Monday

April 21, 2008

Hello,

I think we all had a good time today, or at least I know I did! The volunteers split up and served at a local Head Start center and food bank. We then went to Margaret's place, which was great for me because I haven't seen her in a long time. At 84 years of age, she's as energetic as ever even though she's fighting some health issues. I am always touched again and inspired by stories of her life; her strength and positivity are amazing to me. She stood up on a local level in the 1960s to make desegregation laws stick, being the first to take her daughter to school and go through the runarounds and tests when the principal would not let them in, fighting for justice and equal education all throughout her children's lives. Later she had to stand in front of a bus passing her house so that it would stop and her daughter could board. She's had an amazing life, and I learn something new every time I talk to her. Just this year the little town named a bridge in the community after her late husband, who took charge of getting water to the formerly segregated coal camp and started a local chapter of the NAACP in the community.

Tomorrow we're going to install some interior doors and scrape and paint a deck. Fun stuff!

Tuesday,

April 22, 2008

Alright! Right now almost everyone is dancing after a great reflection on a great day. I think I'm better suited in front of a computer than dancing ... it's best for everyone, really. Really. We worked and visited with some wonderful people today, and got everything done we wanted work-wise, and even better were received with a lot of love from everyone we met. Tonight we had a cookout and invited some community members over. We've been blessed with great neighbors here. One of them is running for county sheriff! He has my vote! Reflection was about taking chances and accepting challenges that come our way. I have to say I think the young women of TGIA did that and in the process are really becoming good PVs by cherishing human dignity in every service opportunity that comes their way. I think that Corinthia and Luisa and possibly Tiffany will come to volunteer with the PVs and their Americorps-partner program this summer in W.V.! The fruits of these TGIA-WV trips are already multiplying. I look forward to year three in 2009!

Peace,

bruce