Packed is certainly an understatement of the last two days. In fact, trying to pass out 5,000 flyers, some of our students have literally walked over 10 miles from door to door getting the word out about Common Ground Christian Church and their upcoming events.
In addition to the flyers, several people have help cut out new windows and frame them, tape, roll paint, trim, and a lot of other odd jobs for a local day care that can't do it for themselves. The kids there at the daycare are super cute and greeted us when we pulled up saying, "They're back!!!" They were super excited to have visitors helping.
Today, we ran into a bit of rain, which hampered the door to door project, so their were some indoor projects we needed to get do done. We labelled 1,000 envelopes, and built a couple shelving units as well as a couple of cabinets. It did clear up for a bit, so we headed back out to go door to door with flyers.
A few of the students also helped with a reading program in the local elementary school. Young second graders got the chance to read to a few of our students and practice their reading skills. Others also went to the local schools and helped clean up and organize. (This is their last week of classes). The help that Common Ground gives to the local school is absolutely needed. They aren't getting it from anywhere else. It is almost a downward spiral in the sense that they didn't do well, so they weren't rewarded with funds. So they didn't do quite as well, so they missed a few more funds. And so on.
The results of that and a combination of other issues make is so of the 400 students in the elementary, 94% are on free or reduced lunch. What that means in that there are 24 kids who come from families who can pay for their milk and pizza. Crazy. Common Ground has been able to provide tons of help for the school, and due in part to that help, they are starting a little bit of an upward tick again.
In addition to the service projects, we've been challenged every morning with devotions led by a few staff members from Common Ground. We're going through the book of James. We're all being challenged in areas like favoritism, and persevearing even when things get tough (like walking 10 miles, or finishing a task that is uncomfortable or frustrating).
A question I've been asking the first few days and will continue to ask the students all week is, "What are you learning about yourself?"(This would be a good question to ask them when they get home) Students are realizing who they are, and who God wants them to be, and that they can do things they didn't think they could do, that they can push through tough situations and come out to be a better person. God is moving both in our students and through them as they serve this church and its community.
Keep praying. You can check out a several more pictures on our facebook page at facebook.com/corinthteens. We'll be home Friday. See you soon.
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