Thoughts From Places - Louisville

It is our fourth day here in Louisville.

Today we were fortunate enough to be able to make a small difference in the lives of people that we do not know or understand and who we will most likely never see again. Yet even though our contact with these people is fleeting there is a sense of transcendence in the entire experience, the feeling of something greater. We often do not stop to reflect or care to realize how our experiences not only affect us, but affect others until long after we have had them. The Karen family we helped receive today will not remember our names in the coming months, neither will the students in the ESL program. They might not remember our faces or that were from Virginia Tech, but that’s not the point. Whether or not we are remembered and whether or not we remember is not what we came here to do. What matters is that we were here and we had a part in the lives of the people we met. True meaning lies in that brief moment when we see the glint in the eye of a student when they get a word right, or the quiet contentment on the face of a refugee family who after 17 years in a camp has found their sanctuary. It is not tangible because to fully grasp something is to marginalize it in that we focus on the how and why when the what is what counts. The fact remains that what we did today was to affect someone else’s life in a positive way and whatever the motivation all that counts is the action itself. 

- Matt

Wednesday. Hump day, as some people like to call it. And this week, it truly lived up to its name. Today was quite possibly the busiest we've had yet, and if you've been keeping up with us this week, you know that's saying a lot. If you haven't, STOP READING, like right now, (well, OK, read to the end of this sentence) and go back and read this week's posts! See? Aren't you glad I made you do that? I have the privilege of being on this trip with so many amazing people who have a lot to say and I think they do so beautifully.

Lar Htaw, 7, after a few insane minutes in Louisville

But back to today, or at least today-ish. We've been working for two days in an apartment not that much bigger than most in Blacksburg to turn it from a grimy, slightly run down space into a place a family of six can call home. Finally, tonight we had the rare opportunity to greet this family as they got off the plane from over 24 hours worth of traveling with four stops in airports around the world. Oh, and four kids under eleven. Our group, along with two other colleges here in Louisville over Spring Break and some family already settled here, formed a massive thirty-some odd horde of a welcoming committee. I'm pretty sure there we even attracted a few people just wandering the airport. Seeing the looks on the faces of that family as they were just enveloped in a mass of pure love and welcoming was about the most fulfilling it gets. Once we got to the apartment, each member of group seemed to have one aspect of the apartment that they sort of owned, whether it be a toy or the set up of a room or something else. And each person watched nervously as the family explored their new home, discovering each of these little surprises, and was rewarded when they noticed it, pointing it out to the interpreter.

My New Dream Vacation

After working with the ESL and these new refugees all day, I realized just how much I take advantage of the fact we all know and speak English very well. I spent one class in a room of Cuban refugees, attempting to teach them English needed to survive here in the US. I also found out just how far four years of Spanish can get you with native speakers. It just so happens, that is practically nowhere. But somehow, through a lot of speaking with our hands and picture drawing we got the point across. There was one man there that described to us his home, in Holguin, Cuba, and I definitely have a new vacation spot if I ever get the chance. I can see where the life that filled that room comes from, from a place even he described as paradise, full of crystal-clear blue water, white sands, and the bluest skies. And in that moment, I had all the vacation for this break I could need. I closed my eyes and imagined this amazing place and I was there, and it was paradise. Who could want more than that for their Spring Break?

One final thing I noticed on this break is a belly laugh works in all languages. I got the chance to work in the toddler room. At first, I was a little worried. All of the kids just sort of sat and stared off, unwilling to speak or even do anything more than shake their head to any of the volunteers. But after a few minutes, as they were filling in their coloring pages and reciting their ABC's, they began to warm up laughing and playing like any kid the world over. I'm pretty sure I had an entire feast and tea party understood maybe one word, but the love and sharing was there and it was as if I was at home, playing with any of my cousins. A girl from Sri Lanka and another from Somalia were best friends and neither spoke much English, let alone the other's language. And tonight, after giving the only little girl of the family, who was only four years old, the Cabbage Patch Doll I had picked out in the distribution center just for her, I had my beyond language moment. She looked straight at me and rattled off a string of words I had no hope of understanding with no translator in sight. I will probably never know what it is she said, but the feeling was there, and that was love. It is obvious that the belly laugh and a smile knows language, because where there is laughter, there is love. And that is true whether in a refugee camp or a van full of college students barreling down the highway blaring "The Circle of Life."  
-Emily

I love EVERYONE (:

It’s ALREADY Tuesday ):
and YES I said ALREADY.

We have already successfully ended our fourth day, here at “Looavule” Kentucky.

(we are still working on our pronunciation)

and as I look ahead to the four days we have left, I can’t help but wish we had more time.

We started out with a group of 12 very awkward individuals, who all wondered how we were going to make it through the week.  But now, we are slowly becoming a family.

Today we got the opportunity to work with Dare to Care to distribute various kinds of food to the people who came by.  We were out there for about an hour and a half, and during that short time we were able to provide food for 160 families (about 400 people).  However the best part of it all was that we were able to interact with these people and learn something from them. The people we met today showed us how to truly be thankful for the smallest things, and how to share and be thoughtful of others regardless of their situation. For example, we had two little girls that came by and brightened up everyone’s mood and a lady who offered to take less food so that the people coming afterwards can have food to take.

Later today, our group also got the opportunity to prepare and decorate an apartment for a family that will be coming in on Wednesday night. We excitedly gathered toys for the kids and kitchen appliances and other essentials for the apartment. Once we got to the apartment itself, we got to work immediately, and made a home for these refugees coming in with nothing.

Today’s experiences along with the past few days have really taught me many different lessons. However, what I really love the most are the people that I am with and have come across. 

Kelsey really brings the group together and keeps focused on our tasks. She sets the example for the group with her dedication and love and care she has for every one of us and the people we are helping. She’s like the COOL MOM (: She makes sure everything is in place and in orderly fashion. But once that’s over she’s fun to be around, easy to talk to and depend on.

Ben, our titular leader, really raises the group’s dynamic at all times. Even if he struggles with the names, he really puts effort into making each and every one of us feel as a part of the group.  And I have observed in the past few days and noticed that Ben is just awesome at communication, whether it’s within the group, with the alumni, or to set up meetings and times for our projects.

Cynthia’s unexpected sassiness really shocked the entire group! But her infinite love for the group and desire to really give back to the community always keeps us motivated to do the same.  She said that she wanted to give back to this community as much as she has received in Haiti. But honestly, she really has personally contributed to our group and group dynamic! (Plus she’s really awesome at basketball!)

Tom! When we were still twelve very awkward individuals, Tom and I were put into a car by ourselves for three-four hours! AWKWARD! But we soon got to talking, and I found it really easy to talk to him and we got the chance to learn a lot about each other. Although Tom tends to stay in the corner, quietly, he really is interesting to talk to one-on-one.

Angie is ALWAYS happy and smiling! And whenever she says my name RRROOOOSSSSSAAAA it makes me happy (: even if I hear it from two rooms down, right before I fall asleep.

Sandy, who apparently is SHY (who knew?) and is always so excited to work with everyone and do everything! It was also very nice to be able to sit down at the end of a long day and listen to her and BEN play the guitar and sing and calm us down! (Beautiful voice)

Matt, or is it Brian? Whether it was his near-death flip incident or how he almost messed up the barbed wiring for the mock refugee camp, he always has a way of entertaining the group. But away from that, he’s really easy and fun to talk to and joke around! Today, he taught me basically EVERYTHING about baseball (:

JOSEPH. Jo’s laugh makes everything funnier than it really is. But what honestly makes him who he is, is the time and effort he takes to get to know everyone and connect with them. A couple mornings ago, he asked me, “Tell me one thing that I do not know about you.” Although it might have been something to fill up his time while eating his bagels, it was probably the first time anyone willingly took the time and effort to get to know me. And from there on his interest in my hobbies, my name (SOLREE not SORRY) and my Korean culture really has made my day every day.

David: What really amazes me about David was the dedication he has to the work and the group. Today, regardless of his not-so-perfect physical condition, he made every effort to be a part of the group and participate in all our activities. Even though he was not feeling well, he put in the effort to help us out preparing the house, and stay with us as we hung out afterwards.

Emily: Emily truly shows that we have become a family. Her openness with the group, and her ability to trust and depend on us (especially during our faith-sharing) really showed me that we have become or are slowly becoming a family. Emily is ALWAYS full of energy. Even after a long 12 hour day, she participates and eagerly adds to our conversations and faith-sharing.

Liana MY ROOMMATE! I have never met anyone with so much knowledge! She really keeps the conversations going with all the information that she has to share with us. Starting back from our awkward group meetings before the trip, she was always so friendly and willing to be a friend.

Every single one of our members brings something special to the group and I truly wouldn’t want to be here with anyone else than these twelve. In addition, we even have our supportive and loving alumni who have provided us with the best meals and conversations and a home!

These past four days have really been a great time, and I cannot wait to see what the next four will be like! YAY!

-RRRROOOOOSSSSSSAAAA SORRY!-

Five and a Half Meters

In soccer, the goal keeper has a zone where he can practically do whatever he wants…   five and a half meters from his goal, he is untouchable.   

Here, people are attached to their personal space.  To quote one of my favorite singers, Francis Cabrel: “… to graze someone on the arm, you need a password.” [translated from French so some things may have been lost in translation] 

Here, I think that personal space is for people like water is to fish.  Even on a crowded bus, it’s amazing how people manage to avoid touching their neighbors… That must be good to stop the spreading of disease but, sometimes, in this jungle of individualism, one can easily feel lonely…

But yesterday, Sunday…

A group isn’t fully a group once you know the name of each member, or how many siblings they have…   or even in what they are majoring in… No…

I knew that we became a group yesterday when we didn’t use our five and a half meter zone…  Yesterday at mass, all 12 of us were sitting on the same bench, giving up our vital space to allow someone else to enter in our zone…   This is when I knew that we were a group and that good things were going to happen during this week and then good things started happening…

On Monday March 5^th, we met with Chris…  He was explaining to us our work, and that today, we would be working with 7^th graders in order to help them understand what it is like to be a refugee.  Priceless moments: watching Joe and Ben terrorizing the little kids (I think that Joe hid his face so the children wouldn’t see the laughter in his eyes).

Afterwards, we had  lunch with the JMU group and got to know them…

Later on, we visited the ESL center where we will be helping to teach.  At the same time, we got to visit the deserted Saint-Antoine de Padoue church.  Quality time: climbing and getting on the roof of the church…  We were that close to being like Quasimodo and ringing the bells of the old church…  What prevented us from doing it: a good ladder to access the bells and a functional bell.

The day was not over or should I say that the best was yet to come?   We got to visit downtown Louisville, we stood in front of the KFC center (unfortunately, it was past 5:00 PM and it was already closed) and we had dinner with an alumnus and his wife.  We were met with generosity but not just any kind of generosity.  It was the kind that left us speechless.  In a society where everyone is always so busy, an alumnus found the time to open his heart and have dinner with a bunch of college students that he didn’t even know a week before.

Today it’s Monday and we have not yet met refugees to work with…  But I know that we are on the good path, doing the will of God. 

How do I know that?  All along the way, I’ve met Love and where there is Love, there is God.

--Cynthia

Day One: immersion into what it feels like to be a refugee

March 5, 2012

Today, Monday, was day one of learning what we would be doing the rest of the week and taking a tour of where we would be teaching English, but day three of Louisville, Kentucky.

We got things started with a “mock refugee camp,” where all twelve of our lovely group members went to a middle school not too far from where we are staying. We met with the coordinator of Catholic Charities, Chris, in the morning and he gave us a runthrough of the day. Before we left we all piled into the car and a couple of us has to scrape the snow of the windshield of the car. Every sudden stop would come with a clump of snow coming down onto the windshield having to have the wipers come in and brush them off. As we arrived to the middle school, we ran through the slush of snow, with the occasional snow balls flying through the air headed straight for some people trying to dodge them.

Finally when we entered the warm gym, everything was set up. The first thing I saw was a zig- zag of string from side to side that you would see in a Mission Impossible movie with lasers that you cannot touch. This was the “border” that the middle schoolers had to cross without touching the strings or they would have to turn back around and start all over or try and enter the country again. As a refugee, when trying to flee the country many obstacles emerge even before trying to enter the process and paper work.

The next station was the registration table, where they were given a form that they had to fill out in Spanish to show them that refugees had to fill out their information like name, number of people in their family, why they are fleeing, and if they have any health problems, in another language.

The next station was the health station, where they would “test” the children and would diagnose them. Some children had string in their hair to signify they had lice or bandages in their hair. We had some children who had to play the role of someone who was missing limb or was pregnant, to show them how much harder it was for refugees who were in those cases to pass.

The next station was the station I was in, the school table. Here we had to speak to the children in a different language. The only way for them to pass was to say the numbers from 1- 10 in a different language. This was the only way they could go through the next round. There was French, Arabic, Korean, Spanish, and Italian. It is crucial for refugees to learn the country’s language in which they are entering, so they are able to become dependent. Schooling is also important because they are expected to enroll in school or get a job, which usually requires learning a new language.

The next station was the nutrition station, where they would give them food and demonstrates the small food rations refugees receive.

The final station was UNHCR, the last station to approve them into the country, if they did not have all the credentials and paper work they could not enter. Through this whole process they could be rejected and turned down all the way to the end. This was my favorite part of the day, making the children laugh and smile, as they got to take a break from school to come help both themselves and us learn about the process of being a refugee.  

--Angie

A Great Day in "The Greatest City"

Our second day in Louisville brought us to St. Lawrence's Parish, the Muhammad Ali Center, and the Hehir family's house for dinner.  Saint Lawrence Church welcomed us into Louisville with open arms and made us feel at home.  Afterwards, we spent the day at the inspiring Muhammad Ali Center learning about love and service.  As afternoon turned to evening, we drove to the home of fellow Hokies to share a hearty meal.  We grew closer as a group and connected with the beautiful city of Louisville.

The most powerful part of the day was the time spent in the Muhammad Ali Center.  Known for being "The Greatest" as a boxer, Ali lived a life of service and showed his passion for helping others by opening up his center in downtown Louisville.  Our group walked about the center and took away a greater understanding of service for others.  Muhammad Ali was a global citizen with a big heart, which is fitting, as we will be meeting with people from all around the world in the coming days.  Our mission of serving God by serving others was instilled with a new sense of compassion.  With Ali's values in mind, we prepare for our week of service at the Refugee Center.

-- Tom

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"How I see you is really a reflection of how I see myself"

Group Photo at the Muhammad Ali Center (I'm the serious guy with facial hair)

MUSEUM: Cassius Marcellus Clay. Ever heard of him? Probably not. Around the world and more intimately in the boxing community he is now known as Muhammad Ali 'The Greatest'.  Why does a boxer have an entire dedicated to him? And why did we, an ASB group from Virginia Tech, visit a museum dedicated to a boxer?

Muhammad Ali is more than just a boxer.  He is a testament to American values of Confidence, Dedication, Conviction, Respect, Spirituality, Giving, and Humor.  You may see clips from his early twenties when he was a cocky kid from Louisville, Kentucky whose sole purpose was becoming Heavy Weight Champion of the world and speaking in rhyme.  Here is something you may not know: He evaded the draft for the Vietnam war. At first it was because he didn't want to serve but it became a cause for racial equality in the United States.  Why should someone fight for a country that doesn't accept him?  Later on in life, as Tom has mentioned, he dedicated his life to the pursuit of helping others.  Whether it is the racially oppressed or people with Parkinsons, he advocates helping others as a way of serving God.  I'm happy we decided to go as opposed to the dinosaurs.

Earlier: Before we went to the center, I read a book called: "Hello Baby! - Hola Bebe!" by Mem Fox. Apparently I've been known for a Smooth Jazz radio voice, so I read this book in that voice and it was definitely gave some of the people some laughs.  BUT from this we got the group's spirit animals. picture after the break.

---Joe

FINALLY IN LOUISVILLE! 

This morning we finally made our journey down to Louisville, bright and early in the morning. The 7-some-odd hour trip was eventful, lots of music and talking, or naps for some. Finally down at the retreat center, all moved in, we're ready to start this journey doing God's work! 

One of the things that struck me the most on the way down was how much closer we've grown as a group. From the first meeting, trying to remember people's names and awkwardly trying at conversation, to constant laughter and banter wherever we go. Slowly over the course of the last few months, we've learned so much about each other, and it's truly made us stronger as a team. With everyone so comfortable with one another, I feel like it will make any uncertainty or fears seem easily conquerable. 

I for one am so looking forward to Monday, when the adventure will really begin! :) 

-Sandy 

Louisville thoughts by David

On any given day I walk past hundreds of students on Virginia Tech's campus, and apart from a smile or a wave our potentials for interaction are generally not reached. After this trip, 11 people will be taken out of the pool of unknown students and welcomed into the category of "I don't have class until 5, wanna go eat at West End?"

Like a science class structure of marshmallows and toothpicks our group was initially pieced together with relative haste out of the available building materials. But already the marshmallows have grown stale and hard like cement, and if even one was removed the structure's integrity would be compromised. 

I would have thought that enough development time has passed since the invention of the walkie talkie for the sound quality to at least surpass the garbled mess of english that is the drive thru speaker. I was mistaken.

What if Dennys' Pancake Puppies are really just donut holes, and we only ordered them because the name has the word puppies in it?

Today we were welcomed into the home of an extremely generous man whom none of us had ever met. He is a VT alumni, but even more importantly he has a dog. To connect with a man based on a loyalty to a university is fortunate, but to share with him an evening in the presence of his innocent, loyal and unconditionally affectionate animal, at least for me, is truly memorable.

Requesting a stop for bathroom breaks; there must be an easier and more anonymous way.

I never really thought about spending the night in a high school, but now that it's happening I can definitely see the appeal.

the final countdown

It's almost here! In approximately 9 hours, we will be departing for Louisville, KY. We're so excited, and can't wait to start working with Catholic Charities. Please continue to pray for us and the community we will be serving this week, and we will keep you posted on our journey!

In Him,
Kelsey Oesmann