What an amazing day! Wow did this group work hard! We went to the Houston Food Bank this morning and spent several hours packing boxes of food for their disaster box program. A young woman was our guide and told us what we needed to do. She was very upbeat and really great at what she does there. At the end of our time there, she gathered us all to tell us how many boxes of food, how many meals that made, and a few other facts about what we had done. She talked about what the food bank does and about the different programs they have. Then, she shared her story with us. 7 years ago, she had been homeless and sought help from the food bank. She said it was what kept her going. She promised herself that when she got back on her feet she would get through nursing school and work at the food bank along the way so that she could help others the way she had been helped. She told us that she graduates this year. How amazing is that? The group was touched by her story and it was a blessing that she was able to share that with them. The impact she made to them was evident throughout the rest of the day.
If I asked any of the youth how many meals we packed, they could tell me the exact number. They were excited to know they were a part of helping that many people. Watching them work this morning was awesome! They were unstoppable! They were so focused and worked so well together and so quickly! I was thoroughly impressed!
After we finished there, we went to the church who is hosting us and running the mission organization. They needed some help with organizing some of the supplies they use for the mission weeks and asked us to help. They thought it would take us the afternoon to get it done. But, about 30- 40 minutes later, we were done and asking for another project. That happened 2 more times. The group continued to work hard and stay focused until the tasks were finished. In between them, they had a little fun and happened to find some costumes to try on and some other silly things. I may or may not have insisted someone take my picture inside the mouth of a giant hungry hungry hippo...
So, we worked hard and played hard today- a perfect mix!
After that, rather than being done for the day, we were asked to help in the afterschool program held at the place we are staying. They happened to be shorthanded today and our group was anxious to hang out with the kids yesterday, so it seemed like a great idea. When I told our group about it, they jumped at the chance to hang out with them. They helped with he tutoring first and then when that ended, they all played outside together.
Dinner tonight was awesome! We had special guests who brought dinner, one of the hostesses from the last time I was in Houston and her friend who had an amazing story to share with the group. Dinner was yummy! Her friend happens to be a chef so we were in for a treat! After dinner, he shared his story of being homeless and finding God through his time at the Salvation Army. He is now a pastor and has a ministry that works to meet people where they are since God met hi right where he was. He opened the discussion up for questions and at first it was pretty quiet. I asked a couple questions and another leader did too. Finally the youth were brave enough to ask the random questions they had been nervous to ask. It was a touching experience and was definitely something the group was meant to hear. They were impacted by his story and I know that hearing about his struggles and how they led him to God was something that helped many of them since they have struggles of their own and are looking for God.
During our night discussion, I asked about the day and it was evident that the group loved their experiences today. I think it was unanimous that they got more out of today than yesterday...not that there was anything wrong with yesterday, but they loved the interactions with people they had today and they love helping people in poverty situations. So, God's plan was definitely so much better than my plan!
So, where was God today? He was in the planning, the moments, and the experiences that the group had. And, I think he was overjoyed at the hands and feet He saw used for Him today.
Blessings,
Jennifer
If I asked any of the youth how many meals we packed, they could tell me the exact number. They were excited to know they were a part of helping that many people. Watching them work this morning was awesome! They were unstoppable! They were so focused and worked so well together and so quickly! I was thoroughly impressed!
After we finished there, we went to the church who is hosting us and running the mission organization. They needed some help with organizing some of the supplies they use for the mission weeks and asked us to help. They thought it would take us the afternoon to get it done. But, about 30- 40 minutes later, we were done and asking for another project. That happened 2 more times. The group continued to work hard and stay focused until the tasks were finished. In between them, they had a little fun and happened to find some costumes to try on and some other silly things. I may or may not have insisted someone take my picture inside the mouth of a giant hungry hungry hippo...
So, we worked hard and played hard today- a perfect mix!
After that, rather than being done for the day, we were asked to help in the afterschool program held at the place we are staying. They happened to be shorthanded today and our group was anxious to hang out with the kids yesterday, so it seemed like a great idea. When I told our group about it, they jumped at the chance to hang out with them. They helped with he tutoring first and then when that ended, they all played outside together.
Dinner tonight was awesome! We had special guests who brought dinner, one of the hostesses from the last time I was in Houston and her friend who had an amazing story to share with the group. Dinner was yummy! Her friend happens to be a chef so we were in for a treat! After dinner, he shared his story of being homeless and finding God through his time at the Salvation Army. He is now a pastor and has a ministry that works to meet people where they are since God met hi right where he was. He opened the discussion up for questions and at first it was pretty quiet. I asked a couple questions and another leader did too. Finally the youth were brave enough to ask the random questions they had been nervous to ask. It was a touching experience and was definitely something the group was meant to hear. They were impacted by his story and I know that hearing about his struggles and how they led him to God was something that helped many of them since they have struggles of their own and are looking for God.
During our night discussion, I asked about the day and it was evident that the group loved their experiences today. I think it was unanimous that they got more out of today than yesterday...not that there was anything wrong with yesterday, but they loved the interactions with people they had today and they love helping people in poverty situations. So, God's plan was definitely so much better than my plan!
So, where was God today? He was in the planning, the moments, and the experiences that the group had. And, I think he was overjoyed at the hands and feet He saw used for Him today.
Blessings,
Jennifer
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