The Face of Homelessness

Here are just a few quick pics of the homelessness we witnessed today. We had our first face to faces with many homeless people. I think all of the kids will remember this day for quite some time.....



Today both groups had great experiences!!! Group 1 (my group consisting of myself, Phyl, Tiarra, Jon V., Jon F., Brandon K., Brandon A., Andrea and Hannah and Amanda) All left at 6:15 (IN THE MORNING!!) and went to S.O.M.E. which stands for So Others May Eat. In one hour we were able to serve a GREAT breakfast to 360 homeless and what they call the "Working Poor". It was truly AMAZING! Afterwards we went to Union Station and did what was called City Survey. Our group went out and interviewed people ranging from tourists to Police officers to locals to homeless persons. What an eye opener!!! I hope some of the kids will share that experience in more detail at a later date.

The other group went to a very nice food pantry called Food and Friends. This is an awesome ministry that prepares meals for people with terminal illnesses. A few kids were able to go along to deliver the meals also and really enjoyed that opportunity! Afterwards they ended up befriending a homeless person and brought him to Subway for a meal. What a great experience I am sure they will remember for quite some time!

VBS was awesome today!!! Our numbers increased only slightly, but that was ok with us. We are really connecting with those that are there and are having a ton of fun with them all. What was truely amazing is that many of them recalled quite clearly what our story was off yesterday, which made us feel like we were really doing some good things there.

For dinner tonight we ate at Ben's Chili Bowl and everyone LOVED it!!! If you ever have a sec. you should google it and see all the great things about Ben's.



For debriefing tonight we got to spend some time at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, which was really neat. It is amazing how much all the kids open up to discuss what left a lasting impression on them throughout the day. Also, since we are separated during the day we have great stories to share. It is neat to see what each of them gleaned from.










I know, not as many pictures as yesterday, however, I think you would feel like alot of the VBS pictures would look like repeats from the day previous and both of the groups were not allowed to take pictures of the ministry sites we worked at in the a.m. We have many "candid" shots from today, but it is getting late and I am passed tired!! That 5 a.m. wake up call came WAY too early today. When I saw on our itinerary "City Survey" today I asked if it was possibly "code" for "go back to the church and take naps". It wasn't. So, our day was just VERY VERY long.

We heard today the temp. was up to 92-96 degrees, but there was less humidity, so that was good!!

Please know that this evening I gathered everyone together and everyone voted to have mail call similar to "camp" and everyone voted to have their messages read outloud for us all to enjoy. The messages, encouragement and prayers from home are so much appreciated and we are all enjoying them. Thank you so much!!! Although we may not reply to all of the personally, we do all get them and LOVE it!!!!

On a personal note; Ryleigh, Kobe and Nathan.....We LOVE you soooo much and just loved your messages to us!!! We miss you like crazy, but know you are having a great time with all your friends.

Tomorrow the groups from yesterday are going out and "switching" places....meaning those who worked at Vision DC are now going to Downtown Cluster and those who went to Downtown Cluster are going to Vision DC. Looking forward to another blessed day!!

There is a chance of rain tomorrow.....if that happens there will be no VBS.

Sorry for the lack of pictures. I hope to have more for you tomorrow.

PEACE!
Audrey