Zach Sminkey's Blog
Update from New Orleans! / 10.13.08, 11:14 AM
So a bunch of things have been going on here at New Orleans! I’ve finally decided what I’m going to be doing for my service sites, (though one of them I’m still waiting on for paper work), I’m getting to know people at my church and with Desire Street Ministries a little better, and all and I’m just getting situated better. Let me expand.
For what I’m going to be doing, I decided I’m going to be helping out here at DSM every Tuesday and Thursday, and I’m going to help out at the nearby high school, Carver High, on Wednesday and Friday. The high school is what I’m waiting on paper work for. As far as helping out here, I’ve been doing a bunch of different odd jobs. I shoveled mulch for a garden one day. I trimmed a fence full of grass with a trimmer the other day. I’ve also surveyed houses DSM is looking to buy so they can rebuild and sell to people at a cheap cost, and what I’ve found most rewarding, we’ve handed out flyers for the free health care van that comes here every Thursday from 8-3. To do that, I go out with one of the volunteer’s here at the ministry, Val, and put up the flyers on poles and then talk to people when they ask us. With many people not having health insurance in the area it’s been a huge out reach opportunity. It’s been cool working with DSM, and I can’t wait to start at the high school soon as well.
Speaking of DSM though, it’s been cool getting to know the staff here at DSM, from Dwana & Stacy & Oscar who kind of run the after school program thing, to Mr. Roney who does the grounds work, to Val who does out reach, and Marsha who’s in charge. They’ve all been a blessing to me in their own way, and I can’t wait to get to know them better. People from my church, namely the preaching staff of Pastor Willis and Elder Hayes, has also been a blessing as well. :)
We also had a picnic at a near by park Saturday, with free Po-Boys, Jumbalaya, and dessert. I was hoping to reach out to my neighbors more at that point, but I shut down and couldn’t extend myself. Through this curriculum book were reading called Restoring At Risk Communities: Doing It Together & Doing It Right I realized that might have to do with a past experience I had with race. And Race IS a huge issue I feel we as Christians need to STILL look at. (I’ll expand on that in a future blog). Just wanted to explain that’s why I didn’t reach out too much at the picnic. It was a good time though. And the lesson I learned that race DOES affect my actions was very important. Please DO pray I can over come that and be reconciled to others of different race this year. I feel it’s above me, and I definitely need God’s help.
So I know this was a lot of information in one blog so I’ll leave it at that. I hope all y’all are doing well. I love you guys very much. God Bless. :)
In Christ, Zack Sminkey
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Hey Zachan!
Sounds like you are doing a lot of good work. Glad you finally decided what you will be doing. I can see that you made a good choice. As for the race issue, don’t think about it too much. Best to deal with people as individuals anyway. Everyone is different regardless of his or her background. I’m sure that with time you’ll make friends and begin to feel more comfortable. Of course, many of the people you are dealing with have probably been victims of the racism of others. No doubt that makes you feel a bit uncomfortable, but as long as you treat others as individuals, I’m sure that they will do the same for you. Good luck!
By Paul / Oct 13, 09:05 PM / #