Day four of our stay in Oklahoma City started with an important reminder … it’s not time to go into wind down mode! After enjoying another amazing breakfast (we adore Christy!), Aiden Nicodemus shared a devotional from John 17:14-19 when Jesus was praying with his disciples. Verse 18 says, “Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world,” a great reminder that there is still work to be done here. We prayed in small groups for energy and focus on what God still has in store.

 After breakfast, 13 of us who weren’t on this trip last year embarked on a poverty simulation. Split into three groups, we were given a scenario, bus passes, and a list of locations to visit. My group (me, Sum, Beth, and Gabe) were to walk in the shoes of a single mom with two children who had no car, but needed to get a number of tasks accomplished on her day off. After searching the bus routes online, we discovered our closest bus stop was a 20 minute walk, so off we went! Our first realization was there were NO SIDEWALKS. If we were truly toting around two young children, I would be very fearful for their safety. We quickly realized the bus route website was not helpful, and that navigating around town via a broken bus system was quite frustrating and time consuming.

After a ride through town, a transition at the bus station, and another bus ride, my group made it to our first location, Skyline Urban Ministry, where Erin, their Assistant Director, graciously showed us around the center that provides a free grocery shopping experience for clients, clothes, and a free vision center. Other groups visited similar ministries and services around the area. 

Pausing, seeing, and praying for others was certainly a big part of this outing for all of us. From Bishop Will who was serving as security at the bus station to Grant whose car had broken down, from Irene at the bus stop carrying groceries, and John, whom many of our team members connected with, God was evident throughout the interactions we had.

While on our simulation, our other 7 team members had the opportunity to support a family of 7 (five children) that recently lost their home to a fire. They shopped for items on their wish lists, and visited the home to deliver the purchases and surround them with prayer. Vicki shared about the impact the 13-year-old daughter of the family, Izzy, had on her as despite the circumstances, she was so full of hope. 

After a quick lunch, we got ready to celebrate the start of summer! Today was the last day of school here in Oklahoma City and what better way to celebrate than with a big outdoor bash?! Our afternoon included basketball, arts and crafts, a big inflatable double water-slide (a HUGE hit), water balloons, water guns (which our team may or may not have had a blast with as well), multiple rounds of the Cha Cha Slide, and a cookout of burgers, hot dogs, and more. Julie shared that it was the largest meal they’ve served in years! We sent kids home with a lot of full bellies tonight as they head into summer break and a time where regular meals may become harder to come by.

Later we surprised Gabe and Vicki with birthday cakes and a round of “Happy Birthday,” as they both celebrated birthdays today! Poor Vicki got the trick candles but was a good sport and we all enjoyed the laughs. 

During our debrief tonight, we shared moments where we saw God today and the stories overflowed with evidence of the Holy Spirit at work. Linda shared a good reminder for us all… “How many more God moments could we have if we often slowed down 5 more minutes?”

We look forward to our last day in OKC tomorrow (we depart tomorrow night, driving through the night back to Indiana), and we covet your prayers that we will give it all for the glory of God! 

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