Leslie Pietruszka's Blog
December Update / Dec 20, 11:22 AM
End of First Trimester!
It’s hard to believe that our first three months with Mission Year are already over. As I reflect on what the past three months have taught me, I’m reminded of my first few weeks here. I was overexcited and overanxious with about everyone. I would pass people on the streets of my neighborhood, give them a friendly smile, and say, “hey, how’s it going?” in my cool voice. I quickly learned who and who not to say hello to in my cool voice while walking around.
I remember not knowing a single person when I moved here. After just three months of intentional community, I know my housemates inside and out. I’ve grown close to our neighbors, Mr. Frank and Ms. Viola. We’re tight…there are no more barriers about asking to borrow kitchen items we don’t have, and I know we can always head over for a glass of Fruit Punch. Every morning, I see William and the guys around the corner. We get a friendly wave from them, which is the best way to start out the day. I’ve grown close to the kids at camp. I’m helping Denise and Jennifer memorize times tables in our spare time. I can really start to see improvement, and it has given me so much joy. I see the change in Maria’s attitude toward her homework. She gets it all done, everyday. I’ve grown close to the street leaders (the high school kids employed by Urban Promise). We’re starting to hang out now outside of camp. The homeless guys I walk past each morning when I go to Sunday Breakfast Mission. The relationships being built with the staff and the residents at that Mission. These are the relationships I will be able to pour into for the next few trimesters of my Mission Year experience in Wilmington. Praise God for this new, temporary home!
Neighborhood Days…
Saturdays are the days set aside to do nothing but hang out with people in the neighborhood. At first I struggled with this day. But lately, we’ve had so much to do they have turned into neighborhood weekends. Last Saturday, three women from our church came for a visit. We had lunch, and great conversation. The next day, we had kids over from down the block to decorate our Christmas tree, and bake Christmas cookies! These neighborhood times have slowly become my favorite day throughout this trimester!
Community Service…
Here are my service sites for this year. Between the two of them, I help out about 30 hours per week.
Sunday Breakfast Mission—a rescue mission for the homeless and addicted. It serves also as an overnight shelter and ministry. I help out in the office—mailings, data entry, etc. It’s a great glimpse into the workings of a non-profit organization. Sundaybreakfastmission.org
Urban Promise—a Christian organization serving kids in the inner city. I work at the after school Camp Freedom. Urbanpromise.org
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