Journaling:

For the past couple years, our church has had a fantastic Youth event called Life on the Streets. Middle & High Schoolers spend a weekend living on the church grounds, in cardboard boxes, doing works of service, eating very meager meals, hearing talks from homeless services workers and learning a little of what life could really be like as a homeless. And hopefully, they come to appreciate the things they are so very fortunate to have.

These pictures are from the event on 11/12-11/14/09. Allen had participated the previous year, but this was Andy’s first time. This year, the weather was not kind to the kids. During each night, the temperature dropped to the low 40’s and they felt that bone-chilling cold many live with all winter long. But, the days were beautiful and they were able to make the church grounds prettier as well as off-site service projects doing cleaning for some elderly residents in a low-income community.

They were also charged with leaving a message on their cardboard home, for the Sunday churchgoers to read. Allen’s message: his shelter represents the struggles we all face in life. A very thought-provoking observation.