Words can't describe how humbled I am to be a part of this, my last Chowan mission trip. This trip was different from other trips I have been a part of. Our team served at Preble Street preparing and providing meals or those experiencing homelessness. Since day one there's not a day we don't see something that touches our hearts. Volunteering was eye-opening because we learned what people go through everyday. Preble Street staff told us they believe in letting those who come having a choice in what they eat because those who come don't have choices in where they get food or shelter. This allows them to have some say.
When working all I could do is just say in my mind, "Lord, I'm so grateful for the little things in my current situation. I thought my life was falling apart. But no, that's not the case."
Seeing people living on the streets, families sleeping on the streets together, and so much more, opened my eyes and inspired me to keep reminding myself, "Yes, this is not good, but I have a roof over my head. Yes, I don't have a bed but I do have a couch to lay on! I have food and water." It literally took me to see that personally.
There was a night where Mama Mari and Drew gave us $2.00. She then told us that the population that has $2.00 or less a day is growing. Our mission was that the $2.00 was our dinner and we had to shop and be back at a certain time.
My first thought was, "Are we really doing this? What can I get that will hold me?"
The experience of trying to find food was frustrating. A group of us decided if we work together then we could get a cooked chicken. But then we thought about taxes, napkins, forks, spoons and what little we had we couldn't afford all of it. After coming together I realized this was a great lesson. In our minds we sometimes take things for granted to where we get caught up. Two dollars was not going to last a whole day. I thought that some people go days and weeks with not having any food at all. I'm even more blessed to know there's food if I'm hungry. But those that don't have it, what do they do? So many things I never thought about until I physically saw and did things to help.
God is so worthy, he still made ways for Preble to serve over 200/300 people seven days a week; breakfast, lunch and dinner! You never know what a person goes through until you are in their shoes. Regardless of their situations they were a community that had each other's back! God has not forgotten about his people.
Being a recent graduate I truly encourage Chowan students to apply for mission trips! It's a life changing experience!
Every mission trip I've been on God has always given me a better understanding of his word and glory. We have to be a light for others because that may be all they can see.
My last thought is that I'm thankful for the little things. Yes, it might not look good but it could be worse. Give it to God be cause he does care and hears all of our prayers! Never doubt what God promises us!
When working all I could do is just say in my mind, "Lord, I'm so grateful for the little things in my current situation. I thought my life was falling apart. But no, that's not the case."
Seeing people living on the streets, families sleeping on the streets together, and so much more, opened my eyes and inspired me to keep reminding myself, "Yes, this is not good, but I have a roof over my head. Yes, I don't have a bed but I do have a couch to lay on! I have food and water." It literally took me to see that personally.
There was a night where Mama Mari and Drew gave us $2.00. She then told us that the population that has $2.00 or less a day is growing. Our mission was that the $2.00 was our dinner and we had to shop and be back at a certain time.
My first thought was, "Are we really doing this? What can I get that will hold me?"
The experience of trying to find food was frustrating. A group of us decided if we work together then we could get a cooked chicken. But then we thought about taxes, napkins, forks, spoons and what little we had we couldn't afford all of it. After coming together I realized this was a great lesson. In our minds we sometimes take things for granted to where we get caught up. Two dollars was not going to last a whole day. I thought that some people go days and weeks with not having any food at all. I'm even more blessed to know there's food if I'm hungry. But those that don't have it, what do they do? So many things I never thought about until I physically saw and did things to help.
God is so worthy, he still made ways for Preble to serve over 200/300 people seven days a week; breakfast, lunch and dinner! You never know what a person goes through until you are in their shoes. Regardless of their situations they were a community that had each other's back! God has not forgotten about his people.
Being a recent graduate I truly encourage Chowan students to apply for mission trips! It's a life changing experience!
Every mission trip I've been on God has always given me a better understanding of his word and glory. We have to be a light for others because that may be all they can see.
My last thought is that I'm thankful for the little things. Yes, it might not look good but it could be worse. Give it to God be cause he does care and hears all of our prayers! Never doubt what God promises us!