Today the youth sang in a homeless shelter run by Central Baptist Church in Miami. They also sang in Central's worship service where they got to hear the testimony of Pulitzer Prize winning writer Michael Sallah. They then spent the afternoon on a boat tour viewing the homes and yachts of famous people along the shore (there was a party going on at Will Smith's house!) and hanging out at the Bayside Marina where they could eat and shop. Finally the group went back to the beach to play for a few hours.
Daily Journals:
"We went to the homeless shelter on June 3rd. Some of us worked in the kitchen. All of the people were really nice. Kirsti S. did noodles and got burned. Amelia and Lauren L. did meatballs, Tray did sauce, Taylor C. did peas, Brian and Sarah did brownies, and Kirstie A. and Hannah W. helped."--Taylor C.
"The homeless shelter was a different environment. I think we are lucky and fortunate of what we have. They are very nice and just like us, except where they live."--Jake C.
"Lauren Pope and I were thrilled to come across a Coach store while meandering through the crowded streets of Key West (yesterday). Walking through the store, we found like a billion cute purses and wallets, etc. and Lauren found the "find of the day": a WAY cute Coach umbrella for only $25, originally $50. So of course I had to get one too. With satisfied smiles on our faces, we waltzed out of the store with our new, cute umbrellas. We walked a few steps, still talking about the awesome deal we just got, and I see a man searching desperately for something in a trash can. We walk closer and I see that he is trying to open a bag of some sort. Well, I keep watching him, and he opens the bag and pulls out a white box with Chinese writing on it. Then I realize, this man is looking for food in the trash can! I didn't think people really did that. I thought that only happened in the movies. With a guilty conscience, I kept walking. I knew I should have done something. Given him money, talked to him, anything. My conscience took over and I had to tell someone. I told Lauren the situation and we thought quickly of something we could do. Then Lauren said, 'Give him that candy bar you got at dinner!' We decided that money wouldn't be a good thing to give him. I frantically ran back to the trash can the man was at and said, 'Excuse me, sir, would you like to have this?' and held out the chocolate bar to this complete stranger, and he looked up at me with sober, innocent eyes and smiled, and politely said 'Thank you'. I smiled at him and walked away with my Coach shopping bag hanging from my arm...something to think about."--Laura C.
Later, everyone enjoyed several hours of play at Blue Springs, where the water was a chilly, but refreshing 58 degrees. Below, Walker and Miles dive right in.
After a brief stop for a concert at The Village, a retirement community in Gainesville, FL, the youth traveled to the local mall for lunch before taking a long trip to Glenn's hometown of Mariana where they would do a concert and spend the night. The concerts would be especially challenging since Ms Linda had to fly home quickly for the birth of her granddaughter!
After the concert at FBC, Marianna, our youth spent some time with their youth eating, playing basketball and volleyball and hanging out in their youth house.
As we traveled to Orlando, we received a very important message spelled out in the sky. Everyone enjoyed getting a day off from singing to have fun in an Amusement Park, and I'm sure the kids were careful to save their voices and not yell on the roller coasters, just like Glenn told them.
