Emmaus Week 3

 I can’t believe I have been at Emmaus for 3 weeks now! I really love being here! It did not take long at all to become adjusted to a new living environment and working here. I had a busier week working in the MC, and was able to experience more of the Uptown community this week. As the weeks go on I am getting to know the guys more and learn more about my role at Emmaus.

I worked in the MC Monday-Friday this past week. Monday wasn’t too busy in the MC, and it was more of a relaxing day. A few guys came in, we had lunch, and I got the chance to hang and talk with them more rather than facilitating clean up and chores. On Tuesday since my roommate Austin wasn’t able to be in the MC that day I stepped in and cooked the meal. I am not going to lie out of all the things I have done and learned to do at Emmaus I was really nervous about cooking for the guys on Tuesday. The guys are not shy about how they feel about how their food is cooked or how it taste. When I came down to start preparing the food one of the guys just came into the kitchen and started helping me. He basically took over the kitchen, which was fine with me! He made a chicken taco, burrito type of thing. It was fun to have the experience in the kitchen as nerve racking as it was. I heard from my roommates that when there is a new person cooking all the guys would crowd around kitchen and give their cooking request and/or “advice”. The guy who helped me out cooking said to me, “Ill make sure they don’t bug you when you are cooking. You are like my little sister now.” I think it’s so cool and heartwarming that even with the littlest things they are such caring guys.

Later on that Tuesday before our staff meeting I went shopping for a few items at the local Aldi. When I was walking back to the apartment. (I was in a hurry to get back to the staff meeting on time.) On the way back I witnessed a domestic dispute between and man and two women. The guy was pretty belligerent and getting physical with the women. It shook me up to see that happen in the middle of the day on a crowded street. I felt guilty for not knowing what to do in the moment besides call the police. I was afraid and concerned for the two women’s safety and prayed that they were okay. When I came back to the apartment I felt like I needed to talk to somebody about what happened. Christa has been working at Emmaus for a while and is the go to person for any questions or just to talk about anything. I got the chance to talk to her about what happened and we prayed about the situation and for the community of Uptown. Being able to talk and pray about it brought a sense of peace over the situation. I am definitely thankful and blessed to work along side people who care enough for their volunteers/co-workers and community to be able to do that in situations like this. I was especially thankful for Christa taking the time out of her day to listen and pray with me.

On outreach that night (first night of outreach where the temperature was at least above 15 degrees.) it was still a pretty slow night. I partnered with Doug who is the outreach director at Emmaus and he as been there for a while so he basically knows everyone we see on the streets that is connected with Emmaus. We ran into a couple guys, got some coffee, and talked with the guys for a while. Just before we left to go back in Doug and came across a young man on the streets that fit the description of someone involved in prostitution. Doug approached him and gave him our contact card to come into the MC. I found it heartbreaking that this man we came across was my age. He was very open about stopping by at Emmaus. At the end of the night we prayed together for all our guys and the new contact we came across on the street that he would come to Emmaus and stay safe. 

The rest of the week went smoothly in the MC and office. I felt a little more tired this week. My strategy for when I get tired is to drink coffee and attempt to exercise. I don’t live to far away from the lakefront trail so it’s nice to go for a run or a walk when I can. I feel like it gives me energy, distresses me, and a way for me to spend time with God. I also have really amazing roommates and coworkers at Emmaus that understand about stress management and self-care.

Week 2 at Emmaus

 "It is true that going out on to the street implies the risk of accidents happening, as they would to any ordinary man or woman. But if the church stays wrapped up in itself, it will age. And if I had to choose between a wounded church that goes out on to the streets and a sick, withdrawn church, I would definitely choose the first one." -Pope Francis

I really like this quote from Pope Francis I found posted on the Emmaus Facebook page. It made me think of some of the friends and family that came to visit me at Emmaus or hear about what the ministry does. First, I will say that Uptown isn’t the nicest community in Chicago or at least doesn’t appear to be the safest. Some of my friends have made comments or felt uneasy about how unsafe Uptown appears to be. Even when they hear about what Emmaus does usually people are intrigued, and inquire about the safety risks (Understandably so). I know that going out into the streets of Chicago at 10pm-2:30am implies the risk of accidents occurring, and even that short walk from the CTA to my apartment in Uptown at night can serve as a safety risk, but I think it’s super important to remember what Mark 16:15 says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Whether we are going into a community in Chicago or into another nation it’s important to know that God doesn’t tell us to do so only if it’s safe! That being said, what would you rather do? Be apart of going out into the world where risks can happen or withdraw from the world and stay where it’s safe? That’s a tough one for me because I am not much of a risk taker, but when God calls you to something you just do it! I definitely agree with Pope Francis I would choose a church or a mission that goes out into the streets with the risk of accidents than just staying cozy inside where it’s safe. Ultimately, I agree with what the Bible tells us to do by going out into the world (or streets) and preaching to all creation. Does this make me feel any safer with going out into the streets at night? No. We should always have a healthy fear of our surroundings, being aware of what is going on, but that should not stop us from doing what God calls us to do. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

I have completed my second week at Emmaus, and getting more into the groove of things here. I have been learning more about what my role will be working in the Ministry Center (MC) along with the office work I will be doing. I still have yet to go through the volunteer training, which should be in the next few weeks.

I started off the week by working in the MC. I got to learn more about how to sign guys into the MC. When they come in whoever is signing them in we ask what their goal is for the day and if they want to do laundry. I spent most of my time in the MC signing guys in and playing a lot of Yatzee, which is always fun! Monday was a shorter day in the MC.

The following day I did office work and started working on a research project on male prostitution along with my roommate that Emmaus is hoping to put up a website for in the future. I will be looking up research articles, reviewing articles and websites to piece together research information for the future website. I am super thankful for the research class I took last year to better prepare me for this, but I do enjoy doing this research so far.

On Wednesday I had a longer day in the MC since it’s open for both lunch and dinner. A lot of guys came to the MC that day so I got to see some new faces. I signed people in, had lunch and dinner, and of course, played a lot of Yatzee. J I feel like being in the MC longer I am able to have more conversations and connect with the guys better. I was also able to help them out with their goals that they had for the day. I am able to use some of my social work skills when helping the guys out with their goals, whether it be making a phone call, looking up new job opportunities, or trying to get a new state ID. Being in the MC is what I enjoy the most about being at Emmaus. It really is a blessing to sit and eat with the guys and hear their stories about who they are, and what God is doing in their life. Their faces light up when you give them encouragement, and they are so appreciative when you help them out with anything. I am looking forward to the next week ahead!

Just getting started! Week 1

 I can’t believe the time is here and we are all starting our internships! This past Sunday I moved to Uptown in Chicago into my apartment at Emmaus, which is located above the ministry & offices. I moved into an apartment with three of the nicest roommates who are doing a yearlong internship with Emmaus known as Kaio. I felt nervous moving in and being the new person, but was overwhelmed with how welcoming everyone is including everyone at the ministry.

Emmaus is a pretty small ministry located in Uptown, which I really like because it gives me a chance to get to know everyone faster and more personally. For those who do not know Emmaus Ministries reaches out to men who are involved in survival prostitution on the streets of Chicago. There is an outreach team that goes out into the streets of Chicago in the night to build relationships with the men to get them into the ministry center, and ultimately off the streets to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, Emmaus has their Ministry Center (MC) open 5 days a week for lunch (sometimes dinner). We hang out with the guys, eat food, and offer some resources to the men. This includes: phone calls, mail, shower, laundry, and sometimes clothing. When the men come in the MC for the day they sign up for a chore on the list and write down a goal they want to accomplish for the day. 

My first day starting at Emmaus the ministry had a day of prayer. This is where they close down the ministry every first Monday of the month, and pray for the ministry, staff, and the men they serve. This basically serves as a time for the staff to receive rest from their work and to spend time in prayer. The staff can give out prayer requests, and then everyone prays for each other. We read scripture, meditated on it, and then talked about it. After lunch we then spent time in prayer for the men. There were three categories: Alcohol, Drugs, and Mental illness. We added names of the guys that struggle with these issues, and prayed for all of them. I thought the day of prayer was a cool way to start with my first day at Emmaus. I was doing more observing than participating considering it was only my first day and I was still getting to know people. This was a really neat experience to see how the staff cares so much about all the men that they serve.

My second day at Emmaus I did office training, which involved answering phone calls, and learning how to work the phone system. I then had the opportunity to go downstairs to the ministry and have lunch with the men. The MC at Emmaus serves lunch Monday through Friday, and dinner three Saturdays a month. The men were so welcoming to me considering I was an unfamiliar face. Before every meal one of the guys does devotions and prays. My time was short in the MC, but it was really great to meet some of the guys at Emmaus.

I did my first Outreach later on that night! This is where volunteers go out to Boystown, (which is known as a gay community in Chicago) at 10:30 at night and hang around until 2:30am. Outreach involves walking around or standing at a corner, and just being open to having conversations with people particularly the men who are involved in survival prostitution and Emmaus. Considering this was my first night I wasn’t sure what to expect, but my roommate explained to me what a typical night of Outreach looked in the winter. Usually, there is not too much activity on the streets on a Tuesday night, but in places such as Starbucks, 7-11, and various bars is where a lot of the men hang around. The Outreach teams at Emmaus do not approach the men, but we let the guys approach us. If we are approached we just talk and build relationships with them. If we meet someone for the first time we build a relationship with them in hopes to get them into the ministry, out of a life of prostitution, and into a relationship with Jesus Christ. I met one of the guys during Outreach that night. Hearing a little bit about his background he has a pretty close relationship with Emmaus, and has been involved in the ministry, but has not been at the ministry center recently due to certain issues, and not following ministry rules. The relationship Emmaus has with him will always be there whether he returns to the ministry or if it’s on the streets. I really enjoyed doing Outreach for the first time, and being able to experience and learn more about what it entails. It was snowing pretty bad and was super cold that night so we came in a little earlier. Before we left Boystown my roommate and I were interviewed by a cameraman for ABC 7 news in regards to the weather and ended up on the news the next morning. What a way to end the night!

The following day I worked my first shift in the ministry center. This was a day where I could just hangout and get to know the men. This involved me having lunch, small talk, and playing a whole lot of Yatzee. Having this day of getting to know the men in the MC was a blessing. Having this experience even only on my third day made me so glad that I chose Emmaus for my field placement. The men that I have met so far are so kind and welcoming. I did not walk out of the MC that day without receiving hugs and handshakes from the men. I was given the opportunity to have some guys share some of their pasts with me filled with addiction and prostitution and where they are at now. It was so amazing to hear how far some of the men have come through this ministry and most importantly, God!

I really like it at Emmaus so far. I love the ministry and the mission of the ministry. The staff is the kindest group of people, and it is obvious how much they care about the men they serve. I am so thankful for this opportunity God has given me to be here at Emmaus, to serve these men, and have three really awesome roommates for the next few months. The Lord is working here, and I am excited to see what God will do during my time at Emmaus!

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On the news!!!!


*Names will always be changed for confidentiality.