The morning started off with a breakfast (which included yet another air guitar lesson led by me). Our work today was split between cleaning up a park, cleaning a roadside, and organizing a food pantry. The youth of Country Club Christian Church worked side by side with youth from a Hindu temple, a Jewish synagogue, a mosque, and Mormon temple today. The boys on the trip proved their masculinity by lifting logs over their head while Justin grunted for them…The girls did just as much work…but didn’t want Justin to grunt for them.
When our work was done we got to tour a mosque and learn a little about the Islamic faith. Then we had lunch. Kellin was quite excited that some of her new friends taught her how to say “kind of” in Hebrew. When our work was done we came back to the church where we are staying and then headed off to the St. Louis Arch. We toured the museum, shopped a little, and then went to the top of the arch. Standing at the top of the arch looking down was a beautiful experience.
We ate a picnic dinner under the arch and played soccer and other games to get some of our energy out. We returned to the church and had a worship that focused on the beauty of community, and the kind of family that we are forming while on this trip.
Going to bed now as I reflect on the day I can’t help but smiling. I saw so many relationships being formed, so many questions beginning to develop, so many walls being broken down. I wish more people could witness the beauty of young people simply being in relationship with other people…young people being curious…young people brining in the feast of God.
-Justin
