YOU WANT AVOCADOS?? (Day 5)
As told by Adam
Once upon a Wednesday morning, the Beignet Baes arose from their collective slumbers feeling rather sluggish. As each Bae reached for their respective energy boost, for some red bull or coffee, for others a soggy bowl of cocoa roos, they turned their attention toward the day ahead at Love in Action. Although the caffeine boost certainly didn't hurt, the Baes showed no lack of energy and excitement for the start of day three at Love in Action.
The Baes served the morning rush of guests very successfully. We met more wonderful people, heard their stories, and occasionally received advice. The day was packed full with filling grocery baskets, taking inventory and stocking shelves, and greeting guests as they checked in. These days chalked full of personal interaction with the less fortunate have sparked many meaningful conversations between the Baes about social inequality, appreciation of blessings, and many more eye-opening topics. One recurring topic discussed has been the similarities between those fortunate enough to be volunteering and those being served. Listening to the individual stories of the guests has had many of the Baes saying, "That could easily be me." Constantly being called a blessing to the people being served at Love in Action has made us realize that they are truly a blessing to us as well.
Many of the beautiful people we've met this week were greatly affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. After finishing up at Love in Action today, the Baes drove to the Historic Lower 9th Ward, where the levy broken by Katrina is located. Over a decade later, much of the area is still in ruin. There were houses with spray paint still on the side representing how many bodies were found inside after Katrina. It was devastating to enter into the area and think about how many of the guests at Love in Action could have been affected by the storms.
Experiencing the 9th Ward put a bit of an emotional damper on the day, as everyone realized how far the city of New Orleans still has to go in recovering from Katrina. However, the joy and life felt while serving the individuals at Love in Action during the day represented how people are coping with and surviving through the experience day by day. These people work so hard to maintain their lives by providing for their children, looking out for each other, and for many, staying strong in their faith.
Although Mizzou Alternative Breaks is not religiously affiliated, we've worked with two different volunteer groups this week that were religiously affiliated. For those with a religious background, the time spent at Love in Action has also been an inspiration in faith, trust, and thanksgiving. Guests to Love in Action often offer up prayers for the volunteers and thank God for the blessings they have been given.
Another group that has proven to be convicted in their work is the full-time volunteers at Love in Action. These individuals have dedicated their lives, every single day, to serving those less fortunate. In many situations, those volunteering every day are in similar situations. Often performing thankless but very necessary tasks, these wonderful people volunteer to serve strictly for the benefit of those who need the help. In many conversations with these volunteers, they've shown us what true humility looks like.
The word I've probably heard the most this trip (other than "bubbly" or "avocados") is "blessing." It's made me really reflect on what it means to be blessed. Am I more blessed than another person because I am fortunate enough to attend college and have an opportunity to serve on this trip while others struggle to put food on the table each month? Surely every person is equally blessed, right? I wish I had better answers to those questions, but I've realized something different. It's not so much about how blessed a person is, but rather how a person responds to their blessings. What's important is recognizing who and what your blessings are and saying thank you for each and every one of those things. That's what makes the people we serve at Love in Action different. They count their blessings every single day.
I want to say thank you for the biggest blessing to me throughout this week, and that has been the group I have spent the last few days volunteering with. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and helping me experience service in an incredible way.
I love you guys.
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