"Hot-Lanta"

We have returned from a successful trip in Atlanta. We met up with a group from Starkville, Mississippi and we (Trek-X) led the team for the week. Here's what we did:

Each morning we took a tour through several cultural sites in Atlanta. We visited the Farmer's Market, a Global Mall, a Buddhist shop, a Hindu temple, and a Mexican mall. My favorite was the Farmer's Market. It was huge and had every foreign food/drink item you can imagine. The Hindu temple was the saddest part of the tours. Not only did we see all their idols displayed, but we witnessed several Hindi people come in to bow or give their offering. It was heartbreaking to watch them give their lives to something that will never save them.

Mitch found a Colombian drink in the South American section!

In the afternoons we did service projects. We broke up into 2 teams, one going to clean/paint an apartment complex and the other team helped out at a local middle school. 

Our afternoons were spent loving on precious kids. We split into 4 groups with each group going to a different apartment complex. Each apartment complex we worked in was predominately internationals. Mitch and I worked in an area of all hispanics…and of course we loved that. We played games, did crafts, and shared Bible stories with the children. It was evident that the majority of the kids were lost, however, we are thankful for local missionaries who live amongst these kids and their families to continue to invest in their lives. 

 

We had a wonderful time. Even though we were in our own country, there were times that I felt as if I were the minority, or the foreigner rather. It's amazing how many different people groups we have the potential to reach! 

I was encouraged and challenged this week by this particular verse:

"But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you." Philippians 2:17 

Pour your lives out for the sake of other's. It's worth it.