Taking on the City
"Throughout the entire trip I was challenged. I stepped out of my comfort zone in many different situations. It was good for me."
- SHERAIAH
Team C has officially returned from their second missions trip of the year! Even before we left campus we had a desire to encounter God's mercy, for our hearts to break for the broken, to lift up the weary, and remember the forgotten. We began in Chicago for the first three days and finished in Milwaukee for the final six days. The ministries in both places were heavily focused on the homeless and those stuck in the vicious cycle of poverty. Prior to this trip, a common theme among our team was desiring God to break our hearts for what breaks His and that is exactly what happened.
Our first day in Chicago we worked with a ministry called Seeds of Compassion and went out to pray for and talk with the homeless around the community. Straight away God began to show us what breaks His heart. We met individuals living in less than ideal situations who were hungry for more. One man was angry and bitter as we approached him and began our conversation, but after praying and speaking of God's love, his heart was quickly softened. Before we left he actually prayed for us in return and spoke of how we filled his heart. It was a life changing experience for the team members involved and we pray that God continues to reveal Himself to that man we met on the street that day.
“God showed me how little acts of compassion can go a long way in someone’s life. That even a simple little smile can make someone’s whole hour or even their entire day.”
-MELISSA
Another experience we got to have while in Chicago was visiting the South Asian Friendship Center in Little India. It was here that we sat in on a Hindu-Contextualized Christian worship service, designed for Christians within the community who come from a Hindu background. It was an eye-opening opportunity for each of us to experience worship in another cultural context while remaining biblical and honoring to God. Our team has also been learning about contextualization in their classes at Trinity, and this was a great example of how we desire for our students to see what they are studying in real life situations.
“The contextualization of the service was good. They were reaching people where they were at without compromising what they believed in. It was a bold, creative move and I think God is going to bless them because of their faith.”
In Milwaukee we were able to work with an amazing ministry, City on a Hill, for almost an entire week. City on a Hill is a nonprofit ministry that provides resources to those living in poverty and educates the public and volunteers on the realities of poverty today. All of this while instilling the truth of the Gospel to any who will listen. We were able to gain an immense amount of knowledge from them on the issues of racism and poverty and how they are effecting millions of individuals just in our own country alone. We were also able to hit the streets to talk and pray with basically anyone who would let us! Many of us had life changing encounters with the locals we met while walking down the streets of Milwaukee.
“It really opened up my eyes about what God says about the poor and needy and how much He loves His children and how we are told to love those people. We are honoring the Father when we care and show compassion for those in need of help” - MINDA
The final opportunity we were able to help with was the health clinic event that City on a Hill puts on once a month for the community. They offer those living in poverty a food & hygiene pantry, free doctors visits, vision screening, health & nutrition classes, and so much more. We helped out in various different spots like registration, greeting, serving lunch, etc. Another area we were able to help with during the free health clinic was to give out free prayer to any who wanted it. We saw God move in many lives, including our own.
It is amazing to see how we can learn so much in such a short period of time. We ask that you would join us in prayer so the change that took place in our lives will only continue as we move forward!
“This trip changed me spiritually in ways I do not even know how to explain. God definitely opened my eyes and heart for the people who are homeless and living in poverty.
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