I'm playing a bit of catch-up with the blog as the past few weeks of work have been extremely busy, and the part I feel is most important to maintain is the act and not necessarily the telling of the act. Please know right now that I am not intending to sell anyone on anything; I'm not trying to coerce anyone into false or half-hearted acts of service or altruistic martydom, and I'm not saying that my actions are with complete disreguard to self. I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything other than the power of actions. If I've learned anything through all the soul searching, all the internet raids using the words "volunteer" or "service," and all the enriching conversations with the charming and impactful people I've encountered thus far, it's that no act is too small. No kindness goes unnoticed. You don't have to be large in number or stature to make a difference of mammoth proportions. I know all of this does not excuse my tardiness, I am in the process of developing a proper schedule for updates, and I guarentee I will get better as I grow more accustomed to the blogging world. Simply letting you know ahead of time that I am the kind of person that will rarely finish something early, and can only hope that you check back with me frequently enough to find my earnest attempts of accomplishing things in a timely manner endearing.
To reiterate everything I said in my first post, this blog is about being able to change things, being able to make a difference and impact and connect with others no matter where you are in life. So, two weeks ago, when I had made plans for my first project here in Dallas and then realized I had a work conference to attend in Austin, I thought "Heck, why not start there?" People will have to travel at last minute's notice, they'll have to cancel and rearrange plans, life will always happen. So Thursday night, my co-worker and I booked our hotel through the weekend, I sent a few e-mails out regarding different opportunities that might be available, and Friday evening, at the last minute, I received an e-mail that was more than I had even hoped.
The e-mail was from an old friend I had made while attending A&M and looking for a volunteer opportunity for a large group in Austin. I was so excited that Ruth was still there, and just as they had two and a half years ago, her zeal and love for those around her provided opportunity for meeting needs. She left me her cell phone number and told me she could meet me in the office on Saturday afternoon to help me with the first tangible steps of my adventure. It was a great first step into this new world: I had been to the property before, I was accompanied by two great friends, and we were all without restrictions and inhibitions in regards to time and what we would be able to both give and receive during that time.
Mobile Loaves and Fishes is an organization I have truly come to adore through the people working there, through the people they serve, and the fact that in every way, there is always room for more. There is always room for more people needing to love and to be loved, always room for more people wanting to assist and for those in need of assistance, and always more room to impact and affect one another. The mission of this ministry, originating from St. John Neumann Catholic Church, is to provide for different needs of the homeless. It's not just about providing food and clothes- those are simply mediums. MLF provides community and responsibility through temporary living arrangements and assistance opportunities, they promote dignity and an appropriate sense of pride by demanding high standards for donated clothing, and they promote authenticity and sustaining impact by constant interaction and literal acts of living life alongside them in the streets for days at a time.
The following pictures serve as a sort of incomprehensive documentation of our trip. Ruth patiently toured us and answered questions while she introduced us to everyone whose path we happened to cross. There were many people at the facility watching football and enjoying each other's company while grilling meat on the newly donated Grille De Ville (pictured below). After spending time with the group, we got to work as "artists" and decorated the backs of prayer and encouragement cards to be given to those in need of scripture or a few kind words. In the end, it was difficult not to feel like we, as volunteers, were really the ones being helped.
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| MLF emblem on the front of the building |
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| The first MLF truck, named after the man who inspired it- Houston Flake. |
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| Showing us the food truck all set up and ready for delivery. |
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| Sweet Ruth explaining that, for some of the people they're helping, one of the only choices he or she might have during the day is whether they'll have an apple or an orange with their lunch. |
Please check it out. It has so much more information than I could ever include on this page.
If you are ever in one of these places and you have some free time, look them up. If you're there and don't have time, still look them up. Whether you're working or on vacation, the time you could spend investing in something like this will be better than going to that restaurant you heard about or sleeping in or having to mark off every tourist destination you wanted to see. You will never regret this kind of time. It will never be a waste.
Cool photo work. I found your blog through Alisha's. That's very admirable what you're doing with service projects.
ReplyDeleteNeil
I remember going to Mobile Loves and Fishes with Abbott...what a fun service project! This is an awesome goal you are doing to be so intentional with service and helping others!
ReplyDeleteKelly