As you may know, YMCO keeps a busy schedule. Worksite in the morning, drive, bag lunch, drive, worksite in the afternoon, drive, arrive, shower, cook, eat, programming, sleep, & repeat. In this chaos, I make the effort to arrive at each worksite five minutes early. After the eager group of teens untangles themselves from their church bus, I pause and ask everyone to circle up in the parking lot. Then, I ask for a volunteer to pray. After so many days, this begins to feel like routine: arrive at the worksite, unload the car, text my director that we arrived, give a pep talk, pray, and move in to serve as Christ taught. Standard procedure. However, this week made me rethink our routine prayers.

My group this past week hailed from St. Stephens EC in Richmond, Virginia. Our time was filled with laughter, learning, and good works. I am inspired to write this post because throughout the week, prayer became a topic of conversation amongst the youth. It started with one young man who consistently delivered some of the most heartfelt prayers I’ve ever heard. Standing outside of each worksite, he spoke to God with kindness and confidence. Naturally, his peers commented on this: “How do you know how to do that?” “You’re really good at praying.” “You should be a preacher!” This led to further conversation about personal prayer life. One youth commented that they pray easily on their own, but never in public. This is pretty common - praying can feel like public speaking and public speaking is terrifying. On the other hand, I heard the opposite: “I don’t really do individual prayer.” For some people, there is strength in numbers and talking to God alone can be intimidating. These are all valid takes.
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A week at YMCO is about more than just volunteering. Yes, when we enter these organizations we are doing the good work of Christ and loving our neighbors as he calls us to do. However, good works are also happening inside of our hearts (and sometimes in the parking lots of worksites.) It warms my heart to see youth praying and encouraging their peers to do the same. It fills me with hope to be a part of conversations about prayer. Prayer matters. Having a personal relationship with God matters. I am grateful for the surety of this young man from St. Stephens. He inspired his peers to consider their feelings about prayer and encouraged them to pray wholeheartedly. By the end of the week, several youth would raise their hands every time I asked for a volunteer. I have noticed, especially among young people, prayer can feel like pressure. But the Bible calls us to maintain a personal relationship with our Creator and we do this by willingly engaging in conversation with Him.

Wednesday night of this past week, we were all gathered around, talking about
the parts of the body scripture from: 1 Corinthians 12:14-26. We talked about verse 26 in
particular that states, “ if one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member
is honored, all rejoice together with it”. This led to the question of “What moral
obligations do we, as individuals or as a community, have for other people?” The youth
in this week's group did a phenomenal job answering this. We talked about how
important it is for us to stick up for others and be in community with others, because we
are all God's people, and if one of us suffers, we all suffer together.

The participants then started to talk about how one of God's many gifts to us is community,
and being a part of a whole. This is something that I had never even thought about, but I
believe that it is true. A strong community is something that can be one of the best and most
rewarding things. It made me think about all the interactions I had throughout the week,
including those with my team, the participants, and the organizations we worked with. All of
these little interactions I had and the communities I had been building were bringing me so
much joy. Which is a gift!

I see this gift of community from God in the people I am working with this
summer. Sophie and Lauren are two of the sweetest and most caring people I have ever
met. Sophie, the interim Director for Charleston Youth Mission, is such a great leader
who truly cares about everyone who walks through those doors. While Lauren, an intern
like me, is one of the most patient and intelligent humans ever. I really see God in the
way they interact with all the participants and me. I can always count on these two to
pick me up and give me a good laugh when I need one. These two individuals make me a
better person every day and turn me closer to God.

I also see the gift of community within all of the participants who walk through
the doors of CYM. Every week, there is a different group that comes from a different
area and background. Every week, I get to learn about these people's experiences and
see them grow throughout the week. This gift of being able to meet so many of God's
people is truly a gift like no other.

Lastly, I see this gift of community in the organizations we work with. I have had
the privilege to live in Charleston my whole life. Both my parents are also from here.
This experience has allowed me to meet organizations and people within my community
who are making a difference for good. Some of these organizations I didn't even know
existed, but they are truly a blessing to a lot of people. Which is a gift from God. It has
also been a gift to have connected with the community that God gave my family. One
example in particular, I saw this week, was when we met Albert from “Young but with a
Purpose.” This is someone who is an avid community member, teaching young people
life skills by helping others. Mr. Albert was someone who knew my family and my dad in
particular. My dad helped him get some of the resources to start “Young but with a
Purpose”. Now, Mr. Albert is helping me teach others about what it means to be in
community. This is an aspect from this past week that gave me so much joy, and it goes
to show how much of a gift community really is.

Overall, this week has taught me a lot about community and the real gift it is. So I
would agree with Idlewild Presbyterian Church from Memphis, TN, that one of God's
amazing gifts to us is community!

​Hi all! My name is Ruby, and I am so grateful to be spending a summer in Asheville as an AYM intern. As I’ve experienced AYM’s partner worksites over the past few weeks, I’ve gotten to know the communities in those spaces. One theme I’ve reflected on this summer is welcome. Each week, I present a morning devotion on Matthew 10, verses 40-42 (NRSVA) which demonstrates Jesus’ teachings on welcoming. It reads, 40 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous, 42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

In this passage, Jesus tells his disciples that when we welcome folks in, we welcome everything they represent – their experiences, emotions, wisdom, and perspectives. During our morning devotion, I often invite the group to consider the reward mentioned by Jesus in this passage. Throughout the summer, youth have shared that their reward could be making a new friend, discovering something in common, hearing a cool story, or understanding a new perspective.

I’ve certainly come to understand countless new perspectives at our partner agencies. I’ve realized that at our worksites, our groups, myself included, are usually the outsiders. We are the foreign ones stepping into a room of established connections. I’ve witnessed the deep-rooted communities of people who are often seen as being on the outskirts of society. I’ve been challenged to reframe my self-centered thinking about mission work, that I’m the hero by taking the time to get to know others who are “less fortunate.”

Instead, I’ve witnessed this misconception flipped on its head at 12 Baskets, a community cafe which serves rescued food to folks from all different walks of life. Every day begins by writing stereotypes on a whiteboard that we often associate with people experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty. Every week, without fail, some version of “no family/friends” or “burned all their bridges” is written. Prior to my work this summer, I believed in that stereotype. I assumed that when people were on the streets, it meant that they had no community or no one to support them. While it is true that people in poverty are not getting the support they need, that doesn’t mean they don’t have important relationships and friendships in their lives. Two weeks ago at 12 Baskets, I saw a table of four or five men eating together, chatting and laughing the whole time. I sat down next to Trevor, who told me all about his friends who have been a source of light for him. He said their “good energy” is valuable and provides him a safe space to exist amidst the hardships of living outside.

Similarly, at Haywood Street Congregation, community is spectacularly visible. One of the friends I’ve made there is Peter, who has been attending since he was 14, back when Haywood Street was a different kind of United Methodist worshipping community. He knows almost everyone that walks onto Haywood Street’s campus, and he is always the first to thank our groups for coming and tell us how much our work means to the folks who are there regularly. A sign of his longevity and commitment to the community is that he is painted in the Fresco, Haywood Street’s incredible mural built into their sanctuary wall that serves as the backdrop to worship.

Haywood Street intentionally blurs the lines between who is serving and who is served. They believe, as I do, that everyone has something to bring to the table. Haywood Street’s goal is not to solve poverty, homelessness, or hunger. Instead, it is to be in community – one of their core values is “relationship, above all else.” In fact, volunteers are lovingly called “companions.” At many worksites, including Haywood Street, the most valuable thing you can do is to sit down and have a conversation with a neighbor who is unlike you.

Ultimately, my time in Asheville working with unsheltered and impoverished folks has shown me how rich and fulfilling their communities are. I’ve noticed that the people I’d expect to be the least welcoming, those in poverty who have every right to be frustrated and angry at their communities, are often the most welcoming. I’ve also learned that my role, and the role of groups who come to AYM, is to integrate into and enhance their communities, not to invalidate or negate them. I have seen how God puts others in everyone’s lives, reminding us to trust in one another and build up our own communities. We are bettered when we welcome others in, especially those who are different from us.

Matthew 5:14-15 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

As I start my third week here in Atlanta the most impactful and meaningful moments have been at MAC, also known as Midtown Assistance Center, which is a food and rent assistance center. I have had the opportunity to attend and serve at MAC four times so far since being in Atlanta, and, as I go and pack food for families, adults, and children, it has shown me the ways in which one person who has light has so much impact and light upon those around them. For example when I first went to MAC, I didn’t know how to pack orders, so I followed around Dr. Paul and Edward — the fellow volunteers — and after two visits I was able to show our group how to pack food orders.

Today, I was able to deliver the food directly to the client, meaning I packed the cold stuff and helped them take it to their car. This small assistance center on the same block as the All-Saints Episcopal, where Atlanta Youth Mission students are housed during the week, has such a major impact for local families, unhoused friends, and adults. I have met only three workers and two volunteers at MAC, but through their daily devotion to those who are struggling with finances, food insecurity, and daily meals, they are changing lives. In this way of serving at Midtown Assistance Center one person's light becomes brighter every morning when full time workers like Savannah, Liz, and Nellie hand sandwiches out the door for two hours. A person is fed and is able to go and tell others and so in this way the service that MAC provides the community shines brighter everyday as they feed and keep housing for families who may be facing a financial struggle whether it be with rent, utilities, or car troubles.

When we are willing to be shared and not hidden by stepping into volunteer opportunities such as MAC our light is spread throughout those we show human-like qualities to like asking whether they prefer turkey, ham, or chicken salad sandwiches from whole foods. Knowing people's names and what they love, whether it be food, the people they care for, or which sandwich is their favorite, we notice them in a way that makes them feel valued.

​Through ATLYM’s volunteer opportunities we share our light in ways that show up through remembering the names and faces of people we meet at agencies. When a person is noticed and respected it creates a sense of belonging and value to their lives through recognition of one another. 

​Over the summer, one of my fellow interns suggested that I use Ruth Chapter 1 as a bible study before taking my kids to relational sites. This bible study soon became my favorite, and I find that it is applicable to so many relationships in my life, both within AYM and out. 

In Ruth Chapter 1,  Naomi experienced unimaginable tragedy as both her husband and her sons fall ill and die. Left without property, income, or any rights, Naomi and her two daughters in law head to Bethelehem… but then, Naomi pleads with them to leave her to her poverty and heartbreak and to move on with their lives, remarry, start new families, and forget about her. She does this out of love as she doesn’t want her own hardships to hold her daughters in law back as well. 

But Ruth refuses to leave Naomi. Though the hand of God has turned against Naomi, Ruth assures her that she will stay with her no matter what, and will experience life with Naomi for as long as they both live. I’ve never truly believed that the hand of God had turned against me… but many people I met this summer would have said that the hand of God had turned against them. In this text, Ruth is a true friend who doesn’t deny this, doesn’t correct Naomi’s theology, doesn’t assure her of brighter days ahead or downplay her despair… She just sits with Naomi, in her pain, in her sadness, feeling it with her and assuring her of her steadfast friendship through a hard time.

While working at different relational sites this summer like Haywood Street congregation and 12 Baskets, I met so many people who quickly became my friends… and so many of them had problems so complex that there wasn’t a single, quick and easy answer. And as hard as it may have been to accept (both for them and for me), these problems might never be “fixed”. 

This was a hard pill for me to swallow; I’m the type of person who just instinctively tries to stay optimistic and “fix it” no matter what. When something goes wrong, I say, “It will be okay!” before I even think about it. As a white person with a supportive family and ample resources and a college education, things usually will turn out ok for me. But for people living on the margins of our society, whose lives and identities and futures are not prioritized by our culture, things won’t always be ok. I had to struggle against my instincts to reassure folks that things would get better. I had to catch myself before I added some glib optimistic reassurance when people told me their stories. I had to learn how to be more like Ruth, and just sit with folks in their despair. It’s an uncomfortable place to be, especially if you’re like me and you never want anyone to be sad or mad or hurting EVER. But that’s just not reality. 

I can never know what it is like to lose my four year old child and be struggling with addiction. I will never know what it is like for my home to get swept away in a hurricane. I will never know what it is like to have to sleep on concrete and protect myself from violence with nothing but a baseball bat. But I do know what it’s like to feel alone, and I know how to give hugs and how to ask meaningful questions like “what are you most proud of about your daughter?” and “What brings you joy?” and “How are you coping with your hip replacement surgery?”. I know how to sit in silence with a friend that doesn’t really want to talk or isn’t in the same mental reality as me. I know how to read poetry to Ms. Ethel who can’t see real well and lost her reading glasses. I know how to give big hugs to Eva and make sure I say hey to her every time I see her around Ahope, or Haywood Street, or on the streets. I know how to sit and listen to Chris tell me the same story he’s told a thousand times about hiking the Appalachian Trail. I know how to hold an adult leader that can’t stop crying because they’ve finally been hit with the hurt of the world.
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 Sometimes, it was really hard to stay in the heavy space with people. It would have been really easy to walk out of the room that was thick with exhaustion and anger and sadness. But staying with my friends, no matter their mood or circumstance, and being a Ruth for them, reminded them and me that we are worth more than our bad days. Ruth wasn’t a fairweather friend. If these folks only had fairweather friends, it is likely that many of them wouldn’t have friends at all. Jesus was never a fairweather friend either, and He sacrificed his life for us, just as Ruth gave up her future for Naomi, to remind us that we are worthy of love even in our darkest moments… and that sometimes, sacrificing time and comfortability in order to sit with someone in their despair is what real Siblings are called to do. AYM taught me so much about using my voice to uplift others and loudly opposing injustice, but most importantly, AYM taught me the value of staying quiet, staying present, and loving others deeply and consistently just through the small acts of friendship. 

Hi. My name is Lauren Smoak, and I am one of the lucky interns serving at Charleston Youth Mission. I have lived in Charleston for the past ten years, and it is such a blessing to be able to share my city with youth from near and far. It’s over halfway through the summer now, and one theme in particular
has been stuck on my mind and heart: bridges.
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Every Tuesday I take my team to Northbridge Park for lunch. If you aren’t familiar with the place,
it is a park under a bridge with lovely views, unique shells, and cute fiddler crabs. While it is a beautiful
picnic spot, that's not the only reason we visit. About halfway through our lunch I gather everyone’s
attention and hop up on my soapbox for the day. I’ll give you a shortened version of my speech now:
Northbridge separates North Charleston from West Ashley. Most of our service for the week is
centered in North Charleston, where the group stays, working with organizations like Lowcountry Food
Bank, Neighbors Together, Lowcountry Orphan Relief, and Lowcountry Blessing Box.

What is the reason for that? Why are there so many thriving nonprofits in North Charleston? The answer is because that is the area that experiences the most need. We discuss reasons for this: food deserts, lack of jobs, poor transportation, limited healthcare, generational poverty, etc. But this shouldn't be that big of a problem, right? Maybe North Charleston is a tough place to live, but at least the people there can branch out to the bountiful resources the rest of Charleston has to offer. I wish that were the case. Northbridge was remodeled in 1980. To accommodate Charleston’s ever-growing population, the bike line was replaced with an extra lane of traffic. More recently, the speed limit was raised from 45mph to 50mph to allow smoother traffic flow. Northbridge Park itself was established as an official city park in 2014, providing a fun spot for the community to congregate. This all sounds great, right? Fantastic improvements to the community and infrastructure! Not quite.

That bike lane was the only available access for people without cars to travel safely and quickly
from North Charleston to West Ashley. In the past ten years there have been four fatalities and six serious injuries from people trying to cross the bridge on the two-foot-wide, heavily spiked median running between six lanes of traffic. Furthermore, want to know a fun fact about speed limits? According to South Carolina law, it is illegal and dangerous for pedestrians to walk on roadways with a speed limit of 50 mph or higher. They can potentially receive a ticket or citation for violating this rule. Want to know another fun fact? When a place is declared an official city park it has to be patrolled. This means, just hypothetically speaking of course, that if a person got trapped on one side of a dangerous bridge they couldn’t even legally sleep under it because it is part of a city park.

Here’s the real kicker: “Northbridge,” as it is called by the folks in West Ashley, is actually named
Cosgrove Bridge. It’s only north relative to people on their side of the bridge... the “good” side... the side
with a voice. Thankfully, there is an organization that sees and advocates for the voiceless in this
situation. “Better NorthBridge” is working to build a standalone bike/pedestrian bridge. It may take a few
years, but change is on the horizon. I am now stepping off my soapbox.

P.S. I would also like to share that I live in West Ashley. I will fully admit to the privileged life I live. It’s not
something to feel guilty about, but I encourage people with privilege to use their voice to advocate for the voiceless. I live on a mountain and it's my responsibility to lift up those in the valley. It's one thing to serve. I love seeing these kids work passionately to help their neighbors.

     It isn’t possible for any child of God to be worthless. A fact often forgotten in society as material
wealth is viewed as the solo indicator of value. This false narrative that is perpetuated in so many
facets of life is corrected at Haywood Street Congregation. The work site I have the privilege of
spending time at this summer is a church that is called to serve those living on the margins. It
was founded by Rev. Brian Combs who took the time to listen to the voices often silenced and
“what he heard was, ‘Offer me a congregation of absurd grace, a meal of scandalous abundance, a
kingdom glance of heaven on earth.’”
     As a 19-year-old girl, I find that I cannot offer my community all the many things I wish I could,
however, I find Ruth 1 has helped me to open my eyes to the abundance of comfort I can offer by
giving my time every week.
     In Ruth’s story, her mother-in-law, Naomi, has lost both her sons and her husband. Aside from
grieving the loss of her family, Naomi must also confront having nothing of value to offer society - as
a woman with no attachment to a man wasn’t worth much. Ruth feels alone and that God is not with
her. As she must journey to Bethlehem, Naomi tells her daughters-in-law to leave her because she
can’t offer them anything: “Turn back my daughters. Go. I am too old for a husband.” Despite
Naomi’s wish for her daughters-in-law to leave her, Ruth does not. Ruth says, “Do not urge me to
abandon you, to turn back from following you. Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you stay I will
stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”
     Naomi feels worthless because of what the world around her deems valuable. Ruth can’t change
society in this moment or how Naomi feels God has betrayed her or Naomi’s grief. Ruth proves that it
isn’t giving a material good or saying the right thing that will change someone's perspective. It’s
simply sticking around long enough to show someone that they aren’t alone in their most challenging
moment that can keep them going.
     At Haywood Street, I have shared meals with folks similar to me and so very different to me. I have had days when I feel worthless as I know many folks living on the margins have felt as well. But every day I show up to Haywood Street to participate in that community, I am reminding myself and my neighbors we are all God’s child. The unconditional worth and value all of us hold.

​“But that is not the way you learned Christ!- assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manager of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” Ephesians 4:20-24
 
Hi! My name is Sophie deMaine, and I have been so blessed to spend a summer working at Charleston Youth Mission. I’m a South Carolina native and was no stranger to Charleston before this summer, but I’ve loved spending more time getting to know this city and her people throughout the summer.
            Charleston is often referred to as the “Holy City”. This is because of its overwhelming number of churches and because of the diversity of religious traditions present within those churches. When it was founded in 1670, the city made a law that prohibited buildings from being constructed taller than any church steeples. Most would say that these laws were made to keep God at the center of life in the city. While this is true, it is difficult to ignore the fact that at the same time these laws were being created, 40% of all of the people who were enslaved in America were arriving at Gadsden's Wharf, just a few blocks from the city’s center. Charleston has a complex and nuanced history, one that is often overlooked in favor of promoting tourism and an ideal of a beautiful, polished South.
            The staff at CYM often struggle to balance these two seemingly opposing sides of Charleston, particularly when we are faced with the immense need in this city. It can often feel like the city government is complacent, or even malicious, when it comes to the overwhelming need of the vulnerable and impoverished in Charleston. Because of this, doing work in this city can feel like a losing battle when faced with a lack of support from the government. I have certainly questioned the nickname of the “Holy City”, as a city that actively works to push God’s people out feels anything but holy.
            It wasn’t until recently that I began to understand the name in a new light. Having the opportunity to work with new youth each week lends itself to new conversations each week. These youth, many of whom have never been to Charleston before, are so excited to spend time working and learning in a new place. They come with fresh eyes and eager hearts, bringing new life to this old city. It is such a joy to watch them participate in the good work the agencies we partner with are doing in the Lowcountry. They are able to work at different worksites each day, meet different people each day, and grow in their understanding of the calling each of us has from the Lord. These youth, through their willingness to engage in tough conversations, are able to see God in unexpected places, from North Charleston to Wadmalaw Island. They find the transformational power of Christ’s redeeming love at work no matter where we go, and do not fail to recognize it.
            It is through this work and these conversations that have formed a different picture of Charleston in my heart. It may not be the perfect city. There is certainly more work to be done. But I rest easy knowing that the people I have met this summer are dedicated to casting off their old selves and donning their new ones. Just as we are redeemed only by the blood of Christ, only the work of Christ can renew what has been broken. Through the work of the youth, agencies, and the Lord Almighty, the Holy City is putting on a new self, created in true righteousness and holiness.