Maranatha Christian Academy-Shawnee, KS

We made it to Nashville last night, got settled and had our orientation meeting. After a good night's sleep we're excited and ready for what the Lord is going to do this week! 

Before worship this morning we got to spend time worshipping, learning about the woman at the well, and playing games with the Woodmont Baptist Church youth group. We are so grateful for their hospitality and willingness to host us this week. 

This afternoon, we explored Nashville and bonded with our team, walking down Broadway and by the riverfront. 

Today we got to package diapers at the Nashville Diaper Connection, part of the National Diaper Bank Network. We learned about these organizations work to help families in poverty where government assistance is lacking. 

This morning and early afternoon was spent studying conversations at the Bridge Ministry Warehouse. We sorted 10 pallets of boxes into stacks for kids and adults. The kids' food will be put into bags to feed over 3300 children who would otherwise not eat over the weekends. 

Tonight we had the amazing privilege of serving over 300 homeless people and families under the Jefferson Street bridge with The Bridge Ministry. It was a humbling experience as well as a huge blessing to worship and serve together with the homeless and the volunteers who invest in this ministry every Tuesday night. They also help in many other ways throughout the week. We were grateful to play a small part in touching the lives of these people for Christ. 

This morning we got to help out around the church which is hosting is us for the week. We helped pick up trash, stuffed 1,500 Easter eggs, and cleaned out the youth fridge. We walked through the church and prayed for the ministries they are doing by room, asking God to be present and to sustain and protect their ministries.

Then we got to take a break in the afternoon before another’s night of service. 

This evening, we got to help serve food at the Nashville Rescue Mission’s Men’s Kitchen again. We had an awesome time participating in what God is doing in and through the mission, and enjoyed talking with the men, joking with them and each other, peeling more sweet potatoes and more. 

We even had a special musical number that we hope you enjoy, featured in the video below. 

Our recreation day gave us an opportunity to see more of Nashville. We started with hundred layer donuts at Five Sisters Bakery and then headed to the Parthenon to see the statue of Athena and learn some of the history of Nashville. We spent the afternoon exploring the Opryland Hotel, Opry Mills Mall, and the Grand Old Opry. It was a fun way to end our trip.