by Abbie Kahler, EM Summer Staff in Atlanta, GA
The first week here in Atlanta, Georgia this summer was more than we could've ever imagined it to be. We had no air conditioning, it was in the 90's, and we were constantly on the go—but it was worth it.
Mission trip teams come here to get the full mission experience. They come here to find out what it means to truly serve others. They come here seeking the true definition of Christ's love. The team that joined us this week from Johnson City, Tennessee, got just that. This was the fourth time this team has come to Atlanta with Experience Mission, so it was magnificent to see how they rekindled their friendships here with individuals they hadn't seen in a year and developed new ones with people they had just met.
I think one of the most moving experiences I had this first week was during Canteen on Monday night. Prior to leaving night, we hadn't been able to find the canteen. Initially, we were brainstorming ways that we would tell the team they weren't going to be able to go, but we decided just to have them pack up their own vehicles and we would make the most our of the situation.
I wasn't really sure what to expect that night. We passed out hot dogs, chips and lemonade to the homeless men and women, drug dealers and prostitutes. It was compelling to hear each individual's story of how they ended up on the streets of Atlanta.
The greatest blessing happened at our last stop on the route that night. One of the leaders of the Tennessee team, Chris, had an overwhelming conversation that I got to listen to with a woman involved in prostitution. It was heart-breaking to hear her experience and to watch her start weeping as Chris told her that she was beautiful and that she was made in God's image. I knew during that moment that we were truly servants of God and that Atlanta, like everywhere else, was in definite need of our love.
To top it off, when we finished up at that last stop—a street corner that was known for drug dealing—we learned that while the EM mission trip team was there that night, no drug deals that happened on that corner.
You must have a group size of at least 6 members to join this trip. Please view the Small Team trips or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.
For most trips, you must have a group size of at least 6 members. Please view the Small Teams tab on each Community page or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.