When Abi felt God calling her to Milwaukee, she didn’t fully understand but she decided to follow His lead. She joined Cru’s short-term mission project last May called Summer in the City® (SITC) during her summer vacation from University of Minnesota – Duluth. As the summer progressed, one of those reasons became very clear to Abi.
As you may know by now, the SITC students live in the inner city for the summer with the hope of learning about the communities there, building relationships and reaching out to the people they meet. They often visit city parks and summer festivals and look for opportunities to share about Jesus, as they follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Like many of her teammates, Abi took a seasonal job, not merely for the work and the paycheck, but for the prospect of being a light to others in her workplace. And last summer’s job was one of the great success stories …
Abi worked with children as part of a Parks and Recreation program. That’s where she met Carmello who was also working with the program. Spending nearly forty hours a week together, the two soon became friends and the hoped-for opportunity became a reality. As Abi got to know Carmello and hear his story, she was amazed and encouraged by how easily Carmello shared his life with her! He told Abi that he came from a rough home, where the presence and effects of drugs and alcohol were an everyday reality. Abi realized that he had already experienced so much pain in his young life and her heart went out to him. But she also realized this might be a place God could work. It was obvious that Carmello was in need of the hope and healing that Jesus has to offer.
The SITC team in Milwaukee hosts a weekly meeting, not only for believers to enjoy fellowship, but as a place to welcome those who don’t yet know Jesus to experience Christian community and the love of God. These meetings often create an environment for spiritual conversations. Though feeling a little nervous that Carmello might not be interested, Abi took a step of faith and invited him to the meeting. And God blessed that faith step…Carmello came! He quickly became a part of the community, making friends with the other students. He practically became a member of the team, who welcomed him with open arms. He began to attending everything they invited him to – even one of their festival outreaches!
In preparation for this festival, the last one of the summer, another one of the students, called Anjola, wanted to make sure Carmello understood what the students would be doing. He talked Carmello through a booklet the students often use to share the gospel called Knowing God Personally, explaining that this would be something they’d do at the festival. After Carmello listened attentively to the gospel message, He realized he needed a savior and put his trust in Christ! Together, Carmello, Anjola and Abi bowed their heads as Carmello expressed his heart to God.
Abi smiled to herself as she remembered wondering why God had called her to Milwaukee that summer. Among the many things He had done, this was the best! It is amazing what can happen when college students give their summer to serving God in the inner city. We are so thankful for their commitment and we are hopeful for more stories like Carmello’s.
Would you pray with us for more hearts to be drawn to the love of Jesus through this summer’s outreach in cities across the country?
