Jam Session: Serviceworx/Justiceworx, Day 4

Today was a good day all around. Wednesday is always a good day whenever it occurs, and it's especially good during the Worx programs. For us leaders it's a good way to tell whether or not our program has been effective. For Serviceworx, I could tell that a lot of the students were beginning to bond today. During one of our sharing sessions we had a lot of the students playing off of what the other was saying. One student would bring up someone from a nursing home, others would say "yeah, I remember her!" and start telling stories. It would sort of get frustrating for me because it would push the schedule of the day back further. I find that I need to work on being more tranquil when it comes to these programs because it definitely effects my leadership abilities. It's been something i've been struggling with all summer, and probably something I'll take into the new school year. Today was a good day at serviceworx, though. 

The evening at Justiceworx was great. Unfortunately, our usual liturgical minister couldn't make the mass tonight so I was in charge of music. It's funny how good it turned out. I think God certainly has some musical plans for me later on in life because I have had something to do with the music at Justiceworx/serviceworx every time i've lead it. Music is such a large part of my life that I guess God would have to do something with it. After the mass the high schoolers were sitting in the cafeteria and so I brought my guitar over to play for them. They asked to hear one of my songs and loved it after I finished playing it. Tonight really reminded me why I play/write music: for the love. Not the love that i get from the audience, although I will admit that is an added bonus. Whenever I strum, and the pick runs over the copper strings of my acoustic guitar I always feel strong. It's strange that one of the things that gives me most security in the world has a hole in it, yet as I played for the students I realized that I needed to be there tonight. I heard God in the music. 

Thursday and Friday loom around the corner, but I know things will be ok. With good friends and good tunes, God will always be on my side. God is in them. 

-Jeff

Laundry Night: Serviceworx/Justiceworx, Day 2

So it's about 12:30 am and I'm waiting for my laundry to be done. Serviceworx is pretty good this week. We have the unique situation at St. C's to have some kids who are returners to the Serviceworx program this week. They're a big help because they kind of know what to expect at Serviceworx and also indirectly lead the younger kids by getting into the service they participate in. The past two days have been easy, but it's only monday. I'm sure something (if it already hasn't) will come up. 

At justiceworx this evening we did one of my favorite activities: the family "togetherness" activities. While I can't go into real details about it, what I will say is that this activity is designed to show the participants not only the consequences of their actions as well as the challenge of being in community not only with their family and friends, but also with their brothers and sisters abroad in the global, human family. Whenever we buy clothing that my come from a company who uses under-paid workers, we support those companies and participate in their oppression of workers. By making conscious decisions with our money we can help change companies and force them to make new policies. We must look out for all of those in our global community. 

I should probably be sleeping but this laundry is taking forever. I've been sitting in front of my computer surfing the web thinking to myself that there should be something better I could be doing with my time. It's odd in this day and age where one can find staring at a screen more enjoyable than looking at words on a page. I wish my mind were more disciplined. 

That's all from here. Hopefully my laundry will be done soon. Gotta wake up for work tomorrow!

-Jeff

6/8ths

So yesterday the fifth week of Justiceworx concluded. The kids ended the week on a good note. I popped a guitar string playing the theme song, so I need to replace that. Now I'm sitting in the staff room at St. Joseph's Seminary calmly waiting the start of Serviceworx, week 5. It's incredible to think that six weeks ago I was meeting new people and getting to know friends that I had not really known before. It's weird to think that in three weeks we will all go our separate ways and be in contact only by email or letter rather than face to face conversation. 

Yet I think that God brought all of us together this summer. Last summer was incredible and I don't doubt that God brought all of us together either. But it seems that this summer the people in the programs seem as committed or more so committed than last summer's community. All the volunteers and new foundations we've made with people increases the probability that what we're doing here is part of God's larger view of the kingdom. It seems that not only are we in the business of transforming high school aged students, but also in the business of transforming young adults into conduits of something greater than themselves. 

I have certainly learned a lot this summer about many things. I felt a little bit sluggish at the beginning of the summer, but through this community I have rediscovered my faith and look to bring it all back to SJU, friends and family. There are still three weeks to go, though, so I will be trying to live each moment as if it won't be there for long, because that's the truth of the matter. We will all return to our homes and look back on this summer with fond memories, but its spirit will touch us only if we live every moment to its fullest. 

That's all from here today. I'll update about Serviceworx this week.

-Jeff 

Egyptian Rat Big Room: Justiceworx Wk 5, Day 5

Alright, quick updates so I can get to bed soon. 

-Work group is leading the way in terms of bringing people together this week. They've gelled very well. 

-WE planned activities today for Enable. My work group did a great job and we made a great card for one of the staff members whose last day is tomorrow. 

-Community activities devolved into screamer in the big room. It was sweet. 

-Mary's talk was incredible, as always.

-Family group is better than before. 

Alright, cheerio! Hope you all have been keeping up with the blog! 

-Jeff

Traveling Alone: Justiceworx Wk 5, Day 4

Today we had our weekly tipping point. The kids responded well to it today. Even though we were understaffed we actually did the best activity that we've done throughout the whole summer. We had a lot of frustration but understanding after our presentation and mass. I had to do music because our usual minister is on vacation this week. It's weird because a few weeks ago I had to do music as well, and it seems like God is pulling me closer and closer to a music ministry vocation coupled with my youth ministry. Over the past few weeks I've been becoming a little bit clearer on God's call in my life. 

One of my friends just recently told me that she loves to travel alone. It got me thinking about why I like traveling with people. People really shape who I am, and I cannot thank the friends I've had over the years enough for their parts in my life. Each and every one has brought me to a new understanding of who I am and where I stand. This summer has been no different. I have met some incredible people who have shaped my life for the better. I am really excited to end this summer knowing I have made a few lifelong friends. 

But the end is always the hardest part I suppose. I'm having a wonderful time now, but the end is the toughest part. There are times when I do wish I had more alone time but the truth is that at school (when I'm not with my lovely girlfriend or my awesome friends) I'll spend a lot more time alone than I have this summer. I will be back "traveling alone" I suppose. A lot of the kids here are traveling alone because they're looking for purpose and meaning in their lives, although they may not explicitly say so. It's interesting that small things in one's life can leave a lasting imprint long after that thing has passed, so in reality, no one ever really travels alone. We all have each other in spirit, and we all have our own lives to live. We must be lasting imprints for one another. 

Well, that's enough thoughtless musing from here. I'm going to bed. 

-Jeff

Challenges: Justiceworx Wk 5, Day 3

Today was a pretty good day at Enable. My work group is really coming together, which is sweet. Everyone is talking and forming relationships with the consumers as well as each other. I had the opportunity to play guitar for one of the consumers, and he really enjoyed it. Then in the afternoon we spoke with the consumers and were able to build some deeper bonds with them. It's great to see my work group flourishing like this. My family group seemed to open up a bit more today, too. We had a great conversation about some off-topic stuff. It was a great way for people to open up a bit more and really begin to feel comfortable with each other. It's a great part of the week when this begins to happen. 

This week we've faced a few different challenges as a staff. The biggest one is that during the mornings and night duty we do end up being understaffed because we had one of our volunteers drop on us (for a very good reason, my thoughts and prayers are with her right now). This provides a problem because we must keep in mind our own limitations physically and mentally sometimes. We've also had a few other logistical challenges in terms of time management things, but those are always present at Justiceworx. We try to run on schedule as best we can, but most of the time we run over (which, in actuality, isn't a bad thing all the time). 

Through all the challenges we as a staff become stronger and build bonds with one another that strengthen the week's overall power for the kids. I hope we can overcome these by the end of th week and finish off with a bang. Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day. 

-Jeff

Shhh!: Justiceworx Wk 5, Day 2

I'm pretty tired (already?!) so i'm going to just quickly write an update. 

-Work group began to open up. Family group is getting there slowly but surely. 

-Love the Monday evening activities. 

-May be going to Philly to visit friends this weekend 

-Didn't play frisbee today due to a fun game of Volleyball with the some of the kids and staff. 

-Understaffed this week. Thank goodness for the Casa friends. 

That's all from here tonight. Sayonara!

-Jeff

The Week off: July 12-19

This week has been a whirlwind of different things happening. Mary, Joel, Nick, Mop and I traveled to two different cities in three days and enjoyed every bit of it. On tuesday we went into Philadelphia so that we could see my university (SJU!) as well as a few other points of interest, mainly the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and Jim's Cheesesteaks on South Street. Mary and Nick were both impressed by Jim's and everything else, which made me very happy. We had a wonderful time together, the 5 of us (and steph stopped by, too) so it was some great quality time with the Casa friends. 

Wednesday and Thursday was more of the same except in NYC. We drove up wednesday night to visit Widian in her Queens apartment at Saint John's University (STJ, because St. Joe's bought SJU). Thursday we traipsed about NYC visiting a myriad of different places, including Time Square, Little Italy, Chinatown, SoHo, the MMoA, NBC Studios, Rockerfeller center, and other places I'm probably missing. At the end of the day i was so tired I refused to speak, but it was a great day. Steph M. came up thursday  night by train and so slept over at Wid's on friday. 

Friday during the day I had to leave the Casa friends because Tumnus and I were going to a friend's beach house so that we would have a place to stay for Brian's wedding that saturday. It was a beautiful service. Brian and his wife looked incredible on the alter together, and they certainly deserved all the love and support they got at the reception that night (obviously). The reception was most fun. We hung out with friends and had a great time laughing and basking in the glory of love between two incredible people. Very much congratulations to Brian and Kristen, and I hope they have a wonderful honeymoon!

So today we started back on Justiceworx. It was a pretty typical sunday: all the kids were awkward and hopefully we'll be able to break down some barriers of shyness tomorrow between the kids. Let's pray that'll happen. 

That's all from here. Will write tomorrow hopefully!

-Jeff

Justiceworx Wk 4, Days 6

What an incredible week. 

Ernie Gets Lost: Justiceworx Wk 4, Day 5

Today was just another outstanding day. I can't imagine a better way I could have spent today than with my work group at the Pre-School (save seeing my girlfriend, of course). The little ones today at the Pre-School were so much fun and so full of life. It makes me wonder how I was as a child and if I was as vibrant as these children are now. My mom always said I was well behaved, but I've always wondered if that translated into quiet. Either way, today was beautiful. In the afternoon we didn't have anything to do so my work group and I bonded with a few games of PIG and bowling. We also read "Ernie Gets Lost," which was a fun way for all of us to just laugh and act like kids again. 

Frisbee is always a good time back at the seminary and we had a great afternoon with the entire group. The staff this week have been rock stars and I'm so privileged to call them all my friends. The students this week really have showed great promise for the future in terms of getting change done. It's been an incredible week. 

I wish I wasn't as tired or else I would write more. Oh well. Have a happy tomorrow and I will write in here later!

-Jeff

Awesome: Justiceworx Wk. 4, Day 4

Today was an incredible day. At the pre-school we had an awesome time bonding and hanging out with the kids. Spending the morning outside was great. We're building so many different types of relationships with the kids. I was playing with one of them today and he called me "big brother." I think it was for the sake of the game we were playing but it still was great to be a big brother for once, considering all my life I've been a little brother. I also became an alien with one of the kids after she put all sorts of these bendy things on my head and arms. It was wonderful to play with the kids because they are all just so care-free. 

The work group bonded like crazy today. We played intense games of yellow car and pig, as well as had an awesome time sorting out this storage closet. We found some masks and costumes, put them on, and posed for pictures (of course.) One of the staff members came over and took our photo. I feel as if our work at the pre-school has been getting progressively more comfortable. Little kids aren't always the easiest to serve because they can be...well, little kids. It has been a good challenge this week getting to know them and our work group is finding ways to connect in ways we didn't connect in the past three days. 

Our activities today went well. The students seemed to have been very affected by our activity. This bodes well for future weeks because we have become very familiar to the activity to the point where we can pull it off almost flawlessly. Of course no program can be perfect, but it certainly makes an impact in a students life, and today was a very good impact for a lot of the students. 

Today was an awesome day. It's already thursday morning...I can't believe it. 

-Jeff

Two days in a few lines: Justiceworx wk 4, days 2 and 3

Here's a quick update: 

-Silent workgroup/family group begin to open up

-The group told stories at night after large group gifts and challenges, culminating in a group theme song

-One of the students at the Pre-school called me a "big-fat man," which was hilarious

-Staff members rule!!!

That's all. There's more but I need sleep. I'll write in here tomorrow!

-Jeff

That's the way God Works: Justiceworx Wk 4, Day 1

I didn't update the blog last week because I had some incredible times with the Casa friends. They are an incredible group of people and I really can't think of a better group of people than them to spend my entire summer with. I'm going to try and be as brief as possible with this post but a lot has happened. I finished a week of our middle school program Serviceworx, which turned out to be very enjoyable. The middle schoolers did a very good job with what he had to offer them, and they really seemed to take the lessons we taught to heart. I thank God that I was given His grace last week to let Him work through me. It was a tough week. 

Friday was the three year anniversary of when my mom passed away. I was fortunate enough to have someone cover my shift on Serviceworx so that I could attend a memorial mass for my mom. I sat with my whole family and felt as if I was in the right place with them. It was tough leaving the middle schoolers for a morning but very worth it. I was able to see my Colombian relatives for a good portion of the day and spend time with my dad. Then at Serviceworx I was able to spend time with friends and minister. Mass was the culmination of the day's ministering and then we went home to the Casa. God certainly took me under his wing last Friday, and I am forever grateful for that. 

Saturday we all went to the beach. It was an incredible time and a great way to end the week. The Casa friends all had a wonderful swim in the water as well as a great game of football. I had a Belgian Waffle with Ice Cream on top, so needless to say I was satisfied. It was the first time in three years I actually had a pretty good weekend with people on the Fourth of July. I love every second of it. 

Today's first day of J-worx went well. The kids seem eager to go, but also sort of awkward. I suppose that's how everyone is the first day. Hopefully I'll be updating more for you guys this week. 

-Jeff