Year 4 -- Time again to Do Justice, Love Kindness, and Walk Humbly

How do I start again with words to convey feelings, to enhance your spirituality, to show you a gift that is the best gift I have ever received in my life.
Maybe I should start with the title. Those 6 words are on the t-shirt that we all got last year at Back Bay Mission.
I just got on there website www.backbaymission.com and found the entire quote from the bible.

.....and what does the Lord require of you but to do Justice,
to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8

A good place to start. It is eerie for me, because Micah is the first name of a former student of mine, who is somewhere in East St. Louis, I am not sure what life is like for Micah now, I am not sure if he finished school, I am not sure if he has a home, I am not sure if he was cold last night....
For a long time in my life, I was 6'8" so that number also has a familiarity to me. I think God is telling me, calling me, and reminding me that although I have done some things in the past, he has much more for me to do. Micah represents to me a lost opportunity, a failure, an incomplete novel...
I am reminded there is always something one can do. And there is always something more that one can do. I want to introduce you to or continue that concept in your life. I do not want to take you on a service trip. I would like to introduce you to a lifetime of service.
For those of thus, who have been in Biloxi will agree with me, when I tell you that Eva May has given me more with her sweet southern kindness and fried chicken than I have ever given her. The girls have told me that although they gave Miss Mary a new garden, a lot of paint, and the ability to move into her house after several years. Her kindness and stories they received in return meant and still mean so much to them.
Quite simply, this is our world and it is our time to do something. Rev. Don Morgan, a Baptist minister, was a strong presence in our last 3 years. He always said, "If you hammer 1 nail into 1 board you have accomplished something, from there everything else you accomplish is extra and special."

Last year the motto of our group and especially our students was always to do something extra this included the Dallas Cowboys swing, the restocking of Loaves and Fishes, the shoe collection, and so much more.....

What will we leave this year? what will we share?

Two men of strong character just competed for President. These are the words of the winner, but I think his words can reflect the feelings of all of us.
"This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can. Thank you. God bless you."

See you on the 3rd

John Magee

Walk Humbly

To the alumnae of Nerinx Hall: Please rest assured that the tradition of empowering women continues. The halls of 530 E. Lockwood are still teeming with women passionate and committed enough to devote a week of their precious summertime to building walls, painting bathrooms, and feeding neglected cats.
To the parents of Nerinx girls: Your daughters are in good hands. They are learning to problem solve, work together, and stand up for people who cannot stand up for themselves. You have done the world a great service seeing your daughters through Nerinx as they will continue their wonderful work that will no doubt positively impact people in need.
To all of you who are involved in educating the women of Nerinx: Thank you a thousand times over. Your contribution to the growth of the 600 girls strolling the halls is both impressive and worthy of deep gratitude.
To the 65 women and men with whom I went on this great adventure: It was an honor working with all of you. You parents showed us that working for and with others must always be a part of our lives. You 5 recently graduated Markers displayed that leading by example is an extremely effective tactic. And you women of the Class of 2009 gave me great comfort in knowing that the incoming freshwomen will have wonderful role models in their Senior class. You ladies showed incredible passion and drive for the work you were doing whether you were fire-caulking an entire house or nail-gunning a wall stud. Throughout the week I was impressed by not only your work ethics on the job sites but also in your organizational skills when it was time to get 20 girls through 2 showers. Your intensity in the dance parties and Animal Games, your creative snack foods - Chicken Wing Dip, i.e. - and your thoughtful interactions with your classmates demonstrated that you are women of integrity. As Mr. Magee has emphasized countless times, let this be a springboard for your life of sharing kindness. Thank you all for reminding me what it means to be an empowered woman.

Ring Out Ahoya
Terese

What a way to kick off summer

During the weeks before Biloxi, I'll admit, I was pretty nervous. I had no idea what to expect and when people asked me what I was going down for, I would say "To build houses." Little did I know then, I would be doing so much more. The week I spent at the Rosetti House was incredible, and the time went by unbelievably fast. From painting to caulking to singing and dancing, I not only gained new construction skills, but new friendships. The heat and sweat were easy to forget with the reminder of the family we were helping and the sudden dance moves that would break out as Jesse Mccartney or New Kids on the Block played on "The Monkey" (But don't worry, we got back to work after we got it out of our system). But one of the most rewarding days of the trip was when I went to the soup kitchen and served lunch to the homeless. It was extremely humbling and allowed me to interact with the residents of Biloxi. I'll never forget the man who came up for his lunch exclaiming how he just got a job earlier that day and how "God is good!"
So not only did I build houses, I built amazing friendships, faith, and memories, and built up the pride that I already have in Nerinx girls!


Katie Green (Scooper)

Still Missing Back Bay...

Wow, it's hard to believe that it's been four days since we left Biloxi. I've had a busy four days, but I can't stop thinking about the week we spent in Mississippi. It's hard to put into words the feelings I had while we were down there. I think Theodore Roethke said it best with Nerinx girls "specialize in the impossible." Who would have thought we could build the entire interior and exterior walls of a house, finish three more, build a dog house, climb 20 feet in the air, and make a woman's dream come true by finishing her house? Certainly not Craig, but I believe we proved him wrong. Now that we're all home in St. Louis I think it is important to remember how talented each one of us is, and how much we have to share with the world and with each other. Remember the friendships we made in Biloxi and never forget the hard work we did. I love you all so much!

Jessi

Missing Biloxi

It has been about three days since the last day of the Biloxi trip and I still think about it all the time! Every time I see pictures it makes me want to hop in the car and drive back down there for another week. I am truly amazed at everything we did. I never realized how much we could do in a week and I am so proud of everyone. I am so proud of the Blue House because I think it is the most beautiful house ever, and I love everyone who worked on it! I know I will never forget the experience I had in Biloxi and the memories will stay with me forever.

Maggie (Fleegle)

Mission Complete

When getting ready for the trip I was both nervous and excited. My mission was to do the best job I could, show leadership and experience from last year, and get to know the juniors i did not know. I am happy to say that my mission was completed! I am so proud of these girls that went on the trip it is unreal. They blew me away with their willingness to help and creativity. I did not even need to show leadership because of how well these girls performed after being told to do something. Show them how to use a power tool once and off they went! What made me even more excited was when we were told Craig, the boss of our operations, didn't think we would do so well because I knew we could do it all along! Each little bit of work we did added on to the final masterpiece that house will become.
I also want to say how proud I am of my dad (Scott, 4 1/2)! I am so grateful that he decided to come again, having to take off work and ache for a few more weeks. He may have embarassed me with his outbursts of dancing, but if it was not for him and Mr. Elliot, our house on Wisteria Lane would still be a sub floor with maybe a few pieces of wood tacked on. They helped us build a house that will become a home to a family who will sleep, eat, and live in the home! It is crazy to think about! I am also sorry to say that my dad has not stopped singing the I Kissed A Girl song in what few lines he knows and was excited to tell me it was playing on the phone when he was on hold today at work.
Looking back at my pictures from the trip I realized how much fun us girls had together playing the animal game every night at dinner, random card games like ERS and Capitalism, the infamous Mafia game, and Silly Ninja! I can say that reading a magazine at night will never be the same without Mary Grace. One thing I will not miss trying to scramble back to the trailer to sign up for a shower. I will miss the girls i worked with and went on the trip with! It was truly an amazing experience! We gave a lot but gained so much more. Ending with one of my favorite quotes: "May God bless you with foolishness to think that you can make a difference in this world, so that you will do things which others say cannot be done." The people of Biloxi still need help even three years after the hurricane and like Mr. Magee's bracelet states, I too belive we can end world hunger by 2025.

It takes Just a little bit of Kindness to Change the World

Biloxi was quite the experience of a lifetime. Everyone that we our group of 60 something built houses for was entirely grateful or will hopefully be since some of us did not get to meet the homeowners. For those that did, the homeowners said we were surely angels and that they were so grateful for all that we did. I'm quite grateful to the girls I went down with because I'd talked to most of them before, but I was only really close to a few of them and after this week that has totally changed and I hope it stays that way. Every single one of the girls who went down gave their whole heart and efforts into what they worked on, whether it be as simple as painting, weeding, or caulking, to building a house. We all accomplished so much in only a week that the Back Bay Mission was shocked at what we were able to do and they were even impressed. It's the most awesome feeling to leave a lasting impression on the people one works with and helps and in return I know that I will always have a great impression on my heart and in my life from this week and I'm sure others will too. Even through all buckets of sweat that came from my body and the lack of sleep I got, I had a very fun time and just want to make a shout out to all the girls in my class (Class of '09!) for a thank you for making this a highly amusing experience, fun in the field, fun at the trailers and during dinners and our dance parties and reading stories to each other and cooking, to also all of you who was always checking on me to make sure I was feeling okay and looking after me. ALL OF YOU ARE AMAZING, FANTASTIC PEOPLE!! No matter how cliché that is, it is so true and for your kindness, compassion, and care for the people in this world, I know we can change things with our senior year and into the world beyond as we grow up. We really can do this, changing the world with a bit of love and kindness.. and maybe a bit of sweat and soreness too. :D

Amanda
Help with the Plumbing

Two of the best weeks of my life

I just came back from my second trip to Biloxi, and I have to say that it was just as enriching and uplifting as the first. I want to say a huge thank you to Mr. Magee, my mom (Joan Patton), all of the other adults who were with us (especially the ones in my group, Mrs. Gaffney, Mr. Luzecky, and Mrs. Witte), to all of my fellow class of 2008 veterans (Terese, you are an honorary member of this group), and most of all to the class of 2009. I know I've already said this, but I had the most fantastic time with you guys this week- with all of the kindness, generosity, good humor and love I saw in a third of your class, I know you're going to have an awesome Senior year.
Once again in Bilox, I was humbled and overwhelmed by the hospitality, graciousness, and generosity of the people I had a chance to meet. I loved getting to interact more with the people I was serving this year... we met Donna and her niece Michaela, Becky and her kids Katie and Patrick, and the owner of the house on Bohn who was a huge Cowboys fan. I was struck by the positivity and optimism of each of these people; none of them complained about the difficulties they'd encountered, and all of them were friendly and helpful. I was lucky to be able to work on three different houses this year, and to see the little touches we added to each one to make it more like a home (a new basketball net, new address plates and numbers, a newly painted mailbox, and a fixed lazy susan to name just a few). I was so proud of our group, and I'm so grateful to have had the chance to go on the Biloxi trip again. It was a fantastic experience and the best start to my summer I could imagine!
~Jill Patton
(The Shadow)

We gave them an 11

Each of these trips takes on a little bit of their own character. This trip I think our group (based on the description of 50 high school girls) was expected to maybe deliver a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10. All week in so many little different ways we gave them an 11.

There are 64 names I could list here easily, but for space how about Julie Niehaus and her soup kitchen supply drive, the Wrights with their song, Joan Patton with the mailbox, 2 Chance and Li'l Zeke with their bench, Sebbendy Sebben with her shoes, the patios at the Blue house, Mega Millions and Sammie too much doing too much in THEIR kitchen, the Wisteria crew creating a home, the Doghouse!!!!! by the Resetti crew. . . . (how many more can you name--ADD THEM BELOW WITH A COMMENT. Every single time we were given a task or a home, you outstanding people did more!!! And most important, how did that make you feel? Sharing Kindness is contagious, working hard really wants you to work harder, doesn't it? Making things good, just encourages us to want to make things great.

To the 50 Markers, I cannot tell you how proud of you I am. Last year, I sat in our final meeting, and told everyone that of all the things I have done in my life, it is right here they I really knew I was meant to be here.

This year, think about it---of all the times in your life where you feel you do not fit in, or you do not know where your place in the world is?? This week, you did. This was the week where each of you was exactly in the right place, doing the thing you were put on this earth to do. I have no doubt through your dedication in the work, the sacrifice of those who paid for your trip, and the grace of God--you were where you were supposed to be.

Humbled and honored to be a part of this group,

John Magee

Back In Biloxi!

My Biloxi trip started out with a great experience at the University of Miss Hospital by getting bit by fire ants and breaking out into hives. It was not what i would call a good way to start out the trip. Yet after two hours in the hospital and some allergy medicine, I was back to the hotel to meet the girls for dinner.
Being back in Biloxi is turning into another amazing experience! The girls are always excited and ready to work. They follow directions given and put all their effort into the job. I am on the Elliot/ Barnes team building a house! We started on the first day with only a sub floor and started building the walls. After three days of work, we have put up one large wall, and six smaller walls. Each day is rewarding with new walls being put up, the girls learning how to saw, hammer, and frame the walls. I would say that we have the hottest work site with the temperature being 130 at its highest with a heat index of above 135 flashing extreme caution and HHH (hot hot hot!). Yet the Wright's have supplied us with plenty of water, gatorade, and popsicles!

I am so excited to be back working with the Back Bay Mission, the Nerinx girls, Mr. Magee and all the wonderful parents who are giving up their week to make a difference.


Movin' Marvin
Melanie Barnes

The Soup Kitchen!

Today I went to the soup kitchen, Loaves & Fishes, with three other girls. It was a very neat experience. I helped make 80 sandwiches and pack bag lunches. We started at 9:30 AM and prepared until 11:30 when the men, women, and children were able to come eat a hot lunch. After they ate lunch, they were able to take a bag lunch and water to go. Besides food, they also offered clothing at Loaves & Fishes. The girls and I separated bags of clothing because they are having a sale this Saturday. The workers were very friendly, hardworking, and funny. They were glad to have our help. I truly enjoyed myself at the soup kitchen and smiled a lot.

Wild Onion
Liz Leake

Do Work "Sun"

It's day three in Biloxi! We're all tired and hot, but things are going great! The work is hard, but I love it and I'm learning so much!!! My site, Wisteria Lane, has come up with an inspirational slogan to keep us inspired and moving. We say, "do work sun!" We are working hard all day long to build a house from the ground up. It started out as an empty board in the ground, and now we have seven and a half of the eight walls completely finished. The sun is shining down on us all day long, but we're working through it (with only minor sunburns on my part). We're hoping to get through the last half of the wall tomorrow and maybe even some of the interior walls too. I'm having a great time and I'm learning so much. I am going to miss Biloxi - especially the Back Bay trailer - when I'm back in St. Louis.

Love from Back Bay!
Country (JP)

oak street

Today, things came together very well and started to look like a home. We're anxious to see the family's reaction to the progress. The extended family has been gracious. The girls have connected to each other and to the Back Bay mission. JL

BILOXI

Today I went to the blue house! it was so much fun. I cleaned up the house, painted, and cleared all the garbage around the house. Our group was nicknamed the "smiling" group. The owner has lived in a trailer for the past four years since hurricane katrina. It was an extremely rewarding experince. I have really enjoyed it so far, and can not wait to learn more about the place and community of people. I really appreicate everything the teachers have done in order for Nerinx Hall to participate in such a great experience!
Katherine McAtee

Today was fun! We woke up at 6:20!! That was the hardest part of the day, for me at least..The first day of work was a success! My group worked on a pastel green house. The couple that lived there are shrimpers. They live somewhere else temporarily. We primed, painted, and caulked all day long. It was very hot in the 90 degree, not air conditioned house. When we got there, it seemed as if caulking the entire house, priming and painting all the walls and doors, putting the counter tops in, and painting the walls would never get finished, but we blasted the boom box and played games while we worked. It was hard work but the less we looked at the clock, the quicker time flew by. The most difficult part of the day was trying to keep clean. I've never felt so dirty and sweaty in my life. I can't wait until tomorrow! We are planning on finishing our work at house tomorrow!

Biloxi Trip!

Hey! Today we are sitting in our hotel room in Jackson, Mississippi, after a full day of traveling. We kicked off the day with a prayer service, in which every student attended and numerous amounts of parents and friends. After praying for a safe trip, we loaded our cars and headed to Jackson. The day was not only filled with bathroom breaks at gas stations and lunch at greasy fast food places, but also singing off key to old school rock tunes. We arrived in Jackson and proceeded to dinner at Olive Garden--let me tell you any place that can handle our group of 60 is okay in my books! After filling up on delicious pastas, we headed back to our rooms to rest up for the upcoming days in Biloxi.

As mentioned in our prayer service, the people of Back Bay are less fortunate then anyone we have encountered in our sheltered lives in St. Louis. They are a people devastated by natural disasters, stricken with poverty, and often times struggling to maintain basic human dignity. However, our Nerinx Hall community is making a journey to help the people in any way we can, whether it be physically or emotionally. I am anticipating the upcoming days and my only hope is that we can reach out and make a difference in individuals lives. Even though we will only be in Mississippi for a week, hopefully our work will change their whole lives.

Prayer for us; we miss you all already!

Lisa Godfrey
Class of 2009

Today was our first of two days of traveling down to Biloxi, Mississippi. After a group prayer with our family, friends, past Biloxi travelers, and Nerinx faculty, we began our eight hour drive to Jackson, Mississippi. It was a car ride filled with conversations, an unhealthy lunch from Wendy's, rocking out to Miley Cirus (or is it Hannah Montana?), on-and-off napping, and plenty of laughter, we finally arrived to Jackson. We ate dinner as a group at the Olive Garden, filling ourselves with endless breadsticks, salad, pasta, and chocolate mints (I think I had about 213 mints...but that's just an estimate). We're all settling down for the night in our hotel rooms, ready for a goodnight's sleep.

It's hot and we're already tired, but you can definitely tell the girls are all very excited. As a veteran Biloxi traveler, I'm incredibly excited to visit the parking lot and blue house that I worked on last year. I know this week's experience is going to be just as wonderful and amazing as last year's.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Everyone says hi, and we miss you already.

See you soon with a really great farmer's tan...

Julie Niehaus
Class of 2008

First Night of Travel

Our first night started with swimming in the hotel pool in jackson and sitting by the pool. All of us are really excited to get started working but i know we are all enjoying this period of rest before our week of tough work is kicked off. After some swam and some just relaxed in their rooms we all gathered outside to meet before heading over to the Olive Garden for our first dinner together. There was lots of laughing and a fun time was had by everyone. We are all in high spirits and have awesome hopes for the upcoming week!

~ Dottie Klenke

Please Join Us

On Saturday morning, May 31st at 8:00 am, we will gather in the Nerinx back parking lot to embark on our trip 2008 style.

Several of our group are working on a short prayer service. We will also carry with us the prayers of Ms. Jost's freshmen class, and the good thoughts and intentions of many.

If you are part of the group going, you should start reflecting on what you can do to bring your talents and your kindness to our new friends in Biloxi and Gulfport and the surrounding communities.

If you have any questions you can e-mail Mr. Magee: jmagee@nerinxhs.org