What a joy to fly into Chicago, and spend a week with my beautiful sister, with limited expectations, late night chats, heart to hearts and sweet sweet connection.
Flying there from Egypt, I definitely felt refreshed and joy filled, but exhausted and wanting some time to just be. And, it was just that.
Over the course of the week, I got to visit the school that she teaches, the juvenile detention center that she volunteers at, and see her former students whom she’s built a relationship with and continue to remember her. I saw her speak words of life and power over kids that don’t otherwise have people who believe in them and, in their eyes, are sentenced to a life of crime, drugs, prison, and potentially an early death.
This place is beautiful and Jesus is on the move in some of the most broken places even in America. I have felt honored to spend some time with the community near and in the South Side.
My heart hurts for the fatherless and I know that wherever I’m planted, this will be the cry of my heart forever.
Father, be with your people. Bless those here in the South Side that are praying, fighting, and pursuing kids with minimal opportunities. Tenderize our hearts for the broken and hurting. They are everywhere.
