As we said farewell to everyone at the migrant camp, we saw how much we impacted everyone's lives with all of our personalities. It surprises us to see how we are so similar to the migrants and, how little we take for granted. Agape gave all of us a new pair of eyes through God to show us that Jesus is in everyone we encounter. Yesterday morning we watched a movie before mass on how some migrant workers come to America to find a better life for their families. They die to live. The movie was very moving. We hope to continue helping the migrant workers again some way.

Maddie Abbott and Yetunde Smalls

Thoughts from Sarah L.

Today we served the migrant workers at the food bank. We have worked very hard to prepare for this event and all of our hard work paid off. We served 131 migrant families today. In preparation for the food bank we collected items like diapers, bread, tortillas, beans, flour, sugar, and much more. It was a great feeling to see how much we helped all of the families today. Many of the families had just come from working on the farm and their hands were stained from picking berries. We saw the face of Jesus in everyone that came to the food bank today. I especially saw Jesus in the faces of the migrant children. It was a great feeling to see them smile as they picked out their toys. Even though the families spoke in Spanish, it was not hard to communicate with each other. You can easily communicate just by looking each other in the eye and smiling. Serving the migrant families today has been my favorite part so far. I look forward to the rest of the trip.

--Sarah L.

Migrant Immersion Day!!!

Today started off with waking up at 5:30 and making breakfast! At 6:00 we circled up and talked about what was planned for us today which included working on a farm, shopping with the amount of money a migrant worker make for a certain amount of hours handing out fliers for our food bank tomorrow, and ending the day playing dodge-ball. All of this led us to work in solidarity. When we went out to the farm where we weeded many plants including, strawberries, swish chard, zinnias, and spinach. During the trip at the farm to make the time fly we would make up stories sentence by sentence that had incredible plot twists and intriguing beginnings. After this we went shopping with the amount of money we would have earned from shopping that morning. Groups earned $4.50 to $6.00 and managed to get enough for a fulfilling meal. After this we came back and made dinner our selves only using the things we bought at the store, tools in the kitchen, and water. When everyone finished dinner we took a little rest and then left to hand out fliers to the migrant workers at the camp with information on them about our food drive the next day. When we got to the last camp after we finished out fliers we were able to play with the children and teens at the camp. This included many fun games of dodge-ball and basketball, playing on the play set, coloring, and making bracelets. When we left, the children were sad to see us go, but glad to here we will be back on Thursday. Gathering back at the parish center we had closing reflection and talked about our day. It is now time for bed. 

Goodnight.

Thoughts from Emma M.

Today before lunch, we walked around the neighborhood collecting donations. We would tell them we are with the Agape Service Project and are gathering non-perishable food items for the food bank we are having on Wednesday. After lunch, we drove to the grocery store and as people were walking into the store, we would briefly explain to the shoppers we are hosting a food bank. We would then hand them a sheet of paper with a list of items we need for the food bank. We asked them if they could buy a few extra items for Agape. Before dinner, us girls were into two groups. The group I was in went outside and had a very fun scavenger hunt. The other group stayed inside, and ended up cooking us dinner without us knowing. While we were outside they prepared our meal and even cleaned up for us. Both groups understood that the group inside was taking the place as migrant workers, becasue they cooked our pasta but they had to eat rice and beans. I think it was a good experience for both groups. In the end, we had all become fully aware of how much the migrant workers need our help and understanding.

~Emma

First Night Of Agape--Network of Sacred Heart Schools

Last night all eleven girls arrived safely in Bellingham.  After a hearty meal of burgers, and waffle fries we, the eleven girls, played a series of icebreakers so we could get to know the Agape staff better.  During the final game the Agape staff had us play a silent sharade game , where we had to act out a certain type of animal and that animal deterimned the small groups we would be in. The game ended up placing the eleven girls in three groups.  Those three groups were the groups we would be in  for the rest of the week. After that we learned what Agape really was, and how it deals with the Corpral Works Of Mercy. To make  sure we understood the Corpral Works Of Mercy, or as the Agape staff calls them C.W.O.M  we journaled, had a closing prayer and slept. This was the first night of Agape and it was very eye- opening and eventful experience.

-Yetunde S.

Young Adult Week 2012!!

Finishing up the week

My week at Agape has been incredible. I literally found out about Agape on three days before it started on Sunday night, and I’m so grateful that I decided to come, and was able to be a part of it. Living out the corporal works of mercy, or Cwoms as we called them, gave me new insight into how we are all called to share Agape love, Christ’s love, and Serve one another through it.

Before each morning reflection, we prayed a prayer from Blessed Mother Teresa saying,

“Lord, open our eyes, that we may see you in our brothers and sisters. Lord open our ears, that we may hear the cries of the hungry, the cold, the frightened, the oppressed. Lord open our hearts, that we may love each other as you love us. Renew in us your spirit. Lord free us and make us one.”

Throughout the week as we moved through the different activities of each day, I came to see each part of this prayer. Summarizing this whole week is hard, because there are so many activities that I want to write about. Our morning prayer wraps through the whole week and everything we did, so I’m going to write about how each part played a role in my week.

 “Open our eyes…”

Three times during the week we had the opportunity to interact directly with the migrant workers that we were serving. Whether this was through playing with the children, talking to the adults and teenagers, or during the food bank, each provided its own way in which we could see Christ in our brothers and sisters. My eyes were opened to a community of people that I was given the opportunity to show love to. Also, while working alongside the other members of Agape, I was able to see the Jesus in each and every one of them.

                “Open our ears…”

Each morning and evening we reflected on the corporal work of mercy for the day. During these reflections, I learned how the corporal works weren’t just the literal sense, where we gave food to the hungry, or clothes to the naked, but how each had a deeper meaning. Once I understood this, I was able to open my own ears, so that I could better hear the cries of the hungry, the cold, and the oppressed.

                “Open our hearts…”

Each day, I felt such a desire to be able to share the love of Jesus. I wanted to keep the joy of Jesus in my heart, and as my strength, so I smiled while collecting food for the food bank, I played with the kids at the camp, talked with the teenagers. I wanted to be able to love each as Jesus loved me. However, as much as Agape gave me the opportunity to practice sharing Christ’s love, I was also able to receive it. Throughout the week, I felt so loved by so many people. The other members of Agape, the migrants that I served, even the people who donated food during the food drive,  all showed me love.

“Renew in us your spirit…Lord free us and make us one.”

After spending a week in solidarity with the other members of the Agape service trip, I really do feel my spirit renewed in Christ. With the opportunity to step outside of my usual life and routine, to experience new things, meet new people, and build new relationships, I felt joy and love. There were times when I was tired, when tasks were hard, when I wanted to stop, but the power of the Agape love that was all around me kept me strengthened.

Going into this week, I had no idea what to expect, but after finishing the journey through Agape 2012, I’m so glad I made the decision to come. The love and joy I experienced was truly remarkable.

-Kaitlyn R.

                “Joy is prayer. Joy is strength. Joy is love, a net of love by which you can catch souls.”

                ~Blessed Mother Teresa

Shelter the Homeless

Thursday's CWOM was to Shelter the Homeless. We reflected on how this means not just physically providing a home for a person who does not have one, but also housing people in God's home by sharing his Agape love with them.

With this in mind, we started out the day by passing out flyers to local neighborhoods to warn them that the next group will be coming by to collect food next week for the food bank. Afterwards, we went out to the migrant camp for a barbecue and to play games with the families there. We were told we had to find one "little buddy" at the migrant camp and learn three things about them before we were allowed to eat. I was worried about finding a kid who was willing to talk to me long enough to give me three facts about themselves, but it turned out to be incredibly easy. Most of the kids are so open, energetic, and excited for new people to play with.
 At one point, Rachael and I went into one of the houses to drop off some leftover food for one of the families. The second we walked in the door, the grandmother was offering us food and treats to take. Even though we were there to serve them and they clearly have so little, they were willing to immediately give us what they could offer.  This was especially impactful since we had just done our shopping activity at the Grocery Outlet a couple days before and I felt the stress of having such a small amount of money to feed a family. They don't have an abundance of food or belongings, but they welcomed us into their home warmly.

Moving forward in the "real world" outside of Agape, I am trying to focus on continuing to shelter the homeless by seeing the face of Jesus in every person I encounter. As we discussed in morning reflection on Thursday, we would be treating each other ALOT differently if we could recognize Jesus in everybody and love each other as Jesus did.

As much as I hate to see this week end, I feel like I have grown and learned so much. All of my prejudices against the migrant workers were debunked, I was encouraged to come out of my comfort zone to invite other people to serve, and I got a little taste of what a day in the life of a migrant worker is like. I have a newfound respect for all migrant workers and the sacrifices they make in order to provide a better life for their family. I will continue to keep all the families in my thoughts and prayers as I go about life through this summer and continue to work on sheltering every person I meet with the love of God.

In the words of Blessed Mother Teresa, "A joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love"!

-Sarah Anderson

Food Bank Day!

Today we set up the Agape Food Bank at a church in Lynden, WA. To set up for the bank we split up into different groups. Some groups went to the church to move food and clothing out of a storage unit and other groups went to Cash and Carry to buy produce. It was surprisingly hard work setting up for the food bank. We had to carry heavy boxes and bags as well as ration out beans, flour and sugar into individual portions. Needless to say it was exhausting and tedious at the same time. It really put into perspective the work that migrant workers do every single day. They have to pick berries as well as carry heavy bags for hours. Not only do they work hard, but many of them don't get paid adequate wages for the work they do.

By the time we finished setting up for the food bank I was very hungry. Yesterday we lived with only minimal food to experience the lives of migrant workers and I don't think it hit me until today. I was shocked once we finished our lunches to realize that I was actually more hungry after eating then before eating. I soon realized this was not an uncommon phenomenon (being hungry and feel unsatisfied even after eating a full meal). People all around the world go to bed hungry and are never full. It gave me a new respect for Migrant Workers who work all day with hunger in their bellies, yet they still have smiles on their faces and find time to play with their children. In many ways it makes me feel embarrassed to think that I have had everything handed to me here in the United States, yet I still complain that my life is difficult.

The presence of Christ was very powerful at the food bank today. I saw many "miracles" in the sense that God definitely was moving in profound ways and had answered the prayers of his children. We had 57 families come to the food bank and we never ran out of donated food. That was in many ways the first miracle I saw today. People gave so generously to support the food bank despite never interacting with any of the people who received the food. The holy spirit had definitely been working in peoples hearts for them to give so much to support those who have so little. The second miracle was when a women named Ruth came to the food bank. She showed up after most of the families had come and she didn't even know the food bank was happening. I really do think she was led to the food bank by God. She kept saying how good Jesus is and how he always provides no matter what she is going through. It was clear she needed the support and was shocked she was actually receiving free food and clothing. The last miracle I saw was by the way my fellow young adults worked together for the sake of others. It was really hot outside and we were all tired and hungry, but no one complained. They all had big smiles on their faces and you could see the love of Jesus radiating from them as they served the migrant workers. It is such a blessing to have people my age who love God.

Today and this whole Agape Service Project has been eye opening and holy spirit led. I have grown closer to God in new ways and have experienced the love of being in community with others and Christ. The whole experience has been a testimony to the fact that God is real, he works in mysterious ways and is love for us is never ending.

-Justin H.

To Those Who Thirst...

Today was the day I've been looking forward to since I first heard about the Agape Service Project: Migrant Immersion Day. I love learning about different lifestyles, digging in deep and attempting to walk in the shoes of others. I could feel myself giddy with excitement as we were given our wake-up time of 5:30am. This was gonna be great.

We got up as the sun was rising, rushed through breakfast and were off to a farm outside of Bellingham, where we'd spend a few hours doing manual labor as the migrant workers do. We arrived, had a beautiful discussion with the farmer about human dignity, and set off to pull weeds.

Overall the experience was interesting. I thought of how my mother grows food in her garden at home. Even though the work can get tedious at times, the experience is lax and even therapeutic. However, working in someone else's field is a little more stressful, requiring delicate hands and a focused mind. As I separated the weeds from pea plants - working hard to ensure no peas were ruined in the process - I thought of people who thirst. Often the thirst can be an effect; something is happening in their lives that causes them to thirst for more. These struggles choke like weeds. For the beets, carrots, and peas, I gave drink by removing the weeds with gentle hands. How can I do the same for my brothers and sisters in Christ?

After "work" we met in our "family" groups and received our wages for the day. I was in a family of three and we had $4.50 to buy our dinner. This felt like a fun challenge, but I also had to remember the intentions behind it.

In fact, all day I had to remember the reasons behind our activities. I had to stop and ask myself what this experience would be like for the workers. At the field I was treated kindly and tended to. The grocery store presented an opportunity to stretch creative juices to feed a small group of people for the evening. We chatted and laughed with friends the entire time. But everything would be very different if we were migrant workers.

I feel like that's the big point I walked away with during Migrant Immersion Day. I get to walk away. Tomorrow we return to normal eating schedules, next week we return to normal lives. However, for the migrant community, this lifestyle is normal life. There is no walking away and saving money; there is only survival, and the thought that I was only getting my toes wet felt frustrating at times. In a way I thirsted. I wanted to learn more, talk with people, comprehend this situation even further so I can figure out the best way to serve.

At the end of the day we visited the migrant camps, passing out flyers for tomorrow's food bank and playing with the children at one of the camps. I received a nice spiritual drink, and I got to use that nourishment to serve the thirsty in the camps. The adults were in need of food, and the children thirsted for the opportunity to be joyful kids.

I can't wait to work at the food bank tomorrow. I can't wait to feed the hungry and give drink to those who thirst.

-Alyssa W.

Agape Day 2- A Better Understanding

Today was the second day of Young Adult week, but the first full day. We got up this morning, ate, said morning prayer, went over rules and then quickly went off in separate groups, to different neighborhoods going door to door, collecting non-perishable foods for the Agape Food Bank. My group was on Forest and South Garden Street, just west of Western's campus. Because it was the middle of the day, there wasn't that many people home, but most doors that did open, had people on the other side, excited to help. After going door to door and eating lunch, we then set out to different grocery stores in the area. We stood outside in our groups, passing out fliers indicating what types of donations customers could buy, and donate to the food bank.

 Something that really stood out to me during this time, was how many of the people who did donate, but only donated one or two items, apologized to us for not donating more. It really made me sad to hear them say this-- every time, I tried to reassure them that anything helps, and we really appreciated their donation. When this happened, it really made me think about what people are doing when they donate their time or money to those in need. No matter how big or little their donation is, they are still choosing to donate. They are still making a choice to serve God and serve others, even if that choice isn't as much as they would like to donate. But the plain fact that they made that choice, and are giving of themselves-- that is definitely enough, and helps tremendously.

After being at the stores, we then came back to Sacred Heart and did some team building activities. I was told to go on a scavenger hunt with a few others, but was a little reluctant to go, because some of our group was in the kitchen making dinner, and we wanted to wait for them, but we were quickly told not to wait and to just go about our scavenger hunt. So we did, and it was a lot of fun. We then came back for dinner, but the other members of our teams were still missing and seemed to still be in the kitchen. We were very confused and were concerned about our friends, and saving some dinner for them, but the Agape staff said that they had already eaten and to not worry about them. We were then brought back together for another team building activity, where we had to all stand in a line, holding hands, going through a spider web-- without touching the web. This was definitely a challenge, but even when some of us touched the web, they let it slide. After this activity, we found out that we had been split off into different groups, and those with black hair, wearing wrist bands, had been bossed around, and were told they had to clean and make dinner and had also been accused more of touching the web during the spider web game. It all made sense now-- and after finding this out, it really made me think about all of the injustices in the world and how even just during that game, I could have admitted I touched the rope and gone back, but I didn't, and yet the others were called out unfairly, and I did nothing about it. How often does that happen in our everyday life, in our society? That's there's an injustice, but we do nothing about it? Thinking about this, made me realize this is something I really need to work on in my own life.

Looking back at the day, something else I struggled with, was another thought that came to me while standing outside the stores. We were out there for a few hours, and after a while, I definitely found it hard to stay positive and motivated. I kept finding myself, peeking at the clock that was positioned in the middle of the complex we were standing in. I then started thinking about other individuals who stand outside of grocery stores-- girl scouts selling cookies, boy scouts selling popcorn, high school students selling chocolate bars... but then I also began to think about the people in Seattle who are of low income who sell the Real Change Newspaper. For those of you who have not heard of the Real Change Newspaper, it is a Newspaper in Seattle, that people of low income or homeless can buy for a very low rate, and then sell for a dollar or however much the buyer wants to give them. Individuals who sell this paper usually do so outside of grocery stores, on street corners... pretty much anywhere that they are allowed to, and in high populated areas so they can find business. Anyway, the point I am trying to make is that these individuals stand for hours on end each day, asking people that walk buy if they would like to buy a newspaper, and I'm sure, everyday, they get some of the same responses that we got-- people who are excited and happy to help and will buy the paper, and people who are not at all interested, and sometimes don't even acknowledge them. Today, through trying to get donations for the Agape Food Bank, we got a taste of this, but I cannot even imagine how it would be to do that everyday. The strength that they have to keep going and keep pushing on, even when they do have rough days, is tremendous. As I thought about that while looking at the clock today, I quickly tried to change my perspective and remember that through the work we are doing we are serving God, serving others, and have the opportunity to see the face of Jesus through all of it.

--Chelsea M.

Cross Continental Agape

My name is Maria I am a senior at Western Washington University. Today marks the first day in the season of giving for the Agape Service Project. The last two summers, I was one of the directors for Agape and this is my first time being a participant. I am very excited to see how God will work in my heart this year, especially since I'll be participating and interacting with the families in a different capacity. I will no longer be worried about the time, or wheather everyone is doing what they are supposed to do. This year, I can focus on being in the moment and seeing God through everyone who I interact with.
I choose to do Agape because I choose to serve Christ. A week from Tuesday I will be traveling to Senegal for almost six  months to serve Senegalese kids at an elementary school. This is a new adventrue for me and I know Jesus will teach me so many things. My greatest hope for this week of Agape is that Christ may preapare my heart to serve in Senegal. I want to be able to see migrant workers and the people who come through our foodbank this Wednesday with nothing but love, so that in Senegal when I am faced with many barriers, such as a different language and an unkown culture, I am able to communicate with them through love.
Reflecting on the Agape love that God has for us, the sacrificial, selfless love that He shared with us when He died for us, I realized that is the love that He wants us to share with others. I don't know about you, but there aren't many people I would die for. But Jesus died for every single one of us, not just the people who love Him, but also those who chose to dispise Him or ignore Him. He died for migrant workers and Senegalese people. He died for you and me. It is our responsibility to share that love with others, so that they may know just how much He loves them. In this way we will change the world.

--Maria

Agape 2012!!!!

The Agape Service Project is a week long Catholic summer service learning experience for jr. high, sr. high youth, and young adults.

              -Participants will be serving the migrant community of Whatcom County.
              -This is an amazing opportunity for participants to learn & grow in their Catholic faith through service.
              -Participants will experience collecting food bank donations, running a food bank, serving at a migrant camp and more!
              -Includes program directors, morning and evening prayer and reflection facilitation, food, t-shirt, & accommodations.

We can't wait for all the participants to spend a wonderful week with us during Agape 2012!!