One of the most transforming parts of our trips at City on a Hill is the poverty simulation. Participants spend forty hours experiencing the hardships of poverty. During my first trip as the missions intern, I was able to participate in the "pov sim" alongside the missions team. I was able to see firsthand how this program impacts students, and was drastically changed myself. I became so much more aware of how those in poverty live and why the cycle of poverty is so difficult to overcome. After going through that experience, I become so much more passionate about what I am doing here and the ministry I get to be a part of.
In addition to the poverty simulation, we do multiple activities to engage our missions teams in the neighborhood surrounding City on a Hill. We strive to provide opportunities for trip participants to meet and interact with the people living in our community. During my favorite two activities, Adopt-A-Block and street evangelism, we send teams out into the neighborhood to get to know people nearby and to offer them prayer. I love how much our trip participants are shocked by the generosity and kindness of the people in our community. Often, they go into these activities quite reserved and concerned about their safety, due to stereotypes about impoverished and homeless people. When they come back just a few hours later, they often have wonderful stories of the interesting, funny, happy people that they met.
I am so thankful for this job that allows me to see students' lives being changed every day. I get to see students be set on fire for God and go home with a passion for helping those in poverty. The last two months have been exhausting, but I wouldn't change them for the world. What a perfect, well-spent summer here at City on a Hill.
"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
In addition to the poverty simulation, we do multiple activities to engage our missions teams in the neighborhood surrounding City on a Hill. We strive to provide opportunities for trip participants to meet and interact with the people living in our community. During my favorite two activities, Adopt-A-Block and street evangelism, we send teams out into the neighborhood to get to know people nearby and to offer them prayer. I love how much our trip participants are shocked by the generosity and kindness of the people in our community. Often, they go into these activities quite reserved and concerned about their safety, due to stereotypes about impoverished and homeless people. When they come back just a few hours later, they often have wonderful stories of the interesting, funny, happy people that they met.
I am so thankful for this job that allows me to see students' lives being changed every day. I get to see students be set on fire for God and go home with a passion for helping those in poverty. The last two months have been exhausting, but I wouldn't change them for the world. What a perfect, well-spent summer here at City on a Hill.
"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