"Poverty and social injustice are no longer just concepts to me, but have been encompassed in the 5 year old I played with for 7 days. God has opened my eyes to see the shortcomings of my theology and has given me tools to correct it. More so than what should I do to fix the problem - God spent a lot of time just showing me his broken heart."

- OUP Participant

"God has truly used this experience to make an impact on my life. I never realized so many things about the inner city before coming here. My eyes were opened to a lot of social injustice and I realized how important it is for us with a voice to advocate for those who have no voice. God also spoke to me about partiality and how it played and still plays a big part in my life. God really stretched me in ways never expected. I expected a lot of the site stuff, but I didn't expect God to bring up so many hard issues and heartache to the forefront. Jesus really did some healing in my life while I was here. I had a lot of hurt from a situation where I was hurt tremendously by a different racial group and God has started to heal that hurt and redeem me. Praise God."

- OUP Participant

"My whole view of God has changed. I no longer view the poor and oppressed as the 'other'. They are people made in God's image who have stories and are truly loved by him. The various scripture passages about God's heartbeat for the poor has convicted me about my role in how to live out the Gospel. It is no longer a theory that can't be tackled, but rather one where a privileged person like me can still share with those less fortunate."

- OUP Participant

"I did not anticipate learning as much as I did. I believe the lessons and speakers on social theology helped to solidify the changes God has been making in my heart. He is reforming me and has used OUP as a wonderful tool and resource."

- OUP Participant

"Through these people in the inner city, I have uncovered a piece of Jesus not found anywhere else and that is invaluable. God has revealed so much to me about who he is, his plan for me, his justice, and it has been an exciting ride. This trip challenged who I am and what is really important in life, especially to God. The Lord has really opened some doors in my mind to the possibility of working to 'loosen the chains of injustice' by being a lawyer advocating the cause of poor. Before this trip, that would have never been a career option for me, but God has shown me that he needs me to fight for those who won't fight for themselves because they aren't able. Also God has been throwing other ideas at me - living in the inner city or being a foster parent. And trust me, when God began to talk to me about living in the inner city, I was not thrilled. I grew up in a small 2-bedroom home in a lower middle class family, and all through school I've worked very hard. I knew that when I grew up I would have a big home and I would buy my parents a big house too; however, God challenged my 'big house' view of success, and that was hard, challenging, even disheartening. I don't know if God wants me to move to the inner city, but God has put it on the table for me to pray for, and I certainly will. My heart looks nothing like it did before I came. Not only is God challenging my future with him, but also my present with him. The quiet times, manuscript studies, praise, and conversations have revealed my deep need to continue deeper in my Bible, challenging social norms with God's norms! It's been great!"

- OUP Participant