Slam Summer 2010
This summer hundreds of youth (200) from 12 churches, 5 states, over a period of 4 weeks came to serve in Nashville with Students Living a Mission (SLAM). Not only were the youth able to interact with God’s word through Bible study, they experienced the stories first hand in serving those in need.
Mary
We met Mary, a 74 year-old widow, last year in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Nashville only ten minutes away from the SLAM headquarters. She expressed great needs she had but did not have the strength, finances, or knowledge to address her needs. With the help of hundreds of SLAM youth and youth leaders visiting her throughout the summer we were able to; prepare a condemned house for demolition, remove countless bags of discarded clothing, trash, and debris, and make her own home safe and healthy again. With the help of the youth we were able to fix dangerous electrical issues and install necessary building safeguards. Mary’s response to the youth was powerful, “I don’t know where you all came from but I think God sent you.” “You all have been an answer to prayer.” “We could have never done this without you!” Read more
North Raleigh NSHVLL Week
The week began Sunday morning. Everyone gathered at a Somali restaurant downtown. Although the food there is amazing, the restaurant gets lost among the bustle of the city. It might seem like an unlikely place to start the week, but it was the kind of place SLAM loves, an overlooked treasure. Over the course of the week, students would help paint and restore the interior, bringing a smile to our friend, Nasra, the owner of the restaurant. It was fitting, then, to begin the week there. Serving the overlooked was the heart of this week. At the restaurant, we kicked things off with some music and teaching. Even as the bible was taught and we engaged in worship, we were all reminded that such activities cannot be disconnected from the needs of the people around us. From the Somali restaurant, the students jumped right into service projects. The week had several special opportunities for serving the underprivileged in Nashville. Work continued at Mary’s house. Students helped clean and organize her house, while spending time with her family; it has been amazing to see the progress, not just in the house, but in the brightened faces which live there. We also carried on with work at the Sudanese church. SLAM has partnered with them to re-build the damage the flood caused a few months back. Students worked in the blazing heat to repair their roof. It was a grueling task, but the students stepped up to the challenge. Everyone was encouraged by their effort and determination. Students also helped in the Hopewell neighborhood, doing yard work and cleaning for widows in need. All in all, over a couple of days, a lot was accomplished. When the service projects ended, the students returned to the SLAM headquarters for our evening activities. During this time, Ty challenged the students with the word. During the sessions, we learned that service is not something that only happens on special retreats, it is the life that Jesus has called us to; it is the life that Jesus himself lived out. And what a life it is! It was hard work, yes. But there was also a lot of joy and laughter along the way; Working together, students accomplished more than they thought they could. By doing so, students came closer to the heart of God, a heart that yearns for the restoration of all people.
High School NSHVLL Week
July 20th – 23rd was a Nashville week to remember. Fifty participants came to learn, serve, and meet with God. The groups and leaders came full of energy; ready to see what God would do.
Throughout the week, Ty talked about the “image of God.” He taught that human beings can act like God, acting in ways that show his love, mercy, and goodness. The question is: will we do it? Human beings can choose not to image God, taking control of their lives, hiding behind shame or guilt or fear. Our environment and circumstances can also distort us, causing us to “image” something else. But, behind every distortion, every fear, the hopeful possibility always exists: we can be like God. Jesus can restore us and get us back on track.
Jesus gives us the perfect picture of what the “image of God” looks like; He gives us the example of how to live like God as a human being. One of the most impactful messages was night 3, when Ty taught on a story about Jesus. In the story, a woman is brought before Jesus who was caught in adultery. When given the chance, Jesus does not “throw a stone”; Jesus acts like God by acting with compassion not condemnation. Jesus’ words and actions allowed the SLAM participants to see what God is really like. It also challenged them to act and speak in the same way.
The week provided many opportunities to do just that. The service projects were great this week. SLAM worked for the first time with the Turtle Creek apartment complex. The apartments house over 300 refugees, from all over the world. The SLAM participants put on a day camp for the kids there. Fifty kids participated every day. They came from nine different countries: Nepal, Egypt, Pakistan, Butan, Burma, Sudan, Tanzania, Guatemala, and Mexico. Though coming from different countries, they all shared a similar story, a story of flight from violence, persecution, or unlivable economic situations. The camp was an opportunity to bring these diverse ethnicities together. The participants were able to share food, activities, and a lot of love. A mother commented that her son was making friends with the other kids at the apartments for the first time.
There were also two construction projects. Thanks to the skills of some of the leaders, we were able to do some fantastic work. At Mary’s house, a widow of Rayon city, construction finally began inside her house. After weeks of clearing out excess stuff, we were happy to begin the work that would improve her living conditions. Ceilings were fixed, electrical work was done, doors were put on, and a myriad of other things were accomplished. Mary had a big smile on her face when we left.
The other construction project took place at a Sudanese Church. The recent flood had damaged much of their humble meeting place. The SLAM participants helped to re-build a lot of what was damaged, replacing the molding drywall among other things. it was long days and hard work. The participants even worked over-time to complete everything.
The week ended. After all was said and done, there was a lot to be thankful for. We were thankful that God taught us more about himself and that, in doing so, we were able to act more like him. It never should cease to amaze us how great and loving our God is.
Jr/Sr High NSHVLL Week
July 6th – 9th was a great week for SLAM. Light came to Nashville, as young people overstepped what was expected of them and stepped up to what God expected of them. Nashville saw teenagers giving up their time to serve others. The cool shade was traded for the hot sun; the lazy life for the determined life, the life given to others, the life abundant.
We demonstrated God’s love in a variety of service projects. In the neighborhood of Hopewell, SLAM planned and participated in a camp for kids. They helped facilitate sports, dance, skits, and bible teachings. The camp was a success; parents were really grateful for all the hard work. Most importantly, it allowed us to share a message of love. It allowed us to show kids how valuable and special they are.
We were also able to serve children in a different way at Grace M. Eaton, an inner-city childcare facility. We did a lot; picked corn, performed skits, and did some much needed maintenance projects. At Trevecca towers, we helped clean apartments and visit people. Work continued at Mary’s house. This week we began cleaning her living space. For those who have been following SLAM this summer, this is a huge answer to prayer and a huge step forward for Mary and her family. All of these projects helped us to connect with God’s desire: that we would imitate Jesus by being servants.
When the service projects ended, it was time to re-charge. We spent the later afternoons and nights learning about God and growing in our understanding of what he wants. We had some powerful times of prayer and worship; Steve talked about the journey we all must undertake. He talked about how we could move on from past hurts, how we could live in the moment, and how we could look towards the future. Our lives are more than a collection of un-connected experiences. Our lives can have direction, purpose, and the road can be walked with passion.
This week was just one of the many stops along that road. For some, it encouraged them to continue pressing into God. For others, it was a crucial turning point, a radical change in direction. As someone who participated in this week commented: “I really want to get to know God and the Bible and live for others and do his work for the rest of my life and I’m so thankful to you guys and God because I was seriously heading in the wrong direction and I really wanted to be different, but now I know how to do it –the right way.”
Jr. High NSHVLL Week
The week of June 28th – July 1st started off strong and only got better; the week began at the very beginning, the book of Genesis. Ty taught about God’s desire for human beings. He told us that God wanted people who act like him, bearing his “image.” This is what the week was about: learning about God and putting that knowledge into practice. If God is compassionate, we should be compassionate. If God is a servant, we should serve.
Ty brought us to four different locations in the bible: the garden, the mountain, a house, and a pool. At each location, a different aspect of God’s character was shared. After learning about God’s character, we also went to different locations to show our character. We went to six locations throughout Nashville, serving in a variety of ways. Some served the elderly by cleaning their apartments. Some served the youth of Antioch by facilitating a day camp. Others served inner-city children by fixing up their childcare facility, while others served Mary in Rayon City.
It was just the right mix of learning and serving, and, of course, a generous portion of fun and excitement. Everyone participated in “late night” activities. There was “Britain’s got talent,” where everyone showed off their skills with the added flare of a British accent. And who could forget the impromptu raps, with such memorable lyrics as “Moses on the mountain spitt’n the word” and “God to anger is real slow. His compassion is one mad flow.” There were a lot of laughs. It was exciting to see people step outside their comfort zones and exercise their creativity.
It was an excellent week, a special week, full of fellowship and excitement. We learned; we grew. We got to know each other in new ways. Hopefully, such ways of being are not reserved only for certain weeks. This is the fullness of life we have been called to by God. Each week is an opportunity to serve others, learn, and grow. Each week is ripe with possibility. Each week we can partner with God. Each week we can demonstrate to the world his good character, acting in ways that demonstrate compassion, mercy, justice, goodness, and love. This is the life we have been called to. This week was only the beginning—and what a beautiful beginning it was!
Summer Slam
Everyone wants to be loved
Summer SLAM has begun. Partnering with God is always an adventure, and this summer will be no exception. The summer months are ripe with opportunity, opportunities to learn God’s word, do His work, and love His world.
Last week kicked off SLAM. 30 students came from Mt. Pisgah to meet the needs of the greater Nashville area. Students served at several locations. At Grace M. Eaton, a childcare facility for low income families, we readied play-areas by washing and assembling equipment. We left to see children happily playing on the equipment just assembled. We also got the opportunity to serve the elderly by cleaning their homes. In the neighborhood of Antioch, we helped facilitate a day camp, providing recreational and education activities.
“Everyone wants to be loved and everyone is afraid” Mathew Parker told the kids. So often we let fear stop our intentions to love people and be loved. This week we put fear aside, entering new and strange environments, in order to bring the love of Christ. Consider Mary’s house, a house scheduled for demolition in Rayon City. By clearing out her over-packed house, we helped alleviate demolition costs, helping Mary avoid an unpayable debt.
The story of the Good Samaritan wrapped up the week. Who is our neighbor? The week helped answer this question. Needs are all around us. Everyone wants to be loved. By connecting with God through worship and his word, we experienced how the people of God can meet these needs, loving people and being loved.
A Opportunity for Change
On April 25th, a youth group from Brentwood Presbyterian Church, helped landscape and clean around Mary’s house. Mary is a widow, who moved to TN to care for her dying father 7 years ago. Along with her, came a lifetime of personal belongings. Her difficulties increased as Mary experienced medical problems that rendered her too weak to daily manage her home. Sadly, the problems persisted after her grandson’s home caught fire due to faulty electrical wiring forcing he and his mother to move into Mary’s home. In a very small space, Mary’s home is now hosting three people who have kept all their belongings, leaving no room for safe and secure living space.
This story of poverty is a common reality for some in Rayon City, TN. While discussing with Mary about various needs in Rayon City, she shared how some in the community depend on other families for meals. Mary shared this as she cooked a large pot of vegetable stew for one of her neighbors.
Mary and her family know they have much work ahead, but continuous medical problems have prevented them from working. Mary’s sister makes valiant efforts every weekend when she’s not working, but it’s a hard job to tackle alone. Once we learned of Mary’s situation, we have geared our service projects to helping this family, and on April 25th the Brentwood youth group cleaned in 3 hours what would take Mary and her family weeks to complete!
These youth worked in a tight span of 3 hours, but managed to place mulch around her flowers, cleaned out her back closet so Mary can access her back door, and organized her kitchen so Mary could safely move around her kitchen. Safety is of great importance, so outside of service projects SLAM workers are utilizing their personal time to fix easy-to-do plumbing, electrical, and construction issues.
It’s these real needs SLAM desires to meet and facilitate projects for young students. These students often leave having experienced real needs within the Nashville area. With a focus on imaging Jesus, we encourage kids to spend their efforts in love for all we serve. These Brentwood students did just that, and left Mary extremely appreciative for all their hard work.
SLAM WKND – Serving Real Needs
On April 8-10, SLAM facilitated a service weekend for two youth groups from North Carolina and Georgia. In those three days, these youth concluded their spring break by visiting the elderly at Trevecca Towers, making space for educational opportunities at a local Sudanese Refugee Center, yard work for an elder mother in Rayon City, and community projects in Hopewell community.
Beyond putting their strengths towards serving others, we spent time learning how God’s image in the world is seen through our creative use of words and actions to help our neighbor. Our emphasis was to show these young students how capable they are to serve their neighbor at home, exactly like they did in Nashville, TN. Even deeper, we discussed how being able to see a need and meet it is a sign of maturity. These young students were pushed to think beyond the advertisements bombarding their media and hear God’s word and see his image within themselves.
Working at Trevecca Towers is always a highlight for students, but also an awakening to the reality of how some in our society live. While every resident we meet has nothing but words of appreciation, we often find how alone they are. Many of their apartments are neglected and filled with trash, bugs, and smells. Then, when students come and visit the residents’ apartments they also spend time taking out trash, wiping old food off counters, vacuuming, and other needs the resident is often not able to do themselves.
It is through service opportunities such as this and at Refugee centers, or in marginalized neighborhoods where SLAM facilitates their service projects. These students met real people with real needs. They were given the opportunity to demonstrate the character of God to people who needed to experience God’s forgiving and merciful love extended to everyone.
