Wonder what our Guests are saying?

from an adult participant: So hard, so powerful, so life changing. I will never forget the sense of futility and frustration, maybe even rage, when my son asked me for food and I couldn’t give it to him. But, as the week went on, witnessing (his) growth made it even more profound. Urban Spirit added something very special to his growing up.

These comments were offered by recent participants in the Poverty Immersion Week:

• "This experience has inspired me to be more than I thought I was capable of. My eyes are open to poverty and turned to faith that together we (Christians) are the means to its end. I have been touched to the core. Thank you!"

• "I believe in my heart that every day this week God was talking to me..." 

• "This week was amazing! I never thought being deprived of everyday necessities would be so impacting. I will never forget this experience."

• "Amazing how many life and death decisions have to be made day to day. Also amazing how anyone can live through it without going insane."

• "Some blinders have been removed, and much that was invisible to me is now visible."

• "There are no words in the entire galaxy to describe this week."

• “I think through all the hunger and pain this was an amazing experience that taught me so much that I will never forget."

• “At first this was totally not fun for me, but as the week went on, I really came to appreciate this experience. I can’t stand the fact that people have to live like this. I want to make a difference in the world. Thank you."

• "This week I have found myself disagreeing with you in some of our thoughts. However, I am pleased to have met you, and feel that this program is something that I needed to open my eyes to many things. Peace be with you.”

• “The week was hard in the beginning and I was mad. But now, I understand how good of an experience this was and how much I learned from it. Thank you for such a great week. I would definitely come back if I had a chance.”

•  “When I first met you on Sunday night, I wasn’t sure that the next week was gonna work out. By Thursday, I was really sick of this place, and I wanted to leave. But on Friday, I really started to realize what I had learned, and I really appreciate all you did for us.”

Previous notes...

• "This has been a magnificent week..."
• "I feel like a more complete person. I saw the world from the other end of the economic spectrum, and I didn't like what I saw..."
• "I never want to forget what has happened here. I am hungry for God more than anything now."
• "Total mind blow."
• "I really appreciate the new perspective on life that this program has given me."
• "... As the week went on, I really began to get the full experience. Now, I am really glad we chose UrbanSpirit as our mission trip. This was really a life-changing experience."
• "This simulation really opened my eyes..."
• "I've been on four mission trips now, and never learned as much as I did on this trip."
• "I think this is one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life.... I've realized just how messed up some people's lives can be."
• "Each night I found myself falling asleep thinking how can I reverse the trend.... I really hope I have the opportunity to say I was part of the solution not the problem..."
• "...really lit a fire in my life..."
• "...really changed my point of view of poverty..."
• "You might not have the moxie to do it twice but everyone deserves to go through the program once."
• "This was a week about being uncomfortable and uncertain; we did just that. This was a week to wake ourselves up."
• "I have learned that there is more to poverty than simply being poor."
• "This was to be a place that would change my life forever... a week of growth and a large dose of reality."
• "Allowed me to see how some people have to live in order to survive."
• "The week at UrbanSpirit was a life lesson learned through hard experiences with some great people along the way, and because of it, I have a clearer understanding of what poverty means."
• "Opened my eyes more than anything else I've ever done. I talk about it a lot with my friends and family." 
• "Renewal of my call to ministry"
• "In my hour of greatest anger and frustration came the most powerful learning experiences"
• "At first I didn't think I was going to make it through the week, but I did it; I learned so much..."
• "This was the hardest, most incredible week of my life. I will never forget it."
• “It will challenge you, and you’ll come home hungry for more.”
• "I'm just writing to thank you for a WONDERFUL experience at Urban Spirit... I saw a real change in some of the youth. I know I have been changed by the experience. Thank you for offering it to us and for doing such a great job at facilitating."
• "We'll be talking about all we did and learned for some time to come. I know I'll be stewing on it all for a while."
• "Difficult to 'sum up' our week at Urban Spirit, not only because of the difficulties we had, but also because it was so full and intense - and experiential. It's almost as if someone has to do it to understand. It's not like every other mission trip..."

• "I didn’t think there was much to learn about poverty. How wrong I was..."

• "Thank you for your leadership, guidance and vision. This was an eye-opening week."

• "I never realized the kinds of decisions some people have to make every single day…I don’t know how they do it!"

• "A class everyone needs to take, even politicians!"

• "Has strengthened my resolve and commitment to justice as the Gospel call."

• "A real eye-opener because this is actually how people really live. I don’t think anybody was ready for the reality."

• "It was a shock to my system."

• "My hope for this trip was that the youth would catch some of the passion I have for justice and understand the social realities that create injustices. Little did I know that I would be so inspired myself! This week, while draining me physically and mentally, has fanned the flames in my soul to fight for all those who are less fortunate.... I know I will always remember this experience..."

Participants in other UrbanSpirit programs said this:

• "Thanks for the hospitality and the lessons... Honesty and justice are clearly fostered and emphasized here."
• "Love watching, feeling, experiencing the power of God in this place!"
• "Thanks for being a helper for justice. Deb and UrbanSpirit remind me to not give up on the church, on God and never give up on God's people.
• Shalom..."
• "You rock! Thanks!"
• "Deb is a wonderful leader with amazing vision!... The Spirit moves through this place..."
• "This has been the best weekend I've ever experienced spiritually!"
• "UrbanSpirit...blesses everyone it touches"
• "Thank you so much for your hospitality. This place is amazing."
• "Although (it) was frustrating, it also taught me a lot and made me realize that being poor means a lot more than just going to the food bank. I also learned how tricky the bus system is."
• "I hope all who come here learn something valuable as I did."
• "Whatever people call church or community, it is here."
• "The house that God built!"
• "It has been so enriching to spend a couple of days here experiencing the community, working together and learning how to broaden my outreach at home."
• "an eye-opening and a life-changing experience... adventures that few have"
• "This experience has opened my eyes and erased the 'scary' image that kept me from accepting people"