Wow, I'm embarrassed... it has been so long, and to be honest, I've been so busy learning new things and being with people and celebrating marriages that I have forgotten that I have this blog. No excuses though- I really am so sorry. If any of you have even checked back to be reading this right now, know that I am thoroughly impressed and grateful for your care for me and interest in my life. At this point, I feel like it will be more worth our time to converse over the phone, and leave the blog as yet another testament of how much I suck at using computer-related technology for communication. So sorry again, and hopefully, if you're reading this, I will hear from you soon and can fill you in on the incredible things the Lord is continuing to do! Keep on keepin on and be blessed.
Jenny
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Processing....
We watched a movie on Monday, as a part of our class, called La Vendora de las Rosas (The Rose Seller). It portrayed 3 days of a 14 yr old Venezuelan girl's life. 75% or more of the time, she and her friends, who did not live at home with their families, were totally stoned from sniffing glue. It was sick. I had to leave the room at one point- the reaction I was having to the moving is one that I've never had to that degree before- I felt smothered, like I needed to go outside to see the sunshine and breath fresh air. I'm not really sure what that says about me.... still processing. At this point, I know that it's not just a movie, but a portrayal of reality for many. And it just seems so so hopeless, and I and my "I want to fix this" mentality can't fix it, which I think makes me feel hopeless, smothered, confined, confused...
This reality was brought to life the next day, too, when Robbie (one of the staff at Dry Bones, an amazing man of God who I just love) was talking with another intern about he and his wife's trip to Guatemala where they found most of the young adults, and plenty of kids and older adults, sniff paint thinner all day and "were stoned out of their minds all the time." Gross. This is the best that life has to offer them? I'm disgusted and don't know exactly what to do with this feeling. Sorry for the bummer blog, but this is what I'm processing. I'm gonna go running now....
Ciao
This reality was brought to life the next day, too, when Robbie (one of the staff at Dry Bones, an amazing man of God who I just love) was talking with another intern about he and his wife's trip to Guatemala where they found most of the young adults, and plenty of kids and older adults, sniff paint thinner all day and "were stoned out of their minds all the time." Gross. This is the best that life has to offer them? I'm disgusted and don't know exactly what to do with this feeling. Sorry for the bummer blog, but this is what I'm processing. I'm gonna go running now....
Ciao
Friday, June 12, 2009
Urban Plunge
Story:
Earlier this week, the other Dry Bones interns and I went on an "Urban Plunge." We were given a scenario, very similar to the situations many of our homeless friends deal with weekly, and given these simple objectives: (1) check your email to get in touch with your friend in Denver (2) find a place that the 9 of you can sleep tonight (3) find a place where you can get food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our mission centered around the most basic human needs- food, shelter, communication.
I won't go into all the details, but it was really hard. I became tired and frustrated. We couldn't get on the internet anywhere, b/c even at the public library they told us we had to have an ID to get on the guest computers, and many/most homeless folks don't have IDs. We never figured out how to get in touch with our friend. After walking around forever, we found a church that had a list of shelters and free meals, but there was no shelter that would take all of us- men and women between the ages of 19-25. So we would have to split up into male/female groups, or under/over 21 yrs old. Since we're each others' only family, this is not ideal. We could eat daily, at multiple places, which was sweet. But then we still had the task of figuring out where the places were and getting there at the correct times.
Thoughts:
I rarely think about anything of these things. I think about how I "need" coffee, or a new computer, or a new job.... our friends spend their time thinking about what they need to do in order to survive. I only had to "pretend" for 3 hours..... this is daily reality for so many of our friends.
Story:
I met a man last night who I did not know, at first, was homeless. We were talking about the week, and though our conversation, I learned that he volunteers at every Rockies baseball game, and on his own time often takes the animals at the shelter on walks because he loves animals and "knows what it's like to feel caged in, and it's horrible- they deserve to feel free and walk around." I also learned that he has been in Denver for 2 yrs now without a home. Because he does not have an ID, and does not have a birth certificate (crazy childhood/parents- has never seen it) to get an ID, he cannot legally receive full-time employment. Thus, he's been in contact with his home state, has done what they ask, and is waiting and waiting for them to follow up and help him get another birth certificate. In the meantime, he frequents the day labor place here, getting work when it's available, though we all know that in today's economy, these jobs are no prevalent. Still he's kind, patient, and optimistic.
Thoughts:
His willingness to share his story with me blesses me, and I admire his patience and positive attitude. Yet, I don't share in that patience or optimism. Instead, I feel frustrated. Not at anyone or thing, but with the reality of unavailable opportunity, in the land of.....
Earlier this week, the other Dry Bones interns and I went on an "Urban Plunge." We were given a scenario, very similar to the situations many of our homeless friends deal with weekly, and given these simple objectives: (1) check your email to get in touch with your friend in Denver (2) find a place that the 9 of you can sleep tonight (3) find a place where you can get food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our mission centered around the most basic human needs- food, shelter, communication.
I won't go into all the details, but it was really hard. I became tired and frustrated. We couldn't get on the internet anywhere, b/c even at the public library they told us we had to have an ID to get on the guest computers, and many/most homeless folks don't have IDs. We never figured out how to get in touch with our friend. After walking around forever, we found a church that had a list of shelters and free meals, but there was no shelter that would take all of us- men and women between the ages of 19-25. So we would have to split up into male/female groups, or under/over 21 yrs old. Since we're each others' only family, this is not ideal. We could eat daily, at multiple places, which was sweet. But then we still had the task of figuring out where the places were and getting there at the correct times.
Thoughts:
I rarely think about anything of these things. I think about how I "need" coffee, or a new computer, or a new job.... our friends spend their time thinking about what they need to do in order to survive. I only had to "pretend" for 3 hours..... this is daily reality for so many of our friends.
Story:
I met a man last night who I did not know, at first, was homeless. We were talking about the week, and though our conversation, I learned that he volunteers at every Rockies baseball game, and on his own time often takes the animals at the shelter on walks because he loves animals and "knows what it's like to feel caged in, and it's horrible- they deserve to feel free and walk around." I also learned that he has been in Denver for 2 yrs now without a home. Because he does not have an ID, and does not have a birth certificate (crazy childhood/parents- has never seen it) to get an ID, he cannot legally receive full-time employment. Thus, he's been in contact with his home state, has done what they ask, and is waiting and waiting for them to follow up and help him get another birth certificate. In the meantime, he frequents the day labor place here, getting work when it's available, though we all know that in today's economy, these jobs are no prevalent. Still he's kind, patient, and optimistic.
Thoughts:
His willingness to share his story with me blesses me, and I admire his patience and positive attitude. Yet, I don't share in that patience or optimism. Instead, I feel frustrated. Not at anyone or thing, but with the reality of unavailable opportunity, in the land of.....
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