Days 63-65

"Words that soak into your ears are whispered... not yelled."

"Meanness doesn't just happen overnight."

"The best sermons are lived, not preached."

Thursday, June 14

       Today we took FFC on the Belt Line with Big Jon. We actually went under the tunnel full of graffiti where many rap videos are recorded. Walking through it was like entering a valley of darkness really... The entire tunnel was full of gang graffiti and different meanings that I didn't know. I just had an empty feeling inside as we walked passed it and I kinda wanted to know what went down during the night.. I'm usually that girl who is very curious.. sometimes too curious! Ha ha. But the rest of the Belt Line went pretty well. Big Jon took us through different parts that I hadn't walked and we were able to see the homeless fort. We actually saw a few of the homeless guys in the tunnels as well. During lunch I had the best falafel wrap ever with Jesse and Mr. and Mrs. Baab. We then got together with the rest of the team and I saw Paul, one of the guys from the street. He didn't want to talk to me so I kind of let him be. I also saw one of my old high school friends who I hadn't seen in over 5 years. That was a nice surprise :)

     When we got back from the Belt Line the team had a 2 hour rest and we then left to go to a Safehouse block party. There the team was able to play with the kids at an apartment complex and I was able to get hit in the eye with a dodgeball. It hurt pretty bad. But before I was talking to a lady named Martica who has an apartment infested with mold and mildew. She told me that it had taken over her entire apartment that she couldn't live in it anymore and her little daughter, who has asthma, had to be taken to the hospital several times throughout the week. I was talking to her to try and help her when the ball hit and even though it hurt.. a lot... I just contained that pain and kept talking to Martica. Please pray for her so that she can find a new home for her and her little daughter. 

     After we went to Jason's Deli to debrief. We chose that over the Varsity because we wanted to switch it up. The debrief went awesome! Our team all participated and shared different things they saw throughout the day. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Friday, June 15

     Today we took the team to the MLK Center. Every Friday we do this to each mission team to ask the question so what? So what if we help the homeless? So what if we do anything? So what? At the MLK Center the question of so what is answered with the life of Martin Luther King Jr. He decided that "so what" wouldn't go unanswered. So he gave his entire life in dedication to something he believed and stood up for. Because of that he was able to change the views of an entire nation. At the end of a video we watched they asked us the question of what will we do for something that we believe in? For me and the interns, we'll be "for and with our most vulnerable neighbors". But what we want to leave the mission teams with is a yearning to stand up for something they love. 

     After leaving the center we had a picnic in the park. I was able to see Jimmy and he gave me the biggest hug ever. He entered the Salvation Army and was going to enter it today. We talked for awhile about his goals of seeing his family and how he has people who love and care for him that will help him whenever he is struggling. I could see in his eyes that yearning to change his life and I am excited to be a part of his life. I was also able to talk to Jennifer and help her out as she struggled with a few more things. I told her that I love her and care for her and we were able to share what we were feeling for over an hour. I also noticed Joshua hang out with the team to make spoon rings. Each time a mission team comes and we debrief, they always mention Joshua. They always say how he is inspiring with his story. I think of Joshua as an older brother and I was excited when my mom got to meet him on Saturday :) 

     After the picnic we had a parish walk and went to Woodruff. Joshua came and I got to meet his friend Scott. Scott was an awesome guy who had so many interesting stories! We probably talked the entire time I was there and they walked back with us to St. Paul. I'm excited that I get to talk to him more on Saturday! After the walk we had another block party with Community Church of God. There I face painted and played ring around the rosie. After the block party we went to the Varsity to debrief. Both teams hung out throughout the day and the debrief was beyond amazing. Several of the guys shared their experience- each with what they got out of it. It just amazes me each time to see how each person was touched differently and by different people. It's great :) From there I had to say bye to the teams - which is sad as usual. I love my team because they were so kind hearted and such hard workers! They always put their best foot forward and always gave it their best. It was hard saying bye but hopefully I'll try to visit them sometime or they can always visit us :)

Saturday, June 16

     Saturday on the Street! Several new people showed up today so that was really great. I also was able to talk to Mother Theresa and she told us her story of her son and how she knows that God strengthens her day after day. When I talked to Eddy, he told me the same thing. He told me he knows that God does everything for a reason and that he has to trust Him but that sometimes he struggles. I told him I'd pray for him and then I went and talked to a few more people. Carey was there and I talked to him for a bit. I was also able to talk to Manny a lot today and he helped me with a lot of things. Scott came and I talked to him and played checkers with him. He is pretty darn good! We had to call it a tie because everyone was already packing up but Scott starts his new job today! He's working at Taco Mac as a cook! I was so happy to hear that and I'm excited to see how it goes :) After SOTS my mom came and met several of my friends! She met Joshua, Tony, Reggie, Steve, Manny, David, Gary and a few others. I was excited about that and hopefully my family can come one day to SOTS :)

Jenny Sample