Reflections from the Inner-City
WE are to be a walking message
“A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love on another.”
- John 13:34-35
It is easy to talk the walk. But God calls his disciples to walk out his commands, not just talk about them.
It was at the South Asia Friendship Center in Chicago that we met the Christian woman Sunita, previously a Hindu. Hearing about her experiences converting to Christianity and moving to the United States was motivating. Many years ago, as a Hindu, it wasn’t a theological debate that pushed her to accept Christ as her Savior; rather it was an act of kindness from a Christian doctor that opened her heart to receive the gospel. That doctor walked out the gospel, loving her as Christ would.
After her discipleship, she quite literally walked out John 13:35. She loved everyone she knew, even those who looked down on her. While Hindus higher in the caste system didn’t like her, they respected her utter devotion to what she now believed — Jesus! Sunita is a walking message, living out our Savior’s commands.
South Asia Friendship Center
Through our Chiwaukee trip, we walked out God’s commands so that others would know us by our love.
In Chicago, one of the first things our hands did was serve a food distribution at Belmont Assembly partnered with Convoy of Hope. We helped greet, direct, and load cars with food, and pray over the vehicles that came through. Spreading the love of Jesus by meeting others’ needs, through kind words, and smiles.
“They are people just like us who need love. Who need basic things like we do.”
Traversing throughout Little India Chicago, instead of telling others about our faith, we slowed down to learn about theirs (Hinduism, Islam). As I talked to them, I physically saw their demeanor change. Someone different than them looked to their interests! We were not just a billboard with words, but rather a relational gospel message through our actions.
“Do nothing of selfish ambition or conceit but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to your own interests but to the interests of others.”
Philippians 2: 3-4
During the second half of our trip, we traveled to Milwaukee. City on a Hill provided excellent opportunities to serve the community’s physical and spiritual needs, such as during one activity — “Adopt a Block.” We walked out a message of hope, giving them needed items, and then when they let us, we prayed for other needs too.
During this time of service, we learned something from them too though. While asking the people what they thought were some of their communities’ biggest needs, a common answer was along the lines of “love” or “sticking together.” I found it rather significant because they obviously needed a lot of other things – such as financial stability, less crime and drugs, landscaping and housing repairs, employment, etc. Their answers point back to a greater desire we all have. To belong and be loved by our creator.
“Everyone asked for love in their prayer request.”
- Chris D.
Dr. Paul Alexander’s purpose in creating Pack Your Bags was for students to gain valuable life experience through discipleship and travel; creating a year dedicated to following Christ that helps them find their calling.
Travel during this Chiwaukee trip gave us worldview-changing experiences that dedicated us to God’s great commandment: love one another.