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More
than just a vacation Doing things like laying out at the beaches of South Padre and skiing on the slopes in Colorado sound like an average Spring Break for a college student, right? But many TCU students did something different with their Spring Break by serving on mission trips in places all across America.
A
group of 10 students from the college ministry at Travis Avenue
Baptist Church spent their Spring Break serving in New York City.
Many of them had never been to New York, most of them were challenged
in ways like never before and all of them say their lives have been
changed because of the trip. In addition to food, shelter, clothing and crisis care, the Covenant House provides a variety of services to homeless youth including health care, education, vocational preparation, drug abuse treatment and prevention programs, legal services, recreation, mother/child programs, transitional living programs, street outreach and aftercare. The group spent most of their time helping in the clothing and filing rooms at the Covenant House. “I enjoyed serving with people that work at the Covenant House. It was a joy to know that their work load would be lessened that week because we were there,” said Erin Fitzgerald, a junior education major. “I didn't expect to have so much fun working in the clothing room,” said Brandi Giles a freshman deaf education major. “I felt like I really accomplished something when I left on Thursday. The thing that made me feel great was when Joyce, a worker at the Covenant House, told us that we were a ‘breath of fresh air.’ ” Annie Fairleigh, a junior education major said, “My favorite part of the trip was getting to see a glimpse of what other people go through, mainly the runaways at the Covenant House, and realizing how thankful I am for the family and parents God has blessed me with.”
“My best friend Maria and I got sick at the same time while we were there. It made the first few days at the Covenant House a challenge, but God helped us to persevere and serve with joy,” Fitzgerald said. “I didn't expect for half of our team to come down with a cold one after another, but the ones that got sick continued to serve joyfully which I think was even more unexpected to me. It's so easy to get whiny and want to quit when you're not feeling well, but our team just kept praying for health so that they could continue to serve and for a positive attitude in the mean time,” said Yvette Nevarez, a freshman English major. “The black men on the corner throwing racial slurs at the black girl in our group was unbelievable to me. I was shocked at their prejudice towards a black girl hanging out with a mostly white group. I was also shocked by how angry it made me, but I was helpless. The girl that they were antagonizing was a model of turning the other cheek. She just ignored them and never responded to their harassment,” Fairleigh said. Lessons
Learned “I learned that people's lives can be impacted, even if you do the most minor things,” Fitzgerald said. “We were there to share the love of God, in a practical way, by sorting clothes, filing, etc. I didn't think that I could make someone else happy by doing that, but people were grateful. Even the small things can help people in so many ways.” “Everybody has a story,” said Maria Adamczyk, a junior speech education major. “If you are willing to listen you get to see a glimpse into their life and understand a little bit about what they go through and who they are. I learned to listen, and ask questions that start a conversation,” “I learned that if you're doing something, you should do it joyfully and with all you have,” Nevarez said.. The people of the Covenant House do the same monotonous things day after day yet it brings them joy even during the slow and boring periods because they know they are making a difference in peoples lives.” Remembering
9/11... Six Months Later “After Sept. 11th, I really felt the Lord laying it on my heart to go and share with people who needed comfort and even just a friendly smile in New York after the tragedy,” Nevarez said. “In all of New York there is noise,” said Lisa Jacobs, a senior nutrition major. “Noise from busy people. Noise from anxious taxi drivers. Noise from cries for charity. There was no noise at Ground Zero. Visitors barely whispered while viewing the tragic site.” “Visiting Ground Zero was a very somber experience, but I felt removed and unattached because I was not effected personally,” Fairleigh said. “It is heartbreaking to see the list of names of those who lost their lives and realize all the pain and agony that has resulted. I only wish those hurting would turn to Jesus during this time of need“Once passing through the gates to approach the platform for Ground Zero, you can feel the impact,” Giles said. “Walking towards the sight, there are walls full of poems, scriptures, pictures, names, all sorts of things left by visitors. It makes you think that there were really people like Matthew Dakne and Erin Aidnig who lost their lives. It's hard at first but after a while it sinks in, and then you just want to leave because it hurts so much.” “There was a stillness and solemnity that can't really be conveyed with mere words,” Nevarez said. “As you step out onto the platform and look down, your eyes fall upon a flat block of dirt. If you weren't a native New Yorker, you would have no idea of the massive buildings that once occupied that space; and the reality of what took place might not immediately strike you. Then, you would turn and descend from the platform to let the next group of mourners pay their respects. As you walk down the ramp, a wooden wall on the left and a wooden railing on the right accompany you. Both are filled with prayers, letters, and messages written by people who lost someone or long to comfort those who did. That's when it becomes real for those of us who weren't personally affected. And that's when the tears fell from my eyes.” |
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