Mission Statement

Chicago Metro Presbytery exists to extend the gospel and to oversee the work of the ministry of the PCA throughout the Chicago Metropolitan area to the glory of God.
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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

35th Stated Mtng | Jan 15, 2014 | Spring Valley

The next Stated Meeting of the Chicago Metro Presbytery is Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at:

Spring Valley Presbyterian
903 Nerge Ave
Roselle, 60172 [map it]


http://www.springvalleypres.org/
Office: 630-980-4450

Schedule:
12:00 - Lunch
1:00 pm - Business begins
4:00 pm - Business adjourns

Please join us. 

April's Stated Meeting will be held Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL. Please note, this is the second Wednesday of the month, not the third as we typically meet.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Francis Schaeffer Seminar

Join others for an in-depth adult education opportunity we will be hosting Friday night and Saturday morning. Our guest speaker, Dr. Bruce Little, Director of the Francis Schaeffer Collection, will explore practical ways that Christians can deal with the cultural challenges we face every day. Friends, family and guests are welcome to attend. 

Register for this event here: http://npchurch.org/forms/seminar.html


Francis Schaeffer was one of the most influential and prophetic Christian leaders in the last 50 years. This seminar will allow Schaeffer’s life, his deepest convictions and his insights to address some of today’s greatest struggles. We will explore what being made new looks like:

-How can we live the Christian Life?
-How can we think Christianly?

-How can we love both believers and nonbelievers?



New Trinity Website

Check out the new Trinity Presbyterian website. So many exciting things happening over at the Hinsdale and Palos campuses. Check out pics of all the goings-on!

http://trinitypreschurch.com/ 

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Memorial: Rev. Rick Sutton

Funeral and Visitation Details:

Thank you all so much for your prayers, wonderful support, and expressions of love for the family and our church. We are so blessed! Below are the details for the memorial service and visitation.



Visitation:
We will have an open casket visitation at the church Friday Night from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. 

We request that no flowers be sent, but if you would like to express your support, consider one of two options.

1. A donation in Rick's name to Gideon's International:

2. A donation to a fund that will help the family cover funeral and related expenses:

Memorial Service:
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. at the church, with a lunch to follow. The funeral will take place at a later date in his home town, Burlington, NC.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Derek Webb at Grace Presbyterian Church

Derek Webb is playing at Grace next Friday (10-25) @ 8:00 pm. This is a ticketed event so you must pick some up here at this link.

Here are the ticket options: Tickets are divided into three tiers; I Was Wrong, I'm Sorry, and I Love You. Below are the details for each ticket.
  • I Was Wrong: Name Your Own Price Ticket - General Admission 
  • I'm Sorry: $12 - reserved seating, $1 to blood water
  • I Love You: - $20 early / reserved seating, signed career poster, pre-show Q&A/meet & greet (90 min before the show), $1 to blood water. 





Friday, August 23, 2013

Midwest Church-Planting Update

From Ted Powers
Midwest Regional Coordinator
Mission to North America

There are good things happening in the region. A synopsis of current church planting efforts by state is attached, but here are a few things that are especially encouraging:

  • A new plant in suburban Detroit has gotten off to a great start. Ryan McVicar laid a solid foundation prior to beginning worship in the winter of this year by sponsoring community events and networking contacts. New City is now actively pursuing the planting of another work, this time a city work in Detroit, in the near future with Dan Millward as the planter. You can read more about New City’s ministry here:  www.newcitypc.org
  • The continuing development of Nueva Esperanza, a Spanish speaking plant in suburban Chicago. Meeting just off the campus of Wheaton College, Nueva Esperanza is reaching the growing Hispanic population of the western suburbs and has seen many conversions; one Sunday this spring saw 40 baptisms. There is a desire to start an English speaking service in the near future.  Al Guerra, an experienced planter and recognized leader in Hispanic ministries, is the planter.
  • Redeemer Indianapolis is launching another congregation in the Fountain Square neighborhood this fall. Pat Hickman will be the planter there; he was assisted this summer by Ryan Sparks, a CTS student and MNA Summer Intern Scholarship recipient.
  • Marc Champagne, Josh Reitano, and Chad Grindstaff are planting three churches with a goal of reaching the wide variety of people groups in the Cincinnati area. Marc, planting Redeemer Church says “Suburban Mason, Ohio, has the look of the United Nations at times: burqas, sarees, and turbans visible on walking paths and in Wal-Mart; Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu places of worship readily accessible; multi-generational families living together in larger homes. This once monocultural city has turned into a gathering place for the world, and most observably for South and East Asians, dramatically shifting the demographics such that over 1 in 4 public school attendees is non-White - a trend that will continue rising in years to come.  Pray with us that a new work can be established that creates ready avenues for this increasing population to hear the good news of Christ.  We rejoice that our core team is a mix of ethnicities, but recognize the ongoing need for multi-ethnic leadership.  Our team is praying we would be united in vision and purpose, and that the Lord would grant us the joy of seeing conversions.”  Josh is planting New City Presbyterian in Oakley, Chad is planting Living Hope Church in Fairfield Township. All are daughter churches of North Cincinnati Community Church, where Walter Wood, Jr. is the Senior Pastor.
  • The Midwest Connection, a gathering for training and support for planters, pastors, and lay leaders, was held in April in Chicago. Over 70 people attended the three day event with multiple training modules, worship led by James and Kirk Ward and Nikki Ellis of New City Church in Chattanooga and New City Church in St. Louis. Philip Ryken, President of Wheaton College and former pastor of Tenth Presbyterian in Philadelphia, gave the Keynote Address. The theme of the event was “Compelled by Love” as the church moves forward in mission.

Work moves forward to extend the Kingdom through church planting in the Midwest. There are multiple places which would benefit from the presence of a PCA congregation. Would you please pray with us for a few of them:
  • Council Bluffs IA is a strategic regional target area for West Iowa. There is a core group of 7 families meeting and currently searching for a planter. Please pray that God would provide the right person and the necessary resources.
  • Milwaukee and Cleveland are the two largest Midwest cities without a PCA presence within their city limits. Regional leaders in both places are actively seeking a church planter.

If you haven’t already seen it, I encourage you to check out this short video we’ve done to spotlight church planting in the Midwest. It’s easy to download for use in small groups, Sunday School classes, or leadership meetings. I can also get you a DVD if you prefer – just let me know. http://pcamna.org/church-planting/church-planting-ministries/midwest/midwest-church-planting-ministry-video/


Again, I thank you for contributing financially and with your prayers to this vital ministry to the Heartland of America. Your support allows me the means to resource, train, recruit, and support the work of church planting in the region. I am grateful for your partnership.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Haiti Update #8

August 2, 2013

No trip to Haiti is complete without a tarantula sighting, and tonight was the night. It's typically late at night, typically in a darkened space, for some reason mostly in the sleeping rooms (seemingly always in the womens' sleeping rooms) and always comes as a shock. So, unsurprisingly, the team has opted to sleep in the portico tonight. It is a lot cooler, as well.

Last night's "camp out" was interrupted by a four hour long stretch of the hardest rain anyone had ever seen. Welcome to the tropics, right? They got a little moist around the edges as the wind whipped the rain around, but no one got uncomfortably soaked. The bigger problem was the noise. The portico has a tin roof. 

An unexpected blessing from the rain was full water tanks - they are open at the top so the rain water filled them in the night. Showers tonight, even coming in the usual Guest House trickle fashion, were an improvement over bucket showers of the night before. 

The team did indeed get to go back to the beach, this time at Port Salut, where they served all day - they saw 65 kids and did children's ministry there before the beach excursion. The kids looked to be in good shape - picture below.  

Upon their return, they got busy sorting and repacking the leftover meds for donation to the pharmacy at Cambry. It's a general storehouse that the ESMI doctor can use and may also benefit the next medical team that comes in. 

They were also able to donate a big bag of clothes and underwear to Pastor Mongerard from Savanne. He was delighted to have them for distribution to those who need them there.

There was time for a quick trip to see Daniel one more time. We have a picture, finally, below. Your continued prayers for him will be most appreciated.

The extraordinary situation with electricity and water this week gave the team a chance to shine. No one came for an easy week, and they didn't get one. Although, atypically, the week's schedule unfolded as planned with hardly a hitch, the patience and coping skills required in the physically difficult hot and sticky air were hardly "business as usual". Well done, one and all. 



Some last pictures of the the team's week:
  • The presentation of Jude's nets. Jude is in the middle. The team learned that he needs some surgery for a hernia, for which they pooled their resources. Hopefully he'll be on the mend and fishing in no time!
  • Girls at Cambry, the Guest House location. The orphans live down the hill. These two were just having fun with the photographer!
  • Waiting to see the doc at Port Salut. A good looking bunch! The lanyards around their neck are large cards with basic data and medical information gathered at intake.
  • Team member Paulette gives Louinel a special gift. As this young man starts school to become a doctor (see previous update for his story), he'll treasure this gift of a stethoscope from his American friends and benefactors.
  • Little Daniel, for whom you've been praying all week. He has shown some improvement with the extra care and medicine. The team pooled funds to supply him in diapers for a while. 

Praise God for 
  • work well done, 
  • for spirits not easily discouraged,
  • for health maintained, 
  • for teamwork, 
  • for the financial resources to share with others more needy, 
  • for some fun along the way, 
  • and for God-given opportunities to impact lives all week long. 

Please pray:
  • For a smooth and delay-free trip home. They are scheduled to leave the Guest House at 5:00 am EST tomorrow (Saturday), which should put them at the PAP Airport by 10:00. They will be in an air conditioned bus! Their flight is scheduled to leave PAP at1:15. Once in Miami, they will go through customs and then go their separate ways on flights to Las Vegas, Maryland, Chicago. 
  • For their "re-entry". The week in Haiti has been intense and immensely cross-cultural. Sometimes the world they come back to at home doesn't seem like the real one! Wanting to stay up and talk all night upon their return is common - so is not wanting to talk at all. Surely they will be physical and emotionally worn out. Pray that they bring back a sense of joy in their service to God and to the Haitian people. 
This will be the last update unless there is something more to report on Saturday. On behalf of the team, many thanks for your support, for your prayers, and for sharing this adventure of faith with them.






Friday, August 2, 2013

Haiti Update #7

August 1, 2013

Well, the adventure of sleeping in the portico was dealt with quite well by all. Certainly cooler, and thanks to bug spray very few interactions with bugs.

However, the problem with sleeping outside is that wildlife has equal access. At 6:20 this morning, right on the dot of sunrise, a large rooster jumped up on the table in the portico and did his thing, a full blown cockadoodledoo. The closest person jumped a foot out of bed and after a moment of stunned silence, the team erupted into laughter. If only the video camera had been running!

A generator was brought in early this morning to allow for minimal water pumping and electronics charging so folks could wash and pictures could be snapped during their day. The Guest House folks are really working hard to make things as comfortable as can be under the circumstances. The food is quite up to par and there is plenty of drinking water. The team is humbled by the reminder of just how hard simple things can be in a place like Haiti, and they are showing great resilience as they continue in their week of ministry to the Haitian people. They are troopers (some perhaps literally, as part of the Las Vegas team are active military in their "day job".)

After a great day spent in two different locations, seeing about 50 kids and a few adults, the rumored beach trip did take place. After a night outside and a full workday, the chance to be wet and cool at the same time (although the water was quite warm) was delicious. It was refreshing in every sense, and some "down time" was a blessing. A good time was had by all.

Upon return to the Guest House, there was the now familiar routine of dinner, team meeting, restocking bags, and heading off for bed. Big barrels of water were brought in, from which each team member dipped a bucket and headed for the shower. The news upon arrival back this evening was that there was some kind of power surge in the area which knocked out electricity to a wide area, and the prognosis for power for the rest of their stay is not good. In a sense, this allowed the team to deal with the known instead of the unknown, and set their expectations accordingly. Once again, it's cots on the portico tonight. Rooster whereabouts unknown. 

Tomorrow they will travel by bus to Port Salut, where they will once again give love and care to orphans living in a group home. And as it's name is Port Salut, you might have guessed it is on a body of water. Is another short trip to the beach on the docket? If anyone deserves beach trips two days in a row, it's these folks!

Here are a few glimpses into the team's activities, some from yesterday and some from today:
  • A happy face in Savanne, after spending some quality time with the medical team (first attached picture)
  • A young man absorbed in his artwork in Savanne. The kids really enjoyed the chance to work on these projects. The shirts will be worn proudly!
  • Bible story time in Savanne (third picture). For many, it was surely the first time they've heard the truth of the gospel.
  • The next two pictures are of our medical team, hard at work, one in Savanne and one in Darivage. At Darivage, the team found a few kids with such serious tooth decay that the infections were dangerous.They team pooled their financial resources to send two immediately to a hospital for care; remember, it's "pay as you go" in Haitian hospitals. Word came back before they left that both of the children had several teeth pulled, but the infection is still a concern.
  • Last picture attached: a small medical team went into the orphanage at Biggarouse (everyone else waited outside); the extra precautions were taken due to what was believed to be an outbreak of chicken (or some kind of) pox a few weeks ago. The small team scanned the kids to do a quick check, left medicine with the house moms, and prayed with the kids. Just to be extra careful, all of their outside clothing was left behind. It would be fun to have seen what the kids' faces looked like when they walked in dressed like that!
Prayers for this evening:
  • Praise for continued health and resiliency of the team in the heat and the unexpected issues with water. Everyone is handling all of it quite well. Ask that health and patience continue.
  • But they are getting tired. Pray for energy and good coping through their last day of ministry Friday and a long day of travel on Saturday.
  • Please continue to pray for Daniel. He is more responsive, but without extended and proper care the team fears for him. Four of our team visit morning and evening. Saying goodbye tomorrow night will be quite hard.
  • For the gospel seeds planted with everyone they've seen, from the smallest child to the oldest adult.
  • For the ESMI Guest House staff and Pastor Louis. As difficult as circumstances may be for the team, these folks are working extra hard to make things as comfortable as possible.

Thank your for your prayers!






Thursday, August 1, 2013

Haiti Update #6

July 31, 2013

There's lots of good news today...and one challenge.

Here's the challenge: no power tonight. It was off when the team got back after a long, hot day of service in Savanne. They have hit the mid-week exhaustion point as well, a great bit of that attributable to the heat, but they are taking it in stride and chalking it up to "that's what you can expect here." They have set up cots under the cabana (a covered portico area with a concrete floor) and added layers of bug spray to the layers of stickiness from the day! They will enjoy a night in the relative coolness there as an alternative to the stifling rooms.

If you would stop and pray right now that power would come back on, though, that would be great :)

On to the good news:
  • Our team managed to see 98 patients today in the space of about 7 hours. That is great management and team work! With each patient, prayers were said for them as they were taken care of, translated for them by an interpreter. The combination of care and heartfelt prayer always makes an impression. A picture of a little worried patient is attached. It must be pretty daunting for these little folks to give themselves up to strangers to be poked and prodded. And they probably don't see a lot of white people in Savanne, either!
  • The Children's ministry was able to cycle through 8 different groups of kids for 30 minutes of bible stories and a fun time of coloring T shirts. Picture attached.
  • A highlight was presenting fisherman Jude (whose story was told in yesterday's update) with nets for his fishing boat. The 2010 earthquake destroyed his livelihood by taking his boat out to sea during the crazy upheaval of the earthquake-stirred waters, and he was absolutely destitute as a result. As his need became known, several team members wanted to pool resources to help him get a new boat, which he built himself with supplies donated by that group...but the original estimate was not sufficient to pay for fishing nets. The boat was completed in February (picture attached) Recently a donor stepped forward to buy the nets, and in God's great timing, they had arrived just as our team was going to Savanne this week. They were pleased and delighted to present them to him. A picture of the nets before their delivery is attached, as well. We hope to have a picture of Jude accepting the nets tomorrow. By all accounts he was beyond delight. He is committed to paying back the funds so that another person can benefit from these "microloans, " or hire others so they can work towards becoming self-supporting fishermen with their own boats as well. 
  • Finally, another investment in changing a life. The last picture is Louinel, who has been known to our hosts at the Guest House for a long time. He is bright and motivated, and wants to become a doctor. Even though the cost of that in Haiti sounds quite low to our ears ($1800/year for 5 years) it is often unattainable for the average Haitian. Once again, a consortium of investors have pooled their resources and committed the funds to send him to school. In return, he has committed to spend his first 5 years of medical work in Haiti, with our hosts ESMI. Everyone involved is delighted to see this new model of personal investment take off. Might it be the first of many?
A last word - because the power is out, those of you who typically have received emails or texts from team members probably won't tonight. All of the electronic devices are out of juice! Another reason to pray the power is restored...

Please pray:
  • For rest under trying circumstances. For effective bug spray! And for power and water to be adequate for the rest of the team's stay.
  • For a lightness of spirit instead of being weighed down by the undone today. 
  • For workers for the harvest in Haiti, for there truly is much left to do.
  • For the children and adults who heard the gospel today, for people who heard the prayers and the saw the witness of the medical team, and for Pastor Mongerard, who ministers in Savanne. He will continue the ministry begun today with energy and faith.
  • For ministry tomorrow in orphanges in Dariverger and Biggarouse, near each other and about 40 minutes away from the guest house. For safe travel and continued energy and health. Rumor has it that there might be a side trip to one of Haiti's beautiful white sand beaches on the way home for a quick dip.

Thanks for praying for the team. They are grateful to know you are supporting them in this way.






Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Haiti Update #5

July 30, 2013

It was a blessedly normal day for our Haiti Team. "Business as usual", which is never to be taken for granted there!

Back to Cavallion to see the kids there once more, they were in the groove as far as teamwork and enjoying themselves. Not too hot by Haiti standards. The kids were eager to see them, to play, to have some hug time. It was great fun. Enjoy the pictures attached (first four from Cavallion.)

They were glad to see that most of the kids who transferred from Cherette were in good shape - less scabies, overall pretty healthy. But small - always small, it seems. Still, they were encouraged. They saw about 100 people today, mostly kids but some staff as well. 

It was hard to say goodbye, though. The sponsorship arrangement several families in our Chicago, Las Vegas, and Florida churches participate in means that these kids are so much more than just "needy kids".  At least three team members have waited two years to finally have the chance to meet their sponsored child on this trip, and it is bittersweet that it is over so soon. Several pieces of several hearts were left in Cavallion today.

Back at the Guest House, water problems persist, but our resilient team is coping. After dinner comes a team meeting - a time to debrief, prep for the next day, and to just sit still for a few minutes together. Then the repacking of bags in a strategic way for the next day, depending on whether they are seeing kids, adults, or both. Tomorrow will be both. 

Finally, showers and bed.  Electricity is on. Hooray!

Tomorrow: Savanne

The day starts tomorrow at 7:00 with breakfast and a devotional. They hope to be in Savanne by 9:00. Ministry for the day will include sharing the gospel in creative ways in one small group of children at a time, and medical care. Two on intake, three on triage, two doctors (one a Haitian doctor working with them for the day), and two in the pharmacy. Probably for eight hours straight. 

Savanne is a needy place, and our small team cannot possibly make a dent in those needs. And yet they will change livestomorrow. More than once in past visits, lives have been saved because our team was there on the day that someone's life hung in the balance, usually a small child or newborn. There is no medical care there. None. And as residents are poor and Haiti has a "pay as you go" system, they can't get it even if they go elsewhere. 

It has also been a spiritually bankrupt place, but that is changing. Voodoo held sway completely until a small church began there. The pastor was in a difficult place. But he prayed. And he asked if a visiting medical team could somehow spare a day (and be fearless enough) to come to Savanne. It happened to be one of our largest teams with our most experienced Haiti travelers, and so it was deemed possible. It was dicey at first - crowd control was an issue as desperate people pushed or sometimes handed their babies to the front of the line in the hopes that they could be seen before time ran out. The task of controlling the crowd was given to gang leaders who held sway in the community by fear and threats of voodoo spells, as it was recognized that theirs would be the only voices listened to. It was a surreal scene, and not just a little bit scary.

But each person that came in for medical care was prayed for. Eventually, people noticed the demeanor of the team, and asked through interpreters what they were praying. The gospel was shared over and over. One person who was struck by the truth of the words was one of the leaders, Jude. He believed that day that salvation was being offered to him, and he prayed to receive it. No one knew at the time, but it was one of the turning points in the community. They watched as a gang leader, steeped in voodoo, changed. He met with the pastor of the church, and started attending worship. Others came as a result of his testimony. 

Subsequent visits to the community still show aching need. Yet changes are obvious. The streets are neater. The pervasive fear is at bay. The church is strong and growing. And Jude is a solid member of the church. God is at work in Savanne.

And tomorrow our team has the privilege of having a ring side seat!

Praise God with our team for
  • Continued health. Everyone is doing great!
  • Continued electricity. Cool air to sleep in is a blessing
  • Great teamwork. They are meshing well, bringing everything they have to the tasks at hand. It's great to be a part of something like that.
  • Safety in travel as they move from place to place.
  • The relatively healthy condition in which they found the kids today.
  • The sweet play time and interaction with them.

Please pray for 
  • Calm and focus in a crowded and seemingly chaotic ministry environment tomorrow. Crowd control is not much of an issue any longer, but the needs are so great that it's hard not to be affected by the desperation in the air and the physical condition of some of the people the team will see tomorrow.
  • Clarity in sharing the gospel through stories with the children tomorrow, and in conversation with those seeking medical care. The spiritual needs continue to be great in Savanne.
  • Cooling breezes as they work outside (under shelters) or in the church building itself.
  • Daniel, in Cambry. A picture is attached here (last one.) It is clear he is not doing well. 


Thank you for praying for the team!






Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Haiti Update #4

July 29, 2013

Kids, kids, and more kids. But first a flat tire.

Roads in Haiti are not particularly friendly to travelers or their machines. Three miles out of Cambry this morning on the way to Cavaillon, the team bus got a flat tire and there wasn't much to do about it except wait at the side of the road for the flat to be replaced. It was a hot wait, but the full heat of the day had not kicked in yet.

Ninety minutes later, they were on their way again, but in a different vehicle instead of the bus; they later learned it took two people all day to scrounge up a replacement tire for the bus. Such is life in Haiti. But thanks to their efforts, the bus is ready to go tomorrow.

And now here's where the kids come in. Cavaillon is now home to over 150 orphans - all of them very excited to see visitors, especially when the visitors make time to play with them. 

But first some of the needs were assessed and met. It was a learning curve kind of day for our team, most of whom have no previous experience in this kind of triage medicine where several needs are met in a "station to station" kind of set up, leading up to seeing the trained medical staff. First, "intake", where basic information is noted (height/weight/age/name) and a record started or continued from a previous medical team visit. The team's intake person today found herself with a "helper" for most of the day - a lap is a terrible thing to waste, so needs were met on multiple levels at that station. 

Next stop is scabies wash, a stop for some clean clothes, and finally to the doctor station. Along the way, as much hugging and holding as possible. Finally, if medicines are needed, there's a pharmacy set up where vitamins, antibiotics, salves, de-worming meds are dispensed with written instructions and given to the housemoms.

Approximately 60 kids were seen today, but that leaves close to 100 for tomorrow as well as the housemoms. Hopefully an earlier arrival and a quick set up by our now experienced team will make that possible.

There were some sick(er) kids today, but most suffer from things our teams have seen and treated before. Malnutrition is an ongoing concern - the children are much smaller than they should be, having lost ground over the long term during their growing years. A sixteen year old there looks  to be about 9, a 12 year old looks to be the size of the team doctor's 5 year old, and 6 or 7 year old kids are weighed in at 25 pounds. Scabies and lice are part of living in group care in a tropical environment. Most are doing better in regards to intestinal parasites after intentional and repeated treatment for de-worming by our teams and others over the past few years. That definitely affects how well they can retain nutrition.

The team returned to the Guest House for dinner and was pleased to find the electricity on. Unfortunately, there's still some problem with the water supply. The staff continues to work on it. Showers were managed, but slowly and awkwardly - no water from the shower head, only the lower spigot...which probably makes it a "non shower" experience - but it surely refreshed our hot and tired team. 

After dinner, showers (sort of) and a team meeting, tired folks gratefully found their beds.

This evening's report on little Daniel back in Cambry is not as encouraging as hoped for. This morning there seemed to be some improvement, but by the end of the day he had faded somewhat again. The team doc and team leader took extra time to explain exactly what needed to happen as far as nourishment for Daniel tomorrow to the house mom; medicines continue as well. One of the older children seemed to take some concern for him and the team leader used his growing creole vocabulary to explain to her, too! 

Tomorrow, back to Cavaillon. Wednesday's plan calls for going to Savanne, the poorest "suburb" of Cayes. Thursday's visits are scheduled for Biggarouse and Darivager. Friday will likely be Port Salut. But as always in ministry in Haiti, flexibility is key. Things change!

Please pray:
  • For Daniel. 
  • For the children of Cavillion
  • For continued health for the team. All are well.
  • For smooth travel tomorrow, allowing them more time to be with the children.
  • For continued provision of cool air and refreshing water for showers for the team.
  • For the team to continue to gel as they work together. As the week goes on, the strain of trying to meet an endless amount of needs can be a heavy load. They will need to encourage each other more and more.
  • For opportunities to speak to children in the orphanages and residents of Savanne and elsewhere about Jesus.


Thank you for your prayers!





Monday, July 29, 2013

Haiti Update #3

July 28, 2013

It was a good day in Cambry. And Cayes. And Savanne.

The day was spent in worship, chatting with kids, organizing mounds of supplies, and finally, a chance to rest.

The team worshipped and Bon Berger in Cayes, and then went along to the church service in the neighborhood of Savanne, where they mingled with church folks for a while afterward. Then most went for breakfast back at the Guest House while our team's preacher gave a message for the third time at Cambry.

A mandatory rest period followed all of that, and at 3:00, the team regrouped to tackle the contents of all those duffels. In three hours, it was all organized and ready to be used day by day in ministry wherever they go. Great teamwork!

The day wound down with a special concert at Cambry provided by the musicians from the church in Cayes, Bon Berger (Good Shepherd.) The music was very good and the program included a wide variety of music. Most of our team had at least one child per lap for the entire 3 hour concert. 

The medical team has treated their first patient, as well. Daniel was dropped off at Cambry by government officials not long ago and was apparently not well at that time. They were told he is 6 years old, but only weighs 20-25 pounds. There may be other neurological issues, as well.Our team immediately began antibiotics and ibuprofen for what they believe is an infection with fever, but they were told he has neither eaten nor had anything to drink for days. He is quite weak and lethargic, although he seems to be able to tune into the voice of one of our team members - he makes an effort to follow her voice. The team prayed over him and will continue to visit him daily and provide more meds. Currently he can only take in liquids in small amounts through a dropper. The medical folks are not confident that he will make a recovery at this point. 

Tomorrow will see the team going to Cavillon, about 30-40 minutes away by school bus. This location recently absorbed most of the children who were moved from Charette. Despite best efforts at engineering a change in the course of the river running nearby, that location was deemed unsafe for the orphans living there due to the flooding that occurs swiftly in severe weather. Many of the children are sponsored by people in Chicago and Las Vegas churches represented by this team (as well as one in Florida) and they are eager to check up on the children. 

First order of business there is the routine scabies wash (scabies is a skin parasite that is not dangerous, but spreads quickly and comes with a maddening itch, often leading to secondary skin infections), which is done by every visiting medical team. Then a visit with the docs, new clothes, and some play time including decorating T shirts that will be theirs to keep. The team is looking forward to some time with them. They are also hoping to return on Tuesday.

A note about yesterday's water issue - a leak in the cistern was fixed today. Hopefully no more water shortages!

Please pray:
  • For Daniel. There have been times in the past where a child's life was saved because the medical team came to THAT location on THAT day. Pray that Daniel is one of those kids.
  • For safe travel tomorrow to and from Cavillon
  • For good ministry with the kids, and fun just loving them for the day
  • For continued good health as the week of visiting different locations begins. Everyone on the team wants to be fully engaged. Pray that nothing will hinder them - not sun, heat, dehydration, or germs!
  • For continued electricity this week, providing a cool place to sleep and access to showers after a hot day. 
Thanks for supporting the team! They greatly appreciate your prayers.





Sunday, July 28, 2013

Haiti Team Update #2

July 27, 2013 

The team arrived at the Guest House in Cambry safely tonight about 9:30 EST without incident, after four and half hours on the bus from Port au Prince. For that we are most grateful!

The amazingly smooth path through customs was a blessing. The team had to do the usual declarations and a cursory inventory, but watched another team nearby having their bags thoroughly emptied and searched, including confiscations and additional payments made. Truly God blessed our team with a different outcome. Many thanks to those of you who saw the earlier update and were able to pray for that.

The electricity is on as of now at Cambry, which allows the air conditioners to run and greatly enhance the team's sleep. A new wrinkle - perhaps we need to also pray for the water supply! The tanks were not sufficiently filled for all to shower after a hot and exhausting day and the rest of the plumbing is equally out of commission until the pumps get the water up into the tanks...which requires electricity - which of course, can go at any time.

Tomorrow is worship and organization. The morning worship is at 7:00, which all will attend at Bon Berger, the main church in Cayes. A small group will go to Savannes (a very poor section of Cayes at which our teams have had significant ministry in the past) afterwards to give greetings, while most of the team goes back to the Guest House for breakfast. A second service follows at Cambry at 11:00. 

At 3:00, the team will meet for planning and prayer and then do the major task of organizing the contents of 24 duffel bags for use during the week. 

There is another service at Cambry at 6:00.

It is a very busy day after today's 16 hour day of travel, but it's their first chance to meet some of the members of the church as well as the orphans who live at Cambry. It will be lively worship that goes significantly longer than any in our churches. They will enjoy it!

Please pray:

  • For sleep tonight and all week for the team. It is jarring to drive into a new country and arrive in a strange place in the dark, yet try to "shut down" because you know morning will come early. Every day will be jam packed and winding down can be difficult.
  • For water and electricity
  • For health this week; that all would remember to drink a lot of (bottled) water, deal with the heat well, and avoid bugs of all kinds.
  • For opportunities to use their gifts and abilities as a team as they figure out how to work together
  • For servant's hearts, willing spirits, and a sense of the presence of God in their midst
  • For the team member preaching at least two and likely three times tomorrow

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Haiti Team Update #1

July 26, 2013

The first day of travel is over. The Chicago team has arrived in Miami where they met the rest of the team. A few came earlier from Las Vegas, and one arrived just a bit ago from Maryland. In all, there are 12 on the team. Several are medical folks, but those who aren't will have a role to play in that ministry, too. There will also be ministry to children as well as teaching and preaching on Sunday by one of our team members. All will be busy!

Tonight is about getting together for the first time, beginning to see themselves as a team, and sharing a late pizza dinner and some prayer time before heading off to rest. Tomorrow will find them heading back to the Miami airport for a flight to Port au Prince that is scheduled to leave at 10:00 EST. It's a two hour flight.

The scene at the PAP airport is chaotic. Getting 24 50 pound duffel bags (each team member carried two) of supplies through customs is daunting. But those supplies are crucial for their ministry this week, and well worth the effort.

A long bus ride follows until they arrive at the Guest House at Cambry, outside of Les Cayes. It is quite nice by Haitian standards and they will be well taken care of and warmly welcomed.

For tonight and tomorrow, please pray for these things:
  • Rest and good fellowship together tonight before they start a week with little "downtime" and where the needs will be immense.
  • Safe and smooth travel - by bus, plane, and bus again. The drive to Cambry is typically 4 hours. 
  • For all of the duffels to arrive safely and move swiftly through customs without delay or disruption. 
  • For a good spirit to build among the team members, as they get to know each other in unfamiliar settings.
  • For health, for electricity, for resiliency in the heat. Haiti's power grid requires rolling blackouts to work at all, and sometimes it can be out for hours. The team will be in need of a cool place to sleep each night after working in the summer heat of tropical Haiti. The peak daytime temperature could feel like 115 degrees, given the level of humidity. 
The attached picture is of one of the little ones at an orphanage they will be visiting. Although these children don't have much and are greatly benefit from the medical care and attention our teams can provide, they give a lot back to our team, too. Look at that smile!




Wednesday, July 24, 2013

34th Stated Meeting | Living Hope Pres

The next Stated Meeting of the Chicago Metro Presbytery is Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at:

Living Hope Presbyterian
6414 S Cottage Grove Ave
Chicago, IL 60637 [map it]


 
http://www.livinghopechicago.org/
Office: 708-280-8779

Schedule:
12:00 - Lunch
1:00 pm - Business begins
4:00 pm - Business adjourns

Please join us.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

32nd Stated Mtng | Covenant Chicago | April 17, 2013

The next Stated Meeting of the Chicago Metro Presbytery is Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at:

Covenant Presbyterian Church
2012 West Dickens Ave
Chicago, IL 60647 [map it]
www.covenantchicago.org
Office: 773-486-9590

Schedule:
12:00 - Lunch
1:00 pm - Business begins
4:00 pm - Business adjourns

Please join us.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

33rd Stated Mtng | Naperville Pres | July 17, 2013

The 33rd Stated Meeting of the Chicago Metro Presbytery is Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at:

Naperville Presbyterian Church
Naperville, IL 60540 [map it]
www.npchurch.org
Office: 630-961-0579

Schedule:
12:00 - Lunch
1:00 pm - Business begins
4:00 pm - Business adjourns

Please join us.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

re:Connect Winter Retreat Update

From Deedee Freemire:

find a few pictures from the Winter reConnect weekend (Jan. 18 - 20, 2013).  Our speaker was Pablo Herrera from CMP out of Spring Valley. He was fantastic!  

We also had on stage, our very first Winter reConnect Youth Worshp Band!  These were students from 2 different churches that got together under the direction of David Keithley (Christ Presbyterian, Normal) and worked together practicing!  There did a great job!  This was one of our new additions to mentor, train and disciple leadership kids from the youth groups as we prepare them to lead the church in the next generation.  So awesome to see them lead in music, prayer and worship!  

There is a young man that comes from downstate who is homeless.  He attends one of the churches there.  He gave me a BIG hug at the start of Winter reConnect and told me thank you.  Later, his leader came up to me and reported that the retreats and camps are the one thing that he looks forward to all year.  On so many levels this ministry is impacting so many lives.  

Another student, one who has grown up in the church, attends a faith-based school and is surrounded by "christian teens" all the time, told me that one thing that she looks forward to at camp and retreats is the opportunity to connect with other campers from different area of the state AND be able to be a witness to the non-believing students there.  She explained that although she goes on missions trips with her church/school to all over (both in the USA and out), that it is in the context of camps and retreats that she is able to build relationships and continue to connect with the non-believing students who come.  She has been able to see the work of the Holy Spirit within the community of the camps and retreats and loved the  "right here, right now" ministry/gospel changing work take place.

Thank you for all your prayer and support!





Summer's Best Week!

Sign up for Summer's Best Week! the dates for Summer's Best Week are July 15- 20, 2013. Email Deedee Freemire for more information.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Living Hope Church in byFaith Online

In a smoky pool hall in an undisclosed urban ghetto, Tom Cruise, playing a young billiards protégé in director Martin Scorsese’s 1986 film “The Color of Money,” bends over his cue and shoots impeccably, not only winning the admiration of his challengers but provoking their jealousy. Almost 20 years later, a young pastor takes a hammer to the walls of that same pool hall... read more

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

reConnect Winter Retreat 2013

Coming up January 18-20, is the CMP reConnect Winter Retreat, click below for moredetails and for conect info on how to register for the event!

Pablo Herrera from the Spring Valley Church will be our speaker this year! There are all sorts of outdoor activities including Broom Hockey, Tubing and even Laser Tag (an awesome new area with military grade laser guns!). Indoor activities include basketball, volleyball, wall climbing, fuseball, carpetball, ping pong, board games, Just Dance on Wii and more!

Download registration:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2677416/Winter%20reConnect%202013%20Flyer.pdf

Download the flyer:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2677416/Winter%20reConnect%202013%20Flyer.pdf

 
 

Thursday, January 3, 2013

"A Praying Life" Seminars Coming...

"A Praying Life" Seminars coming up, click here for more info:
www.seeJesus.net

Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Elgin, Illinois
January 11-12, 2013

Parker Road Bible Church
Mokena, IL
February 15-16, 2013

31st Stated Mtng | Jan 16, 2013 | Grace Pres

The 31st Stated Meeting of the Chicago Metro Presbytery will be held Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at:

Grace Presbyterian Church
440 Ridge Ave.
Winnetka, IL 60093 [Map it]
http://www.gracenorthshore.org
Phone: 847-920-9517

Schedule:
12:00 pm - Lunch

1:00 pm - Business Begins
4:00 pm - Business Adjourns

Please join us.