Jeff Hajny

    Sometimes people on the street don't want to be cared for, sometimes all they want is someone to talk to. A group of Concordia students recently did just that for people on the streets in Omaha.
     From Nov. 2 to Nov. 4, Christ for the City International sponsored the Omaha Urban Plunge.
     Seven Concordia University attended the event-Joel Endorf, Amber Schwartz, Tyler Walworth, William Traphagan, Rachel Arneson, Todd Stahlecker and Jacky Potane.
     "Our mission is to provide an opportunity for groups to leave the comfort of the suburbs and the safety of the small town to enter Omaha's inner-city where they discover how they can come alongside an existing social entrepreneur to help meet the needs of the poor, homeless and destitute," Sara Harris, development manager for Christ for the City International, said.
     The participants spent a weekend in Omaha's inner-city visiting nine different faith-based organizations that are working among the poor. They spent time with homeless people late at night, fed the homeless and worked with the elderly.
     "Our objective is not to provide a 'tour of poverty,' but to help participants grasp how they can use their talents and passions to assist a social-service agency, or even start something similar in their own neighborhood," Harris said.
     "We take participants out of their comfort zone, let them experience first-hand what is happening in the inner-city, discover their passions and talents and challenge them to make a difference."
     The group had three eventful days during the plunge.
     On Friday, Nov. 2, they visited a Hope Center, spent time with Angels on Wheels and visited the Turning Point.
     On Saturday, Nov. 3, they visited Mission for all Nations, Prayer walking, Desert Ministries, the Open-Door Mission and Abide Network Ministries.
     On Sunday, Nov. 4, they visited Empty Tomb and Salem Baptist Church.
     Each participant had their own stories and memories about the experience.
     "I remember talking to a couple who came from El Salvador," Stahlecker said. "They didn't speak any English and couldn't make ends meet. It was inspiring because they said people from throughout the community helped them in their time of need."
     "I remember that on Friday, we went to downtown Omaha," Schwartz said. "We just walked around and talked to whoever wanted to talk. It was amazing what just talking to these people seemed to do."
     The participants said the experience greatly impacted their lives.
     "It was great to just sit down with someone who has lost their home and just relate to them," Stahlecker said. "It gave me a good perspective. It was great to experience life with other cultures and appreciate what I can give to others."
     "I think a lot of people go on mission trips to dedicate to serving God," Schwartz said. "For me, it was God showing what he has already done for people."
     "Urban Plunge made me think about my purpose and God's will for my life," Traphagan said. "My experience exposed me to a side of Omaha I had never seen before. I found that at each place we went my eyes were opened to needs of the people of Omaha."
     "Going to the Urban Plunge made me realize that I am safest when I am following God's will for me," Potane said. "This has caused me to rethink my goals in life and to see things differently. Our ideas of safety and security do not matter when God is in control of our lives."
     For more information on the Urban Plunge Ministries, contact Harris at (402) 592-8332 or (888) 526-7551 or visit the Christ for the City International website at www.cfci.org.