A Little Rain Can't Stop this Train

Our Thursday here in Charleston started on a bit of an ominous  note, as many of us awoke to the sounds of a flash flood alert on our phones. We all expected the rain today but we were surprised by just how quickly it floods in Charleston. Despite the rain we all geared up, ate breakfast and headed downtown for some free time to walk around the city. When we arrived spirits were high, and people grouped up to explore the shops on the extravagant Kings Street. We all endured the rain to experience the beauty of Charleston and the many unique shops, including an excellent record store in which I got to talk some to the owner about music!  

The Poogan's Porch Prophets found their namesake restaurant downtown.

After our downtown adventures we returned to the Presbytery to eat lunch and prepare for our next worksites. Today we were presented with three different options for work sites, I chose, along with 9 other mission trippers to make a trip to Walmart and buy 400 dollars worth of groceries. We donated these groceries to various "blessing boxes" around North Charleston. These blessing boxes are small containers in residential areas when the needy can come pick up non perishable food items to save them the financial strain of purchasing some groceries.  Along our journey we met many friendly locals including a man who ran a community center in the area and who was very impressed and surprised by our donation to his organization. My group shared some time with the man and it really made me appreciate the opportunity and work we've done on the mission trip. Seeing the reaction from him was the highlight of my work on the trip so far, it brought a real sense of joy to me and the group and made me feel that we truly did make a difference. 

Dropping food off for the community center

After worksites concluded for the day us Mission Trippers were left with some free time as the advisors were taking care of the cooking and making us a southern food banquet! During our extra time me and my mission tripper peers enjoyed some competitive games of two hand touch football, while others tanned, and took in the excellent turn around in weather.  When our dinner was prepared we enjoyed a spread of southern foods including but not limited to, fried okra, grits, and shrimp. Our day concluded with a joyous celebration of Erin's birthday accompanied by peach cobbler and followed by movie night! As the movie went on many went to bunks and slept, while others waited until the credits to talk and laugh some before going off to bed to prepare for another busy day tomorrow!


Kristian and Nolan rock their Rizzin Jesus novelty shirts while the advisors cooked dinner and other fellowshippers enjoyed the sunshine. 

Sincerely, 

Kristian 


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