NSHVLL Mini- Week
By: Joshua Kurtz
This past week (July 10-12) we had a group from 1st Presbyterian Murfreesboro come and serve the people of Nashville. The team arrived Thursday morning, and after a short exhortation and bible study they left for the Nashville Rescue Mission. The six students, two leaders, and three SLAM leaders served lunch to over 400 homeless and recovering substance abuse addicts. During this time a few students had an opportunity to sit down and talk with some of the men.
After we had finished serving lunch, Katie (15 year old student) said, “My eyes have been opened. All my stereotypes of homeless people and addicts have been disregarded. These are real people who have real stories and real lives.” Katie had a moment where her mind was renewed and she began to see correctly. Read more
A Week in Juarez
By: Robert Munoz
If you have heard of Juarez, Mexico, you most likely haven’t heard anything good. It’s a busy border town plagued by violence, poverty, over-crowded conditions, and is victim to a harsh national border. It looks like a dark place to many, but to a few it is merely a bright place waiting to happen. This summer, SLAM led 30 such people to be part of such a work.
Two teams, from Marshall, MN (Marshall Evangelical Free Church) and Chattanooga, TN (Christ United Methodist Church), jumped into 3 church vans and made the 30+ hour road trip to serve our family in Juarez and the believers at Monte Calvario (Mount Calvary). The teams combined forces to form one unit of 30 people to lay the foundation for an orphanage, teach in a local community school, and reach out to the community through soccer. Throughout each day there were opportunities to love and serve the people of Juarez. Each morning was spent in classes with the children. All the team members were able to teach, lead P.E., and share stories of encouragement to children of all ages. Read more
Jr. Highers Serve Nashville
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By: Brett Madron
At large, our American culture does not expect a great deal of responsibility to emerge from the lives of 12 and 13 year olds. They are expected to maintain good grades, stay out of trouble, and the rest of their time is often left to leisure with friends.
However, about 30 youth from Brentwood United Methodist Church would like to send out an alternative message. From June 23-27 these youth took time from their summer schedule to serve the poor and underprivileged throughout the greater Nashville area during SLAM’s NSHVLL Week. Facilitated by 10 interns and students from Global Outreach Developments International and 10 adult volunteers from the church, these junior high students spent 20 hours throughout the week in service to each of the following locations: Napier Community Center, Trevecca Towers, Grace M. Eaton Childcare Center, Boys and Girls Club, Nashville Rescue Mission, and the Second Harvest Food Bank.
