St Louis Day 4

Today was another incredible day of serving, building relationships, and sharing God's love throughout the community.
The morning began with a large group of students serving at the home of a woman named Diana. Together, we helped clean out her basement by sorting through boxes and various items, deciding what could be kept and what could be donated. As we worked alongside her, we had the opportunity to hear about her family, learn about her life experiences, and even receive some local food recommendations. Before leaving, we gathered to pray with Diana in her home, which was a special and meaningful way to encourage her.
Nathan's group spent the morning helping a woman named Debra by doing yard work and cleaning up a fence around her property. During their visit, they learned that Debra is battling both blood and bone cancer. The team was grateful for the opportunity to not only help with physical needs but also to pray with her and encourage her during a difficult season.
Later, Nathan's group traveled to another home where they painted rooms for a woman named AV. She was incredibly thankful for the work being done. Before leaving, the group prayed for her and her family. The moment was deeply moving, and AV was brought to tears by the love, care, and support shown to her. To finish the day, the group visited Target, where they stepped out in faith by praying for strangers and sharing encouragement with people they met.
After lunch, several of us headed to the summer camp and tutoring program. Averie, Lucy, Maci, and I spent the afternoon helping with gym class activities. The students were energetic, full of personality, and so much fun to spend time with. We enjoyed building relationships, encouraging them, and simply sharing in their excitement and enthusiasm throughout the afternoon.
Another group spent the afternoon helping a different Diana with home improvement projects. They worked on painting and installing cabinet doors, helping make improvements to her home while building a relationship with her along the way.
Meanwhile, Shawn's group took on a major construction project at Miss Vera's garage. The team spent the day removing damaged materials, including an old window and sections of rotten wood. Once the demolition was complete, they installed new plywood and home wrap to prepare the structure for repairs. The project made significant progress today, and the group is looking forward to returning tomorrow to install new siding and complete the garage renovation.
As the day came to a close, we gathered together for devotions and reflected on where we saw God at work throughout the day. We shared stories of meaningful conversations, answered prayers, and opportunities to serve others. Hearing each person's "God sightings" was a powerful reminder that God is moving in both big and small ways through this trip. We ended the evening with a time of praise and worship, celebrating all that God has done and preparing our hearts for another day of serving tomorrow.
Today was filled with opportunities to serve, encourage, and connect with others. Whether through construction projects, cleaning and organizing homes, painting, working with children, or praying with those we met, we were reminded that showing God's love often happens through simple acts of service and genuine relationships.