Our Mission Trip to Portland Maine
Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
My heart is in Chowan and my soul is in Portland, Maine. And if you ask me what Heaven is like I’ll tell you it’s a lot like Preble Street.
After graduating from Chowan this past May I knew that my heart was left at Chowan and now after this mission trip to Portland, ME I know my soul is in Maine. I got to see my God, my savior and his spirit a bit differently through this trip. God whispered in every encounter and at every location, and with every member.
Bright and early 6:30 Monday morning; we headed to serve at Preble Street. Preble Street is an organization that is dedicated to serving and supporting people experiencing homelessness. Upon arrival, the Preble Street staff welcomed us and showed us the ropes. We then got to work. We did just about everything, from helping prepare meals, setting up the dining area. Working together and encouraging each other through the tasks definitely bonded our team’s hearts together.
When the time came to serve the food to the community I didn’t know what to expect. Steve and I were placed on the family cart in the dining area, that first day. As the doors to Preble Street opened and people quickly entered. I changed after that experience.
I saw their eyes.
I saw people who’ve known a different world then I have.
The faces of everyone I saw I will never forget. While serving I kept asking God how can I pray for the people of Preble Street. And I think there are probably a million answers to that question.
As a team, we then set out to sweep the streets. I found myself worried about what might happen to us while out there. But the stories and laughs of Shaniqua, Elena, Hannah, and Drew gave me peace. And to my surprise, we met a man who gave each of us a flower. I sure was humbled after that.
The rest of our week was filled with dozens more unforgettable moments.
We were then able to visit the coast. At the coast, God began to whisper to me about the beautiful nature around me and I began to think… God, what if you are like the water and I’m the rocky coast. What if you’re moving around me; eroding, washing and wearing down my sinful ways. Sharp and Jagged. You the living water; what if your water is healing, soothing and smoothing and making the coast of my soul safe and peaceful. The water splashed and puddled and pooled. It surrounded the rocky terrain. I know God surrounds my life. His grace gets in the cracks. His love splashes and reaches even the highest rocky cliffs of my sins.
At the Prayer Labyrinth we visited, I heard God whisper again. “Look at the leaves and the branches” And this verse about branches came to mind.
John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for apart from Me, you can do nothing.”
God said to me at that Prayer Labyrinth “I want the world to be a community like the leaves on the branches. Leaf connected to leaf; People connected to each other. I want my people to be connected to each other through me.”
I pray we can do just that. I pray I can be a community builder for Christ; letting everyone see that they belong.
And on the last night at our hotel, God whispered once again. And what He said moved me to tears. “Jesus our Savior experienced homelessness. On his first day on earth and throughout his years of ministry he didn’t have a place to stay just like people you encountered at Preble Street.
He came with the least.
He came to serve and lived to die. So that all who were without would have a family, a community, a home.
Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
On this mission trip that’s what God showed me through Preble Street.
And I know…
If you ask me what Heaven is like I’ll tell you it’s a lot like Preble Street. A place with plenty of friends and food for everyone. A place where everyone is welcome.
-Evelyn Walker
P.S.
To Preble Street; thank you!
To the reader; I encourage you to serve as our Savior served.
And To the Maine Mission Trip Members; I love you!
Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
My heart is in Chowan and my soul is in Portland, Maine. And if you ask me what Heaven is like I’ll tell you it’s a lot like Preble Street.
After graduating from Chowan this past May I knew that my heart was left at Chowan and now after this mission trip to Portland, ME I know my soul is in Maine. I got to see my God, my savior and his spirit a bit differently through this trip. God whispered in every encounter and at every location, and with every member.
Bright and early 6:30 Monday morning; we headed to serve at Preble Street. Preble Street is an organization that is dedicated to serving and supporting people experiencing homelessness. Upon arrival, the Preble Street staff welcomed us and showed us the ropes. We then got to work. We did just about everything, from helping prepare meals, setting up the dining area. Working together and encouraging each other through the tasks definitely bonded our team’s hearts together.
When the time came to serve the food to the community I didn’t know what to expect. Steve and I were placed on the family cart in the dining area, that first day. As the doors to Preble Street opened and people quickly entered. I changed after that experience.
I saw their eyes.
I saw people who’ve known a different world then I have.
The faces of everyone I saw I will never forget. While serving I kept asking God how can I pray for the people of Preble Street. And I think there are probably a million answers to that question.
As a team, we then set out to sweep the streets. I found myself worried about what might happen to us while out there. But the stories and laughs of Shaniqua, Elena, Hannah, and Drew gave me peace. And to my surprise, we met a man who gave each of us a flower. I sure was humbled after that.
The rest of our week was filled with dozens more unforgettable moments.
We were then able to visit the coast. At the coast, God began to whisper to me about the beautiful nature around me and I began to think… God, what if you are like the water and I’m the rocky coast. What if you’re moving around me; eroding, washing and wearing down my sinful ways. Sharp and Jagged. You the living water; what if your water is healing, soothing and smoothing and making the coast of my soul safe and peaceful. The water splashed and puddled and pooled. It surrounded the rocky terrain. I know God surrounds my life. His grace gets in the cracks. His love splashes and reaches even the highest rocky cliffs of my sins.
At the Prayer Labyrinth we visited, I heard God whisper again. “Look at the leaves and the branches” And this verse about branches came to mind.
John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for apart from Me, you can do nothing.”
God said to me at that Prayer Labyrinth “I want the world to be a community like the leaves on the branches. Leaf connected to leaf; People connected to each other. I want my people to be connected to each other through me.”
I pray we can do just that. I pray I can be a community builder for Christ; letting everyone see that they belong.
And on the last night at our hotel, God whispered once again. And what He said moved me to tears. “Jesus our Savior experienced homelessness. On his first day on earth and throughout his years of ministry he didn’t have a place to stay just like people you encountered at Preble Street.
He came with the least.
He came to serve and lived to die. So that all who were without would have a family, a community, a home.
Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
On this mission trip that’s what God showed me through Preble Street.
And I know…
If you ask me what Heaven is like I’ll tell you it’s a lot like Preble Street. A place with plenty of friends and food for everyone. A place where everyone is welcome.
-Evelyn Walker
P.S.
To Preble Street; thank you!
To the reader; I encourage you to serve as our Savior served.
And To the Maine Mission Trip Members; I love you!