Return to the Mission Field

I made it back to Milwaukee last Sunday! I came off of a Red Eye flight and was absolutely exhausted.

Last week was a combination of intense emotion in missing everything about Seattle and sleeping off the jetlag! There were many times I would just start crying because something little reminded me of a time in Seattle. Luckily, everything in Milwaukee had continued moving while I was gone. I went to Bible Study and slowly realized the community I cherished so much in Seattle would not be meeting together in DNA groups to study the Bible anytime soon! I praise God for my gracious roommates who listened and comforted! I've been so blessed to spend time with dear friends here and catch-up on the happenings of the last month! But the Jessica that left a month ago is not the same!

It has been challenging trying to explain the whole experience and condense it into words, let alone a 5-10 minute presentation. It was so much more than that! It was people, living souls, living their daily lives on the streets, having little to no food and little to no community. It was hearts looking for more and so many children just wanting someone to love them and meet them at their level. It was women in chains desiring to change their bad habits and be free! It was a community of believers praying continually, hearts poured open to God, seeking His wisdom and understanding of the world and His children. It was His love being expressed in so many ways, to so many people!

We are all broken in some way, unable to fix ourselves or fill the gapping whole in our hearts! But God sent Jesus to death to pave the way to restore those broken areas and make His children feel new again, full of life and inner peace, no matter their life circumstances. He wants us to experience joy! Apart from God, we can temporarily make ourselves feel happy and try to convince ourselves it is joy, but true joy comes from experiencing God, letting go of ourself and having faith that the Creator of the beautiful flowers and majestic oceans is the only one that can take care of us and love us completely.

He continues to show me this message and as I let go of more, I feel a peace that exceeds my understanding because even though not having a job, feeling lonely, and having a broken family could run my life and tear me down, God says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will find trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" John 16:33.

A memorable quote from the trip for me was, "We shouldn't call this a mission trip, but instead a vision trip for your life." The mission of sharing our faith IS our lives. This trip has helped me see that more clearly and know that the lessons I learned in Seattle can be brought back to Milwaukee and impact the lives of those here just the same!

Last week, I started researching and praying for opportunities to continue the mission here in Milwaukee. I found a whole list of ministry options, but one stood out because of it's similarity in ministry name to the ministry I worked with in Seattle. This last week I visited with the pastor who works with those who have drug or alcohol addictions. We shared stories and he asked me if I would want to teach a class on forgiveness or death and dying, or simply tutor these adults on basic life skills, such as keyboarding and writing resumes. I was excited because this is an opportunity to bring God's love and redemption to people in Milwaukee and evidence that God does answer prayer.

This week I have had opportunities to catch up with some friends from project and that has been all the more encouraging!

I've been reminded that God protected my time in Seattle by not allowing anything post-project to be on my mind before I left and while I was there. But the reality is that I've reached the time that was kept hidden from me. It's not scary, not knowing. I'm learning to depend on God and trust His timing. He has all the plans figured out, so instead of stressing out over finding a job for the school year, I can trust that, if it is in His will, I will find employment. And now, I'm sitting on two job offers, trying to discern which of these God is calling me to.

When I titled this blog, I didn't fully understand the implications until I traveled outside my MKE bubble. Where You go, Lord, I will follow! The Milwaukee chapter of this story is just starting! :)

short and sweet!

I just wanted to apologize for not keeping constant updates on my time in Seattle. I've experienced so much wisdom and knowledge from God through the staff and visitors here. I've I been taking notes and will post more upon my return!

After the poverty simulation we did homeless ministry in downtown Seattle. We packed two lunches and ate lunch with someone who was living on the streets. This opened my eyes to the different reasons why people were on the streets, by choice or by circumstance. One of the days I was able to play with two little girls, Ida and Jocelyn. We showed Christ's love by attending to them and I was able to wash Ida's feet, a symbol of Christ's love!

The following week was youth ministry and I worked with an organization that helps women who were abused raise their children! We taught them about the food pyramid and giving good instructions. We also listened to the K-5 read, helped them write, and my favorite: teach them math!!! In the  afternoons we went to a local park and played sports! I helped with lacrosse and ultimate frisbee! At lunch time we were able to talk to the kids and they shared their frustrations and struggles with us. It was so sad that we only had three days to be with them, but I learned that investing in kids who don't receive that attention at home is one of the best things we can do for these kids!

The 4th of July was different but so much fun! We watched the fireworks on a hill overlooking the sound! So beautiful!!!

This week we are in prison talking to inmates and hearing their stories! I've been so encouraged to see the freedom they have while still behind bars! Inspirational! I hope to learn what that true freedom looks like back in Milwaukee!

Prayer for our ministry this week and the transition home for us all on Saturday! Thanks y'all!

servant served

i has been challenging to BE served when i'm so use to serving. luckily i've moved into this slowly because i was assigned dinner prep team this last week. we helped chop up veggies and fruit and serve everyone dinner! i have to constantly remind myself that God has provided amazing men and women who have been praying for me since far before they knew me. i am blessed beyond what i can comprehend right now! and it's not about me, it's about Him!

"is not this kind of fasting i have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?" isaiah 58:6

ironically, i wrote this before our homeless simulation. stay tuned for more details on that in upcoming posts, in the meantime, we need prayer for our homeless ministry!

rainy day!

since i've been here, it has only rained on Thursday! (now it's sprinkled a few days). otherwise, the temps are similar to spring in WI. nights get in the 50's and days don't exceed 77 degrees. the campus we are staying at reminds me a lot of Marquette. the buildings are older and there is a lot of grassy space. it's really quiet at night though. no Milwaukee sirens and there aren't screens on the windows so we have to sleep with the windows closed.

the wheels on the bus go round and round

we ride the bus about 30 mins to Seattle and 30 mins back. when we go to Tacoma it takes about an hour and a half. despite which location, we pass through the city and  see the water, mountains, an  city scape. everything is so beautiful, it almost doesn't feel real. the clouds are unbelievable! they are so large and as you look out the bus windows the sky just goes on forever! even when it is raining, it is so beautiful!! the bus is seafoam green, btw! so we get some interesting looks!

Worship is more than a song!

Wednesday night after a long day i was exhausted but i knew that i needed to praise God through worship. when i worship God, i feel closest to Him. a group of us wen  outside with a guitar and sang with our hearts and eyes fixed on Christ. what stood out the most to me was that this summer project is a mission trip, but it should be looked at like a vision trip for the rest of our lives. when we pray we are praying for all the people who will cross our paths along the way in our lifetime.

ready, set, GO!

preface: i wrote these posts Friday but you will soon learn why they weren't posted then. this first week has been so exhausting and yet i have learned so many valuable lessons about the sinful nature of humanity and  redemptive power of God!

our days have been jam-packed! we have been going from 7am until about 10pm most days! i've been challenged beyond belief to find strength in Him and not myself! i feel like i just got here, and at the same time as i feel like it's almost over. it's a zy balancing out activity!

by the power of God, i was able to find peace when i was feeling homesick on Day Two. this allowed me to have freedom in starting friendships in Seattle and being present with everyone. i've been exposed to so many people from so many different places around the world. it is so fascinating to see all of our lives crossing for this brief period of time. it's amazing and i'm in awe of how God answers prayers, revives, and restores! we all have a story and all of our stories are part of God's story, the great story of Jesus!

thankfully, i made time each day to at least journal a little bit about the day so that i would be able to update it later with the details.