I can best describe my experiences this summer as a roller coaster ride. There were times that I wanted to scream, cry and leave the situation, but I was firmly restrained and protected. Some times I felt like I was being shaken up or thrown for a loop, whereas at other times I willingly smiled for the camera. But, the funny thing was, at the end I wanted to do it over and over again and tell all my friends about the incredible ride I just had. This summer has truly been like one of those rides where you just have to step back and say, “Whew, wow, that was a good ride”.
However, my ultimate goal coming out of the summer would be that I would not just consider it a great ride, but an actual lifestyle. In three months, I witnessed numerous aspects of community building and what it means to be a Christian neighbor. I have realized that one of the biggest things that you can donate to the inner-city is your time. There is so much anger and anxiety that many people have inside of them that it may seem impossible to break down that wall to reach them. But, by pouring time into people’s lives by doing little things like taking them on trips to Wal-Mart or chatting with them on the porch, I think they begin to trust you more.
Although, you always have those moments, like when you are slowly trekking up the rungs on a roller coaster at the beginning to the ride, that you think, “what in the world have I gotten into?” There were so many wonderful and crazy experiences that I can’t describe all of them, so I decided to make a list of some of the thoughts that I had and a few of the things I learned about myself and Church Hill.
- Nearly everything in Church Hill is either walking distance or less than five minutes away.
- People just don’t have any extra money before they get paid, even to buy something their child may need.
- The library is a teen hang out.
- You can go around the neighborhood and randomly hand out watermelon. People don’t question whether or not you are trying to poison them or their children. Instead they give you comments like, “Honey, I ain’t got nothing but love for you!”
- So many people live in one house, there is always somebody at home. This is handy for childcare reasons.
- It is possible for the poor and the rich to live beside each other.
- My thought/ prayer on many occasions was, “Lord, I have no idea what I am doing. I am about to walk over here and say something, but I have no idea what I am going to say. Lord, please take over.”
- The food bank sounds like a pretty cool place.
- You can actually buy a fried bologna sandwich.
- Some kids’ parents don’t have a license, so getting around (especially outside of Church Hill) requires some extra planning.
- You probably won’t die going to DaVinci’s Pizza, even late at night. The place might look sketchy but the food is good.
- Church Hill is safer than I thought.
- People are praying mightily for the kingdom of God to come to Church Hill.
- There are some real characters in Church Hill. I especially would like to get to know the guy who rides the sweet bike with the bright yellow basket with the radio blaring out of it, the guy with dreadlocks to his ankles, and the lady who paid us $25 to mow her yard which is about 5 ft x 5 ft.
- People may introduce themselves with their nickname. (ie. Squirrel and Squirrel’s brother)
- Kids are pretty forgiving, even when you mispronounce their name or call them by the wrong name altogether over 7 times.
- Kids really like hugs, piggy back rides, and snack.
- An enthusiastic reader can keep kids entertained with a boring book and a boring reader can lose kids’ attention with a good book.
- Silly walks are good- anytime and anywhere.
- Smoothies, snow cones and slip n’ slides build community.
- Church Hill is a really unique place. I was delighted to live here for 10 weeks and to meet dozens of interesting and passionate people. I can’t wait to come back.
