Week 4: Sunday- Christ The King

Today we reflected on why we came to Agape this week, what we wanted to get out of this experience, how we can help the people around us, what were our weaknesses / strengths, and what we were leaving behind at home. A lot of people came to Agape because they already had experience but the new people said that they wanted to get a new perspective at wanted to get challenged. More than half of the people in the groups said that what they wanted to get out of this experience was to get to see how grateful you should be to have all the stuff you have and to realize that all of the complaining you do over little stuff you do like how old your phone is and that you want the newest iPhone, but a lot of people can't even afford a phone at all! People that we see at the migrant camps are so happy with what they have! They may have a broken Barbie doll or a flat soccer ball but they still have the happiest smiles on their faces when they play because they truly appreciate what they have. Things that people said for how we can help the people around us and at Sacred Heart was to be respectful to people and to put people around us before us like with food and bathrooms. People's weaknesses and strengths were some like being patient and helpful to other people and and weakness was really working in the sun or grumpiness when waking up early. And last but not least is what we were leaving behind at home was a lot about technology. During this week we will leave our "little electronic world" to see how much stuff is really going on like people may be starving or tragedies like the Oso Mud Slide where people were left with nothing.

Week 3: St. Catherine's- Thursday

Today was celebration day. The first thing we did was go to Mass. It was much shorter than our normal masses at school. After breakfast, we went into our car groups and put flyers door jams. The flyers were for donations for the next food bank. Once we were done with that, we went back to the church and watched a short movie about the migrant workers and their journey across the boarder. After having a discussion on that, we had leftover tacos for lunch. Then, we stopped by the beach and hung out there for free time. Soon after, we went to the pool and swam for about 2 hours. The pool even had a water slide that went outside and came back inside. After we changed, we immediately went to Sunrise camp and had a barbecue to play and socialize (and eat) with the kids. When we finished eating, we played more games, crafts, and hung out with them. When we got back, we had our normal reflection and discussion. After the prayer, we had a little surprise...Ice Cream and a Dance Party!!! Then we went to bed (except for us).

                                      ~Shelby & Fiona~

Week 3: St. Catherine's- Wednesday

  Today was food bank day! It was really fun. We woke up and had breakfast, and then our after-breakfast activity was loading up food in the van for the food bank. One group got to go to the store and bought produce with the donation money we got on Monday. After loading the van and buying the produce we went to the place where we set up the food bank, and set up the tables and unloaded the food and clothes. In the middle of unloading another group from St. Louise came and helped us set up. There were some pretty weird clothes donations. The strangest were probably half a cut-off pant leg and a box to hold kidney stones. After we set everything up, we had lunch. Then the people started coming. We had to remind ourselves what to say to the people who could only speak Spanish. We learned many new words,mostly relating to food. We still made a few pronunciation mistakes. Once when I was trying to say "you can have two", I think I said something else, because the person I was talking to started laughing. After most of the people had gone through the food line, we started packing up. This was easier because so many people were helping us. After packing everything up, we went back to Sacred Heart for dinner. It was tacos! It was also the first meal we didn't have to prepare ourselves for the food bank simulations. That might have added to the tastiness. Then we did evening prayer. After that we went to bed and ended food bank day.

Week Three: Tuesday- St. Catherine

Tuesday

Migrant Immersion Day


Today we worked at Breckenridge Blueberry farm, showered at the YMCA, bought our dinners, and played with the children at Sunrise camp.

At the farm, we pulled weeds, picked berries, washed flats and buckets, and cleared a rock wall.We got so dirty so we took showers at the YMCA.

For our dinner activity we were split into families and were given a situation. We had a certain amount of money, about $5.We had to buy food for our family, and make dinner with it.Some families joined and shared food and money.

When we went to the camp, we played soccer, dodgeball, and some people did arts and crafts with the children. We were suprised at how good at soccer/football some of the children were. 

Then we came back, and had an hour-or-so long reflection. Had the rest of our dinner, and are going to bed soon.

~Jamie and Marcus

Week 3: Monday

This morning at Agape, we went to the sunrise service where we played with kids of immigrant farmers. At the play area we played a name game and capture the flag. Then, we split into different groups where we made bracelets and jumped rope in one group, and in the other we played soccer. Then we went back to the Agape center and ate lunch. After lunch, we went in our car groups and went to different grocery stores to collect donations. Some were very kind and wanted to learn more and gave big donations. Others were not so kind. Some completely ignored us while others made lame excuses such as "Sorry, I don't speak English" with not a hint of another accent. This took about 3 hours, but it was worth it. In this time we learned how much some people wanted to help the immigrants. When we came back for dinner, we got a huge surprise. We were split in to groups(families) and had to make our own dinner using food we got from an imitation food bank where one of the counselors was speaking in Portuguese. This was very chaotic with everyone in the kitchen trying to get one of the few pots, pans, and burners. But we learned from this experience that this is how some people have to live every day. After dinner we played a game where we answer questions by walking to a line or not. After this activity we watch a video and learned how fortunate we are.    

                                                                                                  -Justine, Abby, and Amelia

Week 3: Sunday - St. Catherine

It all started at St. Catherine church at 4:00 p.m. Then all of us put our stuff, and the food in the cars and headed out. We arrived here at Agape camp around six. We unloaded everything and ate pizza at about 6:30 p.m. After dinner we played a few games that required mingling. We than received journals and answered journal questions. We broke in to our small groups and shared our answers. Later on, we went around the circle and told everyone a strength and a weakness. Then we finished with a prayer, had a snack, and broke into free time. That is all the has happened today, we will share more about our experiences for the rest of the week. Hope that you liked it.

Sincerely,

Halle and Rayden

Week Two: Tuesday

Today we started out with planning games and activities to do with the kids at the camp barbecue. When that was completed we watched a migrant's journey movie. It was very eye opening when talking about how many migrants come over to the US and how many die on the journey. It's humbling to see how hard they are willing to work for their family. Once the movie was finished we went to a pool to swim. It was a good day!

-Sacred Heart Enumclaw



In order to truly serve, it is especially important to strive to see God in everything around us. This is why Wonder and Awe, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is essential to reflect upon during this service experience. The Agape Service Project is about loving God, loving those whom we are serving and striving to see Him in each and every interaction.

Today was our second opportunity to visit the migrant camp, play with all of the adorable kids and help provide them with a BBQ and many fun games. I always love the times when we do this because I am reminded that our prayers, love and service are directly affecting actual people. I saw God in each and every person, be they the kids or their families, or all of the leaders and participants of this trip. Every genuine smile and interaction was so beautiful because it was so full of love and joy. Watching some of the Sacred Heart youth so readily and joyfully interact with the kids and the camp was so wonderful because I could just see the genuine compassion they have in their hearts for this population. Even watching one of the young adults allow a small group of kids to chase him around the yard for nearly twenty minutes--until he collapsed nearly breathless on the ground shows that beautiful connection rooted in Christ.

Also, it was so awesome to have TEN Agape Directors, both past and present, there with us today--a testament to the continued love and devotion to the program. These people so willingly give up their time year after year to support this experience, both for the youth that participate and the families we are serving. They form long-lasting relationships with the families and continue to return year after year to reconnect and provide support. They have helped build up this program and help it to touch the lives of so many people in the migrant community. They are proof that a humble service project that was created and ran by one person nearly ten years ago can truly make great changes in a community.

I am so grateful to experience this project for the second time. I love what Agape does and what it stands for. It is so incredibly important to remember the God has created each and every one of us in His image and likeness, and that dignity is the basis for our human experience. These past three days have reminded me of the important things in life and that we all have the ability to help make a change. And above all, always remember to show God's pure Agape love to everyone you encounter.

Many Blessings,
Jenny

Week Two: Monday

Today we experience the life migrant workers live. The task of waking up at 5 a.m doing farm work for 3 hours was very hard, it was nothing we were all used to, but in the end it was worth it and we all noticed how lucky we were to have the things that our parents gave and provide for us. After working we were only given an average of 5.50 dollars and expected to get a full meal with my family. It worked because we paid attention to what we were buying, we took a quick shower, and made our way back to church.

- Joseph, Rebekah, and Gabby



Today, we lived the life as a migrant. I often say, "I'm living the dream." But today... I was not feeling like it. I'm tired, sore, and I'm a little sick. But, the thing is... for these migrants... this is the dream. They work on these farms, working long days and nights, so that they can make a little bit of pay in hopes of a better life. This is their dream. Often times, I take life for granted. Often times, I feel entitled to have a job of a certain esteem or some things I deserve to have, but working in the farms, making a meal with practically no money, and seeing the life of these migrants families... It really helps me to remember what my dream is... To love the Lord with all my existence.

Peace be with you,
Kevin