One of the most satisfying things in life is completing a
job and being able to visibly see the progress you have made. This could not be any more fitting for our
trip here as we are working with Habitat for Humanity. As we arrived at our site for the week, we
found a house covered in paper, lacking a roof, and missing the inside
walls. It was easy to see what jobs
needed to get done and what was missing that made the house incomplete. Only two days into our work, we saw very
tangible results as the outside siding, roof, and inside began taking
shape. A sense of pride was immediately
felt, as we realized we had come to this unfinished house and made a
difference. But, that’s not what I want
to talk about. What I think is equally
important, if not more, are the conversations we have had with community
members, fellow groups members, volunteers, and strangers. These people and their stories are, for me,
what makes these kinds of trips so special and memorable. Engaging in a simple conversation allows us
as volunteers to put ourselves in the shoes of those living in New
Orleans. We hear their perspective, not
what we saw on t.v. or read in a magazine.
We can relate to them and learn just as much as nailing siding or
placing shingles can teach. The stories
we all possess are powerful. They remind
us that we are all connected, all the same.
Taking a water break or a few extra minutes for lunch to talk to
someone, to listen to their side of the story could become one of the most
valuable pieces we take away with us. Maeve
No comments:
Post a Comment