day eighteen

Can money prove anything in today's world? Basically, this is what we discussed today as we prepare to see how different cultures relate or view money in their culture. Once again, exercises were done trying to get us to see how fortunate we are in the country that God has placed us in. We complain because we dont have the latest iPod version, or the newest computer, when, the majority of the children around the world dont even have 1, 2 or 3 pairs of shoes!

Walking around "Uptown," the neighborhood in Chicago that we live in, was our assignment for the day. "Take pictures of anything you find that deal with money." Um..ok?! So basically, just go take 25 pictures of anything and we could be done. So, we took out, walked around and suddenly, I honestly dont know how this happened, I found myself at the checkout counter of McDonalds, and then Unique Thrift Store. Instead of taking pictures of money, I was using it! Nothing makes an assignment better than two hashbrown patties from Mcdy's and a new Cubs shirt for 2 bucks! Steal of a deal and killer assignment. Without it, and my sweet new shirt, I would be doing laundry today instead of sometime in the near future.

During the afternoon, we volunteered our time around JPUSA, serving them in a fashion that we will be in Bolivia, China or England. Karsten, a Bolivia team mate, and I chose to clean up the playground area, grilling area, and the basketball court! Never thought it had much trash in it until I was the one going around a sweeping it all up! Good Grief children! That is what trash cans are for. When I have a kid, this is the FIRST lesson I will teach them!

day seventeen

Waking up is often the hardest thing for me to do in a day. Well, actually, for those of you who have lived with me, you will disagree as I often exit my bedroom screaming, shouting, and just excited that God spared me another night! However, with the lack of sleep I get here in Chicago, it IS indeed, hard for me to wake up.

The morning started BRIGHT and early at 9 AM with Del Hershberger, from Hesston, Kanasas, leading us on a discussion about culture. The first part of this happened to be a 2 hour movie called, The Mission. I wish I could tell you what this was about, BUT, I happened to fall asleep through the entire thing. What else is to happen when you watch a movie at 9 AM? Ask everyone else in the group, and apparently you are to just stay awake and watch it. Guess I didnt get the memo.

Since I was out on that exercise from minute one, I will focus on the rest of the day. My favorite part. Free time. This free time was a little different. Drama filled the empty space between the four walls that we call home. Who would have known drama would happen when you mix boys and girls from different walks of life and tell them to live together? Not this guy. Thought we were all mature adults, but, looks like we (notice "I" am a part of "we") might have a little bit of growing up to do!

This picture is getting away from drama!

day sixteen

What is hospitality? That is what we were asked through our crusted-over eyes as we sat in a park somewhere extremely far from our house at 9 o'clock this morning. Why we had to wake up and be at this park so extremely early to hear that simple sentence, we may never know, but, I suppose we are the ones who signed up for this program.

Go into the city and show people hospitality! This was our directions for todays activities. Hospitality? What? How? Exactly! So, we took off. Everyone got right back on the train that we had just rode an hour, to ride the same hour back towards our "house" only backwards. The most pointless, early morning trek, I have, and probably will ever make. That is until next week when they make us do another activity that no one here understands except the master minds who are in Elkhart, IN!

Jacob, Nate (team China) and myself took off. Jacob led us way up north to his church, Living Water Community Church. He told us they could use help cleaning the floors. Their janitor is an African refugee, trying to support her family of 3 children, therefore, the church hired her as a janitor. Luck went against her as she recently broke her leg in 2 spots, suspending her from work for 4 months. To keep her family supported, the church took on doing her responsibilities, but still paying her the wages promised. So, we were hospitable and took those duties, sweeping, mopping and cleaning up the bathrooms, hallways, and kitchen. It seriously was a great day. Makes sitting inside listening to speakers seem boring...but it didnt take today to let me know that!!!

After cleaning, Jacob's mom (his family lives just across the street) cooked us up the most amazing Pad Thai I have ever had, as well as made a batch of home made salsa that would make any Mexican (not a racist joke, but they like salsa...well...they serve it at every Mexican restaurant I have been to) jealous. Simply amazing!!!

day fifteen

day fourteen

Noon. My first glimpse of Saturday. Many people enjoy the juicy CRUNCH of biting into a granny smith apple, the intense heat on your face at the beach, or the savory smell coming from the oven as scents from fresh baked pie floods a kitchen, but none of these come close to the beauty of sleeping until lunchtime. Especially after a looong week at work!

So this couch is where I have slept every night that I have been in Chicago, except for two nights that I slept in Ace's (Nate Kelly) bed. (I will be quick to tell you that Ace was no where close to the bed at the time I was sleeping!) To this day, I havent even laid in my bed here. The couch has proven to support my legs and head at once. The tiny mattresses here support about from my shoulders to mid calf. I feel like they bought them straight from Willy Wonkas hotel for Oompa-Loompas.

Today, this couch served as more than just a bed or a seat, but as a best friend. Well, one of them. I partied all day today with my three best friends in Chicago: my couch, my computer and my sketchbook/pencils. While I am not impressed or eager to share this fact, it is the truth. Maybe 1 hour was spent today off of it, which was to get lunch, supper, bathroom breaks and fighting with Ace. However, at the end of the day if you lay your head on your pillow (or arm rest) and have a smile on your face, then that day was a success! Guess what.....I'm still smiling!

day thirteen

Jesus. How do we interpret him? What does he look like? Can he be black? Can he be Chinese? What about a ripped Jamaican man with dread locks? These are all questions we explore with James Krabill this morning. It was quite interesting wondering how all the different cultures in the world depict Jesus.

In the afternoon session today, each country was packed away into separate rooms to meet with our country advisors or leaders. I am not sure what to call them. However, Bolivia me with a woman named Linda Shelly who has spent the majority of her life in South America and in the Latin American culture. It was so exciting listening to her talk about the different parts of the culture and what to expect. I cant believe how excited I am now to actually get there, but I have to wait for like 15 more days. It will come soon enough though.

For this evening, we group went out and took the EL and city buses to get to a place called, "Margie's Candies." It was like an old creamery or something with tons of different flavors and topping for ice cream. Different orders from our group contained such as a giant banana split, milk shakes, sundaes, dished of ice cream, and a half gallon "worlds largest sundae" eaten by Nate Kelly, one of the members going to China. The only question is why?

day twelve

Seminary. This word is something that should not even be in my vocabulary. The only reason I should ever know anything about seminary is because I lived with my brother Jeremy while he was attending seminary. Continuously, I would come home to find him doing homework, studying, researching (all the above) just for one class, then reading a book like War and Peace for another one. And this was just for Monday night! I would never dream of going to seminary. Well...today, seminary was brought to me. One of the teachers, James Krabill, came to Chicago to talk to us about peace and evangelism.

Now I had no idea who this guy was when he walked in. However, I felt like he had his scope right on my forehead. He could tell I was a Shue from the minute he saw me. And if he didnt, he knew the minute I opened my mouth. "I am Isaac Shue from Harper, Kansas, and I just graduated from Goshen College."

"Oh, a brother to Jeremy I am guessing. You are the one that I had to cancel class last year so Jeremy could go to your graduation, huh?"

Isnt THIS what you want the guest speaker to say the first time he talks to you. Awesome!

During the evening I had the chance to return to, and explore the Chicago Art Institute. It is always fun to visit, but after seeing the paintings look the exact same, I find myself getting bored and springing through the exhibits to get out. However, this time, I tried to take interesting photos of the art, making a bit of my own.