It's a few days post ASB and it's awesome looking back at what an amazing experience I had. I have done multiple service trips in the past but I think that I walked away from this trip with a totally new perspective having learned new things about myself, my views, opinions and world around me.
As for a recap of the end of the week...
Friday morning we gathered to debrief Thursday's reflection. Our reflection consisted of everyone writing a comment, question or observation gained from the week. The pieces of paper were passed around the circle so that everyone wrote a comment/response back to each other's papers. It turned into a written discussion forum where everyone contributed their opinion. My questions were about religion and service. Why and how does religion inform acts of service? Do atheists feel the same calling to do service? Without religion, why do we do service? From reading others people's comments, I came to some overarching realizations about how the week was meaningful. One person mentioned that during the week they felt more selfless. I totally agree. Being in Atlanta on a service mission I felt removed from my usual personal concerns I think of like worrying about getting a job, getting good grades and extracurriculars. I felt completely motivated by wanting to serve others, not focussing on my own needs, and it felt really fulfilling. That positive feeling of selfless service helps me understand why the people work at City of Refuge even when hardly earning a living wage.
Later Friday morning we participated in City of Refuge's Street Ministry. We walked out of the gates, past the "four corners of hell" intersection and down the block to a housing project community apartment complex (if it can be called that in the least). The goal is to go door to door passing out flyers and publicizing the services of City of Refuge. The apartments looked dilapidated, many were boarded up and the surrounding area was covered with trash. While some spoke with the tenants, others walked around picking up trash around the area. Many of us picked up tiny plastic zip locked bags that we were told were empty drug bags (probably cocaine). Behind one building I noticed a pair of sneakers strung over the telephone wires hanging by the laces. We were told the day before that this signals that someone was killed by a gang at that spot. In that area, many brick walls were graffitied "RIP Dee." It was chilling to see and know that I was standing on the site of a gang murder.
The street ministry service didn't feel like the most meaningful project we did. I felt uncomfortable to be a white girl coming into a neighborhood with plastic gloves and trash bags picking up trash on the doorsteps of people's homes. It seemed as though we were entering a neighborhood complex and sending the message that they do not take care of their own environment and we were coming in to do it for them. I don't think it empowers them to want to take care of their environment any more. However, I appreciated the opportunity to go to the neighborhood because I got a sense of how people live and what the communities look like. (Some of the kids we tutored even lived there.) It was a reality check.
We couldn't leave Atlanta without visiting another popular ATL tourist spot, the Martin Luther King Jr museum. He is buried along side his wife in a reflecting pool. Down the street is the home where he was born. The exhibit shared quotes and history of MLK and his wife but also included an exhibit of Ghandi and his philosophy. We also managed to stop by the famous Gladys Knight and Ron Winer Chicken and Waffles Atlanta restaurant for a grab to-go bite to eat. Who knew that chicken and waffles go together?
Saturday morning we woke at the crack of dawn to begin our drive back home. We departed at 5:30 AM and arrived back to College Park, MD by 5 PM. That has to be record time.
I am so appreciative for the many experiences I had and stories I heard through ASB. Even though I have done other ASB trips to different places, I left this trip feeling more fulfilled and excited about what I learned and did. Unlike other topics I've learned about on ASB, I think the issue of hunger and homelessness/ urban poverty is relevant no matter where you are from. Go to any urban area (LA, NY, Chicago, Houston, DC) and you will encounter neighborhoods similar to Bankhead. We live just miles away from DC where people face the same challenges.
I have had many opportunities this week back to practice my "elevator speech" to friends I run into asking how my break was. (Elevator speeches are our 20-30 second explanation of what we did over break that will catch a persons attention in a short amount of time). What I tell people is that I did ASB in Atlanta and that we stayed in the neighborhood called Bankhead (many recognize that name) with high rates of crime, prostitution, HIV/AIDS, drug use and trafficking and homelessness. I tell them that we stayed and volunteered at a homeless shelter facility that serves the community and that we heard incredible personal stories from the people we met. Adjectives used: humbling, fulfilling, amazing, fun, interesting, enlightening etc...So far my speech is working and I think it definitely makes people think, even if it's just for a second. I plan on delivering my elevator speech even in the coming weeks.
We all are walking away with different experiences, memories, encounters with people throughout the week. We met new people and made some great friendships. I hope and think everyone took away something special from this ASB trip. I also hope that everyone continues to talk about their experience and share some of the messages insights that we are taking with us. I know I am!
Countdown to reunion of ASB ATLANTA 2010!!
--Jen--
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