Summer is a time when people and families go away for vacation. Many from CTR traveled during the summer months with a different purpose: to serve and share the Good News. Four teams from CTR went to Chicago, Alaska, Peru and Haiti to love others in Jesus’ name.

Destination Chicago (June 24-28)
A team of 20 high school students and four adults from CTR served in impoverished neighborhoods in Chicago. In partnership with Jesus People USA-Chicago, the team cleaned and prepared meals at a soup kitchen, served in a shelter for the homeless, and sorted donations for a free clothing program. Students also spent time studying the Word to learn about God’s concern for the poor, and learned about causes of generational poverty in the US.

Lifest: Peru (July 26-Aug. 6)
A team from Christ The Rock joined the efforts of Life Promotions to assist with 26 community outreach events during the week leading up to an evangelistic music festival in Pucallpa, Peru on Aug. 3-4. After a week of outreach events, the team also helped with the festival itself, which featured Peruvian bands, family activities, messages from Peruvian pastors and Bob Lenz. The idea for the festival in Pucallpa originated three years ago, when our Peru mission partners, Dick and Ruth Hidalgo Robinson, attended Lifest in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. After a lot of planning and coordination, more than 4,000 people attended the festival, and over 1,000 people accepted Jesus as Lord and savior.

Tanalian Bible Camp, Alaska (July 11-17)
Our Alaska team spent a week in Port Alsworth, Alaska. They helped facilitate Tanalian Bible Camp’s elementary camp for children in grades 3-5. Team members served as cabin leaders, and led all of the small group discussions with children about their Bible lessons. Cabin time was where kids could dig into the lesson from the day, and share questions about God or struggles in their home life. It was a fruitful week of growth in Jesus.

Haiti Medical Team (July 27-Aug. 6)
On July 27, a Medical Team from CTR traveled to central Haiti. With the partnership of Olympus and Americares, team members had submitted a grant to obtain a lower colonoscope, two upper endoscopes and all the necessary video equipment to run a full gastrointestinal lab. During the trip, the CTR team trained local physicians and staff so they can use the donated equipment to provide life-saving care for the central area of Haiti. We are so grateful for these dedicated medical professionals, who used their own vacation time to serve God and love the people of Haiti in such a practical way.

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