Regrounding in Mercy

Somewhere in the midst of transition from year one to year two - a new class, a new community - it was easy for me to forget the sense of mission with which I embarked on this journey to Guyana.  That mission, which I wrote before coming here, was to "practice a ministry of presence and reciprocate hospitality, learning to be in relationship with others.”  Although the transitions this year have in some ways caused me to drift from that mission, I am thankful for the reminders God has placed along my journey here. 

One of those reminders came in the form of my student, Matthew, the diabetic teen who recently came to the orphanage, unable to simply write his name.  There are so many challenges in the classroom – from simply understanding the concept of going to school every day to the mechanics of writing to learning to count – and these are compounded by his vacillating sugar levels, which make him feel ill or sleepy.  Amidst these challenges in teaching him, Matthew reminds me to take deep breaths of patience throughout the day.  He has a deep need for attention, validation, and love.  When I get frustrated that he can’t remember letters from the alphabet or identify his numbers, his gentle, innocent smile reminds me that all he wants, and all I can truly offer him, is a loving presence. 

Each of the boys at the orphanage, in his own way, essentially seeks this same love and attention, and they remind me that this is my mission here.  The one boy who has really regrounded me in Mercy and Love, though, is Justin, one of the nursery boys.  Now that I am living at the orphanage, I have the opportunity to work with the boys at nights too.  When I began working with them at night, I started a tradition of goodnight kisses for all the small boys.  Most of the little ones silently smile or squirm in their beds in recognition of their goodnight kiss, but not Justin.  He’s the one who sits up in bed, waiting for me to come around to his bed, holds out his cheek, and as if I am going to forget him, demands, “Miss, a kiss.”  Justin is always coming for a hug or a kiss, and the manner in which he demands it – as if it is owed to him – reminds me first of the gift that each of the boys is and second that my gift to these boys is to be a loving presence.  Mother Teresa writes that, “That is all that Jesus came to teach us: the tender love of God.  ‘I have called you by your name, you are mine.’”  Each time I hear Justin calling my name to collect a hug or kiss, I encounter this tender love of god and I am grateful for the reminder to reciprocate this love and mercy.

 

Meg Eckart - St. John Bosco Boys' Orphanage - Georgetown, Guyana

Time to Breathe

“Never be so busy as to not think of others.” - Mother Theresa

Ellen doing outreach for her service site, SafeNet

This morning as I am working at the reception desk of SafeNet’s office building, a place that is always hectic with calls, messages from staff, clients walking in for appointments, and donations,  I  am reminded that it is important to take time to breathe. Sometimes days like today can be overwhelming, so it is important for me to remember the quote from Mother Theresa that I carry with me, “Never be so busy as to not think of others.” Despite the fact that I may feel overwhelmed and that I’m bouncing from one thing to another, I work to remember  the importance of showing mercy in my every interaction with others.

 

To me, showing mercy means showing compassion to everyone I encounter. It doesn’t matter if I’m having a bad day. I need to remember that I can be a source of hope or a smile to someone who may be struggling. This is especially important to remember in my interactions with SafeNet clients. I never know if I will have ten minutes or ten months to build a relationship with someone. During the first moments when I meet someone new, I do my best to learn their name and to listen to them. Listening is a way I can show clients that they are important and that I care about them. Most of the time, the women I meet don’t know what it means to be important or to be truly cared for. They have been mistreated and abused by someone who they thought loved them. My interaction with them may be one that helps them realize that they really are worth something and that there is nothing wrong with them for what happened to them.

Back to taking time to breathe...it is important to remember to leave time in my day for breathing because I can become so wrapped up in my work that I become consumed by it. That’s what happens when you are truly passionate about what you do. The thing that can be difficult about this is that the stories the clients tell are heartbreaking and usually shocking. No matter how many times I hear a woman tell her story I can’t help but pour my heart out to her and her children. Even though 1 in 4 women will experience an abusive relationship in her life, each story is devastating. If I don’t remember to breathe and do something to take care of myself, I could become angry or frustrated with today’s world. Luckily I love to make music and art, and I love to write. These are great ways for me to breathe and to remember that things aren’t always as bad as they seem, and that there is always hope...even in the darkest of days!

Ellen Davis - SafeNet - Erie, PA

Ellen took a picture with Dora for the children she works with

They Were Only Human, After All

I jumped right in – feet first into the organized chaos of the Emergency Dept. Every day is different, but there is a pattern to this chaos – registration, triage, registration, room, nurse, doctors, and discharge. Some patients come in sicker than others; some days, the waiting periods can vary from a few minutes to as long as two, three hours. The day after an Orioles or Ravens’ game is usually terribly busy. I was learning fairly quickly from my observations and was assimilating quite well within a month’s time into my typical 9-5 shifts. To broaden my experience and to benefit the night nurses who have never been exposed to a volunteer, my supervisor asked me how I would feel working a later shift once a week: a 1pm-9pm shift. I was quite excited! I wanted to be used and at full disposal to the needs of the ER and was thrilled to see something different. She warned me though that the later shift operates differently than the day shift, but I wasn’t afraid. I wanted to make the most out of my experience. Besides, I like a challenge and this was supposed to be an adventure! Whatever the outcome would be, she assured me that if I didn’t want to work the later shift, then it would be fine, but we mutually agreed it would be beneficial for me to try it once. I started the following Monday.

Mondays are usually crazy, so the afternoon was nothing different from what I expected. As the day progressed into the twilight of dusk, I began to see how so very different the later shift operated. I found out I had to initiate to do things my earlier charge nurses would ask me to do. The staff were hyperactive and on their feet and ready. The waiting period for patients was progressing to about four hours. There were so many people in the waiting room! More homeless people were being pulled into the hallways for drug and alcohol intoxications. I was being pulled left to right, being asked when the doctor was going to see them, why some patients were not being called in chronological order. I could see that these patients were in a lot of pain and were getting pretty cranky. Some were rude and I had to keep my temper in check a few times! It was a lot crazier than I had imagined! It was so easy to tell my site supervisor the following morning that I didn’t want to deal with any of it… but I didn’t. On my drive back home, I thought about how this experience was changing my views to the clear, happy bubble I had built for myself. It was difficult, yes. It was trying, yes. Did I want to do it again? That’s a good question. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that just because I didn’t enjoy it the first time does not mean that I shouldn’t try it the second time around. I told my site supervisor that I would like to try it out again. She was a bit surprised, quite frankly.

When next Monday came in, I was ready. My expectations had adapted, and I was learning my way around. Sure, the patients were cranky as usual, but a part of me held some respect and appreciation of the diversity of the late night staff and environment. I like the fast pace, (I also enjoy sleeping in on Mondays!), and I had been developing a thicker skin in lieu to the acrimonious. Beneath the external vituperative shell of these patients lies the sincerity of an affliction that needed to be alleviated. They were only human, after all. In the spirit of Mercy, I need to connect with an open mind… nay, an open heart. =)

Marjorie Daria - Mercy Medical Center - Baltimore, MD

The Joy and Art of Listening

My second year of volunteering with Mercy Center started off with our biannual staff meetings in Hartsdale, NY.  Two of our three meeting days were spent with a facilitator who gifted us with practical yet powerful information on communication, collaboration, and creativity. Now, I know you might not expect to find the heart and soul of direct service at a staff meeting, but I was pleasantly surprised by how immediately I felt the effects of the skills and perspectives she introduced to us.

One of the techniques we covered was that of listening and paraphrasing. As elementary as this may sound, many of us were intimidated by the challenge to not only listen to everything that someone was saying, but also remember it and then repeat it back. This simple skill is difficult for many reasons. In today’s world there is always something more important going on and it usually has to do with ourselves. We are often distracted by an infinite to do list and ever impending deadlines. Additionally, as soon as anyone approaches us, our brains begin making assumptions about who the person is, and what they are going to say to us. It’s a natural reaction that helps us feel prepared for the situation, but it’s important to stop the mental chatter. Stop telling yourself that you already know everything about this person and what they’re going to say. Just listen. Clear a space within yourself and listen. Recognizing the available space to exist in, they will feel more welcome and comfortable. You don’t have to have all the answers. Just let them know that you are trying to understand. You want to know what they are thinking and feeling.

Hearing about and practicing these skills grounded me in a sense of presence and availability. I felt liberated by the idea that I don’t have to know exactly how to act or what to say. By emptying myself of preoccupations and misinformed assumptions, I can offer people the opportunity to be recognized for who they truly are, and allow room for divine providence to arise in the moment. These skills take focus, practice, and constant reminders about what is important, so I am looking forward to putting them to use throughout my year of service, and discovering the richness they provide. 

Elizabeth Bennett - Mercy Center - New York, NY

The Heidelburg Project

Different, adjustable, but fascinating: three words that describe my views and experiences so far in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit is unlike most cities, especially in comparison to Atlanta. This city is not as lively like I was expecting; in addition, there are many abandoned buildings and not a very good public transportation system. Now, there was hope for the city to thrive again, but unfortunately this did not happen due to government officials' own personal greed. This personal greed ultimately caused economic hardships to remain and continue to affect the residents living in Detroit. I have seen this firsthand working at St. Frances Cabrini Clinic where we see uninsured adults with chronic illnesses. Most of them do not have jobs, live with family or friends, or are homeless; however, I do not pass any judgement nor treat them differently because they too are human and deserve help just like you and I.

Additionally, I have noticed about this city, is that some or most of the residents want to improve their lives and their neighborhoods. The desire for improvement is mainly seen through the work of art around the city. My community and I had the opportunity to visit a colorful public art environment known as the Heidelburg Project (a catalyst for change). Their mission is to inspire people to appreciate and use artistic expression to enrich and improve their lives and the social and economic health of the greater community. The artist and founder, Tyree Guyton, wanted to take a stand against the decay, crime, and apathy in the neighborhood where he was raised. Guyton completed this task by using vacant and abandoned homes as his canvass, and decorated them with old or discarded items. It was a very interesting sight to see and hard to understand fully, but I enjoyed visiting this sight. Here are some pictures of the art.

Shari Allen - St. Frances Cabrini Clinic - Detroit, MI

The Human Connection

One of my favorite quotes relating to service is from the book Tattoos on the Heart by Fr. Greg Boyle. He states that “We are not called to be successful, but faithful. When we surrender our need for results and outcomes, success becomes God’s business.” Last week I posted this quote as my Facebook status as many of my friends are either starting new jobs or heading back for another year of school and being successful is undoubtedly on a lot of people’s minds. In attempting to inspire others, I think God was gently trying to remind me to pay attention to the wisdom Fr. Greg shares.

Just a few weeks ago I came to Savannah, raring to go, new scrubs and all, prepared to try to make the people of Savannah a little healthier I suppose. Well, once I stepped into the clinic, it dawned on me that I still have quite a lot to learn…I’m completely unfamiliar with all of the Georgia nursing regulations and the health system down here; I realized I don’t recognize the electronic medical record system the clinic utilizes, and even the blood pressure monitors look completely different. I can finally answer the phone, but if a client calls with more than a simple question, I have to put them on hold while I find more experienced staff.

Then, one night I was over at the Good Samaritan Clinic for one of their medical clinic nights. I was in the back learning the process of assigning patients to rooms when I heard someone urgently looking for a nurse. Being that I’ve only been an RN for about 6 weeks, let’s just say I was somewhat hesitant to be the first person to respond. Luckily there was no overwhelming medical emergency; someone just wanted a nurse to sit with a patient who was making a scene in the waiting room until it was her turn to be seen. I was happy to sit and talk with this interesting, pleasant woman until she was called back. She shared with me only a little bit about her medical conditions, and mostly about her life in Savannah. Later on her way out she thanked me for taking the time to listen to her, but really I was so thankful for the simple human connection we shared that night. She was a necessary reminder to me that even amidst all the transition and attempting to figure out all the medical equipment and regulations, that’s what life is all about- the human connection. She reminded me that I don’t necessarily have to concern myself with the results and the outcomes, the numbers on the machines, but more so with being faithful to God and what God is about in each and every person we encounter. Only then can we truly be “successful.”

Cara Brindley - St. Mary's Health Center - Svannah, GA

Linea Laboral

When a MVC staff member said at orientation that we shouldn’t set expectations about this year because our experiences would far surpass them, he wasn’t kidding. Working at the Catholic Migration Office (CMO) this year has been nothing like I expected. Being the Mercy Volunteer “guinea pig” at this office, I had no one to give me any background or feedback as to what this year was going to be like. However, at this point in the year, I can truthfully say that I am proud to be the first Mercy Volunteer at CMO and I’m excited to serve here for another year!!!

One of the best things that I’ve gotten to do at my job this year is to work with a smaller program called “Linea Laboral” (labor line) in our office in Sunnyside, Queens. This is a hotline that immigrants (99.% Hispanic) call if their bosses are treating them unfairly, paying them less than minimum wage (or not paying them at all), or who have been hurt on the job. My job is to write up their complaints which we send to the Department of Labor (both New York State and US) for review. In one case, after being treated unfairly for so long, a Mexican woman finally called our hotline in November 2011 to file a complaint. She and two other workers had been working in a party supply store in Woodside, Queens (ironically, where I live), making hundreds of piñatas a week. They were working for 11 hours a day and getting paid only about $3 an hour. Worst of all, these women were literally locked in the basement of this store and were not even allowed to use the bathroom. Because of their call to our office, their case is in court and their story has been covered by Telemundo and Univision (the two most prominent Spanish news channels in the country) as well as several local news stations. If you want to read more about the story, ClickHere.

Even though I didn’t specifically work on this case, I am proud that I work for this office that is helping so many people live better lives. I hope that next year, I will be able to help this program expand in order to reach even more people!

Becca Rybaltowski - Catholic Migration Office - New York, NY

A very eye opening experience

            Recently we had a walk in new patient in need of care at Cabrini Clinic.  He had just come from the ER and was in a lot of pain.  The man was undocumented, uninsured, had stage 4 cancer and had been refused medical care because of his undocumented status.  By the time he got to Cabrini Clinic, his cancer was too advanced for chemotherapy, and the doctor decided he should go into Hospice.  Another case was an undocumented dad who came to Most Holy Trinity Church Rectory for help.  He needed kidney dialysis to stay alive, but without insurance it cost $3,000 per session, every other day.  Our pastor, Fr. Russ referred him to Cabrini Clinic to help him access dialysis, but we found that most of the dialysis is done by for-profit companies, and they will not accept a charity case due to the high cost of treatment.  These are only two stories about the injustices that people without insurance-either with or without documents-face in this country every day.

Mercy Volunteer Corps community in Detroit,
(Lto R) Colleen, Molly, Brit, Amy, Xochitl

            People die every day of uninsurance.  It has been a very eye opening experience being at Cabrini Clinic.  Working at the front desk I am on the front of the lines and see the injustices in the health care system the US has.  Every day I get phone calls from people that want to become a patient at the clinic and most of the time I have to turn them down because we cannot see everybody.  New patient appointments are always booked months ahead of time, as are all other free clinics in Detroit.  I want to help everyone but the reality is I can’t.

            Through this year as a Mercy Volunteer I have developed a passion for health care reform that I did not have before, mostly because I did not have the prior knowledge.  I have also become increasingly aware of Immigrant’s rights and have become involved with Immigration Reform groups because I serve so many undocumented clients and want to be more informed.  There are 200,000 uninsured residents of Detroit, which is 1/3 of the city’s population, and I am happy to be a part of Cabrini Clinic who is the medical home to almost 1,000.  Health care is a human right, people have value and we can’t just let them die.

Xochitl Rocha - Cabrini Clinic - Detroit, MI

I Am Blessed

Cait Pugliese

Working on the campus of Loaves & Fishes it’s easy to get caught up in the negative.  Every day you see hundred of homeless individuals who just can’t seem to catch a break.  They are tired, hungry, sick, victimized and for most of those I see battling addiction.  Many of the people I meet have life stories that will break your heart and are the true definition of survivors.  It is easy to feel defeated and think for a moment there is no way you can possibly make a difference.  However, amongst all the sadness, desperation and heartbreak are glimmers of hope.  All too often when I ask a guest how he or she is doing that day the answer I receive is “I am blessed.”

 “I am blessed.”  That seems like a bit of a funny thing to hear from someone who is struggling with so much.  At first I was a little taken back by the statement but after a few weeks of hearing it, I began to really think about its meaning.  The guests at Loaves & Fishes have taught me a lesson no amount of schooling could ever instill.  It is a lesson that has made me rethink my worldview and my understanding of my faith in the best way possible.  Sometimes just being there and being fortunate enough to wake up that day is enough to consider yourself blessed.  Life in itself is a blessing.

I’ve seen a lot these past few months.  I’ve experienced sadness, hope, loss, happiness and far more emotions than I could ever list.  I have met people who really tested my resolve and my confidence in myself.  I have met people who I believe have made me a better person and helped shape who I will be for the rest of my life.  One thing I am sure I have gained from this year is a new answer when someone asks me how I am. I will simply respond that I am blessed.

Cait Pugliese - Loaves and Fishes - Sacramento, CA

Evolving Definition of Community

   

One of the biggest concepts I've wrestled with in my year with Mercy Volunteer Corps has been my sense of 'community'. Growing up in small towns, I have always been accustomed to being close with my neighbors. I could easily define community as the group of people that I lived near and interacted with on a daily basis. Similarly, in college, my community was clearly defined by the geographical borders of my campus. While I spent hours reading and discussing environmental and social justice issues, much of these realities were easy enough to dismiss in the "college bubble".


   The transition to Philadelphia challenged many of my previous definitions. While I live outside the city, I spend a lot of my time traveling to and through much of Philadelphia. I work in the outreach department of Project HOME. Depending on the day, my role ranges from street outreach, answering the hotline, to seeing clients in the office. The goal of outreach is to help individuals who are homeless reconnect (or connect) with supportive networks. In other words, we work on rebuilding community. Unlike my prior definition, this sort of community is not limited to a neat plot of land. While I'm frequently in the office, our office extends beyond our building to the streets and train stations. I have come to appreciate how my job has provided me a unique introduction to Philly. Instead of the old adage: 'don't talk to strangers', my position in outreach has encouraged me to practice the opposite. These experiences make me question how we, as a society, have placed unnecessary limitations on our sense of community. I am encouraged that in the next 6 months I can begin to discern how to take this evolving definition of community into my life post-MVC.

Julianna Ryan - Project H.O.M.E. - Philadelphia, PA

I know that I have been changed

Elizabeth Minor

Recently, my service site held a volunteer “meet and greet” evening for new volunteers. The idea was to have a small get together where people who were interested in volunteering could make connections with staff and learn about the volunteer opportunities that were available. During the course of the evening I had a conversation with a young woman that really helped me understand how much I had learned in the last year and a half. She had a lot of questions about working with victims of domestic violence. I was able to offer explanations based on my experiences. I was really surprised to find that I had answers when a year and a half ago I had no idea about domestic violence, its prevalence in our society, or what survivors have to go through. 

               The thing that stood out most clearly to me as I reflected on my experiences, however, was how much of a blessing it has been to work at my site. By its nature the work is dynamic and unpredictable. I am constantly meeting new people, and when I meet a client I never know if I will be building a relationship over a few minutes, a few days, or several months. It helps me to appreciate even the smallest interactions and try to always bring a spirit of mercy to my work. I never know if I will get a second chance to make a first impression. The best part of my job is when I do get to work with people long term though. It is incredible to be able to witness survivors who blossom when they are finally in an environment where they feel safe and secure. I have also been able to see children growing physically, mentally, and emotionally. I have seen babies grow to toddlers, and children learn and develop. Recently I was approached by a child who wanted to show me how they could write their name (with most of the letters in order). A year ago when I met them they didn’t even know their ABCs. I was so proud of that kid!

               I know that I have been changed by my experiences working with women and children who are experiencing homelessness, poverty, and abuse. When I see them every day I grow to know them by their names and personalities. They have emotions and concerns, preferences and quirks just like anyone else you know. It becomes much more difficult to associate them with the stereotypes with which society labels them. I have heard other volunteers talk of being “ruined for life” by their year of service. I think that may be the case for me too. It is hard to imagine ever seeing the world in the same way!

Elizabeth Minor - SafeNet - Erie, PA

Navajo Time; Time Is Circular

Mary and Diane

            My first week on the reservation I learned a very important lesson that has stayed  with me throughout my experience; the lesson of “Navajo Time”.  On the surface, “Navajo Time” means that no one is on time for anything.  It does not matter if it is a professional or social  gathering the time of the meeting is all relative to what else is going on.  It is not that people do not show up to things but being on time is not the same kind of importance that I have been used to on the east coast.

From living on “Navajo Time” for the past 6 months (an adjustment I took to quite easily) I have come to learn a much deeper importance of this way of time.  Time, for the Navajo people, is circular.  It is not about getting from point A to point B in the fastest possible manner, it is about the process and the way you get from point A to point B.  This community truly lives a life style of living and finding beauty in the moment.  A lesson of patience that has made my experience that much more meaningful.

Mid November I was given the opportunity to go with a group of students from our school to the State Golf Special Olympics competition in Phoenix, AZ.  Now, a long trip with any group of people can be a little stressful but factor in a group of students with mental and physical disabilities and a culture that I am still adjusting to understand and I was a little worried about how smooth this trip would go.  We of course started our trip leaving late knowing we would not make it in time for the first meeting of teams.  None of the other chaperons seemed to be phased and I did my best to act the same but in the back of my mind the wheels of concern and planning ahead started turning.

Once we finally got a vehicle to use from the transportation department, all the bags packed, the medication box from the nurses office, on the road and together I quickly lost track of what I had in mind for plans and productivity.  I was lost in songs we were singing as a car, funny stories we were sharing about our family and friends, and the funny quick breaks we took road side to stretch.  Before I knew it we were there and yes we were late to the meeting but it worked.  We made it for what we needed to make it there for and even better we made connections with each other that made the trip the wonderful memory that we still are able to live together. 

Mary, Allisyn, and Bridget

I did not want to be apart of Mercy Volunteer Corps to get to the end result of being home and saying I did it; I wanted to truly live the experience that I was blessed to be apart of in a day to day, hour to hour, and minute to minute way.  The time here has been about the journey, about growing in community, creating lasting relationships, and working to give the best of me and the talents I have been blessed with to better the social norm.  Living through “Navajo Time” has challenged me to embrace the rough times with the same love and attention that I would the good times, and appreciate those who are with me throughout it all.

Mary O'Neil - St. Michaels Association for Special Education - St. Michaels, AZ

By investing my love here, I am investing my life

“Awake my soul; where you invest your love, you invest your life”

Detroit Community (L to R) Amy, Brit, Xochitl, Colleen, Molly

I got these lyrics tattooed on my inner arm before I moved to Detroit. They are from a beautiful Mumford and Sons song that really resonates with me, Awake My Soul. The song says that you were born to meet your maker…so why not do something meaningful with your life?

I truly believe that this ‘do something meaningful with your life’ motto is what Detroit means to me. I came here to invest what I love: social justice, service, passion, art, and compassion, into a year of being in solidarity with people. By investing my love here, I am investing my life.

Detroit captured my heart the minute I got here. I love this city so much and I like being engaged in all it has to offer. As my first couple months went by, I realized I was having a really rough time. I was away from my family, from what was familiar, and my life had completely changed and it was scary. The song will always play in my head: “and now my heart stumbles on things I don’t know/my weakness I feel I must finally show.” I kept reminding myself that the reason I’m here is to have an experience, to be engaged with a city and it’s people, and to get to know my community personally and spiritually, and that it was okay to be nervous, it was okay to be a little homesick, it was okay to be frustrated, and it was okay to admit that.

Here in Detroit I am the Associate Dean of Students and a Campus Minister at Detroit Cristo Rey High School. I work one on one with students in disciplinary matters, I coordinate retreats and mass for the school, I drive students every day to their work placements, and I also teach a meditation class on Fridays. I am at Cristo Rey every morning until noon and then I transition to being Matrix Theatre Company’s Communications Coordinator where I am a promotional graphic designer and control their social media. This transition mid day was difficult at first. I’ve learned how to balance things now and I enjoy both of my placements very much!

I wonder in writing this what I should tell you about my placements and life here in ‘the D’. Everyday I drive a different amazing group of about six kids to their work placements (making about 24 total students every week), I’m creating some really well done promotional materials for Matrix and that having never really used Photoshop before, I am officially a pro at it! Should I tell you about how a group of my students have nicknamed me “Meals” instead of calling me Ms. Meli to show their appreciation of me, that I work really well with my department at Matrix and because of this everything just flows really well with the three of us, that my amazing community and I get along like sisters and I don’t know what I would do without them? That having never been around sisters of Mercy before, I have fallen in love with these women and consider some of them my dear friends and mentors.

       Now it’s January…our year is about halfway over. I realize that I love this city, I love my community, I love the service I’m doing, and the people that I’m engaged with through my service. I realize that everyday there are little blisses that connect with my being and reinforce everyday why I’m here, why I chose this path…or rather, maybe that Detroit chose me to awaken my soul.
   
 Brit Meli - Detroit Cristo Rey High School
and Matrix Theatre Company - Detroit, MI

as simple as taking the time to listen

Current Guyana volunteers (left to right) Audrey Marrah,
Meg Eckart, Ashley Harris

     When I choose to be a Mercy Volunteer, I was excited to be part of a group of people who sought to be intentional in service.  In my first few months as a Mercy volunteer in Guyana, I have begun to catch a glimpse of what compassionate service means.  My site placement is at Bosco Academy, the school for the forty some boys living at St. John Bosco's Orphanage in Georgetown.  For the next year I will be working with the three special education students at the school.  In my first few weeks at school, I am learning that my students' favorite thing to say with a smile on their face is "Miss!  Me no!"... in other words, they don't want to do any of their work!

     That aside, as I reflect on the MVC value of compassionate service, I am challenged to think of what that looks like in practice. Teaching at an orphanage full of boys with lots of energy to burn, it can be easy to miss the compassionate piece amongst the disciplining.  For example, I have one student who is often not on task and disturbing the classroom.  Yet in his acting out during class, I am reminded of what this student really yearns for, which is loving attention.  I have learned that this particular student, while living at the orphanage, knows his father who lives in Georgetown and wants more than anything to be taken in by his father.  While I cannot give this student the acceptance by his father that he seeks, what I can give is my love and attention.  Thus, I am learning that compassionate service rooted in mercy, for me, looks like loving attentiveness to the person in front of me.  Sometimes, it is as simple as asking a student to tell you about his father, and watching him come to life.

     Another one of my students celebrated his birthday a week ago, and every day leading up to it, I got an update on how many days were left.  I was also reminded daily of what he was going to get for his birthday: a watch and a book on reptiles and snakes.  Since his birthday, I've been amused by his daily updates regarding which snake he read about the previous night.  One day after school he decided to go through the book and explain to me what each animal was, and what they ate.  We had just gone over herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores in science class, and he went through each animal to tell me which type it was.  Although I'm not the biggest fan of snakes, I really enjoyed watching his enthusiasm as he explained each one to me and I realized that what he really needed in the moment was someone to listen to what he was passionate about.  Reflecting on this, I am learning that compassionate service too can be as simple as taking the time to listen to a student’s passions.   

Meg Eckart - St. John Bosco Boys' Orphanage - Georgetown, Guyana