Last week we read the inspirational reflection by Nina Salmon of the spring break mission trip she and Mark Furlow led to Belize in Central America.\u00a0 Our students were transformed by their experience, and relationships were forged with our neighbors thousands of miles away.<\/p>\n
A little closer to home Bev Pfluger and Carmen Johnson led a group of seven students on an alternative spring break trip to Barren Springs, located in Wythe County, Virginia.\u00a0 This group also nurtured relationships with the local folks of the area as they demolished houses, painted, and taught English as a Second Language.<\/p>\n
Next week members of the Lynchburg College family will have the opportunity to continue our tradition of partnerships and relationships of mutuality by sharing in the work of the Park View Community Mission which is located almost literally in our backyard.\u00a0 Housed in Park View United Methodist Church, which stands just across the street from the McDonalds on Memorial Avenue, this vital but often overlooked mission served over 21,000 people in 2010 alone!<\/p>\n
The mission began almost by accident several years ago.\u00a0 Members of the church would gather each Wednesday for a time of devotion, fellowship, and a shared meal.\u00a0 One Wednesday night, a homeless man from the neighborhood happened to wander into the church hall as folks were preparing to eat.\u00a0 Rather than turn this stranger away, the church members invited him to join them and the man was welcomed warmly into their midst. \u00a0The next week the man returned with some of his friends, and the pattern continued until finally the Church recognized that God was calling them to a special ministry of hospitality. And the rest is history.<\/p>\n
In addition to a weekly hot and nutritious meal, the church hosts several other programs, including a food and clothing pantry, after school tutoring, and occasional HIV\/AIDS testing.\u00a0 For the last few years members of the Lynchburg College community have volunteered once a semester to prepare and serve the meal.\u00a0 Additionally volunteers are asked to help provide music and spiritual devotion.<\/p>\n
Each time our students, faculty, and staff participate in this outreach effort, they comment on the sense of satisfaction and reward that comes with spending time with our nearby neighbors who face difficult challenges every day simply making ends meet during these very difficult economic times.\u00a0 Some students have chosen to return on a regular basis to nurture relationships that were first established over a shared meal at Park View.<\/p>\n
Once again we are looking for volunteers who can contribute in one of two important ways:<\/p>\n
Whether travelling far away or staying closer to home, we will always be able to find strangers who can soon turn into friends if we but open our hearts.\u00a0\u00a0 Please consider joining our Parkview Partnership and see for yourself.<\/p>\n
Blessings,<\/p>\n
Anne<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Last week we read the inspirational reflection by Nina Salmon of the spring break mission trip she and Mark Furlow led to Belize in Central America.\u00a0 Our students were transformed by their experience, and relationships were forged with our neighbors …<\/p>\n