Today was one of the only days where all of the groups did the same thing for part of the day. We all partook in something that CSM (Center for Student Missions) calls the Urban Plunge. This is an opportunity for everyone to engage with the city to learn about different perspectives on the city, pray for it, and think through how each of us would engage with homelessness if we ran the city. Everyone split into smaller groups with a leader and tried to speak to a homeless person, a local police officer, a visitor to Nashville, and a native to get their perspective on the city and how it is run. This was a special opportunity to hear about the city from different angles as each of us starts to figure out how we feel about the problems the city faces. In addition to these conversations the small groups each went to the top of a parking garage to look out over the city and pray for the different needs and perspectives of the city and that God would give clear guidance for and care over the city.
In addition to the urban plunge, group 1 continued its work at N.I.C.E. where they continued to engage with the kids and help them grow in their educational studies. At this point the group has become very comfortable with the kids and how things work so they are able to immediately jump in and pick right back up where they left off. The opportunity to serve at the same location everyday has given group 1 a unique opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the kids that they have poured into everyday.
Group 2 went to a new location to start there day called Isaiah 58, which is a local soup kitchen in Nashville. The unique thing about Isaiah 58 is that they not only have a main building to serve food, but they also have a food truck that travels around the city to deliver food to the needy in multiple locations. Group 2 was able to help serve the food as well as spend some quality time with everyone who came to the truck for food. The group was impressed and inspired by the creative approach to feeding the hungry through the food truck.
Like group 1, group 3 went back to their usual boys and girls club site tp spend another morning playing games, doing crafts, and educational exercises. Everyone in the group has worked hard to develop an individual relationship with 2-3 kids. The kids look forward to their arrival and our group has created some great bonds with everyone at the boys and girls club.
Group 4 also went back to the Project Transformation day camp that they have been going to throughout the week. This was a bittersweet day for the group because they were excited to see all of the kids again, but this was going to be their last day at Project Transformation which was a little sad. It has been a really fun and educational week for the group and the kids at the program have left a lasting impression that the group will take back with them to Williamsburg.
Group 5 spend the morning at Project C.U.R.E. which is a huge warehouse filled with medical supplies that the staff distributes throughout the city to ministries and care facilities that need it. The group spent the morning helping update the inventory list at the warehouse because they haven't had a fully updated inventory list for years. They scanned equipment, packaged it up, and placed it on the shelves which led to a very productive morning.
After a full day of serving the team headed back for Taco Dinner at the housing site followed by our third Porch Time. Tonight, the team headed to a local park called the Bicentennial park because it has a large amphitheater that provides great outdoor seating for all of our evening activities during porch time. We shared memories, sang some worship songs, and then listened to a talk by Luke out of Romans 1. Luke used Romans 1:18-25 to describe why suffering and hurt exist in the world. He said that selfishness always leads to suffering because our selfish tendencies lead us to only think/care for ourselves rather than focusing on the needs around us or our relationship with God. We closed out the evening with some great small group discussion to continue processing our time and the realities of suffering in the world that stem from our selfishness.
Tomorrow is our final day of service so please continue to pray for all that we do and all that God continues to teach each one of us.
