Days 3 & 4: Fun at the Inner Harbor, VBS grows & more serving the community

The kids have a LOT to say about the past two days, so let's get right to it:

"This week at BUMP has been unforgettable. So many things have been going on and every day I see God  working in somebody in our group. Yesterday (Wednesday) we went to the Inner Harbor and experienced some of Baltimore's unique cultural characteristics. As we drove to Fort McHenry, we passed an art museum that had shinning mosaic covering the side of a building. Also the National Aquarium had many spectacular sites to see, such as dolphins doing tricks.

"Today (Thursday), bright and early in the morning we were up and started setting up for the church's weekly produce giveaway. Throughout the whole morning I met many people who attend the church on Sundays and some who didn't. Then after two hours of handing out poultry, we started to clean up and head out to the Samaritan Women (after an amazing lunch made by Ms. Kim!). When we got there, me and a few other people went to weed the string bean plants. Fifteen minutes later, rain started pounding down on the green farm fields. One of the workers there, Farmer John, rushed us into the green house.

"Due to the unceasing rain, he just said to call it a day, so we hopped into the bed of his pick-up truck and drove to the church because we were a van short. As we have progressed through the week of BUMP, I have seen many amazing things. This trip is truly a fantastic and has been not only about changing the lives of others but my own as well."
~ Katie S.

"Our BUMP week has been such an eye-opening experience -- from getting our hands dirty at the Samaritan Women, to playing ultimate with the neighborhood kids. Spending time at Fort McHenry and the Inner Harbor was also awesome. The unique culture and history is so interesting -- we have learned so much. During VBS I have been given the chance to run a station, which I love. After John plans his lesson we come up with a coloring activity for them to do that relates to the story. Listening to how much each child picks up on how the story applies to their own lives is incredible.

"Today registering people for the produce giveaway was also a new experience. Each person that walked through had a smiling face. They so appreciated everyone's generosity. I also got a chance to serve at My Brother's Keeper -- it was such a humbling experience seeing so many people with so many different backgrounds come for lunch and thanking everyone for serving them, talking with them and doing something so simple as cutting fruits and vegetables for them.

"Each one of us is growing in our faith through devotionals, amazing speakers, and incredible prayer walks. We have become better as a team and individually."
~ Leah

"This week at BUMP we went to the Inner Harbor for the Aquarium, shopping and a stop at Fort McHenry, which was incredible to see what we saw of it. Also last night was VBS, where some kids were calm and others not, but was a fun time overall.

"Today was also a great day. We went to the Samaritan Women (for those who don't know, it is a refuge for human-trafficking victims), which sits on a farm, and we helped transplant bushes, weeded, and did many other sweaty jobs. Yet we knew that it was for a very great cause (even though it totally just downpoured on us in the last 20 minutes there).

"Also today was a food drive set-up that was a great success, almost clearing everything out by giving to about 90 families.This trip so far has been fun, hard, and has helped the group grow with each other."

~ Jonathan F.

"Yesterday at BUMP we had the afternoon to ourselves, so we went to Baltimore Aquarium and Fort McHenry. The fort meant a lot to me because it was where a great victory was won for the USA.  From 6-8 p.m. we put on a VBS for the kids in the community. I was pleasantly surprised about some of the kids that attended. Every day I learn more and grow."
~ Graham

We'll be back tomorrow with four more students talking about some more of our activities as the week begins to draw to a close. This has been a great week for the LINKED 78 students from Faith Church. The group has drawn close to each other, close to the leaders and, most importantly, close to God. We could not be happier with how God is working in these kids' lives and using them to serve the community in truly incredible fashion!