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REFLECTIONS
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Immokalee, Florida |
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My year of volunteer work in Immokalee was
amazing as it allowed me many opportunities to grow and change while I
did work that I am passionate about. My goal when I first arrived in
Immokalee was to help, teach, and build. I certainly accomplished
these things and so much more. Building relationships with the people
in this community opened my eyes to new worlds. Because I had a
variety of jobs I was able to befriend an economically and culturally
diverse group of people. I feel that dialoging with these immigrants
and political activists has refined my worldly views and simply made
me more aware. I have also grown spiritually. More than ever I
understand the concept of faith and how it carries people through
desperate times. I have witnessed this faith in Immokalee as I saw
people turn to God, family, and friends for strength and guidance. I
yearn to obtain this faith and allow myself to fully trust in God as
they do. Immokalee quickly became my home as those with hardships
generously welcomed me. Living, learning, and growing with this
community has been a true blessing. |
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Lauren Bost |
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2005-2006 |
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Cleveland, Ohio
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I was blessed to be part of a supportive
community both at school and with my housemate during this year of
service and in with my time with the Sisters of the Humility of Mary.
The more time I spent volunteering, the more confident I became , more
open to others and more integrated in the school community.
Encouragement from others helped me grow into the individual I am
today.
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Rebecca Levis |
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2005-2006 |
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Villa Maria, Pennsylvania |
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I honestly feel I have learned so much
this year. When I started my volunteer time I had absolutely no
experience in gardening. I have learned so much about the planting,
weeding and the wonderful fruits of my labor. I can say that I have
come to appreciate and understand humility: the humus, the soil, the
earth. All are Godıs gifts to us and we must protect them.
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Kathy Houghtell Abramowski
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2005-2006 |
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Santiago, Chile |
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Living in Chile and working with the
womenıs community of Casa Ursulina was a powerful testimony of faith,
feminism, and earth in action for me. It changed my life in ways far
different from those that I had expected. I found God in the stories
of children I taught in school- some filled with sadness over troubled
homes and financial struggles, others filled with joy over secret
crushes or new baby sisters. I found God huddled around fires,
harmonious and strong, singing revolutionary songs, sipping on sweet
wine with strawberries. Through the wrinkled, aged, fingers of a
woman who has seen it all, God was expertly woven and tucked into the
yarn of scarves and shawls, guaranteeing bread for tomorrow and ease
of mind for today. God grew in the bodies of courageous, young
teenage girls until they could no longer hold God in and opened up to
bear their miracles to the world, kicking and crying. . . but
breathing and ready for life. God was in our gardens and flowers, in
the fruit from the market and hiding in the Andes mountains, waiting
to be discovered. I say it that way, waiting to be discovered, but
really, it was God who found me. I couldn't have avoided it. In
stories and tears, in belly dance and laughter, gazing back at me from
the ocean or laughing at me as I struggled to navigate the mountains,
God found me in Chile and I canıt remember when I've felt so blessed.
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Betsy Lehman |
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2005-2007 |
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Immokalee, Florida |
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Deciding to spend a year volunteering in
Immokalee, Florida after graduation has proven to be one of the best
choices of my life. After visiting Immokalee for a spring break
service trip my junior year of college, I left the warm, tight-knit
community with a gut feeling that I would be coming back. Sure
enough, after
graduating from John Carroll University, I enthusiastically decided to
return to Immokalee to do a year of volunteer work. "Immokalee"
is a Seminole Indian word meaning "my home" and that is exactly what
it became to me. I was welcomed with open arms into the community and
shared in the joys and sorrows of the people. My variety of
ministries helped me to see the face of Christ everywhere.
While the hardships of the people were apparent, their faith and
loyalty to each other outweighed their troubles. My roommates and I
were welcomed generously by people who did not have a lot to
give and the rotting teeth didn't dampen the smiles of the all of the
children that we taught. Their hugs and laughs always brought a
smile to my face and warmth to my heart. Immokalee became a part
of who I am and the culture, faith, and people will always be with me.
No matter where God takes me in life, I know that a piece of my heart
will always be in "my home." |
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Ellen Mathews |
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2005-2006 |
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