Inside Out

Buckthorn is Smart

(Greater Palatine Area) - After hearing the vision for doing a Willow Inside Out project, our Grayslake/Hainesville/Wildwood Neighborhood Group couldn't settle on what to do or who was to lead. I'd been praying for clarity and had sent letters to area mayors asking for available community service projects.

I received a call from Hainesville Village Trustee Pam Genender inviting our group to join the village representatives, neighbors and other volunteers in their "Make A Difference Day" project on Saturday, October 22. They were going to remove buckthorn.

Knowing nothing about buckthorn and thinking (but, of course not saying), "This seems like a dumb project," I told Pam that I'd mention it to the group.
 
The next night our group discussed options. When I mentioned the “dumb” buckthorn project, immediately two of the smartest women in the group spoke up. Gail said, "Oh, I've done buckthorn removal with our Girl Scout's group. It's hard work but fun." Julie said, "We've done buckthorn removal in our neighborhood."

Both when on to explain how buckthorn trees (imported in the 1800’s) kill off native plants and trees, what are the best removal procedures, the Latin name for buckthorn, etc.
 
After my jaw shut, I explained the village project as an option for Inside/Out. We wouldn't have to do any organizing other than show up in buckthorn removal attire ready to work. All ages could come. It would only last a couple hours. We could eat and celebrate after.

Then the host home couple, Noel and Liz (also smart) said, "Did you know that Pam (Hainesville Village Trustee) lives just down the street from us?" Smart Julie commented that buckthorn removal sounded simple and simple was good. So, we decided on the (what I wrongly thought was dumb) buckthorn project.

Our group of 13 Willow Creekers ranged in age from not quite 2 yrs. old to I'm-very-tired-let-me-rest-a-few-days-after-so-much-work-where's-the-Icy-Hot-age.
We had fun, built community, interacted with neighbors and volunteers and did a practical act of service in Jesus' name.

Trustee Pam handed out bubbles, toys, snacks, pizza, water, and noisemakers to the kids. For the Icy Hot set she provided coffee, Make A Difference Day t-shirts and pizza. It turned out to be a smart day!

Lynn Gunnarson Dahlstrom
Coordinator for the
Hainesville/Grayslake/Wildwood Neighborhood Group

The Widow Three Doors Down

(Greater Barrington) -Our Hickory Hollow, West Dundee, neighborhood decided to help a woman whose husband had recently died. We were told that she was having trouble coping with her loss.

When nineteen of us showed up to rake her yard and clean her gutters she was so excited she started taking pictures.  Sensing the need for relationship, I soon dropped my rake and sat down with her.

She was lonely and missed her husband very much. About five of the women wanted to regularly help her with house cleaning and get to know her better. She was not comfortable with the cleaning but agreed to have lunch with us instead.

We have now met for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know our new friend. Next we’re all getting together for a Christmas coffee in my home. It’s so amazing that she lives only 3 doors away and I almost missed this blessing. I'm certainly going to be more open to what’s next as we become closer friends. Maybe she’ll come to the Christmas service and to one of our homes for dinner. It's all so exciting!!

Thanks Willow for helping us reach out!!

Pam Olson

Raking is Contagious

(Greater Elgin Area) Through Elgin Senior Services, Steve Stark, our neighborhood team leader, discovered Sandy, a disabled woman, who needed to have yard work done. The day of the serve there were fourteen on our team and for many of us it was the first time we met neighbors who were fellow “Creekers”.

We rolled up our sleeves and raked about 25 bags of leaves, climbed ladders to clean gutters, trimmed her bushes and cleaned all of her windows, inside and out! Sandy was overwhelmingly grateful. It was such a gift to experience her heartfelt gratitude. But, God gave us a bonus. . .

Sandy's neighbor’s yard was also covered with leaves. Shortly after we started our project, we noticed someone had come out to mulch and mow that yard. We started a conversation and found out that the person doing the other yard was not the owner, but another neighbor named Carol.

She said, “I saw all of you over there helping Sandy, and this neighbor just had foot surgery, so I figured I could help her out.”

Going inside out really is contagious and we experienced it. To God be the Glory.

Bonnie Bennington

Squeaking the Clown's Nose

(Greater Barrington) - The weekend before Halloween, our neighborhood group filled 150 gift bags to deliver to nursing homes. We visited residents of Lexington Nursing Home in Lake Zurich, delivering goodies and visiting a little as we went along. The next day we went to St. Joseph’s of Lake Zurich, a home for mentally challenged women.

It wasn’t enough to bring the kids in costume. The adults wanted to wear them as well. There is something about being in costume that makes one behave differently than normal. Needless to say, we all turned into children.

The reaction from the residents was everything from confusion (“What is Tigger doing here?”) to utter laughter. It was really great to hear the sounds of joy. My clown nose was squeezed almost nonstop. They liked the squeaking sound it made. They enjoyed our silly antics and were thrilled with the gift bags. Even the staff had a good time.

Both visits were extremely touching to me. I'm not sure who received more--those we visited or us who did the visiting. But isn’t that how God works?  It was a great project.

Chris Cooper

"Inside Out" at the PNRC

(Greater Palatine Area) - The East Park Apartments in Rolling Meadows house between 1,200 and 3,500 Latino/Hispanic residents and is served by the PNRC (Police Neighborhood Resource Center). This combination Police Substation, Health Clinic and Social Services organization serves a young and overwhelmingly Hispanic population. Approximately two-thirds of the population doesn’t speak English. The PNRC Mission is “To enhance the quality of life through empowerment, coordination of resources, and the promotion of education and health among under-served residents.”

A recent civil engineering project divided a through street in front of the PNRC into two cul-de-sacs with an open area between. Our “Inside Out” project goal was to convert this flat, open space into a safe and welcoming park with fresh landscaping (trees, shrubs, beds of perennials and hardy ground cover, mulch and seating walls). On Saturday, October 22, around 100 Willow volunteers joined neighborhood residents to transform the space and make it a little more like Eden.

Landscape Designer Tom Trayser created the overall plan in cooperation with the City of Rolling Meadows, and provided overall project direction. Miguel Sotelo, owner of Orion Landscape and member of Casa De Luz, provided equipment and leadership for both skilled and non-skilled volunteers. Sotelo also recruited a large number of volunteers from Casa-De-Luz, Willow’s Spanish-speaking congregation. Neighborhood Coordinator Susan Herold recruited Creekers from the neighborhood, and Bob Koci pulled several teens from Rolling Meadows' Student Impact House Group.

A second goal for the day was the exposure of East Park residents to members of Casa-De-Luz. Casa provided a nine-piece band and sound technicians for a celebratory “Fiesta” at the end of the day. Residents provided home-made food and costumed neighborhood children participated in several festive dance numbers. Many residents and Willow volunteers made their way around the fresh landscaping to enjoy the food and music. The day ended with a prayer of dedication by Casa De Luz pastor Hector Hermisillo.

Dave Treat
Community Pastor, Greater Palatine Area

Fellowship Housing Fixed Up

(Greater Schaumburg) - Fellowship Housing provides support, mentoring and affordable housing for single moms and their kids who are in crisis.  The families are homeless, or nearly homeless, and desperate.  Moms receive training, counseling, support, love, and accountability from a Christian caseworker.  With training in personal finances, job skills, parenting and lots of love and mentoring, families are able to graduate from the program in a year or two, move into their own house or apt, and are self- sufficient.  This ministry really changes lives!

One person, Ken Evans, volunteered to help fixing, repairing and maintaining the apartments. Here is what he said.

“My wife and I were at New Community when we heard about Fellowship Housing’s need of volunteers.  We talked about it briefly and I picked up some info and called the office to see if there was something I could do.  I left messages with each of the FHC staff that were responsible for the various things that I was interested in doing.  I also offered to do maintenance repairs to any of the units that they thought needed work.

While I was waiting for a response from Fellowship Housing, Bill Hybels preached the message on “Holy Discontent”.  That was when I realized that this was my “Holy Discontent”--single moms need a better maintained place to live and I could help.   The apartments needed a lot of work. Some folks from the Schaumburg area heard about the needs.
   
Since the Schaumburg area neighbors go involved a month ago we have completed the following: painted the conference room of FHC, painted a two bedroom condo, a one bedroom condo and the three floor stair railing for the building. We have repaired closet doors, numerous light fixtures, closet poles, electrical outlets, a bathroom floor, a bedroom drywall ceiling, baseboard heating covers and an electric stove. We have also installed a garbage disposal, laid ceramic tile and washed walls, windows and floors throughout the entire six condo building. 

We had the help of more than sixty skilled and unskilled volunteers donating more than 200 hours to this project.

While working on the building single moms have brought their children to help us paint. The volunteers have been from ages twelve to seventy. In spite of being busy people, these Willow folks desired to serve someone else. And that has been overwhelming.”

Pat Benson was one of the neighbors that stepped up to help Ken. He has been at the apartments each Tuesday and Thursday evening and Saturday morning for the past several weeks and has invited many people to join him.

This is from Pat...

“A local contractor donated 150 hours of skilled labor to FHC.  His team was able to replace the rotten sub floors under tubs & toilets--work that is beyond the skill for most of the volunteers.

We needed floor tile that cost at least $433.00 for each of the three baths that needed repairs. God moved in the hearts of Schaumburg neighbors and we received enough to complete two bathrooms.

Last night two little boys peeked out their apartment door and watched a father and young son painting the beat up railings. In a soft voice one of little residents asked if he could paint too. The father & son took the boys hands and helped them paint the railing. Instantly bridges were built.”

Seniors Serving Camp Katrina

Inside Out met Hurricane Katrina Relief this week. Forty-five volunteers from the Willow seniors group went to Heartland Church in Rockford to organize clothes collected for the Waveland, MS relief center.

Over 9,000 items were sorted, folded and boxed for shipment in one day by these folks. It may be impossible to take a week to serve at Camp Katrina, but it is very possible to be involved serving those who lost everything in the hurricane by helping at Heartland. The need continues.

LaVerne Weber

Fixing a Flat Tire

(Greater Barrington) - Two of my kids, Jason (11) and Shelby (4) were riding in the car with me when we spotted a car with a flat tire on the side of the road. There were two elderly women alone in the car. We decided to stop and help. They were waiting for their brother to come and help, but we decided to change the flat for them.

All the time, the two ladies were saying:
"You do not have to do this.”
“We don't even know you.”
"Let us pay you.”
“This is not right since we are strangers.”

I finally stopped them and said, “We are a Christian family and find great joy in helping you. You don’t have to talk us out of serving you, it is a priviledge. God has been good to us.”

Soon a Lake Zurich cop pulled up behind us and kept his lights on until we were done. The ladies thanked us and went on their way. As I was walking back to my car, the policeman rolled down his window and yelled out, “Hey Mark, well done, fellow brother in Christ.”

He was a Willow Creeker from years past. I have not seen him in over 15 years. You never know who you are serving and who is watching. What a great adventure to be children of God!

Mark Russ

Brunch with the Girls

(Greater Barrington) - One woman in our newly formed neighborhood group told us about a friend who was experiencing major struggles in her life. She was very discouraged and unable to see much hope for things getting better. We decided we’d all take this woman out to brunch as a way of gathering around her for support.

We listened to her story, then took turns telling her about our own survival stories. We talked about the different seasons in our lives and how we learned to trust the Lord.

We also provided gifts to help meet her basic needs. Our gathering not only encouraged her, but deepened each of us in our own trust in God. We were served by serving.

Donna Jung

Wheaton Turns a Neighborhood Inside Out

Wheaton Regional

I am one of the Inside Out recipients. Having people come to my house and humbly doing repairs was one of the most incredible experiences ever.

I love to host people, but have not entertained for several years because of how ashamed I was of the disrepair of my home. A Wheaton neighborhood serving group came and saw everything at its worst. Strangely, having them in my home, helped lessen my feeling of embarrassment and actually gave me hope for filling my home with people once again. Their selfless giving has also given me hope that in spite of new expenses cropping up, God will meet my needs in ways I would never have guessed.

Of course I’ve told my neighbors and co-workers all about the help I’m receiving. My co-workers shake their heads in amazement and then say something like, "Wow, that's how a church should be" or "Wow, I guess the good things I've heard about Willow for years are true--and that it's not a cult." My neighbors liked hanging around watching the workers swarm my house. They have been fascinated, intrigued, impressed and touched by it all.

The amazing acts of service I’ve received have made people I know more interested in coming to Willow. In fact, I brought some customers to Willow this past weekend who heard about what Inside Out has done for me. They were blown away by the service!

Ann Swezene