Hello visitors of the Transmit blog.  I guess it would be just a little too hardcore for me to try and fit more than one of my experiences in here, so I’m sticking to one.  Basically, I have never been more uncomfortable or challenged so much as I have been while here in Philadelphia.  That is said in good nature, as I have never learned so many things in such a condensed time period either.  So to let you in on what I mean by this, I will write about my adventure to the Ingles House.  The Ingles House is a place where people live who are bound to a wheel chair either by accident, disease or just being born that way.  Our group went on Thursday and spent a few hours there, talking to people and listening to their stories.  I chose to be a part of the home’s program called Theraputic Touch.  This is a program designed to give these people a chance to have physical touch that “normal” people might get every day, but is denied to people in wheelchairs.  We listened to some tranquil music, which slowly morphed into a beautiful medley of The Beatles’ greatest hits, while giving back massages to the residents.  While making my way through the wonderfully large group of people awaiting massages, I talked to those under my hands.  I mean I actually talked to complete strangers, which was really outside of my small box of comfort.  But I learned so much about those that I interacted with and talked so easily, that I barely remembered that I would usually be uncomfortable.  However, I found that listening to them meant a lot and probably even more than trying to make good conversation.  In conclusion, these amazing people and my time with them helped me to see that I can come outside of myself and in the process learn more than I ever thought I would.  Jesus was in these people, and I never would have seen Him if I stayed like a hermit in comfortable places.  I’m out of time, but I would love to tell you all about it if you would like.  Okay I am done.

A Blog by Kelley White

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It’s quite an odd reaction when someone is gleeful to see a cemetary. Extremely gleeful. There was cheers and prayer and hallelujahs and some awesome Mango water ice with salty giant pretzels. The temperature was about 90 degrees today when we were tearing out tree-sized weeds as the sun was beating down on us, and when I say beating I mean punching us in the face, kicking us in the groin, and calling us”Nancy” countless times. I don’t want to complain because it wasn’t nearly as hard as what the other team had to do in the blazing sun for about four hours, and the people in charge at the Salvation Army where extremely proud of us, which was demonstrated with extreme jubilance through a guy named Tony Lewis and Laverna, his wife. Once we cleaned up the area where the weeds and sticks where blocking the cemetary, he prayed with us, clapped with us, and told us the correct way for a guy to properly hug a girl (I was doing it wrong the whole time). It was truly a great way to end our serving time in Philadelphia, and it was awesome to see someone elses affections and appreciation for our group and what we did.

A blog by Andrew Murphy

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I can’t believe how much God has changed my life this week. Every day so far was terrific. But tonight was the most inspirational. Tonight, we were able to talk to the homeless in downtown Philly, and give them their basic needs such as food, water, and hygien kits. We heard so many stories, but it was a couple of them that really got to me. One man that we talked to, came up to us and started talking. The one main thing I noticed about him was that he had a “WWJD” hat on his head. I thought “Wow! How cool is that?” He and I had a lot in common. When we were wrapping up, he was more than happy to pray with us, he smiled and praised us for what we were doing. I wondered why I kept seeing a lot of darkness in my life, even though I believed in Jesus, and loved Him. I understand now. I was refusing to give up my entire life to God. I was still lying in pain and suffering that happened to me in the past, that I refused to let go. I refused to let myself go and give myself to Jesus. I learned how to do that tonight by talking with these people. I’m letting go, and I have no more darkness that I am swimming in. I am going to keep doing this in the future

A blog by Amanda Kline

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Wow, i dont really know where to start with all of this. Tonight was such a huge night for me. Before our trip we were asked to make hygiene kits, Bibles and blankets were collected and lunches were made. After all this, seemingly, difficult work and preparation we were only about to find out that our night was about to get a lot more difficult. We were taken to a park in the middle of Philly and we were sent out in groups to give out our supplies to the homeless. As we first got out of the van, people, who are used to vans coming and handing out food, began to swarm us and ask us for anything that they saw in our hands. We were all a little overwhelmed and none of us really felt prepared enough. I felt as though i’d gotten myself in way over my head, but as the flood of people began to subside I was able to calm down and really visualize the mission ahead of me. We walked around the park for a few hours and were able to visit with some of the lowliest of lowly people. As i began to talk to one man, John, I was overwhelmed with pain for this man. We talked with him for about ten minutes and during that time, I saw God in him so many times. As we were finishing up, and he was finishing his continual thanks for the food, blanket and water we had provided, we asked if we could pray for him. Unlike many of the people we had encountered previously, he was more than willing to join hands with us and pray. We all took turns praying for him, and finished the prayer not even thinking twice about the fact that he might want to pray also. So as we began to head out and get ready to carry on, he asked if it would be ok if he were to pray. We were all taken back so much, and were all so excited. So we took hands again and as we closed our eyes John started to pray for us. He prayed that we would be safe and that we would keep motivated and keep following God. I was in awe at all that was going on and i just hopelessly began to sob. Why is it that God chose me to have a house and a wonderful family, and especially for me to know Him? I am so fortunate, and yet i take it for granted so often. I realized that i am so selfish, because this past week i have been struggling with showering in a dirty shower. But here this man is, with absolutely nothing and he is more thankful to have two feet than i am to have everything that i have in my life. God showed me so much through this event and many of my prayers were answered, and decisions were confirmed. God is so good to me, and I am so excited to see what else is in store!!

A Blog By Mallory Cook

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Well. Today was quite the day, ladies and gentlemen. I can honestly tell you I am completely exhausted, but I have learned a few things about myself that I had never realized. Today Team #2 volunteered at Wayne Hall, an amazing place where homeless women ages 18 and up have the chance to rebuild their lives after a rough situation. Wayne Hall was wonderful, and the woman who gave us the tour was really inspirational. But believe me, she set us to work. When I was literally on all fours in some strange yard tearing out weeds with my bare teeth (exaggeration), I was so hot that I thought I was going to die. I ACTUALLY thought I was going to die. But when I sat back on my repulsively dirty shoes, I was touched by the realization that if I wasn’t doing this gritty, overly unpleasant work, then someone else -most likely a homeless, tired woman- was going to have to do it instead. At that point I really saw these women the way Jesus would see them : tired, sweaty, annoyed, and in desperate need of a break. I was honored today with the opportunity to help these women get back on their feet by diving into a torrent of weeds and vines, and slowly improve their environment and the space their children play in. I thought to myself that in the midst of all this irritation and dirt, Jesus would have been inwardly dancing at the thought of cleaning up for these little gifts to the world, these little children that have had a rough start, but now have the opportunity for a better life. And so, I outwardly danced : ). God has given me this awesome opportunity to go outside of my comfort zone and bless some of the people of Philadelphia with whatever help they need. For that, I am truly thankful…and I’m not letting it stop here.

A Blog by Aleah Martin

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