Return time eta:

It looks like we should be getting back around 10:15-10:30pm

Today looked a little different — and in a great way. We started with personal devotional time and worship, then headed into downtown Columbus with a simple but bold mission: pray for people and find creative ways to bless them.

Groups spread out across the city, looking for opportunities to show God's love in tangible ways. Some bought food for people they met on the street. Others handed out Gatorade on a hot day. Some picked up flowers and gave them to strangers, just to bring a little unexpected joy into someone's day. But the real heart of today wasn't just in what was given — it was in the conversations that happened along the way. Kids were pushed way outside their comfort zones, walking up to complete strangers, asking them questions, listening to their stories, and offering to pray with them right there on the spot.

That's not an easy thing to do, especially for a teenager. Approaching someone you've never met and asking if you can pray for them takes real courage. But over and over today, students did exactly that — and walked away with stories of meaningful, sometimes unexpected conversations.

This kind of day connects directly to 1 Peter 3:15, which says, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." Today wasn't about having a polished script or knowing exactly the right thing to say — it was about being present, being willing, and trusting God to use ordinary conversations and small acts of kindness for something bigger.

It's also a great picture of Colossians 4:5-6, which encourages us to "be wise in the way you act toward outsiders... let your conversation be always full of grace." Our students weren't trying to convince anyone of anything today. They were just showing up, listening well, and letting their kindness open the door for deeper conversations and prayer.

Days like today stretch students in a different way than physical service projects do. There's a unique kind of vulnerability in striking up a conversation with a stranger, and it takes real trust in God to step into that. We're proud of how our team leaned into that discomfort today, and we're excited to hear more stories as the kids process tonight what God did through their willingness to step out.

Thank you for praying for this team. Today was a powerful reminder that you don't need a big platform to make a difference — just a willing heart and a little courage.

Day two recap:

What a powerful day two! We started the morning grounded in personal quiet time and worship, setting our hearts on God before heading out to serve. From there, the team split into groups, each heading to a different site across the city — and every single one came back with stories.

One group spent the day at a camp for underprivileged children, playing games, having real conversations, and helping with projects designed to build life skills these kids don't always get the chance to develop. Another group served at a ministry for refugee children — over 150 kids from countries all over the world. They played, did crafts, served lunch, and simply loved on kids who are often overlooked. A third group worked at a food bank, helping gather and serve food while talking with the people who came through the doors. Another team helped organize donated supplies for the elderly and prepped meals for Meals on Wheels, which sends out over 7,000 meals a day to people who can't get out to get food themselves. And one more group spent their day at a local daycare, playing with the kids and giving the staff a much-needed break from the constant demands of caring for so many little ones.

It was a day that stretched our students in different ways. For some, it was challenging — stepping into unfamiliar situations, sitting with hard realities, learning to serve people whose lives look nothing like their own. For others, it was deeply life-giving — full of laughter, connection, and the kind of joy that comes from simply showing up for someone.

That mix of challenging and life-giving is exactly where we want our students to be this week. Galatians 6:9-10 says, "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone." Today wasn't flashy or easy for every team, but it was faithful — and that's the heart of mission work. It's rarely about doing something big enough to be noticed; it's about showing up, again and again, for the people right in front of you, even when it's tiring or unfamiliar.

We're talking with the students tonight about how serving "the least of these" — the refugee kids, the elderly, the kids in the underprivileged camp, the daycare babies — reflects Matthew 25:40, where Jesus says whatever we do for the least of these, we do for Him. It's a good reminder that no act of service is too small, and no person is overlooked by God.

Tonight the team is tired but full — hearts stretched, perspectives shifted, and ready for some rest. We're excited for what tomorrow holds.

Thank you for sending your students with us this week. Keep praying — God’s working!