Chicago Arrives at The Cove

as of June 25, 2:30 p.m.

[written by Charlie Reid, Cove Camp Director]

Our first group of "Sunshine Kids" from Chicago arrived safely here in Union, Michigan a little after noon today [last weeks youth came from the Washington Gardens neighborhood of Elkhart, IN]. Teen Camp is now underway!

The staff greeted 43 teens, and their wide ranging personalities. Right off the bus, you could sense the many "attitudes" of todays teens. They run the gamete, from jumping with excitement that they are "back in the cove" to "where are we… and I'm stuck here for a whole week?" Many challenges await our counselors, and we are expecting God to work miracles in the lives of these valuable youth.

Pray with us for opportunities whereby the Lord uses us to soften the hearts of these youth, and show them the kind of love that lasts a lifetime.

Counselors look on in anticipation...

Off to a good start!

LISC Shines Spotlight on Sunshine

The Local Intiative Support Corporation (LISC) began a long-term initiative to support comprehensive community development in 16 Chicago neighborhoods, of which Woodlawn is one. As LISC explains the initiative as a "five-year effort seeks to rejuvenate challenged communities, bolster those in danger of losing ground and preserve the diversity of areas in the path of gentrification."

LISC recently wrote an article featuring Sunshine and its programs. We hope you'll check it out!

[Click Here]

The 1st Day of Summer Camp Has Arrived!

(an e-mail note from Charlie Reid, Sunshine Cove Director)

Monday, June 18th, 12 noon

The bus has arrived, and we are at full capacity with 52 campers from Elkhart!

God has selected each one of these young people to be here this week for a very special encounter with Him. Please pray with us for not only the campers, but for each of our staff. After two weeks of sometimes tedious training, the reality of summer is upon us. Pray that the counselors will use and remember the skills they have learned and put them to use. Pray for the campers' hearts to be opened up and receptive to God's Word.

We are thankful for what God is doing, and we are looking forward to a great week!

The staff of Sunshine Cove

Many Signed Up For Camp at Our Community Open House

While the doors of our new facility have now been open to the public for a few months, we had yet to celebrate with our friends and neighbors all the work that has and will be accomplished. An unveiling or, if you will, the "cutting of the ribbon" ceremony, had yet to occur.

Since the zip of the saw and bang of the hammer is becoming less of a familiar sound in our city office as our building project is progressing and because the warm weather has brought with it one our favorite organizational seasons - summer camp! - we figured it is about time to cut that ribbon with a Community Open House.

Sunshine staff, camp counselors, and neighborhood leaders took ownership of various aspects of the event. Our staff guided community members through our renovated facility and explained, along the way, our programs. Camp counselors hit the streets with reminders to parents to sign-up their children (or grandchildren) for the camp as well as had their first conversations with the kids that will soon take up house in their cabins. Neighborhood leaders helped us immensely by volunteering their time and food for the event.

Summer Camp 2007 promises to be a fun, rewarding, Spirit-filled season!

We look forward to continuing to update you periodically.

More Than We Could Ask

Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever! Amen!”
-Galatians. 3:20

It’s a great benediction, particularly after that convicting sermon, which leaves one spurred on to right living. Yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we are left unenthused about the work it takes to get there. I don’t know about you, but at the end of those services not only do I feel humbled, but know for certain that righteousness is never something that is of my own good doing.

But then, just minutes later, in the post-service fellowship time, the grand words of the preacher slide down the mental drain into oblivion until next Sunday when that same good man/woman concludes once again with these same words. (Thank the Lord, for He knows how we need to hear truths over and over again in order for them to take root.)

Just because we are in ministry does not make us immune to the shortcomings of the faithful. We, too, so often slide out of our seats after this Galatian benediction and forget to ask for or fail to remember the power of God that is capable of meeting the very desire we spend the remainder of the griping about its incompletion.

Such was the case with our aging, sorry-looking fence at our camp – Sunshine Cove. Our budget could purchase 100 feet of fence to meet our immediate summer fencing needs. Discouragingly, a trip to the local Menards proved disappointing. The fence on sale in our price range wouldn’t hold up for long and furthermore, installing such would be a sure disappointment.

Ah yes, Galatians 3! A few weeks ago, a group of young (if even in spirit) men from Lawton Evangelical Mennonite Church of Lawton, Michigan were the grace (of which, by definition, we are always unworthy) we had failed to think or ask for. Not only did this team dedicate their time, their energy, and their skill, but they also donated and installed 500 feet of high quality fencing material! We are humbled by the Lord’s willingness to answer a prayer we were afraid to pray, and grateful to Him for supplying exceedingly more than the minimum need.

Adult Tech Students Celebrate Another Well-Done Job

Recently, adults from Woodlawn celebrated their hard work in and completion of our Technology Literacy Course and our Microsoft Word Course. Students received a 1 gb flash drive for storing files. (These ladies learned the technology world has come a long way since floppy discs.)

Several more adult courses will continue to be offered throughout the summer. This week begins another round of classes, starting with a technology literacy course and a Microsoft PowerPoint class. Our technology literacy course is a constant (and a prerequisite for our other courses), while our Technology Center rotates its teaching of the various Microsoft Office applications each month.

Our Technology Center is also apart of Chicago's After School Matters initiative. Through the city's funding, we offer high-school aged students a course in "The Business of Web Design". The class teaches students about business and information systems through hands-on training and site visits within Chicago's Financial District - the "Loop". The students final project is to make a website for a local business or community organization. The class takes place throughout the school year as well as the summer semester. The next After School Matters class begins in July.

Save The Date - 2007 Benefit Dinner

[click image to enlarge]