Hope for Valentine's Day

When I just don't feel like making any more phone calls I like to sit and watch the cars go down Halsted street. That would be how my whole weekend felt. I forced myself at first to ignore the traffic and write my emails and make my phone calls. But in the low point (Valentine's Day) a friend of mine called and asked if I wanted to take a few hours and go to a food pantry that my small group has served at. From noon to 2:00 every Saturday, a wonderful 75 year-old Cuban man named "Rev" serves the community of Little Village from the back room of a run down store front. Families who live in the community can come once a month and get a large box filled with food for their families. Rev's motto is "No one leaves empty handed."

This Saturday, when we arrived at Liberty (the name of the pantry), we found Rev on his own trying to climb the foot stool and fill the box for his first family. Now, Rev has a lot of energy, but this is a task that even hurts my back after a while. The look of gratitude on his face was enough for my Valentine's Day. We were able to serve at least eight families that afternoon. One woman had never been there before and she couldn't believe how much food we were able to bless her with. I left that afternoon with my heart full of love. I don't enjoy Valentine's day much since living in the US. It seems so forced and exclusive.

My day at Liberty reminded me why we serve. Why I serve. I may feel inadequate and tired. But I have been given hope. I have hope that most people only dream of. It is not job security or a loving spouse. It is more than food and a warm bed. I know who I am because of God. I know that I am watched after. There may not have been any time to share the gospel on Saturday, but just speaking kindly and looking those mothers in the eye was enough. It was the remedy I needed to be able to return to calling and emailing, and it was enough for them to be able to return home with dignity.

This is what we are being called to; to serve with what we have. I had two hours, but I was blessed more than I can tell you.

Get a Real Job?

How many times have we all said that it would be great to quit our jobs and travel the world? Besides one person, everyone else I know has never actually really followed through. So wonder why I would turn down my stable job in the public school system and decide to do this? For those of you who haven't heard, the new Secretary of Education, and former CEO of Chicago Public Schools implemented a new program called Turn-Around. This is when they remove all the faculty from an under-performing school and rehire. Well, as my former school was placed in this position, I began searching for what my next move was.


I am learning the God's plan is usually that exact thing that you thought you would NEVER do. As I began looking into what I was qualified and passionate about, I came across the concept of humanitarian aid. Qualifications: willing hand, strong stomach, and a desire to travel. Check. Passion: What could possibly combine my love of international experience with my interest in healing the city? Could it be...


As God opened and closed doors to the multitude of opportunities out there, I decided to research how Campus Crusade handled humanitarian aid. As I began to read about GAiN, a peace really fell over me. I never thought I would join staff. But for the first time I was excited by the prospect. Asking people to partner with me on this journey seem simple. I could do it!


Now in my moments of weakness, many of you have heard my mouth say the exact opposite, but thank-you for correcting me. Even writing this entry has helped me to remember that excitement that I felt when I saw how God had uniquely prepared me for this. As difficult as I have truly found this processe to be, I am more confident in where I am going than I have ever been. Funny how that works.

Welcome all!

So when more than one person finally asked if I had a blog to detail what I have been up to over the last couple months, I thought it was about time. This is my first venture into this so please be patient. My hope is to keep those of you who are interested, updated on my ministry and life. I promise it will be a crazy emotional time. Please feel free to share this with anyone who may be interested in the process of raising support and/or missions. I am excited to be on this journey with God as He shows me that He is my God.