Helping Out - 2/1/09

Yesterday was a day full of wonderful and caring friends helping out those in need! It was an amazing thing to see seventeen college students come together and travel to a place where the people were in need of some assistance after a huge ice storm.

Upon arrival the girls and the guys split up and headed to help people in different ways. The girls headed to a shelter to help hand out food, water, and whatever else the locals needed. Many of the people had been without power for close to a week and though some were finally getting it back on, many have no clue when that day would occur.

After helping out at the first shelter for awhile, the girls split up and a few of us went to another shelter to see if there was a need for us there. We got there and were disappointed that there was not more that we could do. We did walk around and talk to people and try to cheer up their days. A couple of us sat with this adorable little girl, Grace, and talked to her while she was putting together a puzzle. At first it didn't seem like much to me, but I can see how just having someone besides her family to talk to was nice. While we were at this shelter the Lt. Governor of Kentucky came and spoke to the people. He sparked our interest in going out and seeing if there were people trapped in their homes or ones who could get out, but maybe didn't know about the shelters. So off we went. We drove around for quite awhile, knocked on some peoples doors, and told them about the shelters and resources available to them. This time wasn't just spent helping the people who lived in the area, but it was also a time of bonding for the group of girls in the car. It is amazing how God will use a tragedy and our hearts to help, to grow us closer to each other as well.

At the end of the day our whole group met back at one of the shelters then packed up and headed back to BG. Even though I felt like there should have been a lot more that I could do for the community we were still able to at least show that we cared and were willing to help.

The day ended back in BG with dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Moe's, then shopping with two very amazing friends, ending with a movie and some rest.