We had a great day here in the Norfolk/Va Beach area, which started this morning with breakfast together and an excitement for what God had in store for us! Our first stop after leaving Spring Branch was to Union Mission Ministries. They are a multifaceted organization that provide housing on their campus for both men and women, a thrift store, donation warehouse and career advisers for homeless men and women who they are working with to get into more permanent housing. We had the opportunity to meet with one of the directors of Union Mission, Miss Linda and she spoke with our team about homelessness and what Union Mission is striving to do about it. We presented her with all of our donations and she showed us where they would be taken, the process for who would receive them and some of the rest of their campus.
After leaving Union, we headed to a nearby park to have lunch. After lunch we went to Consulate Healthcare Center where we were able to spend some time with some of their patients there. They are mostly elderly and/or disabled men and women who can't always do things on their own, or have people to do things with. The team paired up with residents in order to double their chances at winning bingo. Our students were able to witness the intensity that is elderly bingo! After playing, we joined the residents for some refreshments and the chance to get to know them a little better. Our team thrived in what could have been an uncomfortable situation, forming instant bonds with the residents.
We were sad to leave them, but after our goodbyes we went to the beach where we did some team bonding, followed by dinner. Once everyone had eaten, we went back to Spring Branch for our second Porch Time of the trip. We reminisced on the day during Porch Time's staple segments called "Remember That Time" and "I Saw Jesus" where we remember the funny things that happened during the day, but also where we saw God at work on the trip. After worship, Nick spoke on why our faith looks and feels different when we are on trips like this than it does at home. We looked at a passage in John 11 where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, but before he does Lazarus's sisters Mary and Martha each react differently to Jesus' arrival. Mary acts quickly, rising up and going out. Martha initially goes out, but questions Jesus, allows some doubt to control her. We spoke about how as we look to tomorrow where we will be heading home, we will be faced with a decision: to allow what we experienced on the trip to change us and let our faith control us or let in any fears that we may have. We continued these talks in small groups and then are heading to bed soon, excited to finish out our trip well tomorrow!
