Today has been amazing; I've heard a few say that it has been the best day yet! Days are always great when they begin with a delicious breakfast (Stacey and Luanne are incredible), and we were ready to get to work right on time. The group was involved in many different jobs at a couple houses today, from creating a new sidewalk to painting the back of a house to clearing out overgrown plants from a front yard. I also discovered that I am pretty good at caulking! We had a blast working today and I know that the whole group is excited to start working again tomorrow.
After a morning of construction, we were ready to run our music and sports camps for the 3rd day. The number of kids grew, and they all seemed to be having a great time! My group, the Preschoolers through 1st graders, have loved learning new songs (especially if they have motions) and almost always have smiles on their faces.
In the late afternoon, we rode the bus to a church in Franklin, TN, where we met with Kyle Matthews and practiced for our concert this evening. After practicing, we were treated by the church to a spectacular dinner of some Southern home cookin'. Dinner was followed by our first concert, which was a benefit concert for the Christian Women's Job Corps and Habitat for Humanity. Kyle Matthews was amazing, and towards the end of the concert a woman told a very touching story about how her life has been radically changed by the Christian Women's Job Corps. After tears and applause, we made our way back to the Wherry houses and listened to yet another incredible testimony by a mother who lives in the community.
Meeting all of these kids and families who live in the Wherry community has truly been an amazing and eye-opening experience for all of the youth and the chaperones. Seeing not only their joy when interacting with us, but also our joy when interacting with them paints a wonderful picture of the impact we've been making, and it unbelievable that our experiences in this community are only halfway completed!
Natalie Thomley
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