In light of the horrific tragedy at Virginia Tech on Monday, we made the decision not to return to our vigil line at the Brigham Young University-Idaho campus. Instead, we chose to use that time to reflect, mourn, and re-focus. I, personally, spent a few hours on Monday night staring at the television screen, which was probably more time in front of that contraption than I have spent collectively on the ride thus far. The scenes of students being carried out of Norris Hall by police officers, bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds, put a feeling in my stomach that I would compare to burning acid. I thought hard, and remembered the faces of the many friends that I have made on this trip… college students, just like the ones on the TV screen. I came to the conclusion that it is not even possible for me to imagine what this tragedy is like to the students on the campus, the families of the victims, and to the city as a whole. I won’t even try to imagine. But my thoughts and prayers are with them.

At 12:30 p.m., we gathered on the Big Gay Bus and headed to Nature Park to do some community service. Our projects included trash pick-up, leveling the ground around some trees, and trimming foliage. It was an enjoyable opportunity for us to be outside, in nature, working with the soil.

Afterward we visited another park, Porter Park, to eat some light snacks with students and community members. We had chips and strawberries, candy and cookies, juice and soda. We played ultimate frisbee and had good conversations with BYU-Idaho students and many allies from Rexburg and nearby cities. This blog would not be complete, however, without noting that the police chief, who has been exponentially helpful and kind during our visit to Rexburg, surprised us with fried chicken to feed the whole group. I want to take this opportunity to express appreciation to that man, who showed us a compassion and hospitality that we would have otherwise missed out on completely while in Rexburg. The community of Rexburg owes this man much respect. If not for him, I would have seen little resembling Christ in that town.

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