ORU Students Spend Spring Break Serving Mercy

March 22, 2016

ORU Students

ORU students ready to tackle “Major Cleaning Day” ninja-style with Sacramento Mercy residents.

Last week, two teams of female students from Oral Roberts University spent their spring break serving at Mercy’s Sacramento and St. Louis homes. Not only did the teams help out with projects around the homes, but they also enjoyed hanging out with our residents.

At the Sacramento home, a team of 12 ORU students spent the week with the Mercy girls. They led devotionals every morning for the residents as they discussed their personal walks with the Lord. “Each member of my team was given the opportunity to share her testimony,” said Christi, ORU Team Leader.  “We were all so nervous, but the gratitude of the women for our vulnerability was priceless.”

ORU Students

ORU students preparing dinner

On Wednesday night of their stay, the students made dinner for the Sacramento residents and decorated the home with a Mexican fiesta theme. Throughout the week, the ORU team helped clean the home and also helped the Mercy staff prepare for the Sacramento Run for Mercy 5K that took place last Saturday. “Helping with the Run for Mercy 5k was awesome! It gave us a very practical way to serve the women that we had become so connected to,” said Christi.

ORU Students

ORU team with St. Louis Mercy residents

Another team of 11 ORU students served at the St. Louis Mercy home, assisting with many indoor and outdoor projects, such as cataloging library materials and planting flowers. The ORU team also prepared dinner for the residents, played card games, and took time to share their personal testimonies with the girls. One night the students held a “Sort-of Got Talent Show” with the residents and staff that resulted in much laughter and fun.

Current resident Kirstin said of the experience, “We were all grateful for the ORU girls! Not only did they help organize the library, but they helped with dinner and many other things. As the week went on, we made friends who showed us love and laughter.”

ORU Students

Team ORU sorting Run For Mercy
t-shirts

“It was great to have the ORU girls spend the week serving us!” said current resident Emily. “Their willingness to help around the house and share their time with us meant so much! I am so thankful to them for the kindness and love they showed us.”

“Serving at Mercy Multiplied was the best way that I could have spent my spring break,” concluded ORU Team Leader Christi. “Working with the staff and residents taught my team and me so much about God’s heart towards hurting people. It showed me a completely new side of ministry that is more based on discipleship than evangelizing. Even though we came to minister to the residents, each one of them ministered to us in one way or another. Seeing how grateful each of the residents was that we were there was extremely humbling.”

ORU Students

ORU students helping with landscaping

ORU sends out students all over the world on short-term missions trips during students’ spring and summer breaks. The focus of these trips is to be a strategic, short-term investment in the long-term work of the organizations they partner with. Mercy is grateful for these two teams who gave their time and energy to love and serve our residents. For more information on how you or your organization can partner with Mercy, click here.