By Anna Ferguson
When you think about Spring Break, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? White sandy beaches, exotic destinations, Disney World? What about a run-down urban neighborhood?
Not quite.
Few people would pick Detroit, Michigan as their Spring Break destination. Somehow a week spent in a city with an unemployment rate of nearly 50% isn’t as appealing as one spent in Mexico or Florida.
But that’s exactly where I’m headed.
To be honest, I didn’t pick Detroit as my first choice of destinations when I applied to go on a CCSJ Spring Break Service Trip. It picked me. Out of a list of top five places I’d like to serve, it was third or fourth, but I remember it made the list for one very important reason: I wanted to be challenged.
And challenged I will be. My service group is staying and working at House of Providence, a soup kitchen and adult education center run by the Daughters of Charity.
For me, it’s a lot easier to rebuild houses or do yard work than it is to interact with people who have such radically different lives than my own. What do you say to someone who is homeless? How do you serve that person from the heart? I’m nervous but also very excited to grow through this experience.
And I could not have asked for a better service group to go with me.
Just from the hour or so that I spent with them at our first general meeting, I can tell that it’s going to be a fun group. My leaders are both seniors with a great sense of humor and a lot of energy. They really helped us break the ice and brought us together. I think our different personalities and ages will bring new perspectives to the group as well.
Although Detroit is not some warm, sunny beach somewhere south, I’m excited about spending a week with other people who are passionate about making a difference and growing in faith and perspective as I serve the homeless.
Check out Anna’s other blogs: Serving 4 Miles from 8 Mile
