Atlanta 2017 Day 4

Today we had an unexpected morning, as we thought we were going to be directly working with clients. Instead God had a different plan for us. There were six clients that were expected to show up at the downtown office of LSG, but none showed. We were originally going to help them in setting up their voicemail and teaching them basic job entry skills, through resume building, one-on-one conversations and actives that would help them advance in their English language learning. Due to no-shows, we ended up filing paperwork, documents, etc. This was frustrating in the beginning when we were assigned these tasks for a couple different reasons, one feeling these documents were too important to be put in our hands, and two because we had expected to meet and interact with these individuals. It’s hard when things don’t go as planned, but that’s why it’s so important to be flexible and go into service projects with an open-mind. Many of us felt as though we were doing the staff’s work, although taking a step backing and realizing what we were doing, really did make a huge difference in our work and to LSG. This allowed to think through things and remember what we were doing and why we were doing it. It brought some new and unexpected perspectives to our volunteer projects, and I think that’s what the intentions were. Just because we didn’t work directly with the clients, we did served them through putting their files away, filling out paper work and organizing in order for them to get the proper services they need and are in search for. We were able to see behind the senses and get a feel for what the staff at Lutheran Services of Georgia, does, which I believe was fulfilling. Service is service, regardless of how one is completing projects and I definitely think we needed to experience that, in a new light.
 Our next activity we did in the afternoon was visit the Martin Luther King Jr. national memorial center. We were able to tour the original Baptist church his grandpa built, and where he was baptized in and preached in. We also saw his grave site, along with his wife’s and look through the many different walk-throughs in the museum. This was a self-guided tour, which was beneficial because we were able to go at our own pace and really take in the movement and the life he and others lived. This was overwhelming and impactful because of how much intake we were able to visualize and read about, in regards to the struggles against fighting segregation and oppression, seeking to obtain equal justice. His center captured the incredible movement through social change. It helped by taking a step back, and just taking it all in slowly, embracing his philosophy. -Cecilia

 Today we went to INSPIRE the after school program again, I got to spend time with Ayub during the designated homework time. He is quite and smart. He was trying to make me do his homework, by cracking jokes at me and pretending as if he doesn't know how. I pushed him to do his homework, he completed a writing assignment for teacher appreciation week. Reading his letter to his teacher was heartfelt because his teacher is inspiring him to get good grades so he can go to college. Then we had 20 minutes left to finish his next assignment for social studies, he was getting off track a few times but I continued to keep him focused. When it was crunched time Ayub pulled through and finished both assignments. Ayub is very smart and friendly, today was all in all a great time. -Julia