The Collage Podcast - Episode 52: UMHB Student Volunteers

Release Date: November 13, 2024
Host: Feed My Sheep
Guests: Sabra, Melody, Emerson

1. Introduction of Guests

In Episode 52 of The Collage Podcast, the host welcomes listeners to hear from three dedicated UMHB nursing students—Sabra, Melody, and Emerson—who have volunteered with Feed My Sheep. Each guest introduces themselves, sharing their academic background and hometowns:

• Sabra: A sophomore nursing major from Katy, Texas.
• Melody: A freshman nursing student from Dallas.
• Emerson: A nursing major originally from San Antonio, Texas, who recently began her studies at UMHB.

Notable Quote:

Melody: "I feel like FMS does a great job of building family bonds with the people we interact with."
(00:32)

2. Discovering Feed My Sheep

The volunteers discuss how they learned about Feed My Sheep (FMS) and what motivated them to become involved:

• Sabra found FMS through the UMHB missions fair.
• Emerson discovered FMS while researching local organizations providing food and nutritional support for a nursing school assignment.

Notable Quote:

Emerson: "When it came to needing volunteer hours, I thought of Feed My Sheep and decided to get involved."
(01:47)

3. Motivations for Volunteering and Nursing

The conversation delves into the guests' reasons for choosing nursing and their commitment to mission work:

• Sabra: Inspired by her desire to perform mission work through nursing and overcome challenges in interacting with diverse individuals.
• Melody: Influenced by her parents' careers in healthcare and her initial aspiration to be a surgeon, which shifted to nursing for its relational impact.
• Emerson: Motivated by personal experiences with her grandmother's hospitalization and the compassionate care provided by nurses, contrasting with less empathetic medical staff.

Notable Quotes:

Sabra: "God changed my life through the medical field and through me going through health issues."
(04:56)

Melody: "Seeing my parents work in healthcare motivated me to pursue nursing."
(12:51)

Emerson: "I wanted to be the difference that somebody was for my family, for somebody else."
(16:36)

4. Personal Testimonies and Experiences

Sabra shares a profound testimony of how her faith and personal health struggles led her to nursing and mission work. She recounts witnessing miracles, such as her grandmother’s recovery from meningitis, which reinforced her commitment to serving others with empathy and compassion.

Notable Quote:

Sabra: "I want to serve people for Christ and understand that everyone is made in God's image."
(10:54)

5. Reflections on Homelessness and Service

The volunteers reflect on their encounters with homelessness and how these experiences have reshaped their perspectives:

• Observing individuals sleeping on the streets evoked feelings of guilt and empathy.
• Recognizing the importance of community and relational support beyond merely addressing physical needs.
• Realizing that homeless individuals possess dreams, passions, and inherent worth.

Notable Quotes:

Emerson: "I felt guilty for having a warm bed and facilities that many lack."
(22:49)

Melody: "We take so much for granted, and it's essential to humble ourselves before others."
(24:58)

Sabra: "Meeting homeless individuals has shown me how similar we are and helped me overcome my tendency to judge."
(25:08)

6. Impact on Personal Perspectives

Volunteering with FMS has led the students to significant personal growth:

• Emerson emphasizes the importance of compassion that drives action, inspired by biblical teachings.
• Melody appreciates the diverse stories of the homeless, fostering a deeper understanding and commitment to servanthood.
• Sabra acknowledges the transformative effect of building genuine relationships with individuals from different backgrounds.

Notable Quotes:

Emerson: "Interacting with people here has evoked the true definition of compassion in me."
(28:09)

Melody: "Feed My Sheep opened my eyes to a deeper level of servanthood and community support."
(28:09)

Sabra: "These interactions help me immensely in missions, nursing, and treating others with kindness."
(29:33)

7. Advice for Peers on Volunteering

When asked what they would say to fellow college students about volunteering with Feed My Sheep, the volunteers offer heartfelt advice:

• Emerson encourages stepping out of comfort zones and emphasizes that the impact of volunteering often benefits the volunteer as much as those they help.
• Melody highlights the importance of approaching volunteer work with an open mind and heart, warning against volunteering for superficial reasons.
• Sabra advises trusting in God’s plan and embracing the transformational experiences that come with serving others.

Notable Quotes:

Emerson: "Be bold, humble yourself, and understand that volunteering can change your life as much as others’."
(31:42)

Melody: "Volunteer with an open heart and walk by faith, not just for good deeds."
(33:14)

Sabra: "Listen to God, trust His plans, and seek transformation through serving others."
(34:19)

Conclusion

Episode 52 of The Collage Podcast offers an inspiring glimpse into the lives of UMHB nursing students who are making a tangible difference through their volunteer work at Feed My Sheep. Through heartfelt discussions, personal testimonies, and reflective insights, Sabra, Melody, and Emerson illustrate the profound impact of service on both the volunteers and the community they serve. Their stories underscore the importance of compassion, empathy, and genuine connection in addressing homelessness and fostering a supportive community.

Key Takeaways:

• Volunteering with Feed My Sheep provides valuable experiences that enhance personal growth and professional development in the nursing field.
• Building relationships and offering compassionate support are essential in effectively serving the homeless community.
• Engaging in volunteer work fosters a deeper understanding of community needs and reinforces the importance of empathy and humility.

For those interested in making a difference and expanding their horizons, Episode 52 serves as an encouraging testament to the transformative power of volunteerism.