Thursday

Amazing. Last night hundreds of students gave their lives to Christ for the first time. We were blessed to celebrate communion. The conversations within our own group will mold us as we move forward as a group in ways we never could have imagined before we came. If there was any doubt before, there is none now. We are a youth group that loves and cares for each other?

What else? How about an offering by the students of $110,000 (yes, that number is correct) for our mission work in Thailand? How about 500,000 meals prepared through Feed My Starving Children in 4 days time? How about a new generation of students rising up to lead Christ's church (and our local church) forward in ministry?

Thank you for your prayers and support that has made CHIC possible for our students. We load the bus at 5:00am tomorrow. In very real and tangible ways, CHIC is not over, it is only just beginning...

Wednesday

Where to begin? The powerfully challenging "Self" experience that challenged us to see beyond how the world sees us to see how God sees us? The rock band Flyleaf that literally melted our faces with their sound/noise? Witnessing 100's of students commit their lives to Christ for the first time? Or one of our own students sharing her own story of pain and trial with us, and the joy that our Youth Group has been able to bring to her? How about all of it wrapped up in one sleep deprived day. We are truly UNDONE!

Here's a few more photos and words from our kids. We've also added a few more photos to yesterday's blog entry, as wireless access has made uploading the photos more difficult that we expected.

Allie Zelinski – This week at CHIC has just been a mind blowing experience for me. I have learned things about relationships with others, myself and God. I feel that during this week our Youth Group has not only grown as a group, bu as friends, or even as a family. We have learned to laugh, cry, and just be there for each other throughout this week. I feel that God has not only moved through me but everyone else here too. I'm so thankful that I may have an opportunity to do this again in three years and really hope I can, and next time invite my friends.

Rob Hayes – I was always told I was one of the lucky ones because I got to experience CHIC twice. However, preparing to come for the second time I looked at the list of people who were coming and I was anything but happy. I felt that almost all of my church friends had left for college and these new kids and I never truly got along. But this week has been truly amazing. I have never seen a group that has bonded together so quickly. I am very proud of all the progress they have made and I know that they will be fantastic next year even without me around to irritate them. I love each of them very much and I will be praying for them.

Matt Silva – Wednesday was an amazing day! I had so much fun and really connected with God. Flyleaf was awesome and I had a great view from the front! The Base Camp was fun too. We learned a lot and were very informed. It's been a great week!

Kim Sproul – Hello readers (Hi Mom and Dad)! I had an incredible experience last night. One of my favorite bands, Flyleaf, played the Main Stage and it was amazing. After that, Judy Howard-Peterson came as the speaker which I've been looking forward to since March. Her words really inspired me. They had a time where we could go to the cross and pray. The presence and vibe from everyone in the stadium was incredible. I've never been so spiritually moved. I'm so glad I got to share this experience with our Youth Group. See you all soon!!!

Kersty MacLean – Yesterday we went to s Self session to learn about ourselves and how we view ourselves compared to how God sees us. It was amazing to find out how different everyone is on the inside compared to how they act on the outside, because nobody has it all together. Last night we listened to Lost & Found and then went to worship. The service was an amazing experience. So many people experienced the Holy Spirit coming into their lives. Nothing can compare to watching that change.

Emily Hayes – CHIC has rocked my world. I love it. I wish it would never end.

Bryanna Finlayson – I've had so much fun this week at CHIC! Yesterday we focused on Self for the activities of the day and what the ladies were talking about rocked my world! I learned about how we portray our image & how it's important to be seen in God's eyes before anyone else. I miss everyone! See you soon!

Tuesday

We're exhausted, but exhilirated! Tired, but being transformed! CHIC is wearing us out, but building us up. Each day things seem to ratchet up a notch, and Tuesday was our biggest yet. We started the day with an amazing experiential activity that helped us to examine our prejudices and tendencies to place people into "boxes". We then boarded buses to head to the Smokey Mountains for a day of white water rafting. That night, thanks to some of Pastor Johnny's connections, we were in THE FRONT ROW of the arena for worship. Israel Houghton and The New Breed band led us into worship, and we were challenged by the preaching of Stephen Furtick, pastor of one of the fastest growing churches in the US. His straight forward, no-nonsense message hit home for many. And to experience it all from the very front, was truly something that won't soon be forgotten.

We're tired. We need sleep. We need your prayers. But we are so grateful to God for this amazing experience called CHIC. Enjoy some of the great photos below...

Monday

Wow! Monday was amazing! Incredible worship led by the David Crowder Band and one of the most genuine Christian speakers out there...Shane Clayborne. On top of that, we experienced the call to respond to the human suffering in the world today, as it is manifested in human trafficking and slavery. It was a deeply powerful and moving day for all of us. Please continue to pray for us as the Spirit moves within us, leading us to become UNDONE!

Here's some words from our kids, and some more great pics from Kim Sproul...

Danny Giberti - We went to a session entitled "Slumdog Professor Meets Slumdog Millionaire", where North Park professor Boaz Johnson, an Indian immigrant, told us stories of how men will walk up to a crowd of kids and use them as slaves. His good friend Sheifah got taken at the age of 12. He came back 6 years later and looked like a skeleton and was changed as a person. The whole world is full of these types of situations. I am sick of them, aren't you???

Brendan Jones - Last night at Main Stage, Shane Clayborne spoke. Along with his humor, he had great stories of life experiences from working on the streets of New Delhi to the neighborhoods of North Philadelphia. Shane has in many ways mimicked the ministries of the early Christians. Shane's stories were amazing and reminded us to be humble servants of God, because Jesus tells us what you do for the least of mine you do for me.

Connor Buckley - It's only been 2 days and this has already made a huge impact on my life. The people, music and speakers are better than I could've imagined. Thank you God.

And CHIC Begins!

We've arrived! A really smooth trip over all. Once we arrived and got settled in, we went over to the Welcome Party (see pictures below) and enjoyed an amazing night of worship with the CHIC band and the night's guest speaker, Irwin McManus. Here's a few of our kids thoughts of day 1:

Nicole Humphries: Yah! We finally got to CHIC! We headed over to the pool, which was one of many Welcome Party activities. To my surprise, I found myself to be one of the many people jumping off the high diving board! After dinner we headed to Main Stage...the music and lyrics immediately filled my soul. I can't wait to improve my relationship with God, and ultimate come UNDONE!!!

Veronica Flaherty-Spencer: There were bands, message boards, inflatables, food, dunk tanks, prayer tents, an olympic sized swimming pool and much more! To top it off the worship was out of this world. The band was amazing & so was the speaker! IT'S A BLAST!!!

Allie Zelinski: Let me start with just 30 minutes before we got off the bus. As everyone got excited the bus got louder. I decided to take those 30 minutes to prepare myself for CHIC, for the friendships, and for the Lord. I hope that I can find that special connection with God; a long lasting one. One where I feel him working in me and through me.

On The Road...

We gathered at 6:45am in North Easton. Grabbed the bus in Attleboro. 12 hours later, we arrived at the luxurious (NOT!) Days Inn Roanoke (VA). The trip was smooth and uneventful. Here's some pics to prove it...then tomorrow, bright and early, we head to Knoxville!!!