The day started out with yet another test of our ability to “Be Gumby”, one of the seven primary principles we as a group try to demonstrate throughout the trip. We woke up not knowing exactly when, or even what kind of service we would be doing. But regardless of the circumstances we were all prepared to flexibly perform whatever service was needed of us to help the Athens community.
It turned out to be helping a local foster child shelter. Yard work and general upkeep under the gloomy sometimes rainy sky appeared to be difficult at times on the surface, but we were glad to help in any way that we could. After all, being gumby, being able to be flexible and adapt to the changing circumstances upon us is something we had to do. When our work was finished it was nice and rewarding to see physical proof of the labor we had done, from the piles of leaves ready to be disposed of, to the lack of weeds surrounding the building as compared to before. While it was not exactly adaptive sports, it was still very important valuable service improving the community welcoming us with open arms.
After the morning work, we were given a tour of the University of Georgia campus. We had been in the area for awhile, but to hear all of the traditions and staples of the campus from a charismatic knowledgeable tour guide gave us all a newfound appreciation and adoration of our new SEC rivals. During the tour, we stopped and were able to sit in on a physical therapy class monitored and directed by students, with the directors of the program (A.I.R.S.) actually being the ones participating. It was incredible to see the kind of effort that these directors themselves put in on a daily basis, pushing themselves to get better and improve, and to lead by example and practice what they preach.
After the tour and the service of the day was over, we were able to go have an incredible dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy one of the local attractions of the area, a business called Escape the Space. This basically consisted of us all being trapped in a room with clues and riddles all around, needing to be solved in order to escape. We were able to be one of the groups that did indeed complete the challenge and make it out, just in time as well. It was although frustrating, a very exciting experience that surely brought us all even closer together.
It was a very long rewarding day, an incredible one with the combined enjoyment of the activities of the night, as well as genuinely enjoying the services and the other things that we were able to do for the day. Reflecting upon it all we are able to take solace in what we were able to contribute and accomplish, as well as look forward to the next one.
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