MERCY CHECKS IN: PART 2

MERCY CHECKS IN: PART 2

"On the second week of January this year before college resumed from winter break, I went on a Service Mission Retreat, 'Urban Plunge'. It was a four day retreat, working in the less fortunate areas of Philadelphia, inhabited mainly by immigrants. I couldn’t have asked for a better beginning of my year. Those four days were filled with laughter, love not spoken, the most genuine smiles I have ever seen, and most of all, overwhelming gratitude. I made connections and I believe I made a difference in those people’s lives. Each day, I would work with 2nd to 4th grade kids in the evening, tutoring and helping them with homework. During the day, I helped at St. Francis Inn, which is a kitchen soup that serves food to the homeless, and the needy. Not only do they provide food, but also give blankets to the homeless especially important since it was winter. I would help set tables, making sure that there was a cup, a spoon/fork, and a napkin at each table. The soup kitchen is not real spacious but every evening, we would serve food to almost 300 people. Those evenings were my best. Making connections with strangers were moments that matter so much. Nothing brings more happiness than knowing that I have made a difference in someone’s life or knowing that on that day, I was the reason someone smiled. We were letting the people know that they matter and are loved. On one of those days, we were assigned to go to Holy Name School in Camden, New Jersey. When we got there, we were supposed to introduce ourselves, and the kids would ask us questions. I had such an interesting session telling them about Kenya. One of the kids asked me if we lived with wild animals. I laughed and I had to explain a lot of things to them. (So, after having great time with the kids, I decided that this semester I would sacrifice two hours every Thursday afternoon to tutor kids at LaSalle Academy. So far, I love it.)"

"At the end of those four days, my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude. I was grateful that I was able to serve. Having been blessed with people, who have helped me so far in this journey, knowing that there is no possibility of repaying them wholly, I found strength, satisfaction and peace by serving and helping others. As we were driving back to school, I reflected on two questions, which centered what I had left with those I was helping and what was I carrying back with me to Chestnut Hill College? I hope I left a small sparkle of love and hope. With me, I carried the smiles of all those people I had met, their laughter, stories, their voices and blessings."

"As a pioneer of St. Clare, I am so grateful to all those people, who have sacrificed their time, money, talents, and many other things to see me through this journey. It is never easy. So, I call upon other girls back at St. Clare to maximize all the resources provided for them and make good use of the opportunity. Many of Friends of Kenyan Orphans’ donors could have offered to help the less fortunate here in the United States, but they chose St. Clare. They chose each one of us. Therefore, we are lucky. Every day, I am learning to appreciate all those resources, to make use of all the opportunities, to work harder, and to offer a prayer for all our benefactors. So I thank all the benefactors of St. Clare and the FOKO members for all the sacrifices they have made. May God continue to bless you."