If you would like to download or print out any pictures taken on the Mission Waco trip- feel free to visit our photobucket! You are welcome to grab any pictures you would like!
-Angela Platt
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Mission Waco - our final day!
Day 4
Home sweet home! We are now all home safe and sound, but before we made the journey back, we had a fun and final morning here at Mission Waco. Our main thing today was to attend Church Under the Bridge. We met underneath I-35 with hundreds from the Waco community. A lot of the kids were in shock to see how they do church. There were no projectors with the music lyrics, there were no walls, there was only people from all walks of life worshiping our God together. Before service we spent some time mingling and talking with some of the homeless that we had met over the past few days. It is amazing how excited the kids would get when they saw someone again and couldn't wait to go up and talk to them and ask them how their day had been. When we arrived only a few short days ago, I saw a group of eager yet nervous kids unsure of what they were in for. As I looked around at the kids at church today it was like a different group. They couldn't wait to see their new friends at church. They knew their name and bits of their story. They were seeing the homeless as people and fellow believers. Often something that most adults don't see. Church was such a blessing to be a part of. After some worship we heard a message from a lady that runs a non-profit called Jesus Said Love that deals with stopping human trafficking in Waco and just started branches in Dallas and Bryan/ College Station. Here's their website- http://www.jesussaidlove.com. She had a wonderful message about calling out us Christians to be the ones to change things in the world and not just sit idly by. We even had communion before singing a final song and saying goodbye to our new friends.
Thank you to everyone that prayed for us while we were gone. I pray that these kids, and adults, come back changed from the things they have seen. I can only hope we come back and continue to see the needs around and take action. I hope you enjoy some of the pictures from our final day! We took a few group pictures, but sadly we didn't get everyone in it. There were a few people that were either taking pictures or not there at the time of the picture.
Also, in some of the pictures you will notice a man in a yellow shirt. His name is Patrick. Patrick is a rockstar at Church Under the Bridge. Patrick has been living on the streets for years now and loves spending his Sundays at church with friends, new and old. He makes sure to go around and shake everyone's hand, give them a hug or smile, or offer them something of his. Patrick has very few things to his name, yet every time I have been around I have seen him give everything he owns. Today he offered some kids gum, a book, and even at one point started passing out the pages of his newspaper. Nothing is more humbling to watch. He also likes to go on the stage and play his guitar and sing worship songs as loud as he can. I feel like we could learn a few things from Patrick.
Also, in some of the pictures you will notice a man in a yellow shirt. His name is Patrick. Patrick is a rockstar at Church Under the Bridge. Patrick has been living on the streets for years now and loves spending his Sundays at church with friends, new and old. He makes sure to go around and shake everyone's hand, give them a hug or smile, or offer them something of his. Patrick has very few things to his name, yet every time I have been around I have seen him give everything he owns. Today he offered some kids gum, a book, and even at one point started passing out the pages of his newspaper. Nothing is more humbling to watch. He also likes to go on the stage and play his guitar and sing worship songs as loud as he can. I feel like we could learn a few things from Patrick.
-Angela Platt
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Mission Waco Day 3!
Day2 (more to the story)
Today was such a great day. By this time the kids and adults start to get in the routine of getting on and off vans, feeding a small army, and the controlled chaos of moving over 100 people in a different directions for service projects. Before I get to the pictures from today I wanted to share a quick video I took on my phone last night while the girls were at the homeless shelter doing a devotional with some of the residents. I talked yesterday about a guy named Dylan who lead our group in some impromptu worship songs. The story behind Dylan is that he is actually not even from around here. He is from Missouri and to prepare his heart for an upcoming mission trip he decided to live as if he was homeless for 40 days. Since he has been in Waco he actually was contacted by a record label to help him make a CD. He plans to use most of the proceeds to help Mission Waco. The video is from my phone so it isn't great, but you can get a quick taste of what the girls experienced last night. According to most of them he is the "next big thing"!
Today we spent most of the day finishing up some service projects. Some groups did some St. Patrick's Day crafts with some residents at local nursing homes while other cleared lots. I will give y'all a heads up- some of these boys officially know how to mow so don't let them tell you differently! We have picture proof! We had a few other groups cleaning some local buildings, washing vans, playing bingo and board games with the homeless, and even some group out pulling weeds. Needless to say they are all sleeping well tonight! This afternoon we rotated giving the boys a break to go play and hike at Cameron Park and the girls had a chance to go clean up at the hotel before dinner. My hotel room was able to go to the store to buy a few items to help out Mission Waco. We have noticed since we have been here that we could help them update a few of their items, so tomorrow we will present them with a few things that we have purchased on behalf of Lake Pointe as a THANK YOU for everything they do not only while we are here, but year round to serve the homeless here in Waco while sharing the love of Christ.
Tonight we were able to take a break and went and watch the Lorax in 3D. I, personally, was able to check something off of my life list which was "rent out a movie theater with your friends= check!" The movie theater was so great to accommodate a ton (and someone stinky and sweaty) people. The movie was great and a perfect way to relax on our last night. Tomorrow we are off to Church Under the Bridge where the kids will get to experience church under I-35 that is mixed with Baylor students, people from the community, and local homeless. I really feel like it will open their eyes to show them that church really is made up of the people and not just a pretty building. Please pray for us while we are at church tomorrow that God would continue to work his magic in the hearts of the people of Waco. Check out some pictures from today!
-Angela Platt
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