Day 3 (and 4)

Sorry for missing our post last night... we were all having an intense game of Apples to Apples (a board game) and wore ourselves out! Yesterday was a beautiful day - in many ways. The weather turned from snow to sunshine overnight, and by the afternoon we were wearing shorts and t-shirts. And the day was also a joyful day of work and laughter. In the morning most of the group went out to flyer the neighborhood with flyers publishing the schedule for Holy Week - basically a personal invitation to church. The kids really enjoyed this because they got to see Camden, and they got to talk to many people in the neighborhood. They were surprised by how friendly everyone was - as one student commented, "Everyone I said hello to said hello back - everyone." Another group went to North Gate Park to continue the cleaning project from the day before. We swept, and raked, and picked up trash. We were joined eventually by the group doing the flyers, and when our cleaning was done, we went home for lunch. After lunch we spent the afternoon working in the garden, filling an enormous pothole in the alley, and painting. The students built and painted a huge cross which they made from old boards found in the alley. The kids worked so hard, and made a real impact on the space around the house and the Catholic grade school. In the evening we enjoyed a wonderful dinner of chicken and rice (cooked by the boys) we spent over an hour reflecting on our work and our time here. We have been so impressed by their thoughtful reflections, and the questions they are asking about poverty and hope in Camden. It has been a privilege to be with them. This morning we will have our final reflection and prayer, and then head to the Cathedral for Mass. From there we go off to the train station, and home.