Dusting

Trapped within this coffee house hiding from the rain I've stumbled upon my old blog. After a proper dusting, I've enjoyed reading through old posts and my updates from my first two years of college! I apologize for my unexpected leave of absence over the last two years! What a journey those two years have been though!

With excitement bursting forth I piled on class after class to push through my degree in Urban Studies at Moody Bible Institute. With a desire to learn more of other neighborhoods in Chicago I moved for year into Little Village a Mexican neighborhood of Chicago. Overcome by our love I proposed to Natalie in the summer of 2013 but agreed with both our parents to not have a wedding until I graduated. So in order to have a wedding sooner then later I moved back onto campus and sped up my degree finishing up a semester early to my parents surprise. We were married January 3rd 2014, 9 months ago now. We have embarked on this new journey together! Our first home is in Rogers Park which is a melting pot of ethnicity's and cultures. Falling in love with this neighborhood wasn't hard, not only is it one of the most diverse communities we've livid in but also it is very accessible. We love walking around our neighborhood through the beautiful parks alongside Lake Michigan and enjoy the variety of restaurants. 

Such a brief update with so much left unsaid. So many stories in between and maybe sometime those stories will slip into this blog. I hope to use this blog to continue to write about Chicago events. As well as updates on life, marriage and ministry here. I will post our latest update for this month its our prayer and praise letter, I may post them once a month. 

September/October YL Update

Jeremiah 29:7“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city"

Every Month I hope to post a brief praise and prayer update on the Young Life Ministry. 

Praises

            It has been so exciting to see God answer all of our prayers for Lincoln Park Young Life in July and August we lifted up a prayer for a new staff member to oversee Lincoln Park.  Frank Gill is going to step in to learn from our site director Scott and establish a stronger relationship with the school. He has been working in Chicago with young life for a year now and will be a great addition to Lincoln Park. I have already passed on our leadership team and I transiting our team of advocate’s/committee members over! So excited for what God has in store for that team.

Last month we lifted up prayers for our church partnerships as well as for contact with the Sullivan High School. Our latest update is two leaders have gone through training and have begun to look for volunteer opportunities at the school. We have begun conversations with the principal about opportunities in his school as well as his input on the youth in our community!  

             JR's fundraising goal is 800 a month for Part time. Currently we are at 450 a month! We are praying for others to join with us in this vision in order to make it a reality. Currently JR’s time is 70/30, which is great step- 70% of time Young Life and 30% catering. This will be our commitment till October 1,2015 in which then JR is able to go full time.

Prayers

1) Our meeting with the principal and for our leaders beginning to volunteer

2) Community leaders and members to join our committee to launch, and sustain this new ministry

3) For creative ways to raise support. (Through grants, Fundraisers,  and Private donors) 

Blessings,

Jon and Natalie Roberts