OUR DESIRE IS TO SEE YOUNG ADULTS TRANSFORMED INTO

THE CHRISTIAN LEADERS OF TOMORROW.

““We are offering students an undistracted year of growth, exploration, and direction in a Biblical setting. This is accomplished through discipleship, travel, college classes, and biblical learning. We are building foundations that will stand the test of time for our students’ lives. Once the foundations are set, we begin to see incredible growth that cannot be experienced in a traditional college setting.””
— Josh Bialik (PYB Director)
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The team finished the poverty simulation! (not pictured) Here’s what Levi has to say about his experience: “During this simulation we were able to put ourselves in the shoes of those in need. We pushed ourselves spiritually by putting ourselves in a position where we couldn't always have what we needed. What an eye opener.” 🙌🏻 After the simulation, we spent yesterday helping with a health clinic. 🏥 It was great interacting with the local individuals and families as we served in various roles! We are on the road back to Trinity today with a broader worldview and changed hearts! 🙏🏼
Yesterday we made 42 Thanksgiving Grocery Boxes that will be handed out to families in need around the area! 🙌🏻 Last night we started the Poverty Simulation— a two day experience that is designed to open our eyes to the realities of poverty in America. To be sensitive to the subject, we will not be posting photos from the simulation. It’s been heartbreaking to hear how people are suffering right here in America. 😢 Some facts we are learning: • Average homeless person in the USA is 9 years old • 22,000 children die every day from poverty • 36% of homeless people in the USA are families Will you pray with us for those who are in poverty? Also, pray that God will move greatly on each of our hearts as our eyes are opened to these issues. 🖤
We have arrived safely to Milwaukee! After arriving we toured the city and enjoyed some Colectivo Coffee. 💯 We had orientation for City on a Hill— (the ministry we will be with for the week) and a class on racial residue. This week we will be going through an intensive poverty simulation and learning about poverty in America today. Stay tuned for more updates!
Yesterday morning we got to attend a Hindu-Christian Contextualized worship service. PYB attends this every year to give our students the opportunity to gain a broader perspective of Christianity and Culture. This was held in Little India, a neighborhood in Chicago made up of mainly a South Asian population. It’s a great opportunity to have a cross-cultural experience here in the States! Then we hit the city and of course visited the Bean! 🏙 Today we are on the road to Milwaukee where we will be for the remainder of our trip 🤗
“It was encouraging to meet Christian homeless people. They are in desperate situations and still believe God is amazing.” — Keziah This weekend was a fantastic, adventurous, and eye opening couple of days. We prayed for the homeless around the city with Seeds of Compassion Ministries. We experienced some awesome cultural food like Cuban and the classic Chicago deep dish pizza 🤤 And this morning each team led a different children’s service at a local church. These are just a few highlights— make sure you’re following our stories to see more of what we are up to!
After a full day of road tripping, we arrived safety to our hotel in Chicago last night! Here’s to a fantastic trip! 🙌🏻
We leave TOMORROW for our Chicago + Milwaukee trip! 🤩 We will be exploring city life, handing out blessing bags to the homeless, taking a course on poverty in America, eating good food, visiting churches, serving in various areas and so much more. Stay tuned for updates as our next adventure begins! Also, Happy Halloween!
Today Garrett came and taught us about basic tools and equipment safety. We LOVE our hands on classes and appreciate people like Garrett who come in to educate us! 🙌🏻
A few weeks ago each of our students took a self defense class at the Ellendale Martial Arts Academy 🙌🏻 We were educated on crime issues today, learned about safety, and practiced hands on defense moves! 💪🏽
Our first night of Escape Rooms was a success! 🙌🏻 There’s two story lines for the rooms, and both lead to a final room where the Gospel is shared. Tonight, Victor and Rachel were the ones to lead the powerful message of CHOICE. Will you choose to continue living for the world or will you choose Jesus? We have our final Escape Room night tomorrow, and then we head back Saturday. Pray with us that the message of choosing Christ will lead each person who hears to surrender themselves to God. What a fun night! 😌 #pyb201920
Check out some our escape room progress for our event tonight! We have been working hard these last three days and it is paying off 😍
It’s been a busy couple of days prepping for the community event! We have been building escape rooms and getting to know the pastors and their families here. Pray for Spirit Lake Reservation with us— & that there would be a great turnout for tomorrow’s event. PS: follow our Instagram and Facebook stories to see our escape room progress 😃
Team Africa arrived safely to Spirit Lake Reservation last night! Over these next couple of days we will be helping prep for their community escape room event. The goal of this event is to connect with locals and help the local churches deepen their connection to the community. 🙌🏻 Pray for creativity and productivity as we put escape rooms together. #pyb201920
We welcomed snow to Ellendale last week and are making the best of it! Photo cred 📸 @kiawuthier
As we prepare for our next Reservation trip in just 4 days— here are some extra (mostly just silly) photos to enjoy from our last one to Pine Ridge! #pyb201920
In five days Team Africa will leave for their trip to Spirit Lake Reservation! 🙌🏻 This will be the first time Pack Your Bags is working at this specific Reservation and we are excited for these new opportunities! Pray with us— that God would use our testimonies to touch hearts and our hands to serve joyfully. #pyb201920
Since we value living a holistic lifestyle— spiritually, mentally, and physically, we are required at least three workouts every week! 🏃🏽‍♂️ One of our staff members was a CrossFit coach for many years so it’s been great having him head up our fitness classes and workouts (Thanks Jon!). It’s amazing to see the students become stronger, healthier, and more confident! 💪🏽
Yesterday we made the final preparations for the Harvest Festival and passed flyers out around the Reservation. Today at the Festival we got to help with hayrides, archery, zip line, bounce houses, food, and more. Rose and Quince shared their testimonies to the locals who were there. Pray with us that God continues to move in the hearts of those who heard our stories. We can’t believe our trip is almost over and we head back to Trinity tomorrow. Stay tuned tomorrow for more stories from the trip 😌 #pyb201920
Here’s what we did today at Pine Ridge: Fed horses 🐴 Built scaffolding 🏗 Put up a cross for the ministry here 🙌🏻 And.... had our first VBS for the local kids! We loved our time with the children here. They listened so well to Joe’s lesson on Psalms 139:14 (We are fearfully and wonderfully made). What a fulfilling day 🤗
Our first day at the Reservation is complete! 😁 Today we helped clean and organize the inside of the church and deep cleaned the kitchen. We also went to Glory Ranch which is where the annual Harvest Festival is held. To prepare for the festival we hauled 400 cases of water! 🙌🏻 Pastor Gus’s garden needed harvesting so we got to pick veggies and lots and lots of tomatoes. 🍅🥬🌶 We are prepping for the VBS we will be doing tomorrow for the local children. Pray that God speaks through us to whatever needs the children have at this time. We appreciate all of your continued support and prayer alongside of us! #pyb201920