Perception. This has been the theme for my Atlanta trip experience, and on many levels I definitely needed to mature in this area. Walking in the shoes of others with empathy is something that we as Christians are called to do and this trip has tested every aspect of it, and thankfully God opened my eyes. This is in fact my first mission trip and I definitely had predestined fears and ideas about the people that I would encounter. But why? This trip taught me the fact that all the people that I served, and served with are God’s children, and that ALL on the earth are made in the image of God. I’ve seen The Lord through the children from King Elementary and the middle school simply because these kids and young adults have a voice that is valid and important. They have tangible dreams and ambitions that need to be nurtured and even if it was for just a few hours I’m so glad that our group could be such a positive influence. I’m also just so grateful that God softened my heart for the homeless and the poor as well. God calls us to be concerned for that who are in need and be a blessing to all so we can emit the goodness of God. Proverbs 29:7 had been a verse of reference that I had been meditating on in accordance to working with the homeless. All in all, I’ve learned that even we Christians “that accept everyone” can be judgmental and choose who we want to bless. Pretty backwards. Jesus hung around the ones who weren’t popular in the eyes of the public because He understands that we are all kin. I strive to love more like him.
Words can’t describe how excited I was to be a part of this mission trip, my second time on one. I have so much to say but will only mention a few things. There was never a dull being in Atlanta. We went to the Civil and Human Rights Museum that was breath taking. I learned so much from the international section; what really got to me was the touch screen and you got to hear all kinds of stories from different people around the world. I chose a woman that was from Iran she was basically forced to be married to her cousin at the age of 15, by her father. I could not imagine what it would be like if my father did that to me. Another section where it had the White and Colored side of how they experience different lives. I was amazed of how everything was from the TV set with different channels, the place where you sat down and heard people saying harsh words that were very powerful. The next day we went to the King’s Center where it gave history about Martin Luther King and other people that helped alone the way. What really stood out to me was that they gave a lot of credit to Coretta King knowing that we usually don’t hear about her. I learned so much of what she did and how she stood by her husband’s side. She was a strong lady and even with all the negative things happening in her relationship and children she was still faithfully. I also enjoyed the church he had preached as well. While sitting there, they played a sermon by him and I could just imagine him in front of me. I took that all in and enjoyed every moment. I was able to go to The Gateway Center that people were affected by housing insecurity it was amazing hearing Mr. Benjamin and Ms. Beck stories of their experiences and how they overcome their situations. I help by doing their manicures and just talking to people which really stood out to me because I was nervous about what to say to them and hopefully not saying the wrong thing. But taking a step back, I became natural and met a lot of good people there. A person who really stood out to me was named Austin he gave me good wisdom and encouragements to continue school and not to give up on anything, that I can get my degrees and I can make it in this life and that it is okay for me to change my major if it’s not going to make me happy. Throughout this trip I learned more about being flexible, listening and just being able to show my light to those around me that God has given me. I am so thankful for the team I worked with I enjoyed the love and talks: may me feel that God is always there for his people.
This mission trip to Atlanta really made me appreciate the life I have a little bit more and the experiences in which I will never forget. Talking to the housing insecure gave me insight on things they wished or are doing to get their lives together. It made me put thing into perspective and want to achieve more than average and want to give back what was learned.
Denzell White Coming to Atlanta, Georgia was definitely an eye opener. It taught me to be intentional and inclusive as a Christian. Before I came on this mission trip, I just thought that to be a Christian was to just show forth Christ to the world. But, I got so caught up in the “Holiness” that I was leaving behind a whole lot of people who needed to get closer to God. I forgot how to be human and that caused a barrier to be put up between myself and others who did not have a relationship with Christ as I do. I was so heavenly minded that I was no earthly good. And, it was not in the sense of, “I’m holier than the next person”. But, more so, putting people and things into two categories, “Godly” and “Not Godly”. Therefore, anything or anyone who was not “godly” I did not participate in or engage in. I literally set myself apart. After coming here and going out to serve the less fortunate, children, visiting the MLK center, Civil Rights and International Rights center and going to the World Market taught me that I as a Christan have to be like Christ, the Christ that walked the earth and met people where they were. What I took from this trip is that to be a follower of Christ, you have to be willing to go out and engage culture. Engaging culture as a Christian is the bridge to bringing someone that much closer to Christ.
-Shawn Janey This weekend I had the immense pleasure of traveling to Shelby NC with the Chowan University Mission team. I learned a lot this weekend, I learned that acceptance is around every corner. However I witnessed three characteristics that I can only hope to emulate in the future. Two of these characteristics came from two members of my team. I witnessed the strength of words. I had countless conversations this weekend but one stuck with me. I was sitting at the table enjoying dinner with Ms. Mari and she said "I think a big issue we have in this world is that we treat people like issues and not individuals". That stuck with me because of how true it is. We treat poor people, drug addicts, children and even our friends like issues, like their is something wrong with them when they mess up. Of course I'm not denying that everyone has error, but the point here was to say what if we treated people like they each have a story. What if we walked out of our doors everyday and met someone on the street and spoke life? What if we got to know their individuality, what's behind their mistakes? Couldn't we be better, wouldn't they be better? As I pondered on this thought I decided to give it a try. I met three people today. Two were ex convicts. Both were incredible individuals, with goals and a story. Their stories were beautiful and remind me of the human condition. That we mess up, we fail but we keep going. The last person I met, I only met him briefly and it was in the midst of him shouting at me not to give his date directions. I could've shouted back, but I didn't. I didn't because when putting the situation into context I realized he was lost, he was scared, he was in an unfamiliar place. In that moment I could have made him an issue, but instead I made him an individual. I didn't shout back, I turned and gave what directions I could. Individuality is what makes us special, it's what helps us thrive. Without it we would all be the same and there would be no story to cherish. The second person I met this weekend was Hal. Hal is kind of old and the whole day we worked he had a hat on but only wore it halfway. However in all his oddness, Hal showed me patience and compassion. He may not have been a miracle worker but being in his presence was just a great feeling. He showed me how to build and how to measure. He laughed with us and encouraged us. I can only hope to be that patient when teaching. To be that kind when showing others something that they are new to. Hal impacted me us such a way that I'm not even sure he knew. The last person was Tara. Tara is from Charlotte and very eccentric. More importantly Tara was happy.She was always smiling, not once throughout my whole time in Shelby did I see her frown or complain. Instead, she took pictures and was just great to be around. I felt her kindness and while it may not have been intentional for her, for me it was. Being kind is sometimes so much easier said than done. Tara however showed it with ease. I learned alot from this trip, I learned that rocks really hurt when you fall on them, I learned that wheelchair ramps take an extremely long time to build. Most of all I learned how to be more like Jesus. To be more like the Jesus who preached a different message than his predcessors. I learned what patience and kindest truly looks like. For that I am forever greatful The trip to Shelby did not come off as a mission trip to me, it was more so a retreat. That could be because I have a strong desire to help and serve. I learned more about myself and I was also capable to see how much I have grown. During this trip my project was to go to an adult daycare. I talked to Mama Mari about how much I love visiting my grandma at her nursing home and she just knew that was the best fit project for me. I loved the experience I got to paint nails, we played games, and we helped Santa distribute gifts. For as long as I can remember I have always wanted a grandpa so when there was down time I grabbed connect four and went over to play with two men that was a successful game because they didn’t grasp the concept. I later went and grabbed jumbo checkers and Mr. Charles whooped me in that game multiple times. But that time with them gave me a little bit of what I was desiring for a while. To this day I cannot pinpoint exactly what it is about a grandpa that makes me want one so bad. Since God is such a provider he allowed me to encounter those two men and fellowship with them and I am grateful and excited for everything else he has for me.
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