Team Building and Serving Others

This morning, I woke up and found the group worshiping together out of their own free will. It was beautiful and sweet to see their desire to worship God together. 

What an awesome time we are having learning about the life of Daniel and the events of the exile. We are learning to let go of the things the world says about us and hold on to the words God says about us. 

The group did some fun team building games yesterday and worked with a group called The bridge. The Bridge helps feed and provide (spiritually and physically) for the homeless of Nashville. The SWBC group helped save them 6 weeks of work in 1 day. Today we are helping again and joining them in service.

Enjoy some pictures!!

 

The Journey

Welcome to Nashville!!

SWBC is such a great group of kids. We've had so much fun these first two days. The kids found out that we are studying the life of Daniel. So, we began by making them slaves, changing their names and giving them 9 items to use over the next 2 days. They did a great job with this challenge. Such troopers. 

After the initial 2 challenges, they found out we were headed to Nashville and, like slaves, they had no home to go to. They had to find a church to welcome them just as the slaves in Babylon would have had to depend on each other and strangers to start their new life there. 

The kids did a great job and found a wonderful church called New Life Baptist Church. 

This morning, our challenges began with the fruit, vegetables, and nuts diet that Daniel and his fellow slaves ate. So, we feasted on apples, bananas, and peanut butter!

For church, we separated and attended Christian churches of different denominations. Daniel and the other slaves would have had a hard time living in an environment with different beliefs. We want the kids to identify the similarities and differences of the denominations and to see what unites us as Christians and what differences we have in our beliefs. We had some awesome debriefing time to talk about the experience. 

Here are some fun photos for your enjoyment! 

SWBC SPLATTERS!

Summit Woods Baptist Church SPLAT starts tomorrow!

We are all super excited to spend a week with the SWBC kids. I know everyone had a blast last year and I hope we will again.

Parents, be sure to check back here for the SPLAT Journal so you can get updates about where we are and what we are doing. There will be photos too!

Don't forget to check your TO BRING LIST. Also remember any paperwork that you are supposed to bring.

We will see you all tomorrow!

                                                                                        - Lauren

New ETA

Tire is fixed and we are on the road! Our new ETA is 7:30-8:00. Spread the word please!

Delay Returning

We Appreciate your prayers. We blew a tire on the U-Haul and are currently fixing it. Everyone is safe and we will let you know our estimated time of arrival soon. Geronimo!

Destin-ation

SPLAT 2013 destination: Destin is a first for many of us! We've never taken a splat group to the ocean before. It's beautiful and warm and perfect. It has been so fun to spend time with God and friends in such a lovely place as Florida. 

Sorry for the short post. I'm enjoying the waves and you can enjoy these photos!

We Once Were Blind

Each of the students and staff spent a three hour shift at some point throughout the day on Sunday blindfolded to help understand in a very small way what it is like to live with a disability. This experience can also be a great tool for building trust amongst members of the group. The blindfolded individuals had to rely on fellow students to guide them through unfamiliar terrain through their day from church services to pizza buffets to prayer walks through the city of Macon. The students learned a lot about themselves through this experience as well. Below you'll find a few photographs of our blindfolded adventures throughout the day.

Student Testimonies from Sunday

Hey Guys! Last night we as a group ran a service at a small church. Wayne told us that the area was located in a rougher part of the city. I decided to share my story about my faith through Laura Merwin's story (my friend with Leukemia) . Last night was definitely a life changing moment for me. After I shared my testimony and the service was over, a girl came up to me and shared her story about how her sister died of cancer on July 31st, 2012. That was the first time she actually broke down and cried. She and her mom thanked me. I was really doubting on sharing my story, because it is something that is really hard for me. I have to thank God so much for pushing me to tell my story because it was truly amazing.
- Mady Harmon



Last night was by far my favorite part of the trip so far. I didn't share or anything during the service, but afterwards Marresa Ross and I went outside to go talk to some of the little girls that were at the service. In all there were 8 girls there all under the age of 16. They were all very sweet and absolutely LOVED talking to us. As soon as the service was over, they flooded to the front to talk to us. But this 9-year-old little girl named Ebenee definitely caught my attention. She was so full of energy and didn't stop talking! I asked her favorite color, song, animal, etc. and I pushed her on the swing set, but before I knew it she ran inside. Then 20 minutes later we were packing up to leave, and she ran up to gave me a hug and wouldn't stop hugging me. We took a picture before I got in the van. What I didn't know, but found out later was this. When Ebenee ran inside she sat down and talked to Mr. Ramey and he was asking her about her friends. He asked her if she had a lot of friends, but she didn't really answer. He then asked her if she had a best friend. She ran outside and asked me what my name was. Then she ran back inside and told Mr. Ramey that I was her best friend. I had no idea. All that I had done for her was pushed her on the swings, and asked her questions. It really opened my eyes to see that all she wanted was love. She simply just wanted someone to love her and talk to her and give her attention. This opened my eyes to see how much that she had been neglected. It really tugged at my heart. Being with Ebenee definitely changed my whole view on things and how much I take for granted whenever my parents or anyone says "I love you" or gives me a hug. I can't imagine being without that.
-Grace Gronberg-

Student Testimonies from Friday

Last night we went to Macon Rescue Mission and put on a service for the people who attended there. We were all in charge of the entire one-hour service. A bunch of students stepped up and gave testimonies while others shared songs and poems. It was really cool to see the reaction of the body who attended the service. They seemed to be really thankful. Someone came up at the end and said it was the best service they've had in a long while.

Sarah Lambert

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Last Night's service was awesome! I helped lead worship at Macon Rescue Mission and I even got to share my testimony with the people at the service. I love sharing my testimony, especially to this particular environment because these people have been in the same position as I have. As I was talking about being arrested at the age of 16, I could tell that this man in there listening was going or has gone through the same thing. I also played my song and through what I heard they really liked it and were talking about it after the church service. I love sharing my testimony and my songs because I know it is always impacting someone's life. If I can step up and share my mistakes to change someone's life, I'd share it every day for the rest of my life.

Trent 

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Photo of Adam Lucht Speaking

And Now, Some Funny Photos!

Creative Coffee

Sometimes...you have to use your inventive talents on SPLAT. 

Today we begin our first full day of work completing service projects at the Hephzibah Children's Home campus. 

Coffee is obviously a must. (this is where the creativity comes in)

Needless to say, we're off to a great start today!

-Jacqueline 

Welcome to Hepzibah

Today was a very eventful day for us all. We began our day by arriving in Georgia at Hephzibah, an orphanage, foster care facility for wards if the state. Everyone was very excited to hear about what the program does for these kids. We met the leaders, toured the facility, and helped with some projects they needed done. The pics below are at the original Hepsubah home in 1900. 

Then, we played some kickball!

After our work and play, 

some of our group planned for a worship service we ran later that day. It went beautifully and the students really opened up to the men at the mission. 

It's late so that's all for now but we will keep you updated. 

Now pictures!