17 to 18

17 to 18

Friday, June 3, 2011

In Charity and Truth

In the epistle In Charity and Truth, Pope Benedict XVI uses the word charity and love interchangeably. Today, at the Micah Center, six Nerinx girls have learned that there isn't two words in the English language quite as similar as those. What we have long considered "charity" work blossomed today into love for people, complete strangers, who seem so different but couldn't be more similar. It never ceases to amaze me how every time I go out to do "charity" that the people I'm helping help me more than I could ever help them.

Today, Amy Welin went with ne and said that she learned a profound message: It's not that the homeless are all alone, but they always need a helping hand; that one single action could change their life. Even if they aren't off the streets, even if that one single action didn't get them a job or a hot meal, just a smile could turn their day around.

Of all the things that they are missing in their lives, it isn't a home, a meal, or even shower that they ask for: what some people really want is to be noticed. I've learned today that, in the everyday lives of these people, sometimes the only interaction that they get with other people is the cops chasing them off the beach— which, for all intents and purpose, serves as their home— or being completely and totally ignored. What they ask is that someone simply notices that they exist.

I think the best lesson I learned today is this: Notice.

--Courtney Lane

Mark.

Mark, or as we know him Marky Mark, always wears a red shirt. He owns about six different red shirts and never fails to wear them. He says autumn is his season and it is his best look.

Last Work Day Of Biloxi! :(

Hiya!
This is Bling Bling, or I guess you can call me Fei-Fei. haha.
Anywho, today is the last day we work at Biloxi, it's both sad and kinda exciting. Exciting because it's another day to do whatever work we're doing, and sad because it is the last day. Today, I am going to working at the Micah Center with five other girls. I am so excited, because I've heard nothing but good things about this site, and I just love these kinds of jobs. I'm not sure what will be happening today, but after working at the historic house on the first day, and then mulching for three days and doing demo work, I'm ready for anything!

Demo House

When I first went to the demo house, I wasn't that excited. However, as the day went on, I really enjoyed it. I used a sledge hammer to help demolish a brick wall. It was a lot of work but as the day went on it was extremely rewarding to see that the entire house was down, and all we had left to do was pick up the trash. It turned out to be a really good experience.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Micah House

Today, four Nerinx girls and myself volunteered at the Micah House, a shelter that gives aid to the homeless. They do things such as let people come in and take showers, wash their clothes, use the telephone, internet, and have snacks while engaging in conversation with each other. Today I met a woman by the name of Evelyn who shared her life story with a few of us. It was incredibly heartbreaking to hear about the struggles she and her husband had to face after losing their home. It was such an inspirational day seeing all of the help offered by workers at Micah House, and I really found myself loving the experience. Realizing how these people have to live is truly eye opening; and the thought of them going from everything to nothing is terrible. Like one man said, you never think that you will be the one sitting in the Micah House or any other organization for the homeless until you're actually there. Being around these people all day was an uplifting experience that I wouldn't trade for the world.

-Molly Mansfield