We have the unique opportunity to gather with our student interns and leaders to invest in them as a team once a month. We felt like the Lord was inviting us to grow in discernment and hearing his voice. So we shared a meal together, worshipped together through song and then talked about how God speaks to us in a variety of ways including his Word, through creation, and through his Holy Spirit. Then we talked about how his Spirit leads and guides us to embody his Kingdom here on earth.
We surprised the students by placing them in teams of 4-5 and giving each team $20. We told them to ask the Lord together for how to use that money and gave them 1 hour to do so. One team bought some hygiene items from Meijer and was able to give them to a couple who was walking down the street on their way to a hotel for the night. The couple was filled with joy to receive these items specifically. Another team went to Dollar General and was thrilled they were able to buy 72 granola bars and distribute them to homeless individuals at a park. They shared how those who received them were filled with gratitude. The final group felt led to go to Fulton Street in Grand Rapids. As they were walking around, they saw a man on a scooter with a young boy. They felt prompted to engage with him so one team member took off running to catch up with him. The man stopped and they found out that it was recently his 5 year old son’s birthday and the dad didn’t have money to get him a birthday gift, but McDonalds gave them a free toy. The team was able to give the father the $20 bill. He was deeply moved by this act of love. All of our student teams came back filled with joy and enthusiasm for God revealing himself to those in our city and asking how and when we could do something like this again.
Praise the Lord that he leads and guides our students to love our neighbors in the city!
