The journey to Nashville on Monday was filled with moments of reflection, connection and growth for our high schoolers. From the chaos of packing to the beauty of worship, each experience brought its own lessons and opportunities to see God’s presence.
Caitlin’s day began with the hectic task of packing up and leaving the church in St. Louis. But amidst the chaos, she found her “God moment” on the bus. “The calm on the bus after all the chaos of packing our stuff and leaving the church,” she shared, was a moment of peace and reflection. After a six-hour drive, Caitlin arrived at Vanderbilt University, excited to see the dorms and settle into her suite with new friends from another church. Reflecting on the day, Caitlin appreciated the calm moments, the joy of new friendships and the opportunity to settle into a new environment.
Jenna, one of the adult sponsors, got settled into her dorm room before heading to West End United Methodist Church for the evening’s activities, which included a Poverty Simulator. During this exercise, the group walked through two weeks in the life of a family facing poverty. The evening continued with worship, featuring a blessing of the hands, followed by ice cream and a celebration of all July birthdays—Jenna’s included, as her birthday was just the day before (happy belated birthday, Jenna!). The day concluded with a nightly devotion before everyone retired for the night.
Christian’s day started on a rough note. “I woke up and I couldn’t feel my toes,” he said, describing a restless night on the cold gym floor. After showering, eating breakfast, and helping clean up the church, the group set off for Nashville. The bus ride was uneventful, but arriving at Vanderbilt brought a sense of satisfaction. “The college is huge with a mental hospital/Harry Potter vibe – only on the outside though,” he joked.
The highlight of Christian’s day came during the evening worship service at the chapel. “I saw Jesus in the Chapel,” he shared. “I know, ‘it’s a chapel, of course it’s Jesus!’ But it felt different. Its beauty is a reflection of the beauty of Jesus’s love, his kindness and his grace. The fading sunlight that burst through the stained glass was as bright and joyful as Jesus’s soul. The organ was his lungs that filled us with the breath of life.” After the service, Christian enjoyed ice cream and spent time with friends before heading to bed in a real bed – a welcome change after the gym floor.
