This immersion trip experience was one I will never forget. Our group had the opportunity to travel 13 hours down to Memphis, Tennessee, to serve the community and be immersed in their culture for an entire week. Despite Memphis being one of the poorest cities in the U.S., it is also arguably one of the most culturally enriched cities, both in their history and community. We served at many local nonprofits including several churches, the WKNO news station, an afterschool program, and taught with Junior Achievement at a local elementary school. At each place we learned new skills and more about Memphis, both the city it was and the city it has become.
On Tuesday morning, we headed to a local church’s food pantry. Upon arrival, we learned about their ministry and were each assigned different jobs, such as building and putting food into boxes, welcoming people, and taking the boxes to people’s cars. My job was slightly different. I stood next to the lady at the front table to return attendee’s ID papers and let them know when to grab their food box. This was a very slow job; I felt extremely unhelpful. While my friends were busy at work, I just stood at the front and every five minutes or so I would return ID papers, then go back to stand at the table. The food pantry was busy, which left people waiting 20-30 minutes until they received their food. Many people sat on their phones or chatted quietly with someone next to them, others sat patiently minding their own business.
After about 20 minutes of feeling useless, I realized the mindset that I was “unhelpful” was more unhelpful than me doing my job as a Christian which is to be a light. I eventually started talking to the people who were waiting, asking them questions such as “How long have you lived in Memphis?” or “What is something we should do while we are in the area?” This helped to change my attitude, and by the end of the morning I had learned a lot, especially from a conversation I had with a man named Chester. Chester was an older gentleman and, despite the long wait, continuously had a warm, friendly smile across his face. Upon talking with him, he shared that he was a missionary. I asked him how he started working in ministry and, in response, he shared part of his testimony which I have shortened below:
“While I was in college up in New York, I broke my back. Shortly after I got addicted to the medications and was hooked on drugs. It was so bad I didn’t have a home or even know where I would get my next meal. One day I was exhausted and cried out to God, asking Him to give me food and, if He provided, I would turn my life around and serve Him. Afterwards I saw a $20 bill on the road with nobody around. I realized I then had a decision to make: Do I buy food or do I buy more drugs? I chose food. Sticking to what I told God, I found help at a local hospital, got shelter, and started going to church. I eventually started doing missions in Africa and South America. To this day, my wife and I are still involved with missions.”
I appreciated and loved this trip in so many ways. The opportunity to serve the community through nonprofits and learn about the city’s culture was eye-opening and inspiring. In addition, I had the opportunity to get to know our trip leaders, Kevin Donaldson and Dan Williams, and Geneva students better, creating and building friendships that I may not have made while on campus.
Though I made many meaningful memories, like biking to hand out burritos to people without homes, walking across the Mississippi River to Arkansas, and exploring random amphitheaters and buildings around Memphis, I was impacted most by the community, especially my interaction with Chester. These people were strangers, yet they showed us, a bunch of students from a small Christian college in western PA, love by sharing their culture and home with us. Additionally, the conversation I had with Chester provided several much-needed reminders. First, always trust God. Second, remember that no matter what you do, God will still love you unconditionally. Third, you never know what someone is going through. Something as small as a smile or a conversation can show others you care, and ultimately as Christians it is a way we can be a light to others.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16, ESV
Kaylin Kingston '26
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Jun 11, 2024Learn more about Geneva College.
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