ALSO Calgary: Day 2

Our day started off at 5 am… see if you can beat that! We took the bus
transit and the C-train downtown to the Calgary Drop-In. With the money
we raised during the "Have A Heart Campaign" we were able to serve a
delicious hot breakfast (hash browns, ham, eggs) Yum!! Afterwards we
went for a quick tour (just kidding it was 6 floors). On the tour we saw
different areas where homeless people could sleep, do their laundry and
shower. In the afternoon we split into two groups. One group went to the
food bank, where they packed many food hampers for those in need. The
second group went to the Salvation Army where we served lunch, and
cleaned up the kitchen. After that we went to the "In From the Cold" and
cleaned the dining room. During the 'Casa Challenge' activity the second
group broke into smaller groups to talk to to people in downtown Calgary
about the issue of homelessness. When we got back from the day we were
all pooped! We have been up since 5, and walked ALL day. We feel that we
walked so much downtown today we could've walked around Rosthern 7 or 8
times! Oh and the weather…. was 29 degrees- so hot. We went from winter
to summer in literally 8 hours. Thats all for now.

xoxo,
Gossip girls.
JK; Katie Mason and Shenyce Buhler

ALSO Calgary: Day 1

We arrived at Foothills Mennonite Church in Calgary late this afternoon
after a long day of driving. Megan Enns, the MCC CASA program
coordinator met us at the church, and helped us get set up. We had an
orientation this evening which helped us to prepare for our week of
interacting with and serving people living in poverty. One of the
exercises we did involved naming the stereotypes that surround
homelessness and poverty. Tomorrow we have a very early morning (we
leave at 6 am!) serving breakfast at the Calgary Drop-in centre. This is
a breakfast that is actually being paid for by RJC students, due to
their hard work fundraising for our ALSO programs this winter (Have a
Heart Campaign). Some of the ALSO Calgary students will be serving at
the Calgary food bank in the afternoon, while the rest of group goes to
the Salvation Army.

Howdy from High River

Ahem. Good day from the High River ALSO crew working for the Mennonite Disaster Service.

This is our first ALSO blog, and I am pleased to inform you, dear readers, whoever you may be, that things are going swimmingly thus far.
The drive out here was lengthy, but we're all alive, and have since began our work around the charming city of High River. Today we split into several groups, starting repairs on few homes, and sorting through an enormous amount of tools in the supply sheds. While things began a tad slowly, and much remains to be done, we think it's safe to say we're off to a splendid start.

Pictured above, from top down: Madi gives her iconic smile, as she paints something; Aidan looks tenderly at a clump of wiring, preparing to seal an unsightly hole; Kelsey holds a brush.

Props to the group that spent all day digging holes beneath a house; they inspire us all. And props to you, beloved readers, you are the backbone that holds us together. Until next time, this is MDS High River, blogging off.

ALSO Week Blog #2

 

On Monday April 27th I got to visit MCC with twenty other students at RJC. When we arrived we were greeted by Myriam, a worker at MCC. Myriam talked to us about different stereotypes different groups experience, which we then we got to hear from a group of people from Str8 Up to come talk to us. Str8 Up is an organization which helps people who are at risk in gang life get out of gang life. We got to hear from two different speakers; Chantel and Chris. It was a really big eye opener to see what the gang life is all about. 

After the speakers we also did a scavenger hunt in downtown Saskatoon. We all got split into three groups and we had to complete tasks such as finding out were someone with a criminal record could get hired, how much it would cost to buy all of the ingredients for a sandwich, and many other things like that. 

As we were completing all of these tasks it was a big eye opener into what life is like for someone living on the streets. We finished off our day with some journaling back at MCC. 

Abby

Day 2 - El Salvador

Hola amigos!

We awoke to the beautiful garden at Semilla in Guatemala City. We were then served a wonderful breakfast by the cook and her husband at Semilla. We then set off to MCC (CCM) for our orientation with Nancy Sabas and Michael Chapman. We then mustered up the energy to go on a wild goose chase for Mieke's bag (editors note: we all made it to Guatemala safely except for Mieke's bag. United Airlines assures us we should have by the time we return from El Salvador in two days) only to come up short, that led us to visit the biggest thrift shop most of us have been in to buy her an outfit for the day. When we were set, we enjoyed our last taste of North American fast food at Pollo Campero.

Afterwards we hopped in the van for a long, hot, windy (as in curvy) drive to El Salvador. We arrived at ANADES to be served a lovely traditional meal by a Spanish only speaking woman. Despite the windy roads the scenery was outstanding! We drove past 3 different saint parades and endless greenery. We are excited to take a refreshingly cool shower tonight and head off to the farm tomorrow for some hard work in the sun. Until next time, adios amigos!

ALSO Alabama - On the road to New Orleans and the French Quarter! April 25th

We spent last evening enjoying being out of the bus for awhile.  We arrived in time at our hotel in Southaven to enjoy a much need shower.  Then off we were to enjoy some good southern home cooking.  Many regretted not ordering the sweet potato pie casserole!  We passed the rest of the evening relaxing and playing games.

Enjoying a game of 'Spoons'

We also took the opportunity to journal today.  We had visited the National Civil Rights Museum and wanted to reflect on what we had learned today.

Bright and early this morning we once again boarded our bus to New Orleans.  We were hoping to go explore the French Quarter but when we arrived it was pouring rain.  At times sheets of water were pouring down the side of our bus.  We had to while away some time before it cleared up enough for us to wander the streets.  It happened to be Fleet Week in New Orleans so we took a tour of a Navel Vessel as we waited for the rain to let up.

Standing on the deck

Some students sat in the pilots seat of the helicopter

By this time the weather cleared up and we spent several hours enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the French Quarter.  It really is something you must experience for yourselves.

Live music filled the streets

Buskers at every corner

Crowds of people would collect on the street corners to listen and dance along with the entertainment.

Some of our girls enjoying some of the southern tastes down here in Louisiana

Art displays in the street.

A party atmosphere was in the air

After an enjoyable afternoon in the French Quarter and a Louisiana  supper we travelled 1 1/2 hours into Mississippi.  We arrived in time at the motel at Bay St. Louis to practice 'Hold me Rock me', the piece we will be performing at the Goodwill Baptist Church tomorrow morning in Pass Christian.  It will be good to see our friends and enjoy their hospitality once again.  In the afternoon we are going on a swamp tour then travelling the rest of the way to Mobile, Alabama to Camp Christian where we will be staying for our week of service.  We are getting excited about beginning our work there.   When we arrive at Camp Christian we will not had access to internet so blogging many be intermittent but we will do our best to keep you informed on this blog site.

ALSO Guatemala day 1 - and we're off!

The morning began with Kylee making sure everyone in the girls dorm was aware that TODAY IS THE DAY! Schedule master Jim led us through baggage check and security in Saskatoon and now we are relaxin' an' chill in' at the gate waiting to board our flight to Calgary/Houston.

We are excited for the learning we expect. Thank you for the prayers we know are following us to Guatemala.

#crowcalls #askjanelle