Band of Survivors Team Update 25
Today we had a great start for our day. We had an awesome time during our morning worship session of Pray the Bible. It was one of the best ones that we’ve had, the Spirit of the Lord was there in full force. After that we had lunch and then Erik Hanson from the THQ Multimedia Department came by to shoot a video that they hope to debut next year at Youth Congress about Band of Survivors.
Then we had Cell Groups and read and talked about Acts 25. After Cell Groups we went to a classroom and talked about what we were going to do after BOS in our community and in our Corps. We filled out what is called a “Corps Ministry Plan” that hopes to focus us on our mission and hold us accountable to all that God is teaching us.
At 6:30 we had some delicious Chinese Food and then we looked at all the pictures that were taken during Band of Survivors. You can view them all by clicking here. It was kind of long but there were many laughs. Then to finish our last night at the CFOT we had two games of Capture the Flag. I was really awesome and tomorrow we are going to Camp Wonderland for Pilgrimage.
Stephen Rivero
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
Band of Survivors Team Update 24
We had a great morning today; we got to sleep in and woke up to my brother, David, cooking up some scrumptious chocolate chip pancakes!! After we stuffed ourselves with some food we all got our bags packed up and cleaned house! With windows open and Windex in hand, we scrubbed, vacuumed, and mopped up our CFOT home for the remainder of the morning.
After lunch we had our final Salvationism class covering the final chapters (9-10) of The General Next To God. We covered the years of the Salvation Army’s work in China and on Devil’s Island in French Guinea and also how the Army continued after the promotion to glory of William Booth. We’ve had a great time reading and talking through this book. I think everyone can say they’ve learned a lot of the SA history and have been inspired to live a more radical life in Christ through the part of the Church that is The Salvation Army.
The final highlights of the day were in the evening. Personally, I’d been waiting for this outing since last July, but all 23-25ish of us trooped over to the Thai Restaurant “COZYS” for dinner! We had a great time sitting in tight community with each other and enjoying the various dishes (plenty of sharing!!). Once we got back to CFOT we had a massive ‘free-for-all’ Dodgeball night followed by a group viewing of the video of BOS outreaches so far this summer. We had a really fun and joyful day of working together and enjoying each other’s company.
Kirsten Witthoff
We had a great morning today; we got to sleep in and woke up to my brother, David, cooking up some scrumptious chocolate chip pancakes!! After we stuffed ourselves with some food we all got our bags packed up and cleaned house! With windows open and Windex in hand, we scrubbed, vacuumed, and mopped up our CFOT home for the remainder of the morning.
After lunch we had our final Salvationism class covering the final chapters (9-10) of The General Next To God. We covered the years of the Salvation Army’s work in China and on Devil’s Island in French Guinea and also how the Army continued after the promotion to glory of William Booth. We’ve had a great time reading and talking through this book. I think everyone can say they’ve learned a lot of the SA history and have been inspired to live a more radical life in Christ through the part of the Church that is The Salvation Army.
The final highlights of the day were in the evening. Personally, I’d been waiting for this outing since last July, but all 23-25ish of us trooped over to the Thai Restaurant “COZYS” for dinner! We had a great time sitting in tight community with each other and enjoying the various dishes (plenty of sharing!!). Once we got back to CFOT we had a massive ‘free-for-all’ Dodgeball night followed by a group viewing of the video of BOS outreaches so far this summer. We had a really fun and joyful day of working together and enjoying each other’s company.
Kirsten Witthoff
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Band of Survivors Team Update 23
Rise and shine sleepy heads! That’s how I felt today. When I got up I was really tired, but it was nothing I couldn’t handle. We got up and did some morning worship. It really prepared us for the rest of the day. Today we took part in spreading awareness about Human Trafficking in the LaVillita (Little Village) area of Chicago.
Pilar Dunning taught us about the huge problem that is Human Trafficking and opened our eyes to what the Army is doing today to combat this injustice. Whether it was through forced labor or prostitution we helped raise awareness of this “modern day slavery” by going into many businesses and asking them if we could display Salvation Army posters to combat this issue by providing a 24 hour support hotline. Sex trafficking is when a person is forced to have sex, or can be found through fraud or coercion (threats, failure to accomplish tasks bring harsh punishments, etc.). Labor trafficking is the same type of thing except it doesn’t deal with sex. All of these things go under the category of Human Trafficking.
It was a very successful outreach and the vast majority of businesses in LaVillita welcomed us into their doors and partnered with us to raise awareness.
Gerald Clemons
Rise and shine sleepy heads! That’s how I felt today. When I got up I was really tired, but it was nothing I couldn’t handle. We got up and did some morning worship. It really prepared us for the rest of the day. Today we took part in spreading awareness about Human Trafficking in the LaVillita (Little Village) area of Chicago.
Pilar Dunning taught us about the huge problem that is Human Trafficking and opened our eyes to what the Army is doing today to combat this injustice. Whether it was through forced labor or prostitution we helped raise awareness of this “modern day slavery” by going into many businesses and asking them if we could display Salvation Army posters to combat this issue by providing a 24 hour support hotline. Sex trafficking is when a person is forced to have sex, or can be found through fraud or coercion (threats, failure to accomplish tasks bring harsh punishments, etc.). Labor trafficking is the same type of thing except it doesn’t deal with sex. All of these things go under the category of Human Trafficking.
It was a very successful outreach and the vast majority of businesses in LaVillita welcomed us into their doors and partnered with us to raise awareness.
Gerald Clemons
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Band of Survivors Team Update 22
Today was a really good day. We got to sleep in and had a wonderful pancake breakfast. In the morning we had a pray the Bible and worship session where we woke up and prayed, worshipped, and read the Bible together. I love these times of corporate worship because we can really feel and sense the Holy Spirit moving and working in our midst and have a good time singing and praying together. We prayed psalms of thanksgiving and worship and thanked God for what he had been doing in and through us.
After that, we went out and played Whirly Ball. Whirly Ball is a game where everyone is in a bumper car and has a racket in their hand. The point is to pick up the ball in your racket and throw it into a net that is on a backboard, like a basketball hoop. It was a lot of fun because we got to play and joke around with each other, cheer each other on, eat, and hit each other with bumper cars.
In the evening we had a Salvationism class where we learned all about the Army’s social outreach work in the 1890’s and what the Army did in the Tokyo red light district in Japan. We were all encouraged to hear that the Salvationists marched out into the red light district and fought for the rights of the oppressed, even though it meant they were going to face bodily harm.
God has been so good to us, he has been teaching us a lot, and we have been noticing and learning that we can do nothing on our own power, but we need his strength, compassion and love.
Justin Rose
Today was a really good day. We got to sleep in and had a wonderful pancake breakfast. In the morning we had a pray the Bible and worship session where we woke up and prayed, worshipped, and read the Bible together. I love these times of corporate worship because we can really feel and sense the Holy Spirit moving and working in our midst and have a good time singing and praying together. We prayed psalms of thanksgiving and worship and thanked God for what he had been doing in and through us.
After that, we went out and played Whirly Ball. Whirly Ball is a game where everyone is in a bumper car and has a racket in their hand. The point is to pick up the ball in your racket and throw it into a net that is on a backboard, like a basketball hoop. It was a lot of fun because we got to play and joke around with each other, cheer each other on, eat, and hit each other with bumper cars.
In the evening we had a Salvationism class where we learned all about the Army’s social outreach work in the 1890’s and what the Army did in the Tokyo red light district in Japan. We were all encouraged to hear that the Salvationists marched out into the red light district and fought for the rights of the oppressed, even though it meant they were going to face bodily harm.
God has been so good to us, he has been teaching us a lot, and we have been noticing and learning that we can do nothing on our own power, but we need his strength, compassion and love.
Justin Rose
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Band of Survivors Team Update 21
Hey everyone!
Band of Survivors going by SOOPER (yes, I spelled it right) fast, and we all are having great times in God’s love and protection.
What do you guys usually do on Sunday? Let me guess. Waking up early in the morning and going to the corps? Well, that’s what we do here at Band of Survivors, too. We went to Mt. Greenwood Corps located in a Southside of Chicago today and participated in the Holiness Meeting there.
Sounds way too plain? Well, we Survivors never do things that are ordinary, plain, or boring. Our girls came up with an idea having a service completly backwards, and that’s what we actually did today at Mt. Greenwood Corps! We opened up the service with the worship dance, to the song “Shackles” by MaryMary, and ended with the entire congregation singing and worshipping God in joy! I actually think it is better for us to break or think out of the box sometimes and worship God differently or extraordinarily. Why don’t you think of some special ways to worship God today? I am sure God will appreciate your creativity.
Today’s sermon was about “why we sing” spoken by Eric Himes. So why do we sing? We all are God’s creation, so our voice itself is God’s creation as well. We can do lots of things with our voice. We can spread Gospels and good news of Jesus, and I think these are one of the biggest gifts that God has given us. So why don’t we sing THANKS to God?
Also, one of Survivors, Melanie Rozwalka, was enrolled and became a soldier today. I hope and pray that you can warmly welcome her not just as a member of the Salvation Army, but a true and dedicated member of God’s Kingdom.
Like I have mentioned above, Band of Survivors is going by fast, and we have done our best to declare this world that Jesus is alive in our hearts. Please keep praying for Survivors to carry out God’s will!
In Christ, Catherine Park
Hey everyone!
Band of Survivors going by SOOPER (yes, I spelled it right) fast, and we all are having great times in God’s love and protection.
What do you guys usually do on Sunday? Let me guess. Waking up early in the morning and going to the corps? Well, that’s what we do here at Band of Survivors, too. We went to Mt. Greenwood Corps located in a Southside of Chicago today and participated in the Holiness Meeting there.
Sounds way too plain? Well, we Survivors never do things that are ordinary, plain, or boring. Our girls came up with an idea having a service completly backwards, and that’s what we actually did today at Mt. Greenwood Corps! We opened up the service with the worship dance, to the song “Shackles” by MaryMary, and ended with the entire congregation singing and worshipping God in joy! I actually think it is better for us to break or think out of the box sometimes and worship God differently or extraordinarily. Why don’t you think of some special ways to worship God today? I am sure God will appreciate your creativity.
Today’s sermon was about “why we sing” spoken by Eric Himes. So why do we sing? We all are God’s creation, so our voice itself is God’s creation as well. We can do lots of things with our voice. We can spread Gospels and good news of Jesus, and I think these are one of the biggest gifts that God has given us. So why don’t we sing THANKS to God?
Also, one of Survivors, Melanie Rozwalka, was enrolled and became a soldier today. I hope and pray that you can warmly welcome her not just as a member of the Salvation Army, but a true and dedicated member of God’s Kingdom.
Like I have mentioned above, Band of Survivors is going by fast, and we have done our best to declare this world that Jesus is alive in our hearts. Please keep praying for Survivors to carry out God’s will!
In Christ, Catherine Park
Monday, July 16, 2007
Band of Survivors Team Update 20
Hey there guys! Jeremy K here to give you the D L on the Saturday picnic. We got there and set every thing up including grills, a giant blowup bouncing castle, coolers of drinks, stations for balloon animals and face painting and whatnot; popcorn and snow cone machines, games, and a volley ball net.
Lots of people showed up to join in the fun. Eric Himes lead worship about half way through, followed by a message from Justin Rose. Also some water balloons were brought and plenty of people had fun with those. Some people left pretty soaked.
At 5:30 BOS left for a Christian community in Evanston called Reba Place. After a short Q&A with some of the members they gave us a tour which was pretty crazy. It amazed me how much good they are doing and how they have worked out so many kinks in order to make Christian community work over the years. It is a truly beautiful thing.
That about sums it up. Talk to most of you guys at camp. Love ya’ Mom, Dad.
God’s Love, Jeremy Kistler
Hey there guys! Jeremy K here to give you the D L on the Saturday picnic. We got there and set every thing up including grills, a giant blowup bouncing castle, coolers of drinks, stations for balloon animals and face painting and whatnot; popcorn and snow cone machines, games, and a volley ball net.
Lots of people showed up to join in the fun. Eric Himes lead worship about half way through, followed by a message from Justin Rose. Also some water balloons were brought and plenty of people had fun with those. Some people left pretty soaked.
At 5:30 BOS left for a Christian community in Evanston called Reba Place. After a short Q&A with some of the members they gave us a tour which was pretty crazy. It amazed me how much good they are doing and how they have worked out so many kinks in order to make Christian community work over the years. It is a truly beautiful thing.
That about sums it up. Talk to most of you guys at camp. Love ya’ Mom, Dad.
God’s Love, Jeremy Kistler
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Band of Survivors Team Update 19
Hey there guys! This is Manny. B, well today Friday the 13th we started of our day with some great blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes, they were so delicious. Than we had cell groups, that went pretty good. After cell groups a group of teens decided to go out and outreach to the community, taking along with them pocket bibles and waters to give out. I was not part of that group I had to stay back and rehearse a dance. I had the desire to go along, but too bad I couldn’t.
Right after the teens came back we were in a rush to head out to Evanston Corps, because the worship band had to practice. Once the Prayer & Praise night started I felt the strong presence of the Holy Spirit. It was such an awesome feeling, I never felt that way ever in my life. During the service Pilar Dunning spoke about Sex Trafficking, and how would we be able to contribute or be more helpful to the program. That was a pretty good Justice Minute, it really opened my heart and I had the desire to be part or to be helpful to that program.
Then Kirsten Witthoff gave the message, talking about “How we need to help out and outreach to the needy and the people who are found to be lost in God’s word”. And one way to be helpful to those people is to seek for righteousness. She also said that it would be the best to outreach with love and with a group of Christians so we would be able to lift each other up and motivate each other so that it can be done the right way.
After Kirsten’s message we had a time of fellowship with the teens that attended the Prayer & Praise night, it went really well. I had such a good day filled with love and grace! Make sure to attend the next Prayer & Praise night September 21st at the Tri-City Corps. I hope to see you guys there!
You’re Friend, Manny Barba
Hey there guys! This is Manny. B, well today Friday the 13th we started of our day with some great blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes, they were so delicious. Than we had cell groups, that went pretty good. After cell groups a group of teens decided to go out and outreach to the community, taking along with them pocket bibles and waters to give out. I was not part of that group I had to stay back and rehearse a dance. I had the desire to go along, but too bad I couldn’t.
Right after the teens came back we were in a rush to head out to Evanston Corps, because the worship band had to practice. Once the Prayer & Praise night started I felt the strong presence of the Holy Spirit. It was such an awesome feeling, I never felt that way ever in my life. During the service Pilar Dunning spoke about Sex Trafficking, and how would we be able to contribute or be more helpful to the program. That was a pretty good Justice Minute, it really opened my heart and I had the desire to be part or to be helpful to that program.
Then Kirsten Witthoff gave the message, talking about “How we need to help out and outreach to the needy and the people who are found to be lost in God’s word”. And one way to be helpful to those people is to seek for righteousness. She also said that it would be the best to outreach with love and with a group of Christians so we would be able to lift each other up and motivate each other so that it can be done the right way.
After Kirsten’s message we had a time of fellowship with the teens that attended the Prayer & Praise night, it went really well. I had such a good day filled with love and grace! Make sure to attend the next Prayer & Praise night September 21st at the Tri-City Corps. I hope to see you guys there!
You’re Friend, Manny Barba
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