Going on a mission trip is like playing a game of chance, you never know what's going to happen. Preparing for this week I had my preconceived ideas about what we would be getting into. I thought I knew what was going to happen because, in my past, I have had to experience times of homelessness myself. That's why I had such a strong impression and thought I knew what was to come when we got here. I couldn't have been more wrong.
It's so much different to be on the opposite side of that serving counter. It has been a very emotionally draining week for me. I had to revisit some untouched memories that were a bit hard to think about. This week something amazing happened in the midst of my personal flashbacks. This week I was able to see God in some of the most unlikely places: I saw him in the great volunteers that gave countless hours to Preble Street, I saw him in the single mother that was with her children, I also saw him in the addict that couldn't function properly in the middle of the street.
Sometimes we forget to look for God where no one wants to be. I just so happened to forget that Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. Drew told us a story in the beginning of the week that has sat with me all week. There's this kitchen in New York and the lady that prays them in every morning says to have a smile because Jesus will be walking through that line and one knows who he'll be.
This week has been nothing but humbling and educational. I've never felt so close with God before in my life. Whether it be because of the relationships I've made with volunteers or being able to finally give back and show people on the opposite side of that counter that it does get better and one day they could be where I am today.
I always thought that helping people who are experiencing homelessness was my call to ministry, I truly believe that serving at Preble Street has made that call very evident now.
It's so much different to be on the opposite side of that serving counter. It has been a very emotionally draining week for me. I had to revisit some untouched memories that were a bit hard to think about. This week something amazing happened in the midst of my personal flashbacks. This week I was able to see God in some of the most unlikely places: I saw him in the great volunteers that gave countless hours to Preble Street, I saw him in the single mother that was with her children, I also saw him in the addict that couldn't function properly in the middle of the street.
Sometimes we forget to look for God where no one wants to be. I just so happened to forget that Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. Drew told us a story in the beginning of the week that has sat with me all week. There's this kitchen in New York and the lady that prays them in every morning says to have a smile because Jesus will be walking through that line and one knows who he'll be.
This week has been nothing but humbling and educational. I've never felt so close with God before in my life. Whether it be because of the relationships I've made with volunteers or being able to finally give back and show people on the opposite side of that counter that it does get better and one day they could be where I am today.
I always thought that helping people who are experiencing homelessness was my call to ministry, I truly believe that serving at Preble Street has made that call very evident now.