One Step At A Time

Hey Guys!  This is Brooke from Chicago Team 2. This week has beyond words. Our team has been learning so much from our partners at Community Christian Church, Rich and Dory. One thing that God has taught me throughout this week is how to build relationships with people not just drag them to the church. The goal isn’t to “fix” the broken people. The goal is to love each individual person where they are. Chicago is overflowing with people of all different cultures, races, and religions all within one neighborhood. That makes Chicago one VERY unique place.

On Wednesday night I met 6 elementary aged girls from Nepal. We instantly fell head over heels for each other. They latched on to me the whole time and oddly enough I was 100% okay with that. I admired these girls because they loved me without barriers. My skin, my hair, my religion, and my “accent” didn’t matter to them. They just desperately wanted someone to invest in them. We ended up playing a very intense game of duck-duck-goose and I got attacked by little tickle monsters and got chalk tattoos all over my face. So that was pretty awesome. I don’t think I have EVER smiled so much in one night. Their precious giggles, their hugs, their ability to make my heart overflow with love in an instant. When I had to leave they would not let go of me. They acted as if I was leaving them forever.  I felt my stomach drop. I realized the earthquake in Nepal left them without much of their families, and goodbyes meant so much more to them. My heart broke. Honestly I don’t know how I am going to leave this place on Sunday, but I know God sent me here to love these kids, these people, and this community. God sends each of us to our own missions. Some seem too big to handle, others seem insignificant, but with God’s help we are all bringing Heaven down to Earth.

One step at a time.

Brooke