Teens find joy serving the homeless

Most teenagers regard their vacation days as precious and all too fleeting. But a group of Sisters High School students exchanged the last days of spring break for something they believe holds enduring value. They spent four days in Portland serving the homeless.

Pastor Jared Vogt of Vast Church led six students on the "Project Portland" mission trip, aided by six adult volunteers and in partnership with two Portland ministries, the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) and BridgeTown Inc.

The students - Gaelen Boles, Ashley and Amanda Smith, Malachy Sundstrom, Chelsea Tosello and Danika Wagner - didn't travel far from home, yet they quickly found themselves a world away from their comfort zone. For their first assignment, they got acquainted with some of the homeless folks who congregate under Burnside Bridge. Every Thursday night, BridgeTown Inc. mobilizes volunteers to serve hot meals, provide free services such as haircuts, and build relationships with the homeless community under the bridge.

By praying through their fears and honing their listening skills, the teens discovered a new level of understanding and compassion.

"Before I was one-on-one with a homeless person, I judged them by how they looked," said Ashley Smith, a junior at SHS. "But once I got to know a couple of them, I realized there is so much more to a person than their looks; the content of their heart is what makes up the person. This has changed my view with everybody, and not just the homeless."

On Friday, the students were back on their toes long before the sun rose, serving breakfast at Union Gospel Mission. They stayed on their feet throughout the day and evening, serving coffee and donuts to those taking refuge at the mission and helping prepare for Easter, when it's expected the mission will host around 800 for a meal. They heard the mission employees' stories of their own after struggles with addictions and homelessness before experiencing life transformation with God's help.

Early Saturday the team was back at it, pulling weeds and generally gussying up the exterior of Central Bible Church, where they stayed during their time in Portland. Next they canvassed the streets pushing mobile coffee carts, looking for more down-on-their-luck folks willing to accept a handout with a side of encouragement.

Pastor Vogt believes this type of experience is invaluable and transformative. "Students in Sisters are rarely exposed to the depth of needs people have," he says. "I love watching students do something for hurting people when they realize the need."

Ashley Smith's sister, Amanda, says her eyes are open in a new way. "I knew I lived in a beautiful place, with wonderful family and friends, but going under the bridge and to the Union Gospel Mission to serve the homeless really changed my perspective on life."

Freshman Chelsea Tosello was surprised by her own boundless energy to work the long days, despite little sleep.

"I didn't want to stop," she says. "It fueled me."

That's a common response, which always amazes Vogt.

"In Christian circles, we often teach about the life of Jesus. When students live life like Jesus on these trips, doing what Jesus did - serving others, helping the hurting - they experience so much joy."

The adult volunteers were Andrew DeKeyser, Bethany and Luke Gunnarson, Chris Hansen, Rebeccah Lovegren and Karen Williams.

The Vast high school youth group is called "Breathe." Breathe meets every Monday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 257 S. Pine St., upstairs. Contact [email protected] for more information.