Waukegan Ill Reunion

When I arrived at Waukegan Community Church I was the first "rider". I started in Orlando, my flight leaving at 10 am, and gaining an hour with travel arrived at Midway Airport before noon. There I was met by Rachel, the fiance of Steven Szafranski. Steven was a rider from last year who lives in the area and had joined the group for the day's ride from Gary, Indiana. Immediately in FCBA mode I took advantage of the opportunity to do some quick reconnaissance of the church and nab my sleeping quarters for the weekend. For me, prime sleeping includes carpeting and an outlet, and if at all possible a room other than the gymnasium. I found just the spot, and invited A.J. and Mihai in on the deluxe accommodations. I know A.J. from his participation for a week of last year's ride, and just met Mihai. 

Yvette Ewing, with the help of her husband Ronnel is the inspiration and driving force of one of FCH's newer covenant partners Hero Project of Lake County, Ill. Yvette has been involved with community service for years, and recently has further answered the call through providing for the core needs locals, through employment, diet, and now housing. She's turned vacant lots into urban farms, bringing all faiths to productive gardens, employs some at her call center for a national company, and now with the Fuller Center for Housing can offer affordable housing. This partnership has already resulted in one home provided, and tomorrow we will be working on their second home. This is the first of arrangements made with local congregations to acquire 30 homes for renovation and purchase by area families with non-interest bearing mortgages. This is a holistic approach toward community development that will show results in perpetuity. An entire blog could, and should, be written on this project alone, but is not the purpose of this one; the best I can do is introduce you.

Riders started to arrive in mid-afternoon. These strangers today will be like brothers and sisters by the end of six weeks. Just as my brothers and sisters I was reunited with today who were strangers but a year ago: Melissa, Brett, Tom, Kert, Steven, Nicole, Susan and within the next couple of days more family from FCBA 2013 will join this 2014 team. I don't know how many are with us right now, but it is over twice the number of last year. 

Tomorrow we build. God, thank you for bringing me back.