Nazareth College spring-break mission trip left yesterday... they were with us for holy week, 15 strong. I was so moved by their spirit and faith: they spend a week of their long awaited vacation time to bunk in our community building, make appointments for showers, and work hard with the toughest jobs we have. This year they refurbished the women’s dormitory at Clairvaux Farm, spring-cleaned the donation barn, served lunch at community kitchen, landscaped and painted.
Yet the most remarkable care they accomplished was not the grungy work, but the relationships they took time to build and the communion they made possible among us last week. I think of....
- Steve carrying 4-year-old Noah on his shoulders, and patiently listening to his excited stories about Ninja Turtles... and Noah declaring proudly to everyone that “me and Steve are buddies.” It means a lot to a kid struggling with homelessness, needing a dad and being the man of the family...
- Robin struggling to find a path to conversation with Jimmy – living in the woods, angry, aggressive, and raw – taking advantage of a small bit of friendliness to unload his fear and loneliness...
- Danielle, Kate, Laura, and others carefully decorating an Easter cake as the centerpiece of a party for the families... intentional joy, sharing the hope and optimism of their faith in the details of their task... and what a great party it was!
- Todd in quiet and earnest conversation with Patience at the dinner table: finding life experiences in common, though worlds apart in their stations in life and opportunity available for their futures...
I once heard about a test for the effectiveness of our evangelism, as follows: Are the people you seek to reach happy to see you come, and sad to see you leave?
Our farewell to the young evangelists from Nazareth College was warm and tearful, yet beneath the sadness, a joyfulness even in saying good-bye. It was the same for everyone, homeless and housed, young and old.
What Gospel message?, one may ask.... sounds like a week of good deeds, however commendable...
On the contrary. It was Holy Week. They left us with certainty of an absolute truth: Jesus lives. He was with and among us every day. And we all think that and know that, even the non-religious folk in our community, usually tough and cynical. The eloquence of the Nazareth College young people told the good news of the man from Nazareth amazingly well.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Carl I am sure these students learned a great deal that week. My two children have been at the farm many times on mission trips with our church. Your ministry has made them look at homelessness in a different way. They now realize its not always what you have that counts. But you need to use what you have to make a difference. Thank you for being a great Christian role model for our younger generation. Lisa H. Elkton
Post a Comment