We were sad to leave Chicago Hope Academy because of the friendships that were made. What our team realized was that we are all the same everywhere: we all want love: we all want to be in relationship with loving people and we all need Jesus!

We finished our work projects for the academy: cleaning out a garden area and planting plants, painting firescapes, baseball fences and touch ups, working on the rugby and soccor fields and office help. We tutored the kids during summer school and had alot of great laughs at mealtime with them. Pictured above is Bob and Tina Muzikowsky, the founders of CHA. Their love for inner city kids is contagious. The picture of one of the team members, Caitlin Ruff, is a favorite because she is pictured with Tony, the CHA staff member that took us everywhere. He is an ex-cop and loves these kids and works for Bob and Tina. Caitlin has been a Heal Ministries intern for the past two years and it was a blessing to see her in relationship with the girls that she had so much in common with in a totally different environment. The entire team from Nashville bonded with the students. I am looking forward to being a part of CHA for years to come.

We took the kids to two museums and out to eat at Navy Pier. The gratitude and thanks from the kids was overwhelming. Several of the students came up to me after Navy Pier and said that it was one of the most magical nights they have ever had. The 150 foot ferris wheel overlooks the beautiful city of Chicago and made me think about how HUGE God is. When we were at the highest point and I could hear the screams and laughter of everyone around: I thanked God for allowing me the blessing of becoming a part of the Chicago Hope Academy family. The ferris wheel at its highest point was so symbolic of the CHA kids: they have been given a great opportunity at this school and can be anything they want or dream of. They can reach for the sky!