As I sit here, contemplating what to write, I'm finding myself getting increasingly frustrated with where to start and how to express the impact this trip has made on me. As a member of team Bravo (bravo for team bravo) we worked on painting the home of some of Nashville's finest folk, Dixie and Jim. Although many worksites of the other teams were far from finsihed, we could see the light at the end of the tunnel. After working hard for the past 4 days we managed to complete our tasks and turn Dixie's residence from what looked like a construction site, to a home filled with hope, just in time for christmas.
In previous service trips, we worked on construting new houses from ground zero in order to provide a home for low income families in need. Never before had I met the future homeowner of any of the residences we were building. This trip how ever was slightly different. We worked to repair the homes of local Nashville residents affected by the May 2010 flood. Dixie and her husband currently reside in a small trailer which sits in the carport in their backyard. Seeing the residents in their current residential situation only made the experience that much more meaningful and only made us work that much harder. With high hopes of moving back in before christmas, Dixie's attitude only made us work that much harder.
As I'm sure many students will soon blog, a strong bond was formed between the students during this trip as is customary of these service trips. By the end of the week, we find ourselves referring to each other as family. The final post-work debrief brought tears to many as each of us indepentely answered the question "whom are you going to bring home with you from this trip". Each student poured their hearts out as the expressed which members of the group had the greatest impact on them, whether they were a new or old friend. A seemingly easy question at first, really makes you reflect on the interactions you made with every indiviual on this trip and the impact they had on yourself. Tears were shed by many and the family only grew stronger.
To finish off the final night we went to the family home of one of our very own C.A.U.S.E. members, Ana and circled around the bonfire. As I stood back and observed the group I couldn't help but smile and feel a warmth inside me as the students stood, not only as unique individuals, but as a unified family: living, laughing and loving.
The greatest part of this trip was hearing the newest memebers express how they had finally encountered the imfamous, yet ill understood, "NSU experience". These students had found their niche, sensed the energy, and felt the warmth.
Yet another successful and heartwrenching Service Trip. My prayers go out to all of those we could not help this week.
---- Michael Murphy (one half of the optimism twins)
