Today I had the pleasure of accompanying one hundred and seventy-nine juniors on their service trip. For the past five years the junior class has participated in "Project Nicaragua." Since January they have been collecting clothing,shoes, sports equipment, school supplies, medical supplies, hygiene kits and toys and putting it in a "pod" behind our school. Today was the day we brought the materials collected up to Bridgeport, Ct to sort and pack it into boxes in preparation for the eighteen wheeler truck that will be packed for the drive to Nicaragua. The supplies will be distributed to several locations.
The initial scene was one of complete (but organized) chaos. The girls were eager to get to work but had to practice patience as we organized them. Each group had a different colored shirt so we were able to identify our groups more easily. My group was to make boxes and when they were packed they were placed on shelves. For most of the morning two of my group members were sitting on the top of the third shelf receiving boxes as they were passed up. Another teacher and I sat on the second shelf and kept passing the boxes up. It was a real sight as there were girls everywhere trying to help out. As always the miracle occurred and all the boxes were packed and put in place.
Our day concluded with a brief prayer outside and the singing of the girls favorite song -- Jesus, Give Us Your Peace. The words of the refrain truly summarized the day for me: Jesus give us your peace, bring us together, let all the fighting cease, gather all our hearts of stone, make us a heart for love alone! Their hearts were full of love, peace, happiness and a real sense of a job well done!
For all it was a great day!
Sr. Pat Schifini, OSU
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