Thursday Afternoon - Evening - "Urban Plunge"

After eating lunch at DC Central (sampling some of the products that we helped to prepare - yummy pasta and salad), we divided into two groups. Each person had a bagged lunch, two pairs of socks, a hygiene product bag, and two dollars. We started at Union Station and were assigned a neighborhood of downtown. On foot we set out to give away our items, find out where we could get food, clothing, coats, sleeping bags, showers, medical care, a place to stay if we were homeless. We also had to purchase dinner with our money and find homless people to share our dinner with. The photos here are of only one team - the one that had the camera with them. We may upload a few from the other team's experience once we get them from the phone used. As we discussed what we would do all day if we were homeless...many of us said we'd walk around all day. After just a few short hours of being on the street, we changed our minds and thought sleeping under a tree would be much better! We found places that have food samples, give complimentary cups of water, a homeless shelter, park benches and bushes that could be useful, a brochure about services in the area. We felt the desire, longing and helplessness of seeing food and cold drinks on display and no money to purchase them. We felt the guilt of sitting in places of business to get out of the heat and rest when we really weren't customers. We became aware of our slightly disshoveled appearances walking back into Union Station after having wandered around the city for four hours. How amazing to watch Kyle sit on a bench with an elderly homeless lady and share his lunch - Or see Jonah give socks to a lady that almost cried as she eagerly took them. The determination and creative thought of Natalie, Patience and Julie - got us much of the information that we need. Natalie and Julie chased down a policemen to ask him questions. Aaron explored a fountain that though not legal would be good to know the location of if you were homeless. Likewise, Kyle sampled water from a spicket that we discovered near the capital building. The other team sold their silly band bracelets for .25 cents a piece and raised more money to purchase things with. They even got a donation from the office of our New Jersey representative! The meal we shared with our new friends Cynthia, Tom, Mike, Tim and a few of their friends was actually so fun....what a great group of people! Cynthia and Tom are both handicapped. Tom just got an apartment a couple of weeks ago, but still stuggles to have enough money for food -yet he praises God everyday for his blessings. He wants us to pray for his back so that he can postpone needing to move to a wheel chair. Well, thanks for your prayers....what experiences we have had and how blessed we have been to serve others!