Mission Matters: Mission Trip Update

Lots of whole chickens to bag

This morning, we got up bright and early at 5:30 am to get ready for the day. Our service project for the day was at Cornerstone Community Outreach and food pantry. First, we helped to prepare and serve breakfast and began to prepare pizza for lunch. We helped cut up the pizza, add toppings, and arrange them efficiently on the oiled trays, kinda like Tetris. Once breakfast was served, we helped out with the food pantry. Some of us policed the food to make sure everyone got a fair amount. Others helped to register people and sign them in. After this, we helped to set up the tables for lunch. We met many new people speaking many different languages.

Oiling the pans for pizzas being assembled on the other table.

Once we left the food pantry, we had a picnic in a park area. We used ingredients we had bought last night to craft our own sandwiches.

During our meal we were greeted by a friendly squirrel in search of a few crumbs. After a chip was thrown at him, he realized that the food was not for him, and ran up a tree, never to be seen again.

After this, we walked over to the subway to catch a ride to the Oriental Theatre, to see the world premiere of the SpongeBob Musical. The subway experience was new for many, but exciting for all. Once we got off the train, we stopped by Garrett’s popcorn to eat samples and Magnolia’s bakery for banana pudding. Then, it was time for the best musical of our lives. We found our seats on the balcony and admired the extravagant set around us, full of fluorescent flowers and streamers. The musical was very colorful and extremely fun, with many cheerful songs and detailed dances, such as Squidward’s tap dance. The plot featured a volcano and the surrounding apocalypse facing Bikini Bottom, but was surprisingly cheerful in the end. Our main takeaway was that optimism can prevail even in the darkest of times.

Rice was chosen by almost everyone

Then, we walked over to Cloudgate, or the Bean, in Millennium Park and admired our reflections. From there we went to another big park with an even bigger playground. After that, we stopped for gelato and something to drink. Finally, we went back on our way to the Youth Center, our home for the week, where we have eaten meals and rested.