Day three.

Another wonderful and very busy day! We spent the morning working on three separate projects – one group planted trees with the New Jersey tree foundation, another group helped build the play ground floor at the school playground, and the third group went and led the music at an ecumenical prayer service. Then in the afternoon we went back to painting, shoveling and trimming, and working outdoors.

Our students continued their incredibly enthusiastic work, jumping in with abandon to any project they were asked to do. Today was a day of hard work – digging, cutting trees, planting trees, raking, lifting heavy foam mats, etc. Our students earned their dinners!

One thing I have not mentioned is how we reflect each evening. Our students spend about 10 minutes writing in journals about what they have experienced today. Then we go around and each person shares their thoughts, questions, reflections from the day. It is a wonderful way to unpack the experience that they are having, and it is a very holy time of day. It is the time when our kids open their hearts and share how hard it is to come to a very poor place like him and to see such beautiful and wonderful people, and not always know how to help. But we are here to have our hearts opened, and to invite God into our hearts. And the people of Camden somehow have the key that opens us up.

One last thing... We have spent the past two evenings in the backyard around the fire pit... And having some intense Camden basketball games!