Group 3 Information Update

Monday June 23, 2008

Caninos
Immersion into the open markets representative of other markets throughout the Houston Area. Kids had a set of cards that expected them to observe and interact throughout the market place. At the conclusion, across the street we enjoyed pastries at a cultural bakery.

We traveled to a seniors home, our tasks were to engage in play and banter. Some of us learned dominoes, other organized, called and played BINGO and Sam Fuller found his soul mate and bantered.

Monday afternoon we traveled to an Open Door Mission that served men Our task was to prepare cold lunches for later in the week(these would feed som of their outreach clients) and the other task was peeling and cutting potatoes for tomorrow's night meal. Dutifully, we worked all learning how able Yuri Berger is at potato preparation... for 2 1/2 hours, non-stop, with great proficiency... potatoes were at his command. We all stayed to serve the men of the Open Door Mission their evening meal.

Tuesday June 24, 2008

The state of Texas has some dollars encouraging literacy. So, we found ourselves at the READ Commission. Voluntarily individuals commit to classes 1st grade through GED level. These are all adults. We spread out into math classes and reading classes and GED classes. Supporting the adult students in any way that they would request. Some of our kids were thought to be "College Students" by the adult students.

Monday night we had taken a prayer tour of Houston. One of the stops was a Boys and Girls club... Tuesday Afternoon... we were there. In a chaotic open doubled room... we found ourselves thoroughly engaged in card table games, basketball and braiding. Kirsten has been so generous with her braiding skills.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Downtown Plunge. Leaving our van with two sets of cards. We are in little mini-groups of 3 walked prescribed streets of Houston. We experienced some of the logistical and informational struggles tha the homeless experience. Along the exploration, we also were able to ascend to the 60th floor of the JPMorgan/Chase building and see the panorama of Houston.

Wednesday afternoon was when we entered the locked gates of a Houston project where we played outside or inside with kids that came. Playing in either location made no difference because the heat was incredible. We brought a container of games and sports stuff. By and large the most popular event was water balloons. Kelly had so many kids laughing and getting cooled off ... for hours...

Thursday June 26, 2008

Early to bed... early to rise... yes to the 6:10 am wake up. We travelled to the Palmer Episcopal church. This ministry serves the breakfast to 300+ homeless Monday - Friday. They send an access bus to pick up and deliver the homeless to the site and at the conclusion return them. A skeleton crew was supported by our efforts... serving line; runners; and every customer was greeted by a "Hello".

A change in the itinerary... we went to an organization, SEARCH... they provide resources to the homeless. SEARCH supports the individual finding work, if you have a job then you are eligible for housing and so on. We had 2 orientations. One by the passionate director Holly and the other by Joseph who gave as his testimony which included SEARCH impacting his life. After this, we were truly joyful servants clearing space for storage of food and cleaning and sprucing up portions of the building.

Kevin, Dave, & Chelsea