Marshall County Tribune: Features: Exercise teaches 'compassion for others' (02/27/08)

The girls are staying in Tamra McCulloch's backyard, but they stopped by for a worship service at Steve and Patty Fleet's house. From left are Audra Mobley, Katie Warner, Sarah Mackenzie, Lauren French, Rose Osborn, Jana Blunkall, Sam Estes, Shawn Griffin, and Jon Fleet.

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The temperature is falling as the night wears on and by morning it's below freezing. Several young men are sleeping in boxes outside, exposed to misting rain.

It is a very teachable moment.

This is not a new homeless community in Chapel Hill. It's a church group with a new project.

Twenty teenagers affiliated with Grace Church Ministries want to do more than sympathize with homeless children. This is "walking a mile in the other person's shoes" taken to a new level. In addition to the primitive sleeping arrangements, they haven't eaten all day. Their fast will be broken after 30 hours.

Youth Minister Steve Fleet explains the 30-hour famine.

See Wednesday's Tribune for the complete story.