Today was the last day of serving in the community and going door to door. The girls woke up and walked out the door to see the guys in aprons and towels on their arm to welcome us to breakfast. They treated us like princesses and woke up extra early to make sure that none of the girls came down before it was ready. We were also serenaded with lovely guitar music from Ethan. To finish the projects one group went back to Ms. Linda’s house to apply another layer of paint to her front and back porch. Another group went back to the apartment complex to finish the last two apartments for inspection. Finally Abigail, Ayantu and Nhung went shopping for the block party and get extra food just in case. After we finished the projects we came back to the house to have lunch together before getting ready…
Continue ReadingToday felt particularly special – our team was deep cleaning a quadroplex, and while it was nice to finally work indoors, it was also so incredible to see so many high school students serving joyfully as unto the Lord. The message of Philippians 2;17 was so well presented by our team. “But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.” – Even while mopping and scrubbing sinks, we chose to sing, laugh, and rejoice in our labor. In the evening, after a wonderful dinner, we had a blessed devotional led by David about placing trust in God that is displayed by obedience by God’s call for us to serve. Afterwards we had a time of worship, as well as encouraging “shoutouts” to each other and talking about how we’d…
Continue ReadingToday some of us had the pleasure of serving a woman named Ms. Linda, she needed help; painting her front and back porch, planting a rose garden, and helping get rid of some large weeds in the backyard. While on the drive over, Nhung encouraged us to think about some things that we had been praying about and were hoping to be encouraged through and a very common theme was completion as well as unity, the past couple of days we had started a few projects in various places and none of them so far had been completed to our original standard, and so if we had been able to complete Ms. Linda’s work then that would be a blessing to us. When we got there it looked like we would be able to divide up into three different groups in order to get it done quickest, however after painting…
Continue ReadingToday was the first of serving the community and helping the people from Unity church. James and Elise made breakfast along side of Nhung which included pancakes, eggs, bacon and fruit. After breakfast we packed sack lunches and then headed to Unity church to start serving. We pulled weeds along the sidewalk and we walked to a basketball court to clean it up so that the VBS, that Christian Development Center held, could use later in the week. We then went to a member of Unity’s churches house to eat in the AC for lunch and cool down, which was very much needed because it was like 95 degrees. We helped out Kara in the backyard by clearing branches and leaves so they can use the alley while the other team went back to the basketball court to finish. We then walked around the neighborhood by Unity to do surveys…
Continue ReadingSunday was a full and beautiful day for our team as we partnered with Unity Church. We jumped right in to help with setup, sound, and worship—preparing the space and leading others in an atmosphere of praise. After the service, we stayed to help with teardown, doing our part to serve behind the scenes and support the church however we could. Once everything was wrapped up, we enjoyed a potluck lunch with the church community—great food and even better conversation. After lunch, we made a quick grocery run to prepare for dinner. Our students led the charge, cooking up a delicious Asian-inspired meal for the whole team. After dinner, we gathered for family devotions and worship, reflecting on all God is doing in and through us. We closed out the night with milkshakes, games and music—laughing, bonding, and making memories. Here are a few things that the students are saying…
Continue ReadingThe day started at 11:30 when everyone met together at Calvary for lunch and prayer. We headed out at 12:45 for the two and a half hour drive to Detroit. We passed the time in the vans by talking, listening to music, and playing games (like poker). We arrived around 3:20, explored the colorful hostel and unpacked all the luggage and supplies. We divided into five teams of four for cooking, and each team got a colored apron. We made the unanimous decision to wear the aprons while shopping for groceries. Running around the grocery store wearing colored aprons and holding Monopoly money felt like being on an exciting game show (several people were mistaken for store employees and were asked where certain ingredients were located). We then drove home, unloaded the absurd amount of groceries, and the yellow team made Italian food for dinner, including spaghetti, chicken alfredo, and…
Continue ReadingThis week, our team gathered for a special meeting that left many of us excited and encouraged. We had the opportunity to hear from Micah and Megan, the leaders of Unity Church, whom we will be partnering with in Detroit. Their passion for their city, their heart for people, and their faithfulness to serve in hard and hopeful places gave us a clearer picture of what God is already doing in the Virginia Park neighborhood—and how we get to come alongside it. Micah and Megan shared stories of transformation and the daily realities of ministry in a city full of beauty, brokenness, and resilience. We were reminded that missions isn’t about bringing God somewhere new—He’s already there. It’s about joining the work He’s doing and letting Him work in us just as much as through us. As we prepare to go, we’d love your partnership in prayer. Would you join us…
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