This week was fun and amazing, but it was also life changing and eye opening.  Most of the places we went were in rough parts of Philly and made me think about how lucky and selfish I am.  But this week was also about going out of your comfort zone.  In my track group (social ministries), this happened every day.  One such place was called Don Guenella, a home for mentally challenged boys.  It's an amazing place! 

I was worried about going to a place to work with people who have mental challenges.  It's not that I have a fear of them, I just thought I would do something wrong or say something wrong.  So I was a little timid and shy to go in and I didn't interact with them for a while.  But a boy names "C" came over and would try to scare me by yelling "boo" and I would pretend to be scared.  But he really let me open up.  I ended up going out to play baseball with him and opened up even more. 

So this is one way I have stepped out of my comfort zone.  I have also become more willing to pray out loud, less affected by persecution, and to be Christ-centered.  This week helped me open up in many ways. 

Submitted by Cody