Going to a place where you have never been before and doing things that are unfamiliar can be quite scary. But besides this feeling, there is also something else that you look forward to and that is excitement. This is how I felt when I first signed up for this May term. I was excited … Keep reading »
Environmental Disaster and Response
In this course, students work with Mennonite Disaster Service to help a community in Marianna, Florida rebuild after Hurricane Michael and reflect on ways to respond that are ethical, sustainable and respectful. They also carry out a community based research project together.
The Importance of Teamwork
Upon arriving in Marianna, Florida we were greeted by the long term Mennonite Disaster Service volunteers. After being introduced to crew leaders, cooks, and an office manager we were given a rundown of what a typical work day looked like. It consisted of waking up at 6:15 a.m to make lunch and be ready for … Keep reading »
Adaptation and Relaxation
Every experience on this trip has been extraordinary. Adapting to a new environment has been a challenge and I have never relied on my faith more than the test of this trip. Mennonite Disaster Service kindly offered us housing during our two weeks of volunteering. Living in very close proximity to others for a long … Keep reading »
Service Reflections
After two long weeks of doing service work with MDS we headed to Ellijay, Georgia. Over the past two weeks we worked hard every day getting up at 6 am and eating breakfast at 7 then heading to the work site. We had a strict schedule which we had to stick to every day and … Keep reading »
Transititions
The weeks leading up to our trip to Florida consisted of long routine days with piles of assignments and studying. The weather was also fairly gloomy and fluctuated between the low 40s to 60s. A break from Indiana was definitely much needed and all I wanted to do was leave Indiana, therefore I failed to … Keep reading »
Empathy and compassion
One of the goals of this course is to understand social responsibility and analyze from the place of empathy. We volunteered for two weeks to build houses for families that need help to recover after Hurricane Michael. Meeting with leaders of disaster recovery organizations gave us insight regarding the magnitude of the devastation and we learned … Keep reading »
The right thing to do
As a 5’10, 150 pound, 19 year old whose hips are as about as messed up as they can get outside of giving birth due to sports injuries, I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything deemed “heroic.” That was until Thursday night, when we were driving down the highway after finishing a house dedication for a … Keep reading »
Working in the kitchen
At MDS in Marianna, Florida, volunteers can actually help out in more ways than just constructing houses. The kitchen is in need of hands just like the job site is, and is equally as labor intensive. Where those on the job site eat breakfast and dinner back at the base camp, it is the duty … Keep reading »
Wrapping up the first week and weekend
After a full week of house building and volunteer work, the group took a weekend trip to unwind and relax. Many of the student’s favorite part of the weekend was getting the opportunity to sleep in. For lunch, we enjoyed a delightful Mexican meal catered by San Marcos Mexican Grill. Shortly after lunch, the group … Keep reading »
Self-Care
Self-care. It’s one of the first things you learn in nursing school, but what exactly is it? It’s the ability and power to take necessary time to tend to your physical, mental, and spiritual health and wellbeing. What it all comes down to is figuring out a way to make that time for yourself especially … Keep reading »