New England Urban Hands Experience Urban Missions
Standing for
Helping
Another in
Need by
Demonstrating
Servanthood,
Urban HANDS involves groups from across the country in urban missions. The gate swings both ways with our organization. In addition to serving the widows, the orphans and the homeless of society, City Gate gives those on the sides of privilege a time in a world unlike their own. These experiences pave the way for the Lord's vision to be planted in their lives.
A New Hampshire group got a glimpse of the complexities of urban life, while raising questions about our responsibility as Christians for social justice.
Five high school students and two sponsors arrived by train from New Hampshire for a week of volunteering. In preparation for summer staff to stay at the Butternut house, the group helped complete a whirlwind tour of heavy spring cleaning and maintenance around the Butternut house. They helped by scraping paint, landscaping, dusting blinds, painting and straightening the kitchen, thus continuing to improve the place.
During their time in DC, they also toured and learned about various ministries and mission opportunities in the city. Educational visits included Christ House, Festival Center Tour, Potter's House, Capital Area Food Bank, National Baptist Memorial and Clagett Farms.
On their stop at the Food Bank, the team labeled skid flats in a three story warehouse by climbing around on shelves and pallets of donated food. Other stops provided equal excitement with opportunities to meet staff and patrons and to provide connections in personal relationships.
Each afternoon, the team braved the children at Johenning, falling in love with several while encouraging them with homework, coaching the boys through basketball, braiding hair with the girls, teaching card tricks to wide-eyed students and serving the children their supper. Each formed a connection immediately just by being present. It was designed to involve groups from across the country in urban mission.