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Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Serving In Minneapolis - Saint Paul, MN
February 15, 2019
Community: Phillips (Minneapolis)
Partner: Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church (Lodging Partner)
Staff: Bethany Brandvold

Arrived and Jumping IN!

by Bethany Brandvold | February 16, 2019 5:42 PM

We arrived safely into Minneapolis on Friday around 1pm. We went directly to Good In The Hood/Shoe Away Hunger to sort shoes. We had such a blast doing such a simple act. We learned about the mission behind these shoes. They are sold out of a bus that goes to many different locations of need. They sell great shoes in fantastic condition. $5 for an adult pair and $2 for a kids pair. That money then goes to feed families without food. In just 2.5 hours of sorting we were able to provide great shoes, totalling about 500 pair, to those who need them, which will bring in about $2500 and feed 1000 people for a week. We loved the double mission of this organization. We then journeyed to our lodging site, got settled, and had dinner. During dinner we got to talk with Mike from Arrive Ministries about ministering to Muslims. The things he shared with us really opened our eyes and got the wheels turning on how we can minister to Muslims back home. Turns out, the SALT (Somali Adult Literacy Training) program developed by Arrive, also has a branch in Souix Falls. 

The food we ate was so amazing! We had time then to do our orientation meeting and talk about the week. We got ready for the next day, took showers and went to bed early. It was a long day. 

Arrived and Jumping IN!

Shoe Warehouse

by Bethany Brandvold | February 16, 2019 5:44 PM

Will you pray with us? This ministry has to be out of this warehouse by the end of the month. They don't have a new home yet. Pray with us that God provides that new warehouse. 
Shoe Warehouse

Bring on Day 2!

by Bethany Brandvold | February 16, 2019 5:54 PM

Wow! What a full day today was!! After a delicious breakfast (with made to order eggs- we are being so blessed) we joined janitor Roy in the balcony of the church we are lodging at/partnering with. We helped clean it up with vacuuming, sweeping and mopping. We then swept and mopped the basement gathering space, the kitchen and the bathrooms.  After that we had a bit of time to reflect. During breakfast, our cook Brian shared with us a testimony and his knowledge of this community and his ministry within it. After hearing all he shared and still digesting all Mike said last night, we wanted to talk about what we had been thinking about. So we took about 20 minutes to do so. We then headed to Union Gospel Mission, the Men's campus to serve them lunch. They were all so gracious for the meal, and we were so glad we could give them a warm meal and a warm space to be for a bit. The men they serve there are either homeless, or are in programming there to recover from drug and alcohol addiction. Lastly,  we went to Feed My Starving Children to pack Manna Pack meals. (See photos for how much we packed and how many kids we fed in Haiti). In just 2 hours we provided hope to so many kids. We can't wait to do it again on Monday. We are now back at our lodging relaxing a bit before dinner. Then we get to hear from Cheryl, our host about the area here, known as the Phillips neighborhood. After a debrief meeting and showers, we will tuck in for a good night's rest. 
Bring on Day 2!

FMSC

by Bethany Brandvold | February 16, 2019 5:55 PM

Hope is GREATER 
FMSC

FMSC

by Bethany Brandvold | February 16, 2019 5:55 PM

Our FMSC Stats
FMSC

FMSC

by Bethany Brandvold | February 16, 2019 5:56 PM

Packing
FMSC

FMSC

by Bethany Brandvold | February 16, 2019 5:56 PM

Praying before they ship
FMSC

Balcony

by Bethany Brandvold | February 16, 2019 5:57 PM

Vacuuming away!
Balcony

Balcony

by Bethany Brandvold | February 16, 2019 5:58 PM

Cleaning
Balcony

Balcony

by Bethany Brandvold | February 16, 2019 5:58 PM

Mopping
Balcony

Day 3- Sunday!

by Bethany Brandvold | February 20, 2019 9:23 AM

Today was such a good day of rest! We were able to join in on St. Paul's bible studies, worship and post worship conversations with people. We really enjoyed getting to meet others, learn about spiritual gifts and about how God is with us. After church we went to the Midtown Global Market. A place where many cultures come to share their food, textiles and items. Many of us had Mediterranean food, and it was SO good! It was fun to experience different cultures from around the world. We then headed to the Mall of America to have a bit of relaxation and shopping time. Some of us had to take advantage of some good deals since we don't always get access to these shops back home. Next, we went back to Union Gospel Mission to lead the men there in worship. It was such a huge highlight for us, we all walked out feeling so refreshed. We really did enjoy building relationships with the people there over just a short 2 sessions of serving in a 24 hour span. To end our day, we went to take showers, during which we had time to just sing songs together and enjoy more worshiping, and do our team meeting, and then went back to lodging to sleep. 

Day 3- Sunday!

Day 4

by Bethany Brandvold | February 20, 2019 10:07 AM

Today we had a more laid back day. John Spaulding, someone who knows quite a lot in the area of Muslims and reaching out to them, joined us at St. Paul's after breakfast (another amazing meal cooked by Brian), and shared with us some great information to know about their beliefs and culture so that we can learn how to best reach out to our neighbors. We did have a bit of time after our morning session to relax a bit, some decided to take a little nap, as it has been quite an exhausting few days. We then went to serve at FMSC in Eagan. Today they were doing the 3- Pack version of the Manna Pack bags. This is where we put only 3 of the 4 ingredients (Vitamins, Veggies and Soy) into the bag. Then they send them to Nicaragua, where the rice is purchased in Nicaragua and the other portion of the bag is filled with the rice that is needed. This not only saves costs on shipping, but more importantly it stimulates the economy in Nicaragua because the rice is being bought there. The rice is also cheaper and then filling the bags creates jobs for local Nicaraguans. After FMSC, we went back for dinner at St. Paul's. Brian made us Tator Tot Hotdish and his famous cornbread, which was AMAZING! We then sat in on MissionShift, which is a local course that teaches those who take it, how to reach out to their neighbors and spread the Gospel. Tonight's topic was about Refugees. We got a lot of eye opening information and this will help us better reach out to those refugees coming to Sioux Falls. We ended the night with our final group meeting. It has been a long weekend, just one more morning of service before we get on the road to home. 
Day 4

Day 5

by Bethany Brandvold | February 20, 2019 10:11 AM

Today we woke up early and packed everything up. We then arrived to CHAP Thrift store by 9am. We got a tour from Sherry the Manager, and then joined in on their chapel service. After the chapel service we hung up baby clothes and brought them out to the floor. CHAP ministries is a Christian thrift store ran by a church. It not only provides quality second hand products within its well kept and clean store, but it also has a bread and baked good distribution for the community, a food shelf, and a coffee corner where those in the community come regularly for community and friendship. The store has a small group of employees and the rest is done by volunteers. We really enjoyed our time with them, hearing stories about how God has provided. But now it is time for us to go home. We are so grateful for our time here, but are also ready to get home for some good rest and normal daily rhythm. 
Day 5

Day 4

by Bethany Brandvold | February 20, 2019 10:13 AM

Hearing about reaching to Muslims

Day 4

Day 4

by Bethany Brandvold | February 20, 2019 10:14 AM

Our FMSC stats
Day 4

Day 5

by Bethany Brandvold | February 20, 2019 10:15 AM

Worship
Day 5

Day 5

by Bethany Brandvold | February 20, 2019 10:15 AM

Sorting
Day 5

Day 5

by Bethany Brandvold | February 20, 2019 10:15 AM

Sorting
Day 5

Day 5

by Bethany Brandvold | February 20, 2019 10:16 AM

Just for fun. We picked out some funny combos
Day 5

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