Summertime in a refugee apartment complex is nothing shy of....vibrant. Kids are out of school, the days are long, it's hot (meaning popsicles are a necessity), and the list goes on. While this is all super fun and it's one of the facets of our ministry here, it's pretty wearing at times. I can't lie that the phrase "Please stop knocking on my door! My baby is asleep!" has come out of my mouth more than a few times this month, even though the baby (who is actually a toddler) has a sound machine and can't hear a thing. Sometimes a girl just needs some peace and quiet :)

Nonetheless, one of the many blessings of summertime in an international sector of town is that our neighborhood is a hot-spot for domestic mission teams. Mobilizing Students hosts several of these mission trips a year. Since the Trek-Xers (who would typically lead said teams) were out of town this week, Josh and I had the opportunity to host and lead a high school group from First Baptist Church Heavener, OK (hometown of our dear friends Monica and Sean!).

The group was immersed in culture from around the world as they were trained on topics such as refugee resettlement, Hinduism, and Islam. They toured a few world markets, Sri Ganesha Hindu temple in west Nashville, and The Nashville Islamic Center. In the afternoons they spent time at our apartment complex and the complex where Trek-Xers live engaging people. Some of them were invited into homes to talk and have tea. Some helped us do a survey to learn the needs of our neighbors (english as a second language, driver's ed, and children's activities/tutoring where among the options) so that we can better follow up when they leave. Some of them gathered children (you know, the ones who keep knocking at the door) to play at the playground, hear Bible stories, make crafts, and sing songs. After everyone was all sweaty and exhausted we served the team meals from the cultures represented in our neighborhood- authentic tacos, hibachi, and shawarma.

Our prayer for these mission teams is that 1. the hearts of the teenagers would be awakened to God's movement among the nations. We pray they leave with a new passion for the Gospel of Jesus.  And 2.new doors would be opened for us to engage our neighbors. When they give us the names and apartment numbers of families they meet we are able to better follow-up with those who are interested in Gospel conversations. Enjoy some pictures below of the week. And if you ever want to bring a group of students or families to serve in the international village of Nashville, Mobilizing Students can hook you up :)

Thanks FBC Heavener for your partnership in the Gospel this week! 

 Isaiah was shy to meet the team, but it didn't take him long to warm up

 Morning training session

One of the 4 markets we toured

 We broke a record and had 38 people in our living room! They couldn't all fit in one picture!

 Playing soccer with some of the teenagers

 

 Isaiah says "Mission teams bring snacks? I love mission teams!"

 

 Inside Sri Ganesha Hindu temple 

 Outside the temple

 We had lunch at The Parthenon at Centennial Park 

Baked breads and sweets from a local Mexican bakery

As I was writing this, I answered a knock at the door to a little Nepali boy who was dying for some jello. Some things never change :) 
A special thanks to my mama for bringing some snacks (like jello) last time she was here.