Necesitas ayuda?

We woke up to a breakfast of grilled cheese sandwiches. It was the first American meal we’d had all week sans the spontaneous Pizza Hut run (if that counts as American), and I can say on behalf of the sensitive stomachs in the group, that we were thankful for it. Post grilled cheese consumption, we assumed positions outside in the food pantry. I was in charge of distributing hygiene bags containing shampoo, bug spray, tooth paste, etc. After 4 hot hours under the Florida sun we ran out of these bags and I was transferred to the sugar station.

(Photo: Setting up the distribution stations)

(Photo: Meg carries a woman's food) Along with holding distributing positions, myself and fellow youth delivered groceries to clients’ cars. “El Carro” was a common phrase we (well the Spanish speakers-so not “we” but “my friends”) uttered as they tried to communicate with the cliental. However, words were not the sole means of communication as mutual smiles, nods, and hand gestures were exchanged clearly conveying intentions.

(Photo: Madison and Gwyn entertain a baby while her mother is busy) After handing food to hundreds of clients, we ate lunch in shifts. Biting into our “cheeseburgers” slathered with mayonaise and ketchup we realized we were eating a sausage patty underneath cheese and white bread. It was the same meat we had distributed 10 minutes before. The omni present side of rice with each meal was also the rice we distributed to the community members. We were very happy and grateful to consume the foods we had just given hundreds of people to be eaten as their daily bread. We sat in their church eating their food. We’ve tried to assimilate into this community’s lifestyle and understand their struggles for the very short time we live in their area. Random odd jobs came up, and being the go-with-the-flow, flexible group of youth we are, we adapted quickly to sweeping, can sorting, and unloading trucks only to reload them after finding out our muscular exertions were not necessary. We enjoyed every minute.

(Photo: The food bank at the beginning of the morning)

(Photo: The painting crew after they finished their work) We finally got our much awaited shower and rest time before going to Don Julio’s for dinner. Imagine the scene in the movie Brides Maids, in which Kristin Wigg brings the bridal party to a 20 x 30 foot Brazilian restaurant and everyone gets food poisoning. This was the aesthetic equivalent of Don Julio’s. Thankfully we did not experience the food poisoning. We enjoyed excellent food there in portions “grande,” and then loaded up the bus and mini vans to return to Beth-El for youth group.

(Photo: Dinner at Don Julio's) All apprehensions before experiencing a combined youth group with teens from Beth-El went away as we were welcomed by their vibrant and passionate youth leader, Keisha. After singing praise songs we found out we happened to pick the night of the “sex talk” to show up. After a few raised eyebrows from adult leaders, all was well as it was a very powerful service reminding us that God created sex as a gift within marriage and that our bodies are His temple.

(Photo: 2PC Youth joined the Beth-El youth group for their weekly time together. Keisha led the groups in song to start the night off right!) We wound down the day with a reflection circle led by Cathy and Marybeth as has become routine. During this, we wrote psalms to God and read each other’s aloud anonymously. It was amazing to hear the honesty within anonymous letters to God. I think all of us have grown closer to God and I can’t wait for our families and church family to see how God has changed our hearts as we share our trip in person. -Sidney Murray More photos from the day...

(Loading beans in the van)

(Sister Sara has a station outside of Beth-El for those who want their blood pressured checked)

(Anna and Sidney ready to pass out bags of sugar)

(Gwyn and Olivia organize the donated food, checking that they are still good and organizing them)