Wednesday was the busiest day of our mission so far. Following our morning mission sites, which are both growing, we headed directly to the Salvation Army in Western Philadelphia for a concert for the Day Camp children as well as community members. The people were so appreciative and receptive – it was a great time. Following the concert, we did several work projects for them to clean up their facility. 

On Wednesday evening, half of our group went to canvass neighborhoods to advertise tonight’s Block Party. The other half went to sing for the Agape International Baptist Church – a Liberian Baptist Congregation. They were celebrating their 10th Anniversary and holding a revival and invited us to help them celebrate. Because their facility is very small, only half of us could attend. It was a fascinating night. The older members are immigrants, and the younger church members are native-born second generation Americans – all committed to their faith and the church. In this week of so much focus on racial tension in America, it was such a refreshing experience to all worship together. Unity in Christ is the ultimate solution to these issues! The service was over two hours in length and our students did a remarkable job and enjoyed it immensely. 

Today we embark on the final day of mission sites, followed by a community Block Party for Pastor Alozno Johnson as he is seeking to build a church in the northwest Philly neighborhood we have been serving this week. Pray that the heat and humidity will not be too much of a factor today! It is hard to believe that we are heading home tomorrow – we are tired but blessed!