I pulled a muscle while sleeping. I had my silent pain while everyone slept. I had a limp when I woke up. I go up early enough to upload all my journals.
I had breakfast at a completely different table with different people. Then, Kari and I had a meeting with Jill and Kelly about our site leader and our group.
We then went into our first workshop of the day about Group Facilitation and Problem Resolution. Ali and I had to act out our "LARA" and I had to drop the "F Bomb" so many times to prove the point! It was funny, but good and really made me fell angry!
After that, we did the learning components workshop with Hill and Kelly. We did mind mapping and learned about the components of AB that I think NEED to be included In AB trips next year. They are really what define AB trips.
We then did lunch! After lunch, we went to do Voter Registar stuff. We went to the County Clerk's office. We actually went into the court room and I sat on a jury chair. The lady was actually really nice! She's in charge of the voting in Mississippi, but also took questions and learned about other states' voting differences. I was amazed to learn she made strides in her office, being the 1st woman to get elected into her county's office. She also helped diversity and computerize, giving salaries to county workers.
After that, we went to Wal-Mart to canvass. It was hot and it was hard. It definitely was a challenge. It was hard to ask people and to get out of my comfort zone.
The Burger King wouldn't let us stay at their front door. The black store manager said her district manager (who is white) would not let us, even though there was no asking involved, only that he was there.
When Lisa and I walked back to Wal-Mart with Jenny, a security guard from Wal-Mart kicked us all off the property or she'd call the cops! That's so dumb and lame! Well, Bianca was pretty pissed about it all, and us as a collective group as well.
We left there pretty pissed. Then, awhile driving back, and at a stoplight, an ambulance comes behind all the cars. People would NOT move out of the way. It was pretty scary and weird. We all were in a "WOW" moment of it all.
We eventually got back, singing our songs from the car, like "I Believe In Miracles", "Mambo Number 5", and such.
We had a short rehash with John "the Voter Guy." Literally that's his phone number on my phone right now.
Our group then sat down to make questions for the night's Speaker Panel. We had dinner, but with the entire Mold Group for Mold Orientation. We added 4 new people, but lost Ali, Bianca, and Lisa. We have Devon and Elizabeth from the Yellow for tomorrow and Dustin and Marco for Thursday. This should be freakin fun and I'm super pumped already! After orientation, we got a chance to get our equipment, consisting of: ventilation masks, Tyvek suits, gloves, and filters. It's going to be hot, sweaty, and fun to gut and demold that house!
After that fun, I called my mom. Then, John called for Marco and Emma, on my phone of all phones. We then started the Speaker Panel. We had the president of the Biloxi NAACP, the STEPS Coordinator, and someone from the Office of Social Justice. It was pretty intense, but really, really good and so insightful. It was the best panel I've ever had the chance to hear speak!
I said my question assigned to me by my group. They gave such great answers to all of our questions. The speakers, especially the NAACP president Crowell, nearly had me in tears. The stories they told of Bilox, leaving, the shelters, FEMA, and everything else totally blew me away! It was beyond real, especially to hear that Crowell actually went through segregation and racism here in Biloxi. It was so inspiring. I was so grateful to hear the stories. I was actually so surprised to see Dustin give a standing ovation. He even said he was practically tearing up because of the panel, and how he has grown up in a privileged life and community. That's the kind of change these AB trips can bring, especially with awareness. I was actually proud of him for that moment. I think that moment also made everything in history become real!
After, Erica and I talked with Christy about AB programs. Then, we all broke up for reflections.
Tonight, we met outside for our first meeting. We started off with just a groupbuilder. We did 2 truths and a lie. That's always fun! Then, we did a rehash reflection on today's service with two questions. The first was: what is the best thing about today? The second was: what was the most challenging? I gained a lot of perspectives, and enjoyed listening to everyone.
After that, we read our hopes of what we hope to gain out of this week from Biloxi, MS. Again, I loved everyone's perspectives and insights. Some creative pictures, too! I ended with my corny write-up! Haha! But, it did include some goals and hopes for the week.
After, Jenny, again, took me to Wal-Mart to get a water bottle, because I left mine at the County office.
I came back to give one to Erica. Then, I had some chat time with everyone and people, including Erica.
Now, which took awhile, everyone of the guys have come and gone to bed. I'm always the last guy to go to sleep at night, it's kind of crazy! Well, that means I should sleep! Well, today was a GREAT day! I'm loving this ABC experience/AB experience so much beyond belief! I'm almost liking it more than my AB Russia trip. That's how amazing and profound this trip has been so far. Well, I have to wake up early tomorrow for MOLD cleanup/House gutting!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment