Urban Immersion Project: In Just Two Hours

Adrienne came to the Twin Cities Urban Immersion Project (Here's Life Inner City) hoping that her own background could help her relate to the young people she’d meet. Adrienne grew up in a single-parent family with four other siblings. Money was most often tight, and stress was high. Yet Adrienne could see God’s hand upon her life, even as she looked back to her childhood. So, during her spring break from college, Adrienne joined college students for Urban Immersion in Minneapolis/St. Paul.

After a full day of serving with various ministries throughout Minneapolis, Adrienne’s team of students arrived at an inner-city church’s youth night. Having helped out at similar venues in the urban community of her own town, Adrienne felt confident. She knew the ropes. She knew what to expect. She planned to be cordial to the students, and help with "crowd control," but didn’t think any real impact could be made in a matter of two hours in one night. That’s when she met Tasha.

Tasha smiled at Adrienne, and shyly answered her questions: her favorite color, her grade in school. But then Tasha skipped off to sit by the other kids. Adrienne’s eyes followed Tasha as she wiggled around from chair to chair, and Adrienne silently prayed that God would settle her down so she could listen to the Gospel message being presented.

Suddenly Tasha made her way back to Adrienne, and held fast to her hand. Sitting calmly, Tasha gripped Adrienne’s hand and listened intently to the entire Gospel message delivered up front. At the end, Tasha turned to Adrienne and whispered, "I want Jesus." Adrienne escorted her to the altar where Tasha knelt to pray and invite Jesus into her heart.

The two new friends made their way back to their chairs — all the while Tasha never let go of Adrienne’s hand. "How are you, Tasha?" Adrienne asked. "I’m happy. I’m just so happy." Tasha whispered back.

Now Adrienne is back at college, and her new friend Tasha is going back to youth night without her. Yet, in a matter of two hours one night, God knit their hearts together in a way that impacted eternity.

Adrienne learned that night that God uses us in our availability. When we give Him our lives for a year, a month, a week, or an evening — God uses it.

Some Helpful Links:
Urban Immersion | Summer in the City | Other Short-term Mission Opportunities