 |
| This is Kellie, she lived down the hall from me when I attended Baylor, and to this day continues to be one of my best friends. She's going to be part of changing the world some day. |
It gives me hope for a better future for education and for our children despite the knowledge that Nevada's own education system is slowly imploding on itself due to the work of legislators like the newly elected Brian Sandoval. Someone I know once told me that instead of searching for people who need help, which I will find at every corner if I look hard enough, I should seek out others who are willing to help with the solution. Those people are here by the tenfold. Surprisingly though, or maybe not so much, I am the first person from Nevada to ever come to this internship. Project Transformation began in 1998, which means, if you do the math, that it has been up and running for 13 years. In all that time not one other person from my state has been a part of the mission here in Dallas. I'm not sure how I feel about that.
In the three days since I've been here, I've been assessing PT and observing both its strengths and weaknesses. I believe that the major strength of the organization lies in its connection with/relationship with so many churches in the area. The reason why Project Transformation is able to have such amazing partnerships and have the ability to draw college students in from across the nation is the fact that there are multiple sites (which means tons of room!) for us to go and serve. These churches invest in us, not only through prayer and encouragement, but also in tangible ways such as donating money to Project Transformation and serving us dinner each night. That's right, every single night people from the community donate their time and money/resources to ensure that 100 (maybe 102...) hungry college students are well-fed.
 |
| It looks a little something like this... |
 |
| It's kind of chaotic, but definitely a lot of fun! Haha. |
PT has the opportunity to expand and do a lot more with their program through the help of said churches. It has also been able to foster a partnership with Americorps, which is actually pretty phenomenal considering the fact that it is a faith-based organization. For those who are a little unfamiliar, Americorps is a government based organization that encourages Americans to engage in community service both domestically and abroad. The Peace Corps is a branch of Americorps. This being noted, it is CRAZY that a faith-based organization is partially funded by the government, especially when separation of church and state is so highly stressed in our country. Granted, when we do Bible Study and TAG (Talk About God) with our kids and youth, it does not count towards our required 450 hours for Americorps this summer, but the fact that they are willing to partner at all with an organization that is so rooted in faith can only be through the work of God.
The one obstacle I've noted for PT is the fact that having SO many interns makes it hard to live in solidarity as a community. At FUI (Fresno Urban Internship) where I served last summer, there were only 26 of us, and we weren't nearly as spread out or off doing our own thing. I love the fact that we have dinner together as a community, but otherwise it is hard to get to spend time with everyone as a big group. It is impossible for all of us to go somewhere together because logistically it is just completely out of the question. I suppose I will just have to wait and see how that plays out during the rest of the summer.
Anyways, besides training, these first fews days have really just been getting to know each other, as well as beginning to talk about what exactly we're going to be doing this summer. I've gotten to spend a lot of time with my individual team, which has been one of my favorite parts so far. I mentioned when I posted the pictures that we have a great team dynamic, and we really truly do. We have different personalities, we are different majors, we come from different backgrounds, but somehow we mesh together. From the beginning I have felt comfortable with them, goofing off, asking questions, and investing in each other as we prepare to work together this summer.
 |
| Tonight we did a scavenger hunt as a team. :) In the front is Courtney, me, Bailey, Kendra, and Rae! |
 |
| Listened to instructions for the hunt! |
 |
| Persevered through tiredness. |
 |
| Walked as a team. |
 |
| Enjoyed the beauty of the SMU campus. |
 |
| Got a little hot and sweaty... Haha. |
 |
| Enjoyed each other's company. |
 |
| Were given instructions by our fearless leader, Katie. |
 |
| And eventually...got to the last place on our list! |
Our team didn't end up faring so well in the hunt (Maybe next time!!), but the time we got to spend together was so much fun. It was great getting to encourage each other and the other teams while we were on our way!
My site is called Chapel Hill, which in Project Transformation world is known as "CHILL". :) I'm going to be working with the youth, which means I will be working with grades 6-9. It's interesting to me that both this summer and last summer I have ended up working with older kids. I have always believed that I wanted to work with elementary students, but I suppose one thing this summer will help me to do is to decide whether working with older students is something I'd like to consider!!
I ask that you pray for my team as we prepare for our first week and still get to know each other.
As far as particulars go, my site coordinator's name is Katie. She serves pretty much as "overseer" of both elementary and youth at our site, making sure that everything runs smoothly. Pray that she will lead us well and with a good heart. Pray that she will have the appropriate resources available to her this summer. Pray that she will have peace and confidence as she provides us with insight.
The people from my team who are working with kids (grades 1-5) are named: Rico, Michael, RJ, Courtney, Rae (reading coordinator), and Bailey. Pray for energy and enthusiasm as they get ready to pour into lives of little ones. Pray for good rest and for leadership ability as they lead the following areas: Bible study, Reading Time, Arts and Crafts, Rec, and Harambe (which is a morning introduction to get the kids awake!). Pray that they will have cohesiveness as a team and creativity in their ideas.
As for youth, I am working with two other people named Nic and Kendra. Please pray that we will be able to form relationships with these youth. Pray that we will be good role models and that we will find the words to say when times get tough. Pray that our youth will be able to see God working through us.
I ask that you pray most of all for God's hand to be over each and every team, not just mine. Pray that God's will be done and that these kids' lives are changed through our experience with them!
Live a life of love. <3
My site is called Chapel Hill, which in Project Transformation world is known as "CHILL". :) I'm going to be working with the youth, which means I will be working with grades 6-9. It's interesting to me that both this summer and last summer I have ended up working with older kids. I have always believed that I wanted to work with elementary students, but I suppose one thing this summer will help me to do is to decide whether working with older students is something I'd like to consider!!
I ask that you pray for my team as we prepare for our first week and still get to know each other.
As far as particulars go, my site coordinator's name is Katie. She serves pretty much as "overseer" of both elementary and youth at our site, making sure that everything runs smoothly. Pray that she will lead us well and with a good heart. Pray that she will have the appropriate resources available to her this summer. Pray that she will have peace and confidence as she provides us with insight.
The people from my team who are working with kids (grades 1-5) are named: Rico, Michael, RJ, Courtney, Rae (reading coordinator), and Bailey. Pray for energy and enthusiasm as they get ready to pour into lives of little ones. Pray for good rest and for leadership ability as they lead the following areas: Bible study, Reading Time, Arts and Crafts, Rec, and Harambe (which is a morning introduction to get the kids awake!). Pray that they will have cohesiveness as a team and creativity in their ideas.
As for youth, I am working with two other people named Nic and Kendra. Please pray that we will be able to form relationships with these youth. Pray that we will be good role models and that we will find the words to say when times get tough. Pray that our youth will be able to see God working through us.
I ask that you pray most of all for God's hand to be over each and every team, not just mine. Pray that God's will be done and that these kids' lives are changed through our experience with them!
Live a life of love. <3
