Sarah's Blog

A large part of what the Catholic Urban Project missionaries do in Ypsilanti is a morning summer program for kids. The kids range from 1-8 grade. They come from many different backgrounds and all live in the greater Ypsilanti area. We start the day with breakfast, then move on to 15 minutes of small group. I lead the 3-4 grade group, which usually starts the day off with an icebreaker during this time. Then we move on to activities. There is Mystery (a combination of science, reading, and other random activities), Sports and games, and Art. At the end of the day we finish up with small group time and lunch.

The kids usually share how their day went and what they liked. They also usually beg to go visit the church, where they splash their hands (or many times their entire arm) in the holy water, and then go sit quietly in the pews. They love the huge quiet space of the church and the beauty. I never have asked them if they wanted to go. One little girl from last year remembered and asked to go. Now they all want to. Many of them are not Catholic, but the church makes sense to their child-like sense of wonder. Many of them will fold their hands and squeeze their eyes shut for a minute or so to pray.

It is in moments like these in the church, when two minutes before the kids were complaining that "so and so got to hold the group sign and I didn't", that I realize why I am here. This is what amazes me about service; Christ in the people we serve. These kids love the things I take for granted. A friend and I were talking recently about how we feel awkward when people praise us for serving. Not because we don't think that God is working through us, but because through service we have come to realize that the people we serve are strong, loving and amazing...more deserving of praise. They have faith in God and family in situations that would shake my faith. They are more amazing than we are. There are of course many people we serve who are not like this. Many times the polarity is striking. Just like the beauty.

There are two sisters who attend our summer program. Both this summer and last summer they impressed me with their love for each other, how they take care of each other and respect their mother. (Allie told me the other day that the 2nd grade sister, after explaining that her mother didn't buy her sugary cereal, then exclaimed 'Don't you go sayin she is a bad mother, she is the best in the world.') They value things that I took for granted as a kid. We've also met people on out reach who are balancing the grief of losing a family member, fear for their children in upcoming court cases, and the stress of every day life... just trying to balance the budget. They are so open. They talk to complete strangers on their porches about their lives, their joys and their problems. How many of us are willing to do that? I know I am too proud to be honest, when someone asks me how life is going. I want to act like I have it all together, like I don't need anyone else. I suspect this is the fault of many of us. This is the beauty of service to meet strong people who are humble and good enough to admit their limitations.