Here is another blog from a UChurch student, Angelis Mata, who is a part of our Chicago missions team that left today.
As soon as I heard about the opportunity to go to Chicago, I had immediately made up my mind that I wanted to go. Being that I am an unemployed college student, money was an issue for me because I knew that I wouldn't be able to pay for the trip on my own. But ever since the day I found out about the trip, I hadn't stopped praying because I was so determined to go, even if I didn't necessarily know how I'd be getting there. For the longest time I've wanted to go on a missions trip and I truly believe that it's a desire that God placed in my heart for a reason, so giving up wasn’t an option for me. Sure, money was an issue but I was sure of two things- First, I was constantly reassured that no issue is too big for my God to handle and second, I was sure that as long as God purposed for me to go on the trip, he would surely make a way for me to go, and He did just that.
A couple weeks after first praying about this trip, I was told that I was being fully sponsored to go to Chicago by a couple who I had never even met, and it nearly brought me to tears. Once again I was blown away by God's faithfulness. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "For we walk by faith, not by sight" and this experience taught me what it truly means to walk by faith- I learned to trust God despite my physical circumstances and he worked everything out just as He said He would.
Romans 8:28- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
In preparation for Chicago, God has showed me the importance of my testimony and of prayer- not only prayer for myself, but for everyone else going on the trip and for the people of Chicago. I’ve realized that my testimony is a great part of my witness to others and I am so excited to share what God has done in my life. In all honesty, I don’t know what to expect just because I know that God will exceed any expectations I have. However, I do know that I am believing God for miracles, open hearts, salvation, and for His beautiful presence to overwhelm the people of Chicago. I want our light to be so bright and I truly want the people of Chicago to experience the love of Christ through us. I know that God is going to do some amazing things in Chicago and I’m honored to be able to be a part of it.