At Abide Network they talked about the cycle of hopelessness in this city, which I feel is really true. I was inspired to just continue to pray and declare the Lord’s hope over Omaha because I know he has great things in store.
I think that all the ministries impacted my life in some way. My eyes have been opened up to so many different local ministries and I have realized that sometimes we get wrapped up in our lives without thinking of others. This has really convicted me.
It was a cool experience to talk to and see what people other than you were going through. We all have out own selfish troubles. Our troubles are not important compared to the troubles of those I’ve encountered. I only wish I could help more.
Something that really impacted me was the tour of the juvenile detention center. During the tour they explained that some kids are stuck in these gross, claustrophobic like cells 23 hours in a day because they did something bad while there. Also, I saw some girls my age and I thought how I would be in that position; scared, miserable, alone and no longer myself. Plus the ages there run from 10-18 years old. Ten years old and in a jail; what could lead someone to that at such a young age? And if they felt they had no other choice, then when they leave what do they have to go back to? I think more people should become aware of what’s happening in this world and they should actually do something.
This was my second Urban Plunge. Going on the Plunge has opened my eyes to a whole new world. We are beyond blessed. It has also made me want to go into working with inner-city youth. Thanks Urban Plunge!
At the Siena Francis House, I met a man who had just gotten out of jail that morning. Even though he had family in town, he didn’t have a place to stay that night. It just deeply affected me in that there was no place for him to transition. I feel like I need to do something to fix that.
When I was picking up trash around the block at Mission For All Nations, I saw a man digging through the dumpster. And that started to make me think of stuff I could do to help them. Even simple things like giving them leftovers from a restaurant.
At the Hope Skate I met a young kid. He was really cool and energetic and really on fire for God. He talked about God and Jesus a lot and you could tell he was going to be a great guy in Christ.
I really enjoyed the prayer walk through a broken neighborhood in Omaha. I saw the faces of children that did not have a choice to live in those circumstances. It just made me realize the power of prayer and how God could transform that community trough prayer.