PGM

On Saturday 22 of us headed down to Chicago to visit an amazing ministry. Pacific Garden Mission has been going strong for over 130 years providing food, shelter and the Bible to homeless people. In 2007 they opened a new facility that has many "green" aspects to it. They have solar panels on their roof to heat the water used for the showers. (in the winter, over 1,200 "guests" shower with them in order to sleep in one of their beds) We had a great tour that included visiting one of the bedrooms that housed 650 beds. It also had a "hot box" that all the their stuff is put into in order to kill all parasites and insects. They also built their building so different levels are hit by the sun at different times. They also have thousands of worms so they can make organic soil to grow many of their crops. they grow their crops on other parts of their roof which they painted white to reflect the sun. A lot of neat stuff like that...

PGM also provides a Bible programs that allow the men & women to work and study( and for many of them to get off the drugs they have become addicted to). PGM also tries to find them jobs after they fulfill the program. The guests always get 3 square meals(we shared dinner with them and it was pretty good!). There is preaching before and after the meals. The evening worship service was amazing. Good preaching and testimonies from a few of the men that had recently graduated from the program. Plus the singing was very lively! We also got to sit for a taping of the radio show "Unshackled" which is broadcasted all over the world. So we got a tour, enjoyed the taping, had a good dinner and took part in a great service all in one evening! It was a wonderful night!

check it out at www.pgm.org