Mission Trip 2011

It's been almost one month since Clague Road United Church of Christ sent a group to Emmaus Homes again this year.  I was so happy that I was getting a break from work, thoughts, frustrations and could just go.  We had decided to go back to the same place again, just because our experience there last year was in my eyes life changing.  I have had so many people, family and friends ask "why do you need to travel nine to ten hours to help out people there, when you could help out people here?"  This is true, and I struggled with how best to answer, but the only way I could ever really answer this question is, to come and find out. 

I loved the familiar surroundings and the people.  Clients remembered some of us from last year, and I enjoyed seeing them again as well.  The project managers pulled out all the stops and gave us some challenging jobs this year, they knew we could get the job done.  We cleaned out a creek that was over grown with weeds and small trees, and yes poison ivy, oh the poison ivy.  We also had a landscaping project on either side of a huge ramp that lead from the top of the living quarters all the way down to the parking lot below.  Not a small ramp by any means.  Weeds, weeds and more weeds, we pulled all kinds.  I'm not the weeding "type", just not my cup of tea, but for some reason I was really into it one day. Projects are never lacking, but my energy level was. 

Several of us then had the opportunity to work with the clients, and I found this so rewarding.  I went to pottery class with Muffy and Kim.  I was so apprehensive because I didn't really know what was expected of me.  We walked in just as a group came in, and one lady sat down and declared "I'm NOT painting today, I'm NOT painting today".  I wish I could articulate my feelings just as she expressed hers, maybe if we all did that, life would be a "better" place.  I just got into the moment and held beads as Billy painted away.  I felt the joy of his accomplishments as he completed one, he would look up and smile and I would ask him if he was ready to paint another and his face lit up and we continued.  I felt God that day, I held those beads and watched with joy as Billy painted, that paint was God.  God was wrapping his love around those beads through Billy and his smile, through the lady who after declaring she did NOT want to paint, then said "okay I'll paint today", through another who laughed and smiled as Muffy sat with her.  At night events were held, we played kickball, bingo, dancing and karaoke.  Such an amazing sight to see, when you look at a person with braces on their legs and slight mobility get held up by a caretaker and be able to kick a ball and "run" to first base.  The joy and love of God was in that kickball game, and the dancing.  I have come to learn that the clients at Emmaus Homes are not much different than you or I.  Some work very tedious jobs, that I don't think I could stand doing for five minutes let alone seven hours.  To watch them work again at Timko just amazed me.  It's expected that they show up and do a great job.  Major companies rely on them to get work done that might not otherwise get completed.  This year I watched a lady staple metal washers to a set of directions.  Just as your expected to show up for work and do your best, so are they, not much different from you or I.

Last year and now this year I kept thinking that the clients were the ones who had the disability, but I have come to realize that my narrow mindedness about others who are not "just like me" are not the ones with the disability, but that I am.  If we keep our minds closed we are keeping amazing opportunities from ourselves and those around us, and what an injustice that would be.  Open your eyes and hearts to the possibilities that are out of your comfort zone.  If you step outside, you'll begin to understand why we drive nine to ten hours to Emmaus Homes.

God's Blessings, Jennifer R

Mission Trip 2010

We chose the site of Missouri for our Mission Trip this year; at Emmaus Homes, a community for mental and developmental handicaps. The gentlemen that showed us around talked about the company and how they pride themselves in doing great work and the part that hit me was when he said they expect it. Meaning just because people are different from you doesn't mean they are exempt from doing great work (we are all human). Why would or should we think they can't do a great job no matter what their physical limitations are?

I watched those clients work at Temco and I am telling you I don't think I could sit and do those jobs for six to eight hours a day. While we stood there, one worker found a flaw in a piece and proudly showed us, which is part of his job, looking for imperfections. Here a person whom may seem imperfect by others is looking for imperfections in objects as part of his job.

   In our week we weeded,  mulched, planted flowers, power washed and water sealed a deck, made a gravel walk way, and built a fire pit. Of all these jobs, the one that was most meaningful to me was that fire pit. We put logs down, then plastic/fabric, then stones or gravel. I tried to picture us all around the campfire singing as I was working, pushing myself beyond my limits, knowing that at week's end our efforts would be enjoyed. I didn't realize how that fire circle would impact my life in such a meaningful and spiritual way. 

   We sat across from two ladies, who loved to sing and they just belted out the words to those songs, with such joy. They were singing and laughing. I'm watching these ladies have a great time. Isn't that what life is all about? The making lemons into lemonade thing sort of rings a bell here. We have hardships in life, but it's how you react to them that can make all the difference in the world. 

   Then as we got up to go back to our homes, a client asked to speak with the Pastor. She went over to him and he asked if she could pray for his friend and caregiver. He was worried about her. Barb heard him ask the Pastor to pray and it touched her deeply, and I looked at her as I was crying and saw her and we both had a moment where the spirit had touched our hearts. Here I thought I was going to Emmaus Homes to touch their hearts and the total opposite came true.

    That fire ring was nothing when we started, and we created a social place for gathering. I never thought that this week would lead to life lessons like this. God takes us from nothing and creates each one of us, different in our own unique ways. The residents of Emmaus Homes are cared for with such grace and love and it shows in how they care for each other. 

   We plan to return there next year.  I will write from time to time as thoughts and experiences come to mind.