We started off at the church for morning prayer at 7am, so we got to sleep in a little. Prayer and worship rocked, and we prayed for all of the people affected by the 9/11 attacks. In rememberence of this day nine years ago, the 24/7 students and some Bayside volunteers prepared and packed lunches for about 15 fire and police stations around Manatee County to thank them for their services and to bless their day! Two of my friends and I were assigned the EMS unit off of Manatee Memorial hospital, where we brought four lunches of chicken salad sandwiches on croissants, chips, fruit salad, and water bottles to the team. After getting through several different rooms in the hospital and passing by several very confused doctors, nurses, and security guards, we found the room where the EMS was sitting. Apparently, they had no idea we were coming today, but they accepted the food and even let us bless their lunches for them! My friend Cody who was with me wanted to be in charge of the blessing so that he could sneak some prayers for protection and awareness of the Holy Spirit in there :) It went well, though, and the two members of the team that we met with seemed generally grateful and surprise that a couple of kids drove to personally deliver a homemade lunch for them and thank them for their service.
When we got back to the church, we were immediately dismissed so that we could go back to our host homes and pack for our trip tonight. My instructions were to pack the few items that were on the list we were given two days ago and be ready at the church with my 24/7 weekend clothes and my bags at 3:30. I'm assuming that we'll be serving in the church services tonight, then hitting the road! Wish me luck on my mysterious journey, keep my team and I in your prayers, and I will write again hopefully as soon as we get back! (By the way, I have no idea when that will be, so it could be days before my next post.)
I'M SO EXCITED!!!
Okay, that is just too fabulous to make lunches for the hospitals and fire/police stations... I just love that. I am sure they were extremely blessed by that simple act of kindness. (Oddly enough, I was with some firemen and paramedics on 9/11 too, I was taking a CRP class.) I have always found the emergency helpers are always the kindest most caring people, but I don't think they get the appreciation they deserve, I'm so glad to hear that your team went out there and spread the love of Jesus to them!
ReplyDelete