baby seats were our main concern. Then, we began serving food saying greetings and working in the kitchen. During our time in lunch, Jim, the head cook at the shelter, would give us small errands. After serving the clients at the shelter, we ate lunch. A truck, full of heavy donations waited on us. After lunch, a group of strong men (and women) came in the basement to lift boxes. The boxes of pineapple tid-bits and tomato paste were extremely heavy. After finally unloading the boxes some of us were probably worn out but we were still ready to do more. We split up into a couple of groups where we did different jobs. While some of us were raking garbage and sticks off the lawn, others were taking pits out of cherries. We finally finished and we sat down with Jim and talked about homelessness and his eighteen faithful years at the Lodge. He gave us a bag a snacks and we all said “goodbye” and “see you tomorrow” since we were coming back the next day.
After coming back from the shelter some of the guys went to the gym to go play soccer and basketball while others stayed back and ate popcorn (out of starvation). Dinner was made and we had chicken soup and salad. After dinner we had about half an hour or so before peer groups. My peer group and I went to Cozy’s where they had good Thai food. We stayed there to read that day’s lesson in RevoDevos and the day portion of the Bible. After finishing and returning to CFOT we closed in prayer. We got some cake and the lounge was decorated with streamers for Dietrich’s birthday. We all sang for him and we told him that around the flagpole he must go (he must go, he must go). After running sixteen times around the flagpole we ate our cake.
After celebrating, we rounded up to go to go to the lake. We walked to the lake and we talked with each other and took pictures. Eric called us all together and we sat down to listen. He gave us the story why July 5th was an important anniversary and how the Holy Spirit had been such a key player to do so much. We closed in prayer (while fireworks were being blown to the right and left of us). We went back home and had some free time and around two hours later we were told it was time for bed.
Sam Arias
7.7.06 Youth Prayer and Praise Night at the LaVillita Corps
Dear Metro Youth,
The LaVillita Corps is hosting a Prayer and Praise Night TOMORROW Friday, July 7th starting at 7pm. It will be a night of fellowship, prayer, praise and teaching for the youth of the Division.
Band of Survivors will be leading this Summer Prayer & Praise Nights. Worship will be Spirited and will feature many old Army hymns. There will be a time of open testimony in which you can share what the Lord is doing in your lives and at your Corps.
Here’s what you should bring:
-Your Bibles; there may be a "sword drill".
-A testimony.
-$2 to help pay for the snack.
Here’s what you should know:
-You may want to car pool or organize transportation with your Officer/Youth Leader/Friends. It’s better that way.
For directions to the LaVillita Corps (3621 W 24th St. Chicago, IL 60623) please click here.
The rest of the Summer Prayer & Praise Nights are as follows:
Friday, July 7
Summer Prayer and Praise Night 7pm LaVillita Corps
(3621 W 24th St. Chicago, IL 60630)
Thursday, July 20
Summer Prayer and Praise Night and Final Band of Survivors Program 7pm Chicago Temple Corps
(1 N Ogden Ave. Chicago, IL 60607)
Thank you for your time.
Grace,
Eric Himes
http://metroyouthnetwork.com
Dear Metro Youth,
The LaVillita Corps is hosting a Prayer and Praise Night TOMORROW Friday, July 7th starting at 7pm. It will be a night of fellowship, prayer, praise and teaching for the youth of the Division.
Band of Survivors will be leading this Summer Prayer & Praise Nights. Worship will be Spirited and will feature many old Army hymns. There will be a time of open testimony in which you can share what the Lord is doing in your lives and at your Corps.
Here’s what you should bring:
-Your Bibles; there may be a "sword drill".
-A testimony.
-$2 to help pay for the snack.
Here’s what you should know:
-You may want to car pool or organize transportation with your Officer/Youth Leader/Friends. It’s better that way.
For directions to the LaVillita Corps (3621 W 24th St. Chicago, IL 60623) please click here.
The rest of the Summer Prayer & Praise Nights are as follows:
Friday, July 7
Summer Prayer and Praise Night 7pm LaVillita Corps
(3621 W 24th St. Chicago, IL 60630)
Thursday, July 20
Summer Prayer and Praise Night and Final Band of Survivors Program 7pm Chicago Temple Corps
(1 N Ogden Ave. Chicago, IL 60607)
Thank you for your time.
Grace,
Eric Himes
http://metroyouthnetwork.com
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