This week marks team Chile's practicum test- run in Detroit, Michigan, and it's certainly been one to remember. God's blessed us so many times with incredible people to reach out to/ be reached by. The better part of our week here in Mo-town has been doing odd jobs for Focus Hope, a non-profit organization whose goals include dispelling racism and poverty.
We've handed out fliers for Focus Hope's annual 4-mile walk, helped set up everything for said walk, and after that big event had come and gone, we've worked on various projects that didn't really benefit anyone in particular, but nevertheless needed to be done, such as moving innumerable old VCR tapes from one building to another (a very dusty and sweaty job). The past couple days, we've helped out in F.H.'s food pantry warehouse, making boxes, breaking boxes, and packing boxes with food.
One particular employee at Focus Hope, a guy called Denny, turned out to be a real blessing and encouragement striaght from God. At age 57, he's been through throat cancer as well as a 16-year period of divorce, and yet looks like he could be in his low 40s and is the praise and worship leader at his church in Toledo, OH- 75 miles away from Detroit. He's an avid believer in Christ and was really inspiring to each of us in our faith. Each time he saw us his eyes would light up and he'd immediately greet us with a smile.
In short, Denny quickly became one of our favorite parts of practicum. We've finished our time at Focus Hope now, and we said our good-byes to Denny yesterday afternoon, after an awesome praise and worship session with Denny and his 12-string guitar. All of us, alone in an empty warehouse side room, worshipping God was just unreal. (pictures soon to come)
The five of us have gotten incredibly closer together over these 5 days, growing into not just a team but a family as well. It's been great. I'm feeling more and more like God has His hand in everything we do, as well as our development as a working team-family-thing. Sorry for the long gaps between updates; life at the RIC has been, as always, busy.
Anyway, this week has been very encouraging in the way of giving me a sneak preview into what life will be like with just the five of us to keep each other's company. It's been good, very good.