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After passing through the locks from Lake Michigan into the Chicago River, we were able to see several buildings which had been featured in movies and others known because of their history. After the city portion of our cruise, our 99 passenger speedboat re-entered Lake Michigan through the locks. The locks release 2 billion gallons of water per day into the Chicago River.

Once we came back into Lake Michigan, the 2000 hp engines provided a thrill ride for all of us as we sped around the shore of Lake Michigan, enjoying the skyline of the city. We had lunch at Navy Pier and gave the students a couple of hours of free time on the pier to enjoy good food and shopping. Several of the students and adults also rode the Sky Wheel which gave a unique vantage point for Navy Pier in the city and Lake Michigan. The weather was perfect and we all enjoyed the outdoors and beautiful scenery.

We gathered back together at 3 PM and departed for Pacific Garden Mission in downtown Chicago. Brother Gerald Casey, a former homeless resident of the mission, met us and guided us through the Mission. He also allowed us the opportunity to serve two separate spaghetti supper meals and clean up after one supper rotation and set up for another meal.

Our service began at 7 PM. We were allowed about a 20 minute pre-service opportunity to lead as well. At 6:40 we began by hymn singing with about 200 residents in the auditorium. Youth choir also sang 2 choral pieces during that time. Rick Roe showed a side of himself we had never seen at First Baptist Easley.

We believe there's a little spirit filled Penecostal hiding inside him. That pre-service portion of the evening concluded with all of us singing Amazing Grace. We thought we were going to literally raise the roof off the building. It was beautiful!

The worship service began by one of the women sharing her testimony. She was a recent member of their New Life discipleship program for women. She had lost her husband in 2006 and began a downward spiral of drug dependence and alcoholism. She talked about being homeless and finally coming to Pacific Garden Mission. Her struggle with God began in the worship services and continued to to the point that she could no longer sleep at night. Finally she surrendered and gave her heart to Christ. Through the help of Pacific Garden Mission, she is putting her life back together and so beautifully expressed her gratitude for God's love and grace. It was a very moving part of the service.

Our musical tonight seem so beautifully appropriate in the setting. There's one song where The invalid at the pool of Bethesda sang about people walking past and never seeing him. Atyonna Lambright said she saw one of the residents exclaim "no one" when we sang that portion of the song. Somehow God opens the eyes of those most desperate to see things that those of us miss in our familiarity.

At the end of the service Pastor Percy wanted to extend an invitation. There were many, many responses during the invitation. After the service Chris and I spoke with a man named Antonio who had been homeless for several years. But in the last year he has had seven strokes and a nearly fatal motorcycle crash. Even after all his medical struggles and homelessness he says he's never known such peace and wanted to be able to share his testimony with our entire group. Chris and I shared his words with our students when we got back on the bus in hopes that they too will come home sharing Antonio's story.

Our devotion tonight was led by Elder Noah Clark who the affectionate nickname Noah has received this week. He did a beautiful job and challenged us all to see that we are all broken and therefore need one another. Ella led us in several songs which added so much to our devotional time. Again the Chrysalis cards were a highlight at the close of a long and busy day.