Editor's Note: We are having trouble posting pictures this year. We will get it figured out. We have hundreds to post! But in the meantime, enjoy reading about this amazing experience!
This morning I woke up at 6:30. I walked over to the bathroom to brush my teeth. On the way back to my room, I passed a kitchen where Honey Nut Cheerios were opened and on the table. Of course, I checked the fridge for milk, and when I found it, I helped myself to three bowls. Later on, I was told that the food in this kitchen was only for a different mission group and that it was all the food that they had. I still had a bagel when I went to breakfast with our group, but it wasn't as good as the cereal.
Graham
(Editor's note: Graham will be going to Walmart to resupply the Cheerios)
After a long day of traveling, stopping, hurry up and wait, and orientation, we finally arrived at the church we would be staying at for the week. The rooms were surprisingly very bright and spacious with lots of floor space for air mattresses and sleeping bags. Beforehand, we had sat through an evening service hosted in one of the main rooms of "The Root Cellar"(the heart of Portland) which was lead by a spunky bald dude who knew how to keep our attention. Two singers, a male and female, serenaded us three times both before and after the service. It was actually fairly entertaining and allowed for us to look at this week through lenses of compassion, appreciation, and empathy. We truly are lucky for all we've been blessed with and there's nothing more eye opening and humbling than witnessing and living through those who are not as fortunate. We are constantly reminded that sometimes our so called "problems" aren't as significant as we may deem them to be when they're put into perspective. Each day is a blessing. Our lives are absolute blessings. Words can't describe how anxious and excited I am to build these, what I believe are, essential relationships with the people of this community. The stories of the children and adults touch our hearts and minds and feed our souls. It allows for us to see things in a different light, which isn't something we always get much of in Westchester. I could not be more grateful to be apart of this trip (for a third year in a row) and the first day has yet to begin!..It's 8:40am as I type. Wish us luck and please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we take on this awesome journey! (I love and miss you mom, dad, and Phoebe!!)
Bailey
Our first day volunteering was a success! We started with an early wakeup of 6:00 am, splitting off into two groups. While the first group painted a housing complex, our group went to the local food shelter to prepare and serve both breakfast and lunch for the homeless. We donned our aprons, and delivered a wonderful breakfast and lunch for three hundred hungry patrons. It was exhausting work and lasted for hours. After serving breakfast, we had a quick rest while eating our sandwiches we prepared beforehand. For lunch that day, a local pizza restaurant donated about one hundred whole pizzas! Seamus and I spent the whole time slicing, seasoning, and heating a total of 400 individual slices. It was an experience, and I had never seen so much pizza in one place. After both breakfast and lunch was served, we finished off by enjoying some iced coffee at a local coffee shop, talking about the day with each other. Finally, we all regrouped and met at a park, spending time with a ton of local kids. We tossed frisbees and footballs, climbed on the monkey bars, and enjoyed the sun for a few hours. It was a blast. With the rest of the groups from around the country, we enjoyed a dinner of spaghetti, getting to know one another. The entire day was exhausting, and i'm certainly ready for what's ahead.
Isaac
No comments:
Post a Comment