Wonder Voyage 2009 Summer Blog

Today we spent some time at the National Civil Rights Museum to consider some questions. Who is my neighbor? Do we get to pick our neighbors? What does Jesus mean when he asks us to love our neighbors as ourselves? After a morning full of exploration and some serious reflection, we headed to Mud Island Park for some fun. We didn’t get a chance to swim, unfortunately, but we were able to finally relax after our busy week.

Later that evening, we celebrated with dinner at Rendezvous, a Memphis classic. After eating what were possibly the best dry ribs in Tennessee (some say the world), we headed back home for a time of reflection and worship.

This week God has spoken to us all, clearly and loudly. We have listened to his voice and followed Him as best we could, and he has changed us for it. This was my last trip of the summer and I am grateful that I could spend it with Christ Redeemer.

Thus ends the Memphis blogs…

This morning we went to a center that assists those with physical diasabilities to dance and sing and perform for the patients there. Even though, physically, they can’t do a lot of the things that I can , something hit me about their physical challenges: material things and physical
abilities don’t really matter because they’re happy.

After that we went to a park and Jay (an urban missionary) told
us his story.  I thought it was awesome. I could senses Christ talking to us through his words.  How cool is that? Later we went to serve the homeless and we had a blast.

Dinner was at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken… Yumm! I can’t wait till
tomorrow.

This morning we started off by going through a labyrinth- it’s like a maze but that’s not what it’s called.

In the afternoon we went to the projects to hand our flyers for this big give-away we were going to have at a park, of clothes, shoes, toys, and a whole bunch of other stuff.

When we actually got to the park to hand out clothes there was a big crowd waiting. We got put to work setting out clothes and cleaning up but it was still fun. So far it has been a great trip. Can’t wait to see everyone back home.

We woke up this morning and headed to St Mary’s Catholic church in downtown Memphis. The church was beautiful- we toured it and witnessed a lot of the history of the church. It has grown a lot over the years. But the real reason we were there this morning was to feed the homeless. Our team did a magnificent job of preparing and giving the food out. We handed out coldcut sandwiches, peanut butter sandwiches,soup, crackers, and Vitamin Water. I’m speaking for
everyone when I say that it was pure joy to help people. It was amazing to see the gratefulness in their faces when they received a meal.

After we had cleaned up, we went to the sanctuary to discuss Matthew 25:34-41, which tells us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give drink to the thirsty- basically doing God’s work as Jesus tells us. We want to serve the “least of these” this week.

Afterwards, we met Jay. He was a drug dealer who received Christ when
he was 38. Jay showed us the Memphis courthouse and county jail. He gave us devotional books to give to people going in and out of the courthouse if they wanted it. A lot of the people were very thankful for receicing the devotionals. We prayed for those people.

Later, we went to a mission and served the homeless people supper. It makes you really thankful to have what you have, even if it doesn’t seem like much.

Hey moms and dads,

We awoke early from a late night of no sleep to leave for Memphis 30-mins later than planned.  But all is well so far.  When we arrived we got sweaty through exploring around the town. We checked out the homes and culture of Memphis and it is quite different from Dallas. We are safe in our bunk beds. Talk to you soon!

Paul

It was an early morning for the IBC team as they hit the road back to Dallas. The trip to Memphis was challenging, both physically and spiritually. The majority of the service was relational and sometimes that can be more draining than physical labor. Nevertheless as the team loaded the vans for their journey home they couldnt help but remember the need carry with them the message of reconciliation they have learned. Reconciliation with others and with God. This group of new peacemakers are ready to bring Christ’s light to the world.

Today the theme of reconciliation came into sobering reality as the team from IBC spent the morning exploring the National Civil Rights Museum. This historic landmark is also the site of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination and it carries on the message of the civil rights movement throughout America. After taking a few hours to watch a documentary and read the exhibits, the team found a dry spot of grass outside and heard the story of the “Brown Eyed Blue Eyed” experiment. Conducted the day after MLK was killed this famous experiment looked at the differences in attitude, ability, and prejudice when a group of brown-eyed and blue-eyed children were given different privileges and opportunities. As our time of reflection came to a close we remembered the parable of the Good Samaritan and Christ’s challenge to “go and do likewise.”

After a few hours of time to shop the team met up at Rendezvous BBQ for a filling celebration meal and then headed over to the local ballpark to catch a minor league Memphis Redbirds game, along with a little dancing on the way out. All in all it was a great day to end with, from the culmination of the Civil Rights Museum to the dancing in the streets.

This morning the team from IBC brought joy to a community through their service at the Raymond Skinner Handicap Center in Memphis. This facility is a mix of both young and old and today their morning was spent dancing, playing games, hearing stories, and doing arts and crafts. It was a reminder that when we serve those who need help most we are actually serving Christ and fulfilling his heart.

Lunch today was spent at the historic Tom Lee Park where Tom Lee is honored for his heroic, single-handed, rescue in 1925 of 30 men who were stuck on a boat in the Mississippi. During a time of continued prejudice Tom Lee, an African-American, risked his life to save the “other.” It was a reminder for the team that the work of reconciliation can involve risk and will require perseverance and hard work.

After lunch the team headed back to the Cleaborne and Foote homes to finish up their delayed ministry from the day before. It was an afternoon of fellowship as members of the team spent their time playing with the local children and donating some of their own clothes to the pile that community received.

Eventually in the evening, thanks to a Tornado Warning, the team made it to the More Than a Meal homeless feeding at the Idlewood Presbyterian church on Union Ave. This historic congregation has been providing free meals and fellowship to the community for generations.

Today the team from IBC got to sleep in and recover from their two previous early mornings until they set off for a day of service with our partners at in Memphis, Shine in the Dark Ministry. This organization, lead by Jay Beene, works directly in the Cleaborne and Foote Homes through community outreach, clothing drives, and support.

The goal for the day was to organize and conduct a free clothing drive and clothing give away. The team spent the morning collecting clothes and distributing flyers in the community letting them know of the event. When the time came to actually do the distribution it ended up raining and we rescheduled for tomorrow, but the night was still full of questions, prayer, and refection on the Gospel and its fundamental purpose of reconciliation.

Bright and early the team from IBC headed to the downtown courthouse of Memphis in order to spend the morning ministering to the incoming defendants. It was a morning of challenge filled with prayer and exploration, and that same attitude was carried on throughout the afternoon of ministry.

For lunch the team was challenged to take some extra sack lunches with them as they take the time to sit down with a local homeless person, sharing a meal, stories, and listening to the experiences of others. It was an eye-opening experience.

Later in the evening the team served another meal to the homeless at the Memphis Union homeless shelter. This site has been a source of hope for the homeless men in the community since 1945 and it was a blessing to serve alongside them.

After that the first Stone Soup team prepared their homemade chili and the group shared in a wonderful meal filled with conversation about their experiences that day and how their own presumptions about the homeless and the notorious “other” can effect their work of reconciliation.