Village Bible Church || Aurora | Indian Creek | Sugar Grove | IL

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The gang bosses are sitting out in the driveway playing dominoes.

There's a lookout in the corner. Less than 4 driveways down a retired cop is rocking in his chair, having a beer with a buddy. There's no threat between them, no tension in the air, no suspicious looks nor hands reaching for a weapon. They're all a community. They live side by side. A block away, multitudes of children play in the park. A couple makes out in the playground. The community pool is mostly empty, even though the day is hot. We are in the middle of the forgotten far south end of Chicago, where the city ends and the suburb begins, but they actually look the same. Nothing changes from one side of 'the line' to the other, except perhaps loyalties and political interests. And yet, in the middle of all this, we have been handed on a silver platter the best missions experience our junior high student ministry has ever had. We are participating with The Salvation Army in their Summer Green Camp, a program to educate children in the community about ecology and the importance of respecting and taking care of the environment. More than anything, however, our students are being the key players here taking the role of 'undercover' missionaries. They have already begun making friends and building relationships. Mitchell has taught some boys a cool handshake. Our students are embedded in teams participating in the camp alongside kids their age who need to know about Jesus, and we've given them the challenge to have at least one spiritual conversation per day. Really, this is not just for fun, but they are living what missionaries go through in an extended period of time. It's a crash-course for them.

And they will get out of it as much as they put into it. The ministry match is pretty much perfect. There is no doubt that the Lord orchestrated all of this, because seriously, this is just not normal.

We have never been in such an incredible ministry partnership. The attention to detail is excellent. The house where we are staying is impeccable, with a well stocked fridge, air mattresses, and bathroom odorizers and cinnamon rolls. Mario had an opportunity to experience Chicago politics at its 'finest' at a meeting with the local alderman and her chief of staff. It was really tense at one moment, but God smoothed things over. In the evening we were 'kicking it' at Major Harvey's 'crib' eating tacos and playing ping pong. They showed us a presentation of the upcoming building project that TSA is working on (more on that later). We ask that you continue to pray for us. It is evident that God is working here and making His purposes a reality.

Pray for our students that God would get a hold of their hearts to really have a burden for the souls of those around them. Pray as well for the kids and the community in which we are serving. Keep Josue in your prayers too, since he's been invited to preach on Wednesday night to a big group of students 10 to 16 years of age. Thank you. We'll keep you posted. From the forgotten south side, this is Anderson Cooper...I mean, Josue Valdez.