2023: Day 9, Poverty

At 6:30 AM, we journeyed to the lower level of the Center. Nathan met us and introduced us to a refugee simulator. We placed ourselves into the story of families who were in the process of being displaced from their homes by conflict and violence. The simulation was complete with sound effects and adjusted lighting.

After we completed the activity, Nathan gave us a presentation that explained the reality of millions of people across the globe who are unable to live in their homes. The true stories of families who are affected by displacement affected us deeply, and the activity helped us to better appreciate the tragedy of unwanted displacement and to respond with sober empathy.

From the refugee simulation, we moved into a chronic poverty simulator. We were divided into four teams. Each team worked together to make paper bags out of sheets of paper and flour glue which would be sold in exchange for currency that kept rent, food, and medical bills paid. Some groups were able to do well. Other groups succumbed to events beyond their control and were driven into deep, inescapable debt. This activity helped us to better visualize some of the difficult environmental factors that make escaping chronic poverty difficult for many people.

After an interlude for rest and prayer, we began to pack lunches to share with people who don’t have a home. Each parcel contained a sandwich, a cookie bar, a bag of chips, and a bottle of water.

Many people without homes live in New York City. We set out in groups of four or five with lunches in hand, seeking people along the streets, in parks, and in subway stations to pray with and to bless with food. At the designated time, we returned to the Center to pray on behalf of those we met.

The last activity for the day involved a presentation by Jesse. He spoke about the perspectives of Jesus among the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons. He encouraged us to identify error by spending time studying truth through the Bible.