We had a great first day at Mission Waco! God has blessed us with beautiful weather, safe travel, and a great group of kids who are ready to make an impact on this community. After our van ride to Waco, we enjoyed boxed dinners from McAllister's deli at "The Rock." During the week, "The Rock" is used for a Mission Waco after school program, but this weekend it will be our dining hall and meeting room. It has a great play yard in the back and our 4th/5th graders had a blast getting some energy out after dinner. When we were done, the girls headed to the hotel to settle into their rooms and swim in the pool while the boys went to My Brother's Keeper to meet some new friends. This facility acts as both an emergency shelter and temporary residence for the underprivileged in the Waco community. Each night at 7:00 pm, the men and women who are staying at the facility gather for a brief chapel service in the yard. I think they were quite surprised by the 40 men and boys we brought to their gathering tonight. Byron gave a brief message and encouraged our kids to get to know the men and women staying at My Brother's Keeper. The boys did an amazing job and the men and women were gracious hosts. The group included a man who turned his bicycle into a motorcycle by adding a motor, a veteran who has visited more countries than we could count, a woman pregnant with her 8th child, and an artist that used to work for Disney. Some of the boys even walked away with drawings the men made while we were there. In their rooms tonight, the boys were able to debrief about what they saw, and many expressed how surprised they were that these people were homeless. It was truly a unique experience and we all walked away thankful for new acquaintances. After chapel, the guys went back to "The Rock" for ice cream and then came back to the hotel. The girls will visit My Brother's Keeper tomorrow night for chapel and then enjoy ice cream as well.
Tomorrow is a busy day full of service projects and learning about the ministries of Mission Waco. As you think about us, please pray for:
- Strength and courage as the kids encounter new experiences
- Safety as we travel around Waco
- Great weather
- God to open our hearts to the opportunities in front of us for ministry
- The people we encounter to see the love of Christ
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