Getting our hands dirty in Camden

Our journeys today took us across the Ben Franklin bridge and into the 5th poorest neighborhood in the Country - Camden, NJ. We spent the morning working in a community garden there before heading back to our summer camp placement for the afternoon, and then out to a delicious African dinner! Tonight, instead of hearing my viewpoint on the day I want to bring you the thoughts and reflections of our amazing teen Trekkers as they look back over the past few days. Enjoy! Erin - "this has been a really fun few days so far. I have loved being able to hang out with all the people at the different missions and camps, as well as getting to know everyone in the group better. It has been amazing and special. I feel so blessed." " what chair?"...kinda had to be there... Matt - "Meeting the men at the Whosoever Thrift Storer was one of the highlights of my wek so far. Meeting a man named Mercy was something that particularly stood out. He had been addicted for 18 years and clean for about 5 now. He talked about how important a daily relationship with God is and how he needs to be in the driver's seat constantly. It was a special conversation that made me reflect on all my relationships and especially mine with God." Lauren - "When I first came to the city I was so intimidated by the gigantic city and by how much need was here. Now that I look back it's amazing how much we have done already. I understand that there is so much more to do, but helping at the kids camp, garden, and thrift store, I understand how little things can add up and make a big difference. I think learning about the men's lives at the thrift store was so shocking. I think it is amazing that the men would bring themselves to the store and stay in the program. It would be very difficult. But the most shocking was definitely the prayer tour. Traveling around the city, learning about the real Philly compared to the tourist Philly and made me think about Seattle. I love Philly and can't wait to help more!" Rebecca - "To see all those little kids laughing makes me smile. Even though they take my whole energy every day, I love going to the summer camp and hanging out with them for a couple of hours! I played basketball with a 6 year old boy and he taught me all his methods. I am sure that guy will become a famous basketball player! I am just so surprised by all of them. Each of them has a story to tell." Sonia - "'Are you sad or are you mad?", the kid asked me. I was completely surprised; I had been brooding and didn't realize how obvious it was that something was wrong. 'Oh no, I'm just tired.' I replied. Was that the truth? I've been wondering ever since. Wow, these kids are sharp." Parker - The Bridge They built a Babel Bridge To prove industrial might Upon, atop the earth so high And opened up to pristine skies They saw that it was good While glorious bright, It stood at noon The bridge that cast a shadow's gloom The dark side of a looking glass. I saw an underworld Beneath the oppressing form All talking was hushed And no other chatter discussed By the tenants of this shadowy blot A present, cold, damp musk Lonely and dark after dusk. Pale, urine stains on walls Here under tower's hallowed stalls I feel the sadness Of their gloomy faces And sense that anger Of desperate aces. I hear crashing thunder From the trains atop passing by Sole silence interruption The world's reminding cry. Cannot see the stars Beneath the bridge Under and above Nature and grace A subterranean shell, Opressed lonely place. Sarah - "Our trip so far has beefull of fun, excitement, and lots of hard work. Our first morning was spent working at a mission which rehabilitated men and operated a thrift store. There we sorted clothes to be sent to third world countries because they had been blessed with more donations than they could handle. After we sorted the clothes, we ate lunch with the men and got to learn a little about what brought the men to the mission. Afterwards, we went to work at a daycare with little kids. They were SO CUTE! A lot of the things they did were totally different from how young kids in Seattle act. They had cute' sassy little attitudes, but sometimes it would get them into trouble. The little girls played musical chairs and kept trying to cheat. They definitely ticketed us out though so we all slept pretty well last night. This morning with a little help from the coffee machine to wake-up, we took off to work at a community garden. We spent the morning weeding and then took off for the daycare again. Today we played outside fir a while and then played BINGO with them. It was a lot of fun and a LOT of chaos. I am starting to learn some of the kids names which is awesome too! Overall, it's been a lot of hard work, but the fruits of our labor have been so evident. I can't wait to see what is in store fir us these next few days! Anna - "My experience here the past few days has given me a more realistic perspective on how lucky I really am. The first day we got here, we went on a prayer tour of the city that night. We toured the projects and the rougher side of town. It was a culture shock and I didn't know how to process what I was seeing. I was scared because I had never been exposed to that kind of poverty before. I am truly blessed to live in the place I do with a safe community and a loving family. I only wish we could all live that way." Tennessee-Taylor - "Philadelphia ain't ready for us!!!! Coming to Philadelphia I had no idea what to expect, because to be honest I never really thought about poverty being in the U.S. Since we've been here, it's been a huge culture shock. I've seen poverty around the world up close and personal, but never this close to home and never to this extreme, like so widely spread. I am excited that we are here and hope that we make a difference in some if these people's lives. I hope that when we go back home, that we remember all of this and carry it in our hearts. I have hope for the upcoming generation, and will continue to keep them in my prayers." Prayer requests: Amanda's daughter turns 8 tomorrow! Keep her in your prayers, please! And for the city of Camden, that it can experience healing an renewal. With love, The 2012 Mission Trekkers!