CONWAY — Campus ministry students from the University of Central Arkansas and Hendrix College in Conway recently returned from a weeklong mission trip to The Kitchen Inc., a Springfield, Mo.-based outreach ministry for homeless people and families.
“It was phenomenal. The students working together in harmony serving people in need and sharing their faith,” campus minister Deacon Richard Papini said. “I could see the Holy Spirit working all week.”
Papini and 14 students spent May 9-15 divided between working in the thrift store and the food bank. The students sorted through thousands of clothing items and divided them by size and type to be re-sold to raise money for the organization, Papini said. They also helped sort 22,000 pounds of food that was delivered through the food drive sponsored by the U. S. Postal Service.
Papini said he has taken many groups on mission trips during spring break to Honduras and Mexico, but this trip was different because it was held at the end of the school year, they stayed in the United States and the students truly grew in faith.
“Many of the students commented that what upset them the most was the amount of food and clothing we had to throw out,” he said.
The food had to be sorted first by date. Any expired food had to be discarded. Clothing was also sorted for items that were too stained or ripped, Papini said.
“We all have spiritual worth even if we do not have material worth,” Aaron Smith, a sophomore from Little Rock, said. “I believe God calls me to do mission work and share my gifts with all his children on earth.”
Another student said the experience has impacted how she will behave.
“Throughout the week, I have become aware of my wastefulness and intend to change my ways and donate a lot of my things to the poor,” Meagan Lenehan, a sophomore from Little Rock, said.
Papini said his goal for mission trips includes helping students develop an attitude of servanthood, open their hearts for change by the Holy Spirit, and to deepen their relationship with Jesus and each other by building community among the group.
“This year, they did all that and more,” he said. “The bonds of community were very strong and even the staff at The Kitchen complimented them on their energy and willingness to work.”
Several students noted how they worked as a team as they sorted food and clothing.
“My highest point was when we worked in the annex that first day and had a system of working together without complaining. That was an inspiration to me,” Stephanie Schneider, a junior from Cabot, said. “I’m glad how efficient and close our team became.”
The students attended daily Mass and participated in Liturgy of the Hours in the evening. Their daily work at The Kitchen also included interaction with the homeless who are served by the ministry.
“I especially saw Jesus in a man named Neals, who until hard economic times drove him to The Kitchen, had everything. He had a good job and a fancy new house but lost it all,” Michael Lenehan, a sophomore from Little Rock, said. “Yet, he had no problem leaving his pride at the Missouri state line to work a labor intensive job at The Kitchen in order to keep his wife and three kids off the street.”
This trip had a rocky start, Papini said. Originally the group had planned to work in Mississippi with an organization that helps people in a small, rural area, but the plans were changed when the organization announced renovations three weeks prior to their departure date. Papini said the other obstacle was transportation.
“We learned the mini-bus I had reserved did not meet safety requirements,” he said. “Fortunately, we were able to borrow the small school bus from Subiaco (Academy) and everything went smoothly.”
He said the trip helped the students realize that all people deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.
“God was in every corner. His hand did our work at The Kitchen, his words were in our mouths, and his love was in our hearts,” Tori Sweatman, a freshman from Fort Smith, said. “The people at The Kitchen show the love of Christ every day. It was not hard to find Christ.”
