Another Day, Another Lesson

As I near the end of my service obligation with the Vineyard Church, making and passing out sac lunches, I reflect on the four Saturday mornings I have spent there. The privilege I have felt in working with Sharon, the church members, fellow students and the community in which we've been serving, has almost matched the feelings of personal growth that I have experienced. I have specifically been able to assess my interactions, as well as my reactions, toward people that I have worked with. I often have a difficult time when working with others, as I can take quick offense to suggestions that come my way. Such a situation occurred this past Saturday when it was suggested to me that I change my approach in how I was offering up our sac lunches. Initially I felt irritated, though I bit my tongue, which was growth for me in and of itself and then I brought it up with Sharon. I feel that she gave me sound advice in suggesting that I asked the homeless people that I have been working with how they would like to be approached or if the way in which I was offering them lunches was offensive or okay. And who better to find out this answer than to ask the people in which I am dealing with?
After having this discussion I felt the hotness that had flooded my cheeks leave. I believe that this service learning experience will benefit my personal life, as well as my future career as a nurse, and I am hopeful that I will continue being a part of service. For me, learning how to "behave" is still a work in progress. Working in a group setting has aloud me to inch forward a little more in my personal growth. By not reacting in defensiveness and anger, I eventually allowed another view to be relevant and helpful for another chance to learn.

Three Cups of Tea vs. Service Learning

Saturday, February 7th, I attended my third service learning experience. Part of the assignment I have been given is to compare the book, Three Cups of Tea, with my service learning participation. In the book a mountaineer, Greg Mortenson, shares his story of failure in regards to his attempt at scaling K2, a mountain located in northern Pakistan. However, his efforts are not in vain when he loses his way, stumbling into a very poor, Korphe village. Here Greg's life calling is found and he charges to build a school for the people he grows so fond of in this village. This begins a long list of many humanitarian projects he spearheads. This man is admirable, courageous and devoted to a cause and I cannot compare the service work that I am doing to it. I am a part of feeding my communities homeless people not because I valiantly woke up one morning with a drive to do so, however I woke up to a letter from Phebe Shen letting me know that I would be participating in some type of service to learn, as well as to receive a grade, in her English 98 class. And though I have loved the opportunity, and surprisingly found that many of my close girlfriends are driven to this type of service with no Phebe Shen :), the comparison I find doesn't lie within myself. Sharon Shultz is the person whose work parallels that of Mr. Mortenson's, as she is Everett Community College's Service Learning Director, and it is she who has ample knowledge, ability and action to produce massive change throughout countless avenues in our communities. I am grateful to have had the privilege to work and meet with someone who feels so passionately as Sharon in regards to helping those in need around her, and who has been successful in linking students as an "army", and endless supply of people, to the work that is so desperately needed, whether in our streets or in our elderly care facilities.
I am confident that even when my time as a student comes to pass, whenever that may be, that Sharon will be an available and infinite source of knowledge to me and our community when ever we choose to make ourselves available to the work of service. Thanks to God, there are people as inspiring as Greg Mortenson and Sharon Shultz in our world. Thanks to teachers like Phebe Shen I have gotten off my behind to help be a part of my local community.

Donations Can Be Made

Donations for food, clothing, and hygiene products can be made to The Vineyard Church, located on Wetmore Avenue, Everett, WA 98201. There are members available on Wednesday evenings, Saturday mornings into early afternoon and also on Sunday mornings to accept donations. This Saturday I will be taking part in my third service learning experience and I am looking forward to a new days experience.