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