Here We Go!

I arrived in Memphis at SOS on Wednesday.  It's been a whirlwind of a week!  After being welcomed to the building and meeting my six new roommates, we spent the week getting acquainted with the other staff members and with the neighborhood that we will be working in.  This involved learning to square dance in a pavilion a few blocks away, playing silly icebreaker games like finger jousting, having some Memphis BBQ together, and so many other things.  My highlight of the week was what we did on Friday.  On Friday, we had the opportunity to travel through the neighborhood of Binghampton getting to know some of the people who live there and how they are using where they live as an opportunity to share the gospel with their neighbors.  There are so many people who have moved into this neighborhood as an opportunity to serve, and it was incredible to hear them share about how much they have been blessed by taking this step of obedience.  These people are living in some of the roughest neighborhoods in one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, and yet they have such a peace about the work that God has called them to.  It really made me realize that there is so much for me to learn and so many ways for me to grow.

Another highlight of my week has been getting to talk with my coworkers and hearing their stories.  There are people from all over the country and from all sorts of different denominations working here this summer.  It's been such a blessing and an encouragement to hear other people's stories of how God brought them to SOS this summer and how He has been working in their lives, and I love getting to interact with people who may have slightly different beliefs than I do but still love and serve the same God.  I really appreciate that here at SOS, it is completely normal and acceptable to walk up to another staff member and ask them what God has been doing in their life.

Next week will bring so many new experiences.  I will get to meet the family that I am partnering with for the first time, I will start to learn the basics of roofing, and I will get to know my coworkers even better.  I am looking forward to the new relationships and new adventures that the upcoming summer holds!  I appreciate all of you who are praying for me!