From May 6th to May 11th, eleven Chowan University students, three employees, and one employee’s spouse embarked on a transformative mission trip to Portland, Maine, where they served for 266 hours. This marked the third mission trip to Preble Street, an organization dedicated to providing free services for those experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty. The students immersed themselves in various activities, including serving as concierges at the resource center, cleaning up the surrounding area, and working on a compost farm known as Garbage 2 Gardens.

The trip provided an invaluable opportunity for the students to learn about the pressing issues of homelessness, hunger, and poverty. These challenges, which are shared with their local community, equipped the students with new perceptions and concepts to further serve locally. Lenita Bryson, one of the participants, expressed her gratitude for the eye-opening experience, stating, “It was an honor to attend one of Chowan’s Campus Ministries mission trips. This group of people made the trip more than enjoyable, and it has truly made me grateful for what I have in my life!”

Throughout their time in Portland, the Chowan University group also had the chance to explore the city’s attractions, including lighthouses and a baseball game. However, their focus remained on their mission, ending each night with a devotion at the hotel. The trip culminated in a breathtaking encounter with the Northern Lights, described by Lenita and her friends as a “God moment.”

The success of this mission trip would not have been possible without the generous support of many local churches, including Williamston Memorial Baptist Church, Thomas Memorial Baptist Church, Meherrin Baptist Church, and Conway Baptist Church. These congregations provided contributions, transportation, and prayers, demonstrating their commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. The urgent need for assistance was evident, with one congregation donating $500 that the team used for supplies at Preble Street and another providing 300 pairs of socks, which quickly disappeared due to the high demand.

The mission trip also left a profound impact on the faculty members who accompanied the students. Pam Woodard, a professor of criminal justice, reflected on the experience, stating, “From student-led daily devotions and prayers to working at the Resource Center on Preble Street to cutting up vegetables at the kitchen to shoveling mulch at the farm (Garbage 2 Gardens), GOD was ever present.”

Shannon Williams, Professor of Accounting, commended the students for their dedication and the impact they made, stating, “While the mission was to bless others, I feel like I received as many or more blessings than I gave. They shared God’s love with all those encountered and brightened every place we went.” Pam Woodard, Professor of Criminal Justice, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the presence of God throughout the trip.

Gabe Espiritu, one of the students, encouraged others to seize the opportunity to go on a mission trip, emphasizing the rewarding nature of making a difference. He remarked, “It may seem like hard work, and it is, but it is worth the work to know that we are making a difference.”

Chowan University’s commitment to serving the community extends beyond the mission trip. The university actively supports Preble Street’s ongoing needs and homelessness relief efforts through on-campus events during Chowan Cares Week each November. These events range from sock drives to making Thanksgiving cards, which are distributed along with Thanksgiving meals at Preble Street.

The mission trip to Portland, Maine, was a testament to Chowan University’s dedication to service and its mission to nurture students’ Christian faith. The impact made by the students and faculty members will continue to inspire others to make a difference in their communities.