Day 1: Our Conquest Over Weeds and the Alphabet

It's finally begun! Today was the first day of our mission trip to Union Gospel Mission. We have been working so hard to prepare for the trip, and we are so excited that it is finally here. Today was a great day. We began by first taking a tour of the mens' mission, and we heard testimonies from three men whose lives have been changed by Christ through the work of UGM. We then split up, and some of us went to the mission's thrift store to do some weed-pulling and book-alphabetizing, while others went to Simonka Place (a women's and children's shelter) to do some yard work. Our hope is that by taking care of some of these chores, we will free up the staff of UGM to work directly with the men and women who are ministered to. 

"So today was are first day at the mission. It was sooo cool because we got a tour of the mission. I didn't really know what the mission was going to be like but I was really blown way with the mission and what they were doing. They really do run an amazing program at the mission. I also got to go to the thrift store. It was a cool place and one of the things there that really stuck out to me was that they had free Bibles and free bread at the thrift store which compared the Bible to our daily bread. At the thrift store I worked sorting books which was fun and it felt good to help even in small ways. I am excited for tomorrow and the rest of the week. I am also excited to help in other ways."
-Brooke 

"Today was the first day working. I began working in the women's and kids shelter. When we got there, we went on a tour of the Simonka Place. I was surprised that there were so few kids, counting up to about two or three. There was one teenager and one toddler. The toddler was so adorable. As we went through the tour, she took up to a lounging area for the short term women and kids. when we got in the room, the teenager was sorting out all the Uno cards in like 5 decks. I was in the front of the group and the teen and I made eye contact. She smiled and waved and I just smiled back. I had no idea if she knew what we were doing there. When she smiled and waved, it stuck out to me because even though she didn't know me, she was still welcoming. I'm excited to see whats in store for me."
-Erica

 With the tools of their trade to work outside at the store.

Organizing books at the store. It's a pretty big job!

Pulling weeds at Simonka Place.

Our men. Doing what men do.