Emmy Johnson's Blog
2008... It's gonna be great. / Jan 14, 12:43 PM
After living in Atlanta for four months, and being forced to take public transportation, I feel like I finally know how to get around. However, being from Illinois, I am very used to places being laid out in grids, but I am finding that places often are not. Having a landmark helps me keep my bearings when I am out and about in the city. The Bank of America building (the pointy one with the lit up top) is my landmark in Atlanta. When I am outside of the city enough to see the skyline all I have to do is locate my landmark and I know right away where I am. However, if I am far enough away from this particular building that I cannot see it, but not far enough out to see the skyline I sometimes feel out of sorts, almost like I have lost my way. Especially if it is “uncharted” territory.
Living in an area that has many poor, drug-addicted, and/or homeless inhabitants has been quite an experience. I have made friends with the like, and learn more about their lives with each visit we have. Some times we just shoot the breeze, other times they allow me a glimpse into their life and background, giving me a better picture of the person I am looking at. Most of them have grown up in Atlanta and many were born and raised in the Bluff.
Right after we moved in, the first questions that would come to mind were always along the lines of : “Why are they still here? Did they ever try to ‘get out’?” I have learned that sometimes the answer to these questions is that they have tried to “get out,” but other times people have not tried and do not want to “get out.” This is their life and they wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I guess I just always assumed everyone living in the inner-city was trying to leave, but this is definitely not the case. It’s almost as if some people here feel the Bluff is their “Bank of America building,” and if they were to leave they would feel like they have lost their way as well, venturing into uncharted territory.
I know this is a simple thought, and some of you may be thinking, “Really, Emmy?” but I think realizing this has aided my ability to connect, build relationships with neighbors, and truly look at them as people and not just projects.
In a previous update I mentioned we read Beyond Charity. Part of the book talks about the concept of Shalom (see reference below). I wish for “inner-city” Shalom in my neighbor’s lives, which I would have thought was quite the contradiction before, but now see how Shalom can take on so many different forms depending on each individual life.
Hoping you find your Shalom in 2008.
Shalom
“...everything good you would want for yourself and wishing that same quality of life for your neighbors and friends.”
-John Perkins
As of January 4th, 2008, I have officially raised 76% of my goal. This means I have $2, 885 dollars left to raise over the next 7 months. It is an incredible blessing to have this much of my support raised at this point, and confirmation that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. If you are interested in contributing financially, please make checks payable to Mission Year and write my account number (07-0036) on the memo line to ensure the tax deductibility of your donation. You can also click on the red “Donate Now” button on the upper right side of this page to set up donations electronically. Lastly, if you have decided to make a monthly contribution, please remember to indicate this so Mission Year can adjust my support total accordingly. Thanks!
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Read more of Emmy Johnson's Blogs.
beautiful insight. speak it girl. you rock.
and i PROMISE to bring you the rita springer cd! gah!
By joycekim / Jan 15, 12:16 PM / #