Band of Survivors Team Update 12 - Fourth of July

Today was a great day for The Band of Survivors, we started off our day by going out in the streets of East Chicago and doing some street outreach. It was great telling people that the Salvation Army is a church and talking to them about Christ. We were able to pray with people and invite them to come to Church. We’ll see what happens!

Right after that we headed over to Capt. Paredes’ house for a delicious 4 of July cook out. Once we were done eating and playing around, we went to the park to enjoy some awesome 4^th of July fireworks. Then we went back to CFOT and rested. Overall it was a great and blessed day.

-Ricardo Tellez

Band of Survivors Team Update 11 - Thursday, July 3, 2008

Thursday, we got to participate in the feeding program and we got a chance to talk to them once again. I had a good experience talking to the people and getting to know them. Some people were a little bit shy but we still had a small conversation. I got to know their names and some stuff about their families.

Then we did VBS once again. The lesson was about being a good samaritan. It was fun but there were three injured kids. The kids were excited about the VBS and happy they got a chance to be part of it. IT was AWESOME working with them, and teaching them new things. They learned a lot about God and they even memorized verses, songs, and dances. Being together for three days was good experiences to get know each one of them. At the end of the day even thought I was exhausted I thank God for giving me this opportunities to connect and teach them about God. IT WAS A GREAT AND FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE!!!!

Alejandra Salic

Band of Survivors Team Update 10 - Wednesday, July 2, 2008


Well today was our second day of VBS and it was a lot of fun. There were a lot of kids and I enjoyed getting to meet all of them. It was also our second day of attending the Feeding program that they had at East Chicago Corps. It is such a humbling experience to meet different people and to get to know their story. I was so deep into a conversation with two little girls that I forgot we were at the Feeding program. Captain Paredes also suggested that we should take a neighborhood tour. We went around looking at the different places. It was completely different from Chicago. We actually got a chance to see a ridiculously large steel mill. In a way it was pretty depressing seeing the poverty level. Captain Paredes was telling us how half of the people there are below poverty level. Although most of us can’t relate to them it was such an essential experience to see the difference in towns and what we can do to help those people.

Don't forget to check out the photos from today!

- Lisa Marie

Band of Survivors Team Update 9 - Tuesday, July 1, 2008


Today was a really good day. We attended the East Chicago corp and we help out in the feeding program during the morning. It was a really good experience. I had the chance to meet and interact with people that back home I would have never had the chance to approach. I had the chance to meet a lady that had gone through a really hard life. I guess the highlight of that conversation was that I had the chance to talk to her about Jesus. Then she told me she felt like she knew me for along time.

Then later on that afternoon we initiated the VBS classes. It was awesome seeing the kids sitting down one by one in the chapel. They look excited to be there and they were very joyful. Once we started the classes they where all willing to participate and learn the songs. Some of the kids seem to know quite a lot about God. I’m looking forward to seeing their passion for God grow all through out these days of VBS.

Don't forget to check out the pics from today!

-Lilly Robles

Band Of Survivors Team Update 8 - Monday, June 30, 2008


Today we prayed the bible and did worship. It was awesome. I loved the songs we sang like “Came to My Rescue” and “This is Our God”. The songs we sang were so true and empowering. Then after our quick break we had the salvation circle. If you don’t know what that is, it’s when everyone from Band of Survivors makes a circle and talks about our life, what Jesus has done for us, and what we struggle with. It was a very emotional time, but it was helpful to know what each other is struggling with and how to support one another. God moved in big ways during our time together in the circle.

We celebrated two birthdays today, Lisa’s and Audrey’s. It was fun because their parents came to a BBQ party that we had for them. The food was good! It was good to see the family love and support for the girls’ birthdays. We played all types of games, like football, Frisbee, big shorty (don’t ask).We ate and sung “Happy Birthday” to the two birthday girls.

Then after all the fun we planned for VBS, which starts tomorrow. VBS stands for Vacation Bible School. We are teaching kids about God and about different stories from the bible. It sounds like it will be lots of fun to hang out with the kids. We teach in fun and interactive ways so that they will stay excited about God. God has changed all of us so much and continues to work in us. We are very grateful and thankful for Band of Survivors. So until next time catch you later!

- Moteka Harris

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Band of Survivors Team Update 7

Today, was fun we woke up kind of earlier than usual because we had to be at Templo Laramie early. It was cool because I got to help lead the children’s Sunday School: we played games and sand songs, in English and Spanish. I also learned some new Spanish words! Then after Sunday School, we had the Spanish service. I really didn’t understand a word that was spoken but I knew they were praising God, so it didn’t matter. After worship we had this AWSOME lunch. It was so good. The Captains, Enrique and Nancy Azuaje, at that corps were so nice; they really were great people. We left Templo Laramie and planned some VBS programs for the East Chicago corps. Then we came back to CFOT and had our daily devotions which are always great. Next we just relaxed until we ate pizza for dinner. Last we all sat in the hallway and just talked and had a good time. I can’t wait until tomorrow because we just get time to ourselves.

GOD BLESS,

Ryan Gougis

Band of Survivors Team Update 6

Saturday June 28, 2008

Today was a pretty low key day.

We had to be ready to go by 10:00 A.M. we were super tired from everything the night before and were expecting to be cleaning for three and a half hours. But when we asked what needed to be done, we found out that we only had a half hour of work to do. When we found this out we were all so very thankful because we needed rest! After some needed rest we made two teams; one to go to the lake and pass out water and one group went on a prayer walk. I was in the team that went on the prayer walk, and it was pretty eye opening. When we were almost done with the walk I saw this woman and man parking their moving truck. I really felt the need to help them out and unpack. I mentioned this to Amanda, my cell group leader, and she told me to mention it to Mike. I asked Mike and he was down with the idea. I asked the woman and she sounded pretty enthusiastic about us helping her move in. We all moved everything in and she couldn’t stop thanking us for the work we had done. It felt really good to help someone in need, even if it was as little as helping someone move in to their new home. When we got back from the moving we had cell groups. In cell groups we studied Galatians 2:17-21. After cell groups there was worship band practice and VBS prep. It was a good day for sure, and I’m thankful for everything I learned.

Peace Out,

Lindsay Hall

Band of Survivors Team Update 5


Today was a long and tiring day, and we had a lot of things to do. Like help the people clean CFOT ( the college for officer training) because they are rebuilding a building on their campus. Okay, first when we got started we were already tired because at about 7:00 in the morning we had to leave for CFOT and when we got there we had to unpack the vans and we really didn’t get settled in to the end of the day. And to top it off we had a Prayer and Praise Night at temple Laramie and we planned the service and we had to clean the gym from where the little kids where playing and we also had to clean the kitchen that took us like all night. We got back to CFOT at about 12:00am which is what we temporally call HOME.

But the Prayer and Praise Night was good. We heard a powerful message from Andres Villatoro, who is a leader on Band of Survivors, about the woman at the well. We learned that there were two stories going on at the same time. The woman, who didn’t want to deal with her sin, and Jesus who was pursuing this woman, and going out of his way to get at the point. It was a good night.

Love Raven Gougis

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Band of Survivors Team 4


Good news! Today was our last day to camp out! I was happy to be able to sleep in a cabin. Well, everyone was. Also, we began our 24/7 prayer shifts. To be honest the hour went by fast. It seemed like I was praying for like 10 to 15 minutes. Also, today we had our night swim 2. It’s a time were we get to get in the pool or play volleyball. It gives us the time to have fellowship with each other. I know that God is going to do great things with us in Band of Survivors. It was an excited and enthusiastic day. We also had our first Salvationism Class today (a class about the history and beginnings of the Army). One section was on the way women fought for their rights and were able to evangelize about Gods word. It gave me an idea of how we should treat every human being; how we shouldn’t forget people that are poor economically but spiritually too. It’s awesome how much we can learn about God in a day! We also got together with our cell groups this evening. It’s an awesome time to share how you feel and ask questions; to just be open with your leader and be comfortable, being able to know that we are one family and supporting each other. We are studying the book of Galatians. It talks about how Paul was saved and how God used him in such a miraculous way. I think knowing how God works can help us grow more spiritually in our lives. I know God is going to reveal himself if we are devoted to give ourselves to Him. I know God is going to do great things with us. I also know that He will bless us and give us more strength than expect.

By Maggie Garcia

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