Wednesday (Day 5)

Wednesday March 17, 2010

Today we journeyed back to Greeneville today, to work with U-Turn 4 Christ and Mountain Vision. We went out to visit several elderly people within the community who rarely see visitors. Kyle, Rachel, Brittney, and I visited Edda and Milton, an 80 year old mother who is taking care of her 50 year old son with MS. It was very interesting hearing Edda talk about growing up in the mountains of rural Tennessee in a family with 9 children. We had a great time visiting with them and singing along with the U-Turn band, who had come out with us. I believe it was just as encouraging to them as it was to us. The other 2 groups had similar experiences. Shortly after noon, all the groups met at the U-Turn 4 Christ men's ranch and spent some time worshiping together and hearing testimonies of God's goodness and work in people's lives.

We returned to the church around 4 and began to prepare for the free photo-shoot Ross Duncan had organized as a community outreach. From 5-7 there were only three groups who came to have their picture taken. This was initially discouraging considering we spent most of yesterday passing out flyers in the community, but looking back on the evening we realized that the Lord had a purpose in the small turn-out. A young 31 year old lady, Laura, came to have her picture taken and because there were not many people in the church Celeste and Kyle and a few others were really able to talk with her and love on her despite her severe anxiety.

After the photo-shoot, the group went to Pal's, a local burger chain, hailed to be as good as Whataburger. The burgers were good and the milkshakes were even better. Afterwards, we came back and spent some time sharing testimonies and talking about the day. And that was day 5.

~Sam Strader