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A friend from Philly asked me to post this video.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
the holiday
This holiday season I have already been given time and opportunities to reflect on the holiday season and why we celebrate the way we do. I think before coming to mission year I had already prepared myself a little bit for a shift in my thinking in several areas. Two of the areas I feel the holiday speaks most clearly to me are in the forms of money and materialism, and how often they go hand in hand.
My experience with money during mission year has already been challenging. Being given $70 a month to meet all my needs is while not impossible living, very different than what I am used to. I have adapted somewhat well, but I still sometimes feel like this is just a game I am playing and not a real lifestyle. My first real opportunity to have this challenged came the day after thanksgiving when I participated in buy nothing day. I was presented with the facts of the gross over consumption of the US and Europe and was appalled by them. (www.adbusters.org) I took this newfound passion and joined the US anti-heroes and the simple way on the streets of Downtown Philly on black Friday and tried to encourage people to buy nothing and to find worth in the holiday itself, not the money and materialism that goes with it.
Black Friday of course is a lead in to Christmas, the biggest gift giving holiday of the year. Everywhere I have gone this month I have been presented with ideas of advent and the deep beautiful truth of Christmas that is very different than the ones seen on the television. I have heard more about that Christmas is a season where we should be anxiously awaiting the coming of Jesus. That our souls should be longing for him….longing. For me in the recent past Christmas has been more about longing for a break from classes and deeply desiring a new gift to entertain me. I think the way we have formed for ourselves a Christmas holiday that focuses on so much other than the actual person of Jesus has completely robbed us of the truth and deep meaning of the holiday. In me this is changing. I know that I am letting go begrudgingly of lots of the things about myself that I know are wrong, but that are so comfortable or natural in my life. Most of these things are tied up in how I view money and my possessions.
On Saturday I had another wonderful opportunity that I am beginning to feel is one of the best things about being in Philadelphia. I was able to take part in a presentation given by the http://www.alternativeseminary.com called Peace on Earth and the Politics of Christmas. The talk was amazing, and it completely deconstructed many of the thoughts that I had about Christmas and why I celebrate it the way I do. We mostly looked deeply at the birth narratives in the books of Matthew and Luke and saw how both of the stories are ones of intense crisis and scandal, not really the fuzzy feel good nativity scenes we see every year. I knew that I knew some of this in my head, but I had never taken it to heart.
One of the parts of the story in Matthew that I know I always breeze past is the part when Herod kills all the children under the age of two, trying to get rid of Jesus. This calculated infanticide was brutal and nasty, and is embedded in the “Christmas story”. It talks about how the mothers of these children wept and could not be comforted. We talked about some of the repercussions of this event. Like, did Jesus know that his birth had been the cause of all of this destruction? We asked the question what if the rest of the story that Matthew lines out in his gospel an answer to these weeping women telling them that there is hope. That the violence they experienced in an ancient and perpetual violence that the messiah had an answer to. The beatitutudes speak to the counter-cultural-ness of Jesus. Blessed are those who mourn.
We also talked about how the birth of Jesus completely upset the governmental power struggles of the day. Jesus was born and people were telling Herod that this baby was the king of the Jews. Herod was known to be a nasty ruler and was not going to take this. The infanticide that Herod mandated gave a feel of threat in this story that is definitely not warm and fuzzy. In the story that Luke tells we see the ‘divine’ power of Cesar in taking a census of the entire world. The nature of the census is that it would benefit Rome, who were occupying Israel at the time, in the forms of taxation, control, and military conscription. So in administering the census Cesar is only making his rule more powerful and controlling and the Jews hated this.
Joseph and Mary, we know, had to travel to Bethlehem for the census. Because of the census Bethlehem was in chaos with more people there than usual being there. This situation put Joseph and Mary into a form of functional homelessness squatting in a back alley somewhere, seeking refuge in a cave. Mary gave birth in this cave, probably alone, and put Jesus in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes. We have heard these words a thousand times, but what do they really imply. Jesus was wrapped in cloth because the stable was so nasty and Mary was doing whatever she could to try and keep him clean. He was put in a manger not because it was perfect for a baby and full of fresh smelling hay but because there was no other option. The fact that they are in such nasty circumstances shows us that they are marginalized by the powers of their day stuck, homeless in an alley with no medical help, giving birth. This is not romantic.
The angels then appear to sheppard’s to tell the good news of the birth of Christ. This would be like today going to sanitation workers and telling them this news first. It was a slap in the face to the imperial system showing that in God’s kingdom the first come last and the last come first. The heavenly hosts of angels that appear are more like a squadron of angels that are announcing the peace of Christ, Pax Christi in direct opposition to the Pax Romana that Cesar had initiated. This story is really a call to allegiance in asking the people the question who really runs the world?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
sick awesome.
It is officially December. I am really excited about the holidays. Last night my roommates and I put together our Christmas tree and set out all the decorations we could find. Out decorations came as hand me downs from past years of Mission Year participants. The boxes were full of lights, garlands, and other various trinkets. My favorite was a miniature snow globe that looked like plastic television that had the nativity scene inside. There were also some plastic elves stocking hooks that Lu insisted were leprechauns. She didn’t enjoy the Christmas decorating as much as I did and thus mocked the decorations…I have forgiven her.
Our thanksgiving was good. We woke up early on the morning of and headed to center city (downtown) for the Thanksgiving Day parade. Lu, Amy and I decided to walk. We thought that public transport might be down or really slow. I am not naturally much of a walker but hanging out with Amy has inspired/forced me to walk really long distances already this year. So after the 4 mile walk into center city we sat and watched an awesome parade complete with the giant inflated balloons shaped like Garfield and Hello Kitty, marching bands, and various celebrities. I might have also seen Rachel Ray live in person. There were also approx. 98 clowns in this parade, which would have really freaked Bre out had she been with me. I took some pictures to scare her with later.
After the parade we came home took naps and just rested before dinner. Around 5 we headed to our neighbors house for a night of eating. I walked into the kitchen and I didn’t see a lot of food and was thinking that it was going to be a small meal. WRONG. I walked down into the basement and there were about 15 huge trays full of food. I was immediately handed a bowl of goat soup (my neighbors are Jamaican) that I cheerfully ate trying to avoid the bones and other items that I was questionable on what they were. They had a huge spread of traditional thanksgiving food with tons of Jamaican food mixed in. It was an awesome meal. There were probably about 50 people there over the course of the night eating, playing domino's, and just talking. The night ended with rum cake, which I have learned is a staple in Jamaican homes. I went home full and happy.
The day after thanksgiving is known by a lot of people as black Friday. Some of my friends and I embraced the opposite and celebrated Buy Nothing Day. Partnering with our friends at the simple way we headed to downtown dressed in crazy costumes and handed out free hot chocolate and encouraged people to be counter-cultural and buy nothing. It was really fun to act ridiculous and to hear that people really agree with us. They agree that the holidays are a time for family and friends, not for consumerism and spending. I might have more to say on this later, for now you can check out this http://www.sojo.net/blog/godspolitics/?p=4220 and see the perspective of one of my fellow my Buy Nothing Day participants.
I have also had a revelation over that past couple of weeks about what really brings me joy. Working with people applying for jobs, filling out rental assistance, getting LIHEAP applications in the mail gives me joy. The days that I have spent laboring with people over theses types of things have been the most joy filled days I have had here in Philly. As I am praying through what graduate program I should do in the fall, or over whether or not I should even do grad school, God is showing me what brings me joy. Joy is not being with kids all day. Joy is not sitting in an office all day. I am slowly learning what the future might look like for me, and it is exciting.
Our thanksgiving was good. We woke up early on the morning of and headed to center city (downtown) for the Thanksgiving Day parade. Lu, Amy and I decided to walk. We thought that public transport might be down or really slow. I am not naturally much of a walker but hanging out with Amy has inspired/forced me to walk really long distances already this year. So after the 4 mile walk into center city we sat and watched an awesome parade complete with the giant inflated balloons shaped like Garfield and Hello Kitty, marching bands, and various celebrities. I might have also seen Rachel Ray live in person. There were also approx. 98 clowns in this parade, which would have really freaked Bre out had she been with me. I took some pictures to scare her with later.
After the parade we came home took naps and just rested before dinner. Around 5 we headed to our neighbors house for a night of eating. I walked into the kitchen and I didn’t see a lot of food and was thinking that it was going to be a small meal. WRONG. I walked down into the basement and there were about 15 huge trays full of food. I was immediately handed a bowl of goat soup (my neighbors are Jamaican) that I cheerfully ate trying to avoid the bones and other items that I was questionable on what they were. They had a huge spread of traditional thanksgiving food with tons of Jamaican food mixed in. It was an awesome meal. There were probably about 50 people there over the course of the night eating, playing domino's, and just talking. The night ended with rum cake, which I have learned is a staple in Jamaican homes. I went home full and happy.
The day after thanksgiving is known by a lot of people as black Friday. Some of my friends and I embraced the opposite and celebrated Buy Nothing Day. Partnering with our friends at the simple way we headed to downtown dressed in crazy costumes and handed out free hot chocolate and encouraged people to be counter-cultural and buy nothing. It was really fun to act ridiculous and to hear that people really agree with us. They agree that the holidays are a time for family and friends, not for consumerism and spending. I might have more to say on this later, for now you can check out this http://www.sojo.net/blog/godspolitics/?p=4220 and see the perspective of one of my fellow my Buy Nothing Day participants.
I have also had a revelation over that past couple of weeks about what really brings me joy. Working with people applying for jobs, filling out rental assistance, getting LIHEAP applications in the mail gives me joy. The days that I have spent laboring with people over theses types of things have been the most joy filled days I have had here in Philly. As I am praying through what graduate program I should do in the fall, or over whether or not I should even do grad school, God is showing me what brings me joy. Joy is not being with kids all day. Joy is not sitting in an office all day. I am slowly learning what the future might look like for me, and it is exciting.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Snow!
I woke up this morning to snow outside on the ground. I know that it is to early to celebrate christmas, but it sure felt like it outside. Check in soon for an update on my day after thanksgiving...a.k.a buy nothing day. More to come.
Here are some pictures of the last month here in Philly.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cCfmoQG6x4y58S0KigEnRg
Here are some pictures of the last month here in Philly.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cCfmoQG6x4y58S0KigEnRg
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
ferret or mink?
A few slightly significant things have happened in the past few days. I am mostly just continuing to settle into life here. For the most part it is good, but some parts aren’t so easy.
Last Thursday I went to my volunteer site at Southwest Community Development Corporation. I haven’t been super busy there so I thought I would probably spend the day doing some menial task that I really didn’t enjoy. Instead I got thrown into the world of emergency grants for energy/heating needs. Miss Anna is the lady at SWCDC that handles LIHEAP and Crisis, programs that give aid to families who can’t pay their heating bills. Miss Anna gave me a crash course in how to apply for these programs and then sent people to me so I could go through their paper work and help them get the help they needed. I met some really cool people. I met one guy who was a young dad and father of two. He worked really hard, and his wife had even started to work part time to try and make ends meet. At the end of that they still didn’t have enough money to pay their bills and their gas was turned off. I got to work with him and do something really small to help him and his family. It was a really good day.
Saturday I smelled like fish most of the day. That morning most of us in the house went with Lu (our housemate) to one of her service sites to help with a fundraiser. This fundraiser was of course selling fried fish platters. (I hate to eat and smell like fried fish). They also had a flea market there and I bought an awesome necklace. My housemate Tera also bought something. We think that it once was a ferret or perhaps a mink. It is really gross and has already given us hours of entertainment. After that some of us headed to our local library to join in a protest. Over the past few weeks in Philly there has been some unrest because of Mayor Nutter’s budget cuts. Some of the things that are being cut are public libraries and public swimming pools. Most of the libraries that are being cut are in low income areas where people need access to the internet. So our library (www.savekingsessinglibrary.com) is being cut and it really sucks. There was an awesome rally about it with speeches from our elected officials on what we can do to make sure the Library isn’t closed. There is another rally next week that I will try and take pictures at.
Last but not least I might have washed my phone at the Laundromat. Ok I did wash my phone. I couldn’t find it on Sunday after I had a long conversation with Brooke and Catlin, and I just supposed that it was somewhere I couldn’t find. I even checked the pockets of my pants. So actually I have no idea how it got into the washing machine, but it did. Amazingly enough it still functions almost normally. The screen goes out every once in a while, but that is nothing that I can’t handle. My mom said I completed the circle that my sister started (Sarah dropping hers in a cup of water, Deborah flushing hers down a toilet). Glad I could bring something into completion.
Rebekah
Last Thursday I went to my volunteer site at Southwest Community Development Corporation. I haven’t been super busy there so I thought I would probably spend the day doing some menial task that I really didn’t enjoy. Instead I got thrown into the world of emergency grants for energy/heating needs. Miss Anna is the lady at SWCDC that handles LIHEAP and Crisis, programs that give aid to families who can’t pay their heating bills. Miss Anna gave me a crash course in how to apply for these programs and then sent people to me so I could go through their paper work and help them get the help they needed. I met some really cool people. I met one guy who was a young dad and father of two. He worked really hard, and his wife had even started to work part time to try and make ends meet. At the end of that they still didn’t have enough money to pay their bills and their gas was turned off. I got to work with him and do something really small to help him and his family. It was a really good day.
Saturday I smelled like fish most of the day. That morning most of us in the house went with Lu (our housemate) to one of her service sites to help with a fundraiser. This fundraiser was of course selling fried fish platters. (I hate to eat and smell like fried fish). They also had a flea market there and I bought an awesome necklace. My housemate Tera also bought something. We think that it once was a ferret or perhaps a mink. It is really gross and has already given us hours of entertainment. After that some of us headed to our local library to join in a protest. Over the past few weeks in Philly there has been some unrest because of Mayor Nutter’s budget cuts. Some of the things that are being cut are public libraries and public swimming pools. Most of the libraries that are being cut are in low income areas where people need access to the internet. So our library (www.savekingsessinglibrary.com) is being cut and it really sucks. There was an awesome rally about it with speeches from our elected officials on what we can do to make sure the Library isn’t closed. There is another rally next week that I will try and take pictures at.
Last but not least I might have washed my phone at the Laundromat. Ok I did wash my phone. I couldn’t find it on Sunday after I had a long conversation with Brooke and Catlin, and I just supposed that it was somewhere I couldn’t find. I even checked the pockets of my pants. So actually I have no idea how it got into the washing machine, but it did. Amazingly enough it still functions almost normally. The screen goes out every once in a while, but that is nothing that I can’t handle. My mom said I completed the circle that my sister started (Sarah dropping hers in a cup of water, Deborah flushing hers down a toilet). Glad I could bring something into completion.
Rebekah
Monday, November 10, 2008
no money, no problems
Saturday I spent the day at a banquet (thanks Linda for the inspiration). This was not a regular banquet with silver platters and cloth napkins folded into swans. I wasn’t dressed particularly nice or very nice at all actually. Most of the food I ate was in a paper bag. Some of the food I ate was kind of gross. Oh and the banquet lasted all day and was outside, even when it rained.
Saturday those of us participating in mission year were challenged to spend the entire day on the streets of downtown Philly without the security of money, cell phones, or even our own clothing. I was wary of course, like I usually am when I am told not asked to do something. I went into the day thinking that I knew almost everything I needed to know about homelessness and the problems of poverty in America. How truly, madly, deeply wrong I was (sorry for that unforgiveable T.L.C. reference).
I spent the day with two other mission year girls (Faith and Linda). We got dropped off in the middle of downtown Philly with a few directions on how to spend our day. I suggested heading towards the Library because I knew a lot of homeless people hung out around there. My day began by eating turkey, sweet potatoes, and dressing with Larry at 7:45 that morning. When I met Larry I was having an inner struggle about how I had nothing to give these people and how helpless this made me feel. Not just helpless, but that I had lost a sense of pride of entitlement that I usually have when I enter ministry. Larry made me go over and get a platter of food. I ate in solidarity with him, even giving him the turkey leg that I was most definitely not excited to eat.
After Larry I met Keith. Keith and I drank coffee together. He suggested that I become a model. I politely declined. He then proceeded to refer to transsexuals as transformers (not on purpose) making me laugh. His friend gave me his apple when I asked where he got it.
Essentially the rest of the banquet day consisted of several moments very similar. Simple, beautiful, people loving and providing for each other, even me a stranger that they had just met. I met Angel a wonderfully kind man who told me he had lived on the streets of Philly for over 20 years (I heard this from more than one person). Angel started calling me Rebekah Copperfield because he was always taken greatly by surprise when I got out of my seat and “disappeared”. Sonya sang me heat wrenchingly beautiful songs about the Holy Spirit and God. Granted she also sang me a crazy song about George Bush, but It was still beautiful. Rome gave me a big purple blanket when it got cold outside. Fred took care of us all day and told us who was ok to hang out with. He also took us on a tour of some of the homeless hotspots of Philadelphia complete with his commentary. His knowledge of Philadelphia is pretty amazing. I would recommend him as a tour guide to anyone wanting to visit the city of brotherly love.
The people I met on Saturday gave me so much. Not only did they help me get food and give me a blanket when I was cold. They gave me their time without limit. There was never once mention of what to do next or where someone had to be soon. We just were together. They gave me friendship; even after they knew that we were just on the streets to learn more about it, not because we had no other options. It was beautiful to have a day where I was with people who loved without pre-requisites and limits.
My day was good. After a week of politics (i.e. me getting really upset that some people are getting really upset about the “future of our nation”/racism) It was really healing to spend a day on the streets with no money and for a little while no problems.
Saturday those of us participating in mission year were challenged to spend the entire day on the streets of downtown Philly without the security of money, cell phones, or even our own clothing. I was wary of course, like I usually am when I am told not asked to do something. I went into the day thinking that I knew almost everything I needed to know about homelessness and the problems of poverty in America. How truly, madly, deeply wrong I was (sorry for that unforgiveable T.L.C. reference).
I spent the day with two other mission year girls (Faith and Linda). We got dropped off in the middle of downtown Philly with a few directions on how to spend our day. I suggested heading towards the Library because I knew a lot of homeless people hung out around there. My day began by eating turkey, sweet potatoes, and dressing with Larry at 7:45 that morning. When I met Larry I was having an inner struggle about how I had nothing to give these people and how helpless this made me feel. Not just helpless, but that I had lost a sense of pride of entitlement that I usually have when I enter ministry. Larry made me go over and get a platter of food. I ate in solidarity with him, even giving him the turkey leg that I was most definitely not excited to eat.
After Larry I met Keith. Keith and I drank coffee together. He suggested that I become a model. I politely declined. He then proceeded to refer to transsexuals as transformers (not on purpose) making me laugh. His friend gave me his apple when I asked where he got it.
Essentially the rest of the banquet day consisted of several moments very similar. Simple, beautiful, people loving and providing for each other, even me a stranger that they had just met. I met Angel a wonderfully kind man who told me he had lived on the streets of Philly for over 20 years (I heard this from more than one person). Angel started calling me Rebekah Copperfield because he was always taken greatly by surprise when I got out of my seat and “disappeared”. Sonya sang me heat wrenchingly beautiful songs about the Holy Spirit and God. Granted she also sang me a crazy song about George Bush, but It was still beautiful. Rome gave me a big purple blanket when it got cold outside. Fred took care of us all day and told us who was ok to hang out with. He also took us on a tour of some of the homeless hotspots of Philadelphia complete with his commentary. His knowledge of Philadelphia is pretty amazing. I would recommend him as a tour guide to anyone wanting to visit the city of brotherly love.
The people I met on Saturday gave me so much. Not only did they help me get food and give me a blanket when I was cold. They gave me their time without limit. There was never once mention of what to do next or where someone had to be soon. We just were together. They gave me friendship; even after they knew that we were just on the streets to learn more about it, not because we had no other options. It was beautiful to have a day where I was with people who loved without pre-requisites and limits.
My day was good. After a week of politics (i.e. me getting really upset that some people are getting really upset about the “future of our nation”/racism) It was really healing to spend a day on the streets with no money and for a little while no problems.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Life has been really hectic the last few weeks. With the Phillies winning the world series and Barack Obama being elected president, Philadelphia has been in a constant state of euphoria. Regardless of your sport or political opinions I think that most people would have enjoyed the absolute craziness of the past few weeks here in Philly. Who doesn't like to hear random gun shots into the air signaling happiness instead of anger.
Ever since I have gotten here to Philly I have been bombarded with information about the presidential election. People here were so excited about voting and having the opportunity to bring change to our nation. I will stay politically bi-partisan in this post, but I can tell you that I have met not one John McCain supporter since I have been in Philly. Walking down Chester Avenue I see tons of t-shirts with Barack Obama's picture on them. People are really excited. I decided to register and vote in Pennsylvania and had a really great experience going to the polls Tuesday morning with about 100 of my neighbors. There was just an air of excitement as people stood in line for 30 minute to an hour to vote.
That night my roommates and I headed over to our neighbors Vincent and Marjories house to watch election coverage, because we of course have no television. We sat for a few hours watching them assure us that there was no possible way that McCain could win, but never coming out and saying that Barack was going to win. When the announcement came our neighbor Marjorie danced around in her bathrobe singing impromptu songs about Obama and stomping and calling all her friends and family.
It was a good day. Not because the right person got elected or because the wrong person lost. It was a good day because I got to witness history being made. I got to sit and watch as hundreds of years of oppression and hate from both sides of the racial divide shifted just a little bit (not enough) as an African American became president of the United States. Regardless of your political views on the "most liberal man in the world" this is pretty cool.
Anyway, if I made you mad I apologize. The rest of my week has been good. Last Sunday my roommates and I and all the other Mission Year participants in the city went through commisioning. We all created and signed covenants together for our upcoming year of service. It was a special night that I really enjoyed. The picture above is of our the covenant that my team made together.
Christmas is right around the corner. I saw shops covered with Christmas decorations on my way here to U Penn campus. Sick. Hope everyone has a wonderful week covered in the love and protection of God and only God.
Rebekah
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
pictures
P.s. Here are some pictures of Philly.
http://picasaweb.google.com/rebekahwelchster/20081010Philly2#
http://picasaweb.google.com/rebekahwelchster/20080926Philly1#
http://picasaweb.google.com/rebekahwelchster/20081010Philly2#
http://picasaweb.google.com/rebekahwelchster/20080926Philly1#
cold.
Today was my first really, really cold day here in Philadelphia. The paper said that the high was going to be in the 40's and it was raining with high winds. I responded to this by layering on tons of clothes. I had long underwear, jeans, sweater, hat, scarf, and my awesome waterproof coat that my dad instructed that I buy. The coat by the way was awesome, it kept me warm on my walk. I also wore my rain boots that my sister found me. Until today I was never completely sold on the idea of rain boots. I had seen too many girls in college wearing them with shorts just because they were cute. Today I am a huge fan of rain boots.
Friday, October 24, 2008
.....
Last night I was overwhelmed with how blessed I am. I can read. I have taken this little part of my life for granted for so long. Last night my housemate Lu and I starting our literacy training at Philadelphia's own Center For Literacy. This is a legit organization that basis everything they do around the learners needs and desires. No one learner has the same curriculum. They bring in things that want to read or things they want to learn how to do.
My learner is 24 and a beautiful young lady. She is really shy and has always worked with her mom at a day care. She has struggled with dyslexia her entire life and has found creative ways to get around not reading. When I met her Wednesday night she had with her a copy of the Drivers Manual for the state of Pennsylvania. She wants to learn how to read better but her primary goal is getting a driver's licence. She has taken the test before but has never passed it. Our main goal every week will be to improve her reading, but above that will be the goal of getting her a drivers licence. I am really excited about getting to spend my year with her.
Other highlights of the week.
1. Hearing a really awesome sermon at church Sunday about fasting.
2. Hearing some gross, creepy, personal details of senior citizen's lives at the senior smile program.
3. Getting to celebrate Averie's birthday and hear about Hamlet opening.
4. Crocheting something that resembles a hat.
5. Walking around in the cold weather.
6. Getting to serve lunch and wear a hair net at Little Sisters of the Poor. Also getting to go to mass there and talk to Teresa.
7. Talking to my supervisor Lola about how crazy the people at Senior Smiles are.
8. My housemates and I receiving a refrigerator full of fruits and vegetables through our food sharing program.
9. Kids at Cornerstone Christian Academy.
10. Newsletter writing.
11. Sabbath.
I hope everyone is having a great week!
Rebekah
Friday, October 17, 2008
Lady?
I just looked at my about me section on the side of this blog and realized that I refereed to myself as a lady. That is kinda weird. hmmm. Maybe a girl or a woman, but a lady? Anyway.
Today all I can think to write about is how everyday this week as I have walked the 15 blocks to my morning service sites I have run into this one guy that carries around about four small plastic tanks that have baby turtles in them. Everyday he walks around Woodland Avenue trying to sell these crazy tanks full of baby turtles. I almost always want to buy one. They are pretty cute.
This week has been good. I am trying to think of some highlights to share.
Saturday I visited a catholic nursing home in our neighborhood called little sisters of the poor. It was awesome. I almost immediately signed my life over to work with the sisters there. One woman, Sister Veronica, was especially helpful in showing me how beautiful loving the poor can be.
Sunday we went to church and might have heard a song that mentioned Barack Obama alongside Jesus. It’s still up for debate.
Monday I sat and talked with some older ladies in my neighborhood about the good old days when milk was delivered to their houses. They also talked about the joys of owning more than three cats.
Tuesday I had the pleasure of having to physically hold down a kindergartner who refused to go to time out. Two words. Derrick and Eric. Identical twins whose parents are from Liberia. This is important to know because when they speak nothing really makes sense. It is a combination of Liberian and a slight speech impediment.
Wednesday my housemate Lu and I finished our training for the Center for Literacy, which means that next week I will start working with a learner in my neighborhood to help out with reading.
Thursday I got to help this awesome lady named Lucille write a resume. It was the best part of my day. I also scanned about 60 pictures into a computer and then glued them onto a piece of cardboard. Not the best part of my day, but not bad either.
Today has been good. I woke up drank a cup of tea and slowly read the newspaper. I got to talk to my Dad in Africa and Brooke in France. I have been sitting in the library and I am about to go to chick-fil-a. God is good.
rebekah
Today all I can think to write about is how everyday this week as I have walked the 15 blocks to my morning service sites I have run into this one guy that carries around about four small plastic tanks that have baby turtles in them. Everyday he walks around Woodland Avenue trying to sell these crazy tanks full of baby turtles. I almost always want to buy one. They are pretty cute.
This week has been good. I am trying to think of some highlights to share.
Saturday I visited a catholic nursing home in our neighborhood called little sisters of the poor. It was awesome. I almost immediately signed my life over to work with the sisters there. One woman, Sister Veronica, was especially helpful in showing me how beautiful loving the poor can be.
Sunday we went to church and might have heard a song that mentioned Barack Obama alongside Jesus. It’s still up for debate.
Monday I sat and talked with some older ladies in my neighborhood about the good old days when milk was delivered to their houses. They also talked about the joys of owning more than three cats.
Tuesday I had the pleasure of having to physically hold down a kindergartner who refused to go to time out. Two words. Derrick and Eric. Identical twins whose parents are from Liberia. This is important to know because when they speak nothing really makes sense. It is a combination of Liberian and a slight speech impediment.
Wednesday my housemate Lu and I finished our training for the Center for Literacy, which means that next week I will start working with a learner in my neighborhood to help out with reading.
Thursday I got to help this awesome lady named Lucille write a resume. It was the best part of my day. I also scanned about 60 pictures into a computer and then glued them onto a piece of cardboard. Not the best part of my day, but not bad either.
Today has been good. I woke up drank a cup of tea and slowly read the newspaper. I got to talk to my Dad in Africa and Brooke in France. I have been sitting in the library and I am about to go to chick-fil-a. God is good.
rebekah
Friday, October 10, 2008
bingo and bagels
Today is Sabbath. That means it is a full day when I get to relax and chill. It started this morning really well. I woke up later than usual and stumbled downstairs. Some of my roommates were up and had already had a devotional together. I fell into a chair, read the paper leisurely, and drank a cup of tea. I was sitting with Lu and Amy just enjoying each others presence laughing and eating chocolate when we suddenly heard a disturbing squeaking noise. We have had a mice problem for a few weeks so we just assumed that the circus of mice had set up a party in our kitchen and were having a good time. Lu went into the kitchen and discovered that a baby mouse had gotten stuck in one of the glue traps we set up in the kitchen. Up unto this point the glue traps we set up had been unsuccessful in the area of catching and killing mice but today one mouse finally succumbed to the temptation of the month old trail mix sprinkled all over a bed of toxic glue. Lu was very emotional about the baby mouse that was squeaking with all that was in it. She rushed out the front door and tried to free it by pushing it off the glue with a spoon. Nothing worked. Lu overcome with emotion decided that if she were in the mouse’s position that she would want to be taken out of her misery instead of starving to death. She then proceeded to kill the mouse. So that is how my morning started. With death. But it has been good since then
Last night all the Philly area teams got together for training. We talked about our love languages. I discovered I am not so much a fan of physical touch. I tested as strong in words of affirmation and acts of service. I was not too surprised. I do take it pretty personally when people don’t do the dishes or pick of their crap. It was good.
This week was good as well. My neighborhood has really started to feel like home. My housemates are really starting to feel like family. It’s a good shift though. I already feel like these people are rooted deep into my life after being with them only a month.
I played bingo with senior citizens this week at the senior program from catholic social services. They were hilarious. I had to call out the bingo numbers and they really could not hear me and were very concerned that I was calling the wrong numbers or playing favorites. I also accidently spilled all the bingo balls all over the floor and interrupted a heated round. They were ok with this but not ok with the fact that we hadn’t brought lottery tickets for their birthdays or bagels and cream cheese for them to eat.
I have not talked a lot about our church yet and there are several reasons for this. One is that I still don’t know exactly what to say. I am working out a lot of things in me. I am learning a lot about how differently people see and love God. Stay tuned for more thoughts on that.
Something else beautiful happened today. My housemates and I have stumbled upon this group of about eight adults with special needs that live in a care home across from the library. These are beautiful people and I really love spending time with them. There is one lady who I first met as Rhonda but who sometimes asks to be called Tina. She also told me that the she wrote a Beyonce song, and she is a great dancer. This morning I had to go to the library to pick up some books I had ordered and I ran across Rhonda/Tina. She was so excited to see me and I was really excited to see her as well. She walked with me to the trolley stop and showed me her pocketbook (this means purse for those of you who come from my part of the country) that had lots of funny wonderful stuff in it. When the trolley pulled up she gave me a kiss on the check and we parted ways. It was a wonderful to start the morning.
Peace until next Sabbath
rebekah
Last night all the Philly area teams got together for training. We talked about our love languages. I discovered I am not so much a fan of physical touch. I tested as strong in words of affirmation and acts of service. I was not too surprised. I do take it pretty personally when people don’t do the dishes or pick of their crap. It was good.
This week was good as well. My neighborhood has really started to feel like home. My housemates are really starting to feel like family. It’s a good shift though. I already feel like these people are rooted deep into my life after being with them only a month.
I played bingo with senior citizens this week at the senior program from catholic social services. They were hilarious. I had to call out the bingo numbers and they really could not hear me and were very concerned that I was calling the wrong numbers or playing favorites. I also accidently spilled all the bingo balls all over the floor and interrupted a heated round. They were ok with this but not ok with the fact that we hadn’t brought lottery tickets for their birthdays or bagels and cream cheese for them to eat.
I have not talked a lot about our church yet and there are several reasons for this. One is that I still don’t know exactly what to say. I am working out a lot of things in me. I am learning a lot about how differently people see and love God. Stay tuned for more thoughts on that.
Something else beautiful happened today. My housemates and I have stumbled upon this group of about eight adults with special needs that live in a care home across from the library. These are beautiful people and I really love spending time with them. There is one lady who I first met as Rhonda but who sometimes asks to be called Tina. She also told me that the she wrote a Beyonce song, and she is a great dancer. This morning I had to go to the library to pick up some books I had ordered and I ran across Rhonda/Tina. She was so excited to see me and I was really excited to see her as well. She walked with me to the trolley stop and showed me her pocketbook (this means purse for those of you who come from my part of the country) that had lots of funny wonderful stuff in it. When the trolley pulled up she gave me a kiss on the check and we parted ways. It was a wonderful to start the morning.
Peace until next Sabbath
rebekah
Friday, October 3, 2008
frozen hams and henri nouwen
Today marks the one month mark of my journey here in Philly. It seems crazy to think that I have really been here that long. It has been incredibly good though. I already feel like I am a completely different person than the one that left Amarillo, TX not to long ago.
This week I started my community service to the SW Philly neighborhood. I am actually volunteering three different places. On Mondays I will work with Sister Rita and Sister Jean teaching immigrants English. These nuns are pretty much amazing. They have lived in SW Philly for around 20 years and have such beautiful hearts. They have a small office that they operate a food pantry out of. In the office was a pretty impressive looking fax machine/copier. Sister Rita quickly informed me not to be impressed that she had no idea how to work it. Oh sweet nuns.
On Tuesday and Wednesday I will work at Catholic Social Services. The two ladies I will work the closest with names are Fran and Lola. I will be working with their senior citizen’s program called, “senior smiles”. I think I am going to suggest that they change the name. Not really, but the thought has crossed my mind. I already got to do lots of research for information to give the seniors on who to vote for and where to get free flu shots. I am sure I will be very good at bingo before the year is over.
Thursdays I will go to Southwest Community Development Corporation. This is a huge resource for the people in Southwest Philly. They can get help with house and utility payments, and take GED classes. I will be working specifically with their job placement program. I will help people who come in apply for jobs and write resumes, which I am really excited about. SWCDC also shares an office with The Globe, a local newspaper in our area. They informed me that they want to publish an article about my roommates and I. Which could have the possibility to be really hilarious, I will keep everyone informed.
Quick random updates on life off Chester Ave
· My housemates and I received two hams, 12 ears of corn, and a box of tasty cakes (the northern equivalent of Little Debbie) from a friend yesterday.
· I am currently working on a 500 piece 3D puzzle of THE WORLD. I saw the puzzle the first day we moved in and I resisted working on until this week.
· We have several mice in our house. Several. We set up about 12 traps yesterday. Gross.
· I have really cool neighbors that can cook really good Jamaican food.
· If you want dreadlocks, it is not necessary to stop washing or brushing your hair for several weeks (something one of my roommates found out this week).
· Henri Nouwen has some pretty profound words about belovedness.
· The girls I live with really like sugar, skip-bo, and skateboards (not really, but it seemed to fit)
· We have decided that America and Great Brittan are equal in their level of evilness through means imperialism.
· I have been told that I should pretend like I am at a football game when I am at church.
I guess that is it for now. I would love to talk to anyone on Fridays (my Sabbath). So just call me up. I will leave you with a quote from Nouwen on what I am learning a lot about right now all courtesy of our great city director Caz.
“This experience was and in many ways, is still the most important experience of my new life, because it forced me to rediscover my true identity. These broken, wounded, and completely unpretentious people forced me to let go of my relevant self-the self that can do things, show things, prove things, build things- and forced me to reclaim that unadorned self in which I am completely vulnerable, open to receive and give love regardless of any accomplishments.”
Only love,
rebekah
This week I started my community service to the SW Philly neighborhood. I am actually volunteering three different places. On Mondays I will work with Sister Rita and Sister Jean teaching immigrants English. These nuns are pretty much amazing. They have lived in SW Philly for around 20 years and have such beautiful hearts. They have a small office that they operate a food pantry out of. In the office was a pretty impressive looking fax machine/copier. Sister Rita quickly informed me not to be impressed that she had no idea how to work it. Oh sweet nuns.
On Tuesday and Wednesday I will work at Catholic Social Services. The two ladies I will work the closest with names are Fran and Lola. I will be working with their senior citizen’s program called, “senior smiles”. I think I am going to suggest that they change the name. Not really, but the thought has crossed my mind. I already got to do lots of research for information to give the seniors on who to vote for and where to get free flu shots. I am sure I will be very good at bingo before the year is over.
Thursdays I will go to Southwest Community Development Corporation. This is a huge resource for the people in Southwest Philly. They can get help with house and utility payments, and take GED classes. I will be working specifically with their job placement program. I will help people who come in apply for jobs and write resumes, which I am really excited about. SWCDC also shares an office with The Globe, a local newspaper in our area. They informed me that they want to publish an article about my roommates and I. Which could have the possibility to be really hilarious, I will keep everyone informed.
Quick random updates on life off Chester Ave
· My housemates and I received two hams, 12 ears of corn, and a box of tasty cakes (the northern equivalent of Little Debbie) from a friend yesterday.
· I am currently working on a 500 piece 3D puzzle of THE WORLD. I saw the puzzle the first day we moved in and I resisted working on until this week.
· We have several mice in our house. Several. We set up about 12 traps yesterday. Gross.
· I have really cool neighbors that can cook really good Jamaican food.
· If you want dreadlocks, it is not necessary to stop washing or brushing your hair for several weeks (something one of my roommates found out this week).
· Henri Nouwen has some pretty profound words about belovedness.
· The girls I live with really like sugar, skip-bo, and skateboards (not really, but it seemed to fit)
· We have decided that America and Great Brittan are equal in their level of evilness through means imperialism.
· I have been told that I should pretend like I am at a football game when I am at church.
I guess that is it for now. I would love to talk to anyone on Fridays (my Sabbath). So just call me up. I will leave you with a quote from Nouwen on what I am learning a lot about right now all courtesy of our great city director Caz.
“This experience was and in many ways, is still the most important experience of my new life, because it forced me to rediscover my true identity. These broken, wounded, and completely unpretentious people forced me to let go of my relevant self-the self that can do things, show things, prove things, build things- and forced me to reclaim that unadorned self in which I am completely vulnerable, open to receive and give love regardless of any accomplishments.”
Only love,
rebekah
Friday, September 26, 2008
Southwest is the Best.
My neighborhood is great. I was talking with one of my housemates today and discussing how it is really starting to feel like home. Today two of my housemates and I travelled up to the University of Pennsylvania campus for our day off. It is only 15 blocks from our house, but it feels literally worlds away. So here I am spending my sabbath talking on the phone and getting on the internet. It feels good to relax.
Next week I start community service. I think i will spend mondays with some nuns teaching english to undocumented citizens. Tuesdays and Wednesdays I will work for Catholic Social Serivices with their food bank and senior citizen program. Then on Thursdays I will volunteer at Southwest Community Development Center doing whatever they need. I also might work with adult literacy one night a week. So my schedule is full and things are really starting to get going. As the weeks go by I am sure that I will be busier than I can imagine. I have already walked more than I ever have in my life. Hopefully it will work as a built in workout system.
I miss you all. I hope I have some funny stories to share soon.
Oh there is one funny story. I met a girl named angel as Cornerstone Christian Academy. I had just met her and I asked her to tell me about herself. She immediatley said, "well when I was five my dad took me to Dave and Busters...." and went on and on about the trip to Dave and Busters and never gave me any personal information about herself. Funny.
love love love
rebekah
Next week I start community service. I think i will spend mondays with some nuns teaching english to undocumented citizens. Tuesdays and Wednesdays I will work for Catholic Social Serivices with their food bank and senior citizen program. Then on Thursdays I will volunteer at Southwest Community Development Center doing whatever they need. I also might work with adult literacy one night a week. So my schedule is full and things are really starting to get going. As the weeks go by I am sure that I will be busier than I can imagine. I have already walked more than I ever have in my life. Hopefully it will work as a built in workout system.
I miss you all. I hope I have some funny stories to share soon.
Oh there is one funny story. I met a girl named angel as Cornerstone Christian Academy. I had just met her and I asked her to tell me about herself. She immediatley said, "well when I was five my dad took me to Dave and Busters...." and went on and on about the trip to Dave and Busters and never gave me any personal information about herself. Funny.
love love love
rebekah
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sorry it has been so long since I have updated. Life has in general been pretty crazy. I have officially been here two weeks and I am almost positive that I love living in Philadelphia. The neighborhood is of course very different that what I am used to. If you want more of an idea just google or wikipedia the area of South West Philadelphia and there should be some information there.
This past week and this week will be spent in training and in getting to know our neighbors. I am also trying to pin down where I will serve the community in the mornings.
We have some really cool neighbors on our street. On Saturday we got invited to a Jamaican Bar-b-que complete with jerk chicken, curried goat, and ox-tail. It was an adventure for sure. I will try to post more stories later as they come up. Today is actually the first time I have checked my e-mail since I have been here so my Internet access is sporadic.
Hope everyone is having a great week in Texas!
Rebekah
This past week and this week will be spent in training and in getting to know our neighbors. I am also trying to pin down where I will serve the community in the mornings.
We have some really cool neighbors on our street. On Saturday we got invited to a Jamaican Bar-b-que complete with jerk chicken, curried goat, and ox-tail. It was an adventure for sure. I will try to post more stories later as they come up. Today is actually the first time I have checked my e-mail since I have been here so my Internet access is sporadic.
Hope everyone is having a great week in Texas!
Rebekah
Friday, September 12, 2008
Here I Am!
Just a quick note to let everyone know I am in my house in Philly. I have great roommates and will spend the week training and learning more about the city. As soon as I can I will post pictures of the house.
P.S. My day off is Friday if anyone wants to call!
Peace
Rebekah
P.S. My day off is Friday if anyone wants to call!
Peace
Rebekah
Thursday, September 4, 2008
this. is. it
As I write I am almost completely packed. With the help of my dad (a very skilled packer) and space bags, (exactly what they sound like, bags from space) I am on my way to Philly with the contents of three suitcases to last me one year. Packing has been a challenge. Its hard to look at everything I own and try to decide what I will to need to exist in a climate that is very different than Texas.
Today my mom and dad and I will drive to Dallas where we will spend the night tonight. Early tomorrow morning I will board a flight to Philadelphia, and from that point on who knows. Pray that I will have a smooth transition and that my housemates and I will get along well. On Sunday I will be heading to Atlanta for training so who knows when I will see a computer again. Have faith if you don't hear from me for a while...I will surface in the real world eventually!
peace,
rebekah
Today my mom and dad and I will drive to Dallas where we will spend the night tonight. Early tomorrow morning I will board a flight to Philadelphia, and from that point on who knows. Pray that I will have a smooth transition and that my housemates and I will get along well. On Sunday I will be heading to Atlanta for training so who knows when I will see a computer again. Have faith if you don't hear from me for a while...I will surface in the real world eventually!
peace,
rebekah
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Summah
Here is a short journey through my summer. First of all I lost my camera this summer. In the midst of moving out of my house in College Station and being slightly sick it was missing for over a month. So part of my summer is missing...sad. It was in the back seat of my car the entire time, in a bag. That morning I prayed that I would find my camera that morning...and I did. Seriously, the Lord is Good. 
Bruce and I had a garage sale.
My friend had a Philly themed party for me when I found out I was moving there! Awesome.
Roommate #1 wedding (Laura and Justin) July 12.
Roommate #2 wedding (Ashley and Ben) July 19th. Both weddings were amazing fun.
I found my camera!
Grace Brazile and I have a moment at camp (Hidden Falls Ranch)
Campers..at camp.
Weekends with the Braziles...the normal stuff like midnight vampire book releases with meat trays and stickers. 
Bruce and I had a garage sale. My friend had a Philly themed party for me when I found out I was moving there! Awesome.Roommate #1 wedding (Laura and Justin) July 12.Roommate #2 wedding (Ashley and Ben) July 19th. Both weddings were amazing fun.I found my camera!Grace Brazile and I have a moment at camp (Hidden Falls Ranch)Campers..at camp.Weekends with the Braziles...the normal stuff like midnight vampire book releases with meat trays and stickers. Palo Duro Canyon..what I got to wake up to every day for four weeks.
good summer.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Here it goes...in West Philadelphia?
Greetings Friends,
Since last writing I have gotten even closer to my goal of working with Mission Year. Through your generous support I have raised well over the $12,000 required for my year of service. I can not thank you enough for your generosity. It means so much to me that you would support me in this way.
I have also figured out that I will be spending the next two years in Philadelphia, PA! I am very excited to head well East and well North of my comfortable Texas home to an entirely new climate and atmosphere. I will be living in a house with five other girls who are from all over the US doing the same thing that I am this year. Get excited!
My summer has been good and God totally worked out my fundraising because I really did not have a whole lot of time to concentrate on it. I spent my summer in between College Station and Amarillo spending time with family and attending the weddings of dear college friends. I also had the opportunity to make some money working as a camp counselor at the camp I grew up going to, Hidden Falls Ranch. It was a trying summer in many ways, but also a great one spent with the people I love. I am very excited about this next phase in my life. I hope you will pray for me as I finish up packing and working on details here in Amarillo. I will try to update my blog here often...
coming soon a pictorial journey through my summer
rebekah
Since last writing I have gotten even closer to my goal of working with Mission Year. Through your generous support I have raised well over the $12,000 required for my year of service. I can not thank you enough for your generosity. It means so much to me that you would support me in this way.
I have also figured out that I will be spending the next two years in Philadelphia, PA! I am very excited to head well East and well North of my comfortable Texas home to an entirely new climate and atmosphere. I will be living in a house with five other girls who are from all over the US doing the same thing that I am this year. Get excited!
My summer has been good and God totally worked out my fundraising because I really did not have a whole lot of time to concentrate on it. I spent my summer in between College Station and Amarillo spending time with family and attending the weddings of dear college friends. I also had the opportunity to make some money working as a camp counselor at the camp I grew up going to, Hidden Falls Ranch. It was a trying summer in many ways, but also a great one spent with the people I love. I am very excited about this next phase in my life. I hope you will pray for me as I finish up packing and working on details here in Amarillo. I will try to update my blog here often...
coming soon a pictorial journey through my summer
rebekah
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