Washington Adventist University Students Serve During Mission Trip to Flint

Story by Kenya Mark
 
Eleven student missionaries from Washington Adventist University (WAU) in Takoma Park, Md., dedicated their spring break to serving in Flint, Mich., a city dealing with a contaminated water crisis. To be able to travel to Michigan, students fundraised and received support from faculty, staff and the Potomac Conference’s Sligo church, located on the WAU campus.
 
Throughout the week, the team distributed more than 560 cases of water and assisted the local warehouse in organizing the water that has been donated from all over the country. They prayed with the residents of several neighborhoods in Flint, conducted a week of prayer for the children at the Fairhaven Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School and performed a puppet show for children and their families.
 
Missionary and junior nursing major Tania Guevara, says, "My experience was amazing! I have heard about Flint and the water crisis, but I never thought it would be so bad. God definitely used us to help out the community and the church in need.”
 
The team's resolve and impact were not only felt by students, but sponsors Adriana Mitchell, professor in the School of Health Professions, Science & Wellness, and Chaplain Kaneil Williams. "God's plans are private, precious, in fact. Therefore, when His people are drowning in a flood, or crawling through a drought, it is not our place to wonder what, why or who did this. Instead, we need to walk, run and swim to serve Him," says Mitchell.
 
Chaplain Williams also adds that this will not be their last trip to Flint and hopes their efforts will inspire others to serve God, even in times of inconvenience.

Feature Photo: Tara Smith distributes bottles to a Flint resident.