Week 2: St. Catherine of Siena- Wednesday

Hey babes,

So, as you know, today was Wednesday. In previous days we have collected food for the food bank today. We spent most of our day there, either working to set it up or running it, and of course cleaning up. It was really moving and satisfying seeing the many people and families who we served. We served a total of eighty- three families from 2:00 to 5:00. We saw many people who we handed out flyers to on previous days and many from Sunrise Migrant Camp. This was a good opportunity for many of us to practice our Spanish and to connect to the migrants by talking to them in their own language. Today was also Ana's birthday! We were surprised at dinner by a cake for everyone. We miss you at home and love you very much. Also! Anton made a deal to dab (a dance move) for us by the end of the mission trip! 

Love, 

Ana and Clara (Queen A and Queen C) 

Week 2: St. Catherine of Siena- Tuesday

Today we woke up at the crack of dawn, 5:15, and heading strait toward the fields. The blueberry field and the vegetable farm. We learned how difficult it would be for the migrant workers, especially under all the stress they were put under to make a certain amount of money for their family. After working in the farms we were able to take showers at the YMCA. When we were done with our ten minute shower we were put into families and had a certain amount of money to buy food(everyone worked together). We made our dinner and soon after headed to the migrant camps again! and played with the kids for an hour. All and all it was another great day!

-Fiona O'Donnell, Eleanor Berger

Week 2: St. Catherine of Siena- Monday

This morning the counselors passed out red wristbands to half of us. At first, we didn't know what they were for. Afterward we played radioactive spider web where you had to get through a string obstacle course without touching it. Later we realized that the people without wristbands had more privilege. They could army crawl, or dodge half the obstacles
, while the wristband group could not. Eventuality everyone made it through. At lunch, the wristband group had to make lunch, while the other group played. Though, the wristband group didn't even get to eat the lunch they made, they had to eat another lunch they made. This shows that some people have more privileges for no reason. Later in the afternoon, we went to Sunrise and played with the migrant workers' kids.Then we split up and went to grocery stores and asked people to donate food for the migrant workers. We received a lot of food. Overall, we had a great day today!

We collected a lot of food for the food bank. We are really excited to get to serve on Wednesday, and we will see you all there!

Week 2: St. Catherine of Siena- Sunday

Today we arrived at Agape. We learned about what we are going to do this week. We learned the expectations at Agape and we played a name game. We also played a game that was really really fun. We also learned where to get our water and we set up our mattresses. So far, Agape seems like it will be fun showing empathy to the migrant workers and feeling what its like to work for long hours. I hope we learn a lot this week!

 

Week 1: Sacred Heart Forest Ridge & MQP- Thursday

Today I learnt what it means to actually come together as a community. In my first year at Agape I did not know what solidarity meant or what it was to live in it. /Today I learnt that I am a different person in Agape when unconnected then I am in my normal lifestyle connected. 

Today i felt complete and filled with Gods love, I felt the happiest I've ever been when connecting with the migrant kids. I am the best version of myself when i am disconnected from my normal lifestyle and being filled with the holy spirit.

Week 1: Sacred Heart Forest Ridge & MQP- Wednesday

Today was the day we ran a food bank for the migrant workers in Bellingham. After waking up at 7:45 to proceed to eat breakfast, we began loading the many donations onto a huge box truck. Once we finally got to the future food bank location, we unloaded the hundreds of items from the truck and sorted them into neat piles. "I sorted the clothes, toys and moved tons of boxes while speaking Spanish in order to communicate with the migrant workers."(Mandy Delgado) "I sorted the women's, kids and men's clothing along with helping those going through the food bank with their boxes." (Natalia Bondarev) After many jam sessions in the bus/car ride back to the church, sat down to eat a delicious meal of tacos, cooked by teachers and volunteers. To end off our day, we reflected on who we saw Jesus, for many, it was the migrant workers and the peers around us. To summarize, today we clothed the naked and fed the hungry by giving the migrant workers the respect and dignity they deserved through the donations they received. 

-Tully and Mandy 

Week 1: Sacred Heart Forest Ridge & MQP- Tuesday

This morning we woke up at 5:15 and headed off to get a taste of the life of a migrant worker. Forest ridge headed to a blueberry farm where they picked sticks off of the picking paths and washed carts, MQP went off to a U-pick farm where they picked weeds, and planted pumpkins. From there, we all headed to Grocery Outlet to find dinner for our family groups. Each group was given money based on their work, but with the cost of rent, health insurance and other factors, most groups ended up with about 5 dollars. Once the group got back to the church, each 'family' was able to cook and prepare the food they had gotten at the grocery store. After that, we went to the Sunrise migrant camp and got to play with the kids again. We then came home and reflected, and everyone is excited for what comes next.

From,

Megan W. and Carolina D.

Week 1: Sacred Heart Forest Ridge & MQP- Monday

June 20th, 2016

Today in Agape we started off the day by doing an activity about privileges. This activity consisted of us being separated into completely random groups distinguished by a red bracelet. The bracelets had no affect on who we were as a human, but affected how others treated us instead. By this, in activities such as an obstacle course, we had to go through a maze of ropes without touching the ropes. People without the bracelet were judged not as harshly and were able to be let off the hook most of the time. On the other hand those with the red bracelet were sent back to the beginning if we barely touched the rope. The lesson continued after when those with the bands had to prepare nicely made sandwiches, but had to instead eat just a tortilla, beans, and rice. Those without the band however, got to eat the nicely made sandwiches and play around. After this lesson was over we got to go to the farms and play with the migrant farm worker's children, before however, we were told to bury and forget about any judgement or expectations we may already have. this was supposed to represent to corporals of mercy,  specifically "bury the dead". While playing with the children we slowly but surely bonded and learned more about them and ourselves. After meeting the children we had the opportunity to set up in front of stores and experience tabling. We told the customers about how we were raising donations for migrant farm workers and how every thing was appreciated. After we discussed how  some people were able to go out of their way and help those around them, while many people turned away and ignored us entirely. We related this to the prayer by Mother Teresa, Do it anyway. Overall today we had many experiences and learning opportunities offered to us, and we all took them gladly, and dug deeper to find the true meanings behind every opportunity.
~Agape Campers

Today we tabled at 7 grocery stores and we received so much food that we have nearly filled up our storage space! We also raised almost $700!! We are so excited to do the first food bank of the year on Wednesday, and are so appreciative of all of the love and support we have been receiving!
~Agape Staff: Cristina, Alex B, Melina, Alexa S, and Anton

Week 1: Sacred Heart Forest Ridge & MQP- Sunday

Sunday June 19th
Both of our groups (Forest Ridge and MQP) left early to get to Agape on time. We both ate lunch in the car and headed to the church. MQP went to a marine park and hung out there. Once we got to the church, we unloaded all the food and clothing donations into a warehouse. Then we got our stuff and set up our sleeping bags. After, we ate dinner and  played a game called shipwreck. This game helped us get to know each other and stay on our feet. After the game we had a quick meeting to go over the rules and expectations of Agape. We are looking forward to growing, learning how to help people, and adapting to new and unfamiliar situations.
-Written by Alexa M. and Lily A.

Prep Week- Agape Staff

Greetings from your Agape Staff!

We have been preparing for Agape full time this week and we are SO excited for our program to start on Sunday. Our theme for this summer will be the Corporal Works of Mercy and our Bible verse is "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10. In addition we will be looking up to the extra cool St. Isidore the Farmer!

This week we have decorated the hall, updated binders and documents, visited the food bank location, and the kids at the Sunrise migrant  camp. They are so excited to see you all!

Also here is a super fun picture that captures our excitement! :)

See you soon!

-The Agape Staff
Cristina (Supervisor), Alexa B. (Director), Melina (Director), Alexa S. (Assistant Director), and Anton (Assistant Director)