Day 4

• clean out storage/set up mattresses
• take items to apartment and set them up
• lunch - met Shannon from Breakaway
• after school program ending party, finishing science projects
• KABOBS!
• storytime and reflection, preparing for our final day

Today was a great day!

This morning we met up with Melanie from Lutheran Services of Georgia who introduced us to Vedad and Christian who would be helping us clean out a storage unit LSG uses to store household items that are given to refugees for their first apartments as they arrive in the United States.  We spent some time cleaning out and organizing the storage unit so that it could become a mini 'store' for those coming to collect items for apartment to be set up and ready for those who arrive.  Several of our team members went to set up and construct the furniture that would be in the apartment.  The family we were setting up for will arrive at midnight tonight, so it was quite a morning of getting ready!

After cleaning out the storage unit, the crew from our team that helped with the heavy lifting and furniture assembly returned to gather smaller household items to take to the apartment we were to finish setting up.  Thanks to the encouragement from Christian and the diligence of our team, Vedad was able to quickly pick out some items and get us on the road to setting up for the soon-to-arrive family.  Below are some photos from setting up the apartment.

We spent some time over lunch with Shannon from Break Away - a national alternative break organization.  Our team enjoyed hearing more about the national movement they are a part of through their service.   Shannon works here in Atlanta at the national office and was able to hear from our team about how the week had been so far and shared information about the different ways groups around the country (and globe) are collaborating in their efforts.

This afternoon was both our final afternoon with the students in the after-school program and the final afternoon for this school year of the after school program.  The kid were treated to a celebration with extra snacks and we were able to have some great last moments playing games, triumphing over science projects, and even had the chance to meet many of the parents of the students.  It was bittersweet to say goodbye to the children, but it was great to hear from them how much of an impact we had on them throughout the week.  We also took time to appreciate Clarkston and Mrs. Daniella with a "Certificate of Awesomeness!" 

Tomorrow we will be heading to work at Clarkston Community Center's ESL program with refugees who are seniors.  We are excited for this opportunity because it is a new population we have not been able to work with this week so far.  After finishing up our service for the week, we will head to lunch and back to the MLK National Historic Site and hopefully catch a tour of his birth home.  This is slated to be a great experience especially if Wednesday's preview is any indication.  We have 1 full day left here in Atlanta, so pray that our team goes out on a great note and are able to wrap up the week successfully.