As we sat around the picnic table with my parents, after a weekend full of adventure and fun, the girls shared with them the highlights of the trip. Some shared about going to the beach, others shared about playing in the sand dunes but Shamiya spoke up and responded, “What I like most about the camping trip is that I feel safe; I don’t have to worry about watching my back or getting shot.” As her words came out I got choked up, what 11 year old would respond this way, literally constantly scared for her life? Never would we have imagined the reality of Shamiya’s words; Just months later Shamiya was shot while having a sleepover with the other girls from the camping trip. These young girls have experience far more pain than any child should ever have to experience.
Last May I had the incredible blessing of taking six little girls from my church in Chicago camping. The kids, having never been camping before, asked me, “Are there tigers and bears in Wisconsin?!” They had no clue what to expect but they jumped right in! The girls never once hesitated on a single adventure from climbing trees, swinging from rope swings to chasing a herd of deer through the sand dunes. They loved every second of it because for once they were allowed to have fun and just be kids. But they weren’t the only ones, my family and friends were all involved in the trip and were able to spend this time with the girls and it forever changed their lives as well.
As I look back on all the incredible memories I have from over that weekend, I cannot help but see what a complete gift from God is was to spend that time with Shamiya before she left this earth. This trip was something the girls will remember for the rest of their lives and it is our vision to keep taking these children as often as we can.
In the weeks since Shamiya’s death, as I have walked alongside these little girls as they mourn the loss of their dear friend, I can’t help but question what can I do to help? I can’t pick them up and move them out of their neighborhood and I can’t stop the violence that surrounds them, but I can walk alongside them and share with them the hope we have in Jesus Christ. I can also help allow them to see that in this world so filled with pain, there is still beauty. My hope in this next year is to continue to pour into these girls as well as the other children in West Garfield Park and give them opportunities to see God’s beauty at work in nature, art, music, culture, and people. I hope to take them places like the zoo, conservatories, cultural centers, concerts and the outdoors for them to be able to experience these things for themselves.
So how can you help? There are many ways! First and foremost through your prayers; Chicago is in desperate need of prayers as daily the death count raises due to street violence. Secondly you can help us through your donations. We have little to no money to work with which makes planning very difficult. If you can’t donate money but can lend us supplies it helps greatly! This year we have donations from Rev Board Shop so we can take the girls kayaking and paddle boarding! Lastly you can donate your time! I could talk to you all day about how incredible these kids are but you’ll never realize it until you meet them! Last year my brother Andrew and friend Ben met them for the first time and now they make regular trips down to Chicago to visit because they’ve fallen in love with the kids. If you are interested please contact me and see how you can help out! You can play a part of changing these kids’ lives!
Things you can donate:
Food
Snacks
Juice boxes
Peanut Butter
Nutella
Jelly
Hotdogs
Buns
Ketchup
Mustard
Smore stuff Chips
Granola Bars
Pizza
Fruit
Cereal
Aluminum Foil
Pancake Mix
Chocolate Chips
Syrup
Butter
Milk
(Anything else!)
