Night 1 Day 1 in Jarabacoa

Today we learned: Communities have to work together here to make important things happen, like building schools.

"If God puts something in your heart, you will use it and you will serve with it." -Isabela (one of our hosts)

After almost 12 hours in transit we finally arrived in Santiago at about 6 PM, and made it to Jarabacoa and our base camp, at about 6:30 PM.

We had just enough time to eat with our hosts, Joel and his family; get a quick introduction to our mission; have a quick compline service, and the head to bed.

Today we served the Jarabacoa community at Los Chiquitines de Yaji with Rudy, the director. In the Dominican Republic, if the community needs a school, the government will build the building. Anything else must be provided by the community. For 7 years, Rudy and his wife have worked hard to make the school a beautiful and functional place for learning for the community's children. Without the school, children would have to walk about two miles, or get up incredibly early in the morning to get an education.

The railings on the new second story and new staircase needed painting, so our group started that project, and we will finish tomorrow.

Afterwards we had lunch at home base, then took a moment for recreation before learning about a pivotal part of Dominican Republic economy--coffee.

We received a tour of a coffee plantation, from the bean on the plant, all the way through to grinding and bagging.

To get one cup of coffee, approximately 30 people are involved in the process.

Dinner this evening was a "stone soup" meal where our mission group visited a local grocery store, bought ingredients, and cooked dinner.

Check out the Christ Church Cathedral Facebook page for pictures!

Departing

Our team is boarding a plane, the first of several, on our way to the Dominican Republic. Thanks for praying for us and following our journey!

Saturday - Lions, Tigers, and Memories (Oh My)!

Saturday is our last full day here in St. Louis. In the morning we went to the St. Louis Zoo. As we arrived many of the animals were having their breakfast so we got to see the sea lions waddle up to eat their fish, and the seals flapping around excitedly in the water. There was a new polar bear who showed off his attack skills to the crowds on an innocent plastic barrel. You could walk through a butterfly exhibit were the elegant insects would come to rest on your shoulder. And of course there was funnel cake and fresh squeezed lemonade.

In the evening we went out for a celebratory dinner at a local restaurant (Joey B's on the Hill). We shared stories from the week and all our favorite memories. Here are some of the insights and learnings from the Urban Missioners, as they take what they learned, saw, and experienced back home with them...

Ali: "To never judge a story unless you know the first hand account. You should always hear both sides of the story."

Andrew: "It's the little things that make you feel the best about yourself. Like, when I laid the bricks in the front of Deaconess Anne House. It was small, but made me feel really good and accomplished about myself."

Chloe: "The time here in St. Louis helped me connect with friends and will help me connect with family back home."

James: "Where you find God is working for others out of the kindness of your heart."

Julia: "I've learned to be more patient and understanding of all the people around me, living in such a small space, and being as efficient as possible working to help the communities and others."

Luke: "To change someones life you have to trust them enough to give them a key to open up the big door of life (taken from St. Magdelenes House). I would also like to thank the academy, my mom, and my dad."

Rebekah: "We're really lucky to be alive right now, because there has been a lot of bad things happening in our nation. We're really lucky because that could have been anyone."

Victoria: "Don't just look for God in the places you think you'll find him, because also it's the places you didn't think you'd find him that change your life."

Friday - Architectural Jungle Gyms and Deaconesses

Friday was another full day. We spent our morning at the City Museum, an abandoned shoe lace factory that was renovated and repurposed into an architectural jungle gym/maze. This museum was created by architects and artists who used various materials given to the project, from school buses and planes to sheets of metal and concrete. There are tunnels, slides, climbing apparatuses, caves, castles, aquariums, and even an organ. The urban missioners had a ball exploring the magical space and using their imaginations to maneuver around the fantastical maze like museum.

In the afternoon we took a detour by the Gateway Arch and then arrived at the Deaconess Anne House. This Episcopal Service Corps (ESC) site is home to 7 young adults who are discerning their callings in life while living in intentional community together and working at local non-profits. The Episcopal Service Corps members greeted us as we arrived, told us about their life at Deaconess Anne, and took us on our tour of their home. After our introduction to this ESC site we got down to business continuing our theme of weeding as well as painting the some of the front porch and working to clean out and plant in their garden. 

After all of our work projects were finished we shared a soul food meal with the ESC house members. For many of our urban missioners this was the highlight of our day, as they conversed and reflected on their time in the St. Louis. The urban missioners and ESC members a like shared what they learned about the black lives matter movement from intentional dialogue they have experienced with advocates for the movement (especially from our panel members who had met with the urban missioners the night before). The urban missioners were also able to learn more about the ESC members work in non profits and life in intentional community (praying, eating, and sharing lives together for one year). 

Thursday - Mosaics, Tomatoes, & Activists

Thursday has been our busiest day yet. After our missioner chef's prepared us Egg McMuffin's we headed out to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis to take in the beautiful mosaics. The St. Louis Basilica is home to one of the largest mosaic collections in the Western Hemisphere. Here we learned the difference between a cathedral and a basilica, whereas a cathedral (like our beloved Christ Church) is the seat of a bishop, a basilica is a large Roman Catholic church that has been deemed of importance by the Pope, and is a receiving church of the Pope (should he grace their city). 

After a quick run back to the grocery store (we are still learning the importance of checking serving sizes as we our experiencing the challenges of cooking for large groups), we feasted on grilled cheese and regained our energy as we rushed on to Earth Dance Farm. This organic farm school was once the agricultural business of three generations of Mueller's, and has been one of the longest running organic farms in the area. Today Earth Dance Farm's uses it's space and organic farm set up to teach volunteers (such as our Cathedral Youth) about the importance ecological stewardship and the fruits that come from diligence and hard labor. At Earth Dance we had the oppertunity to separate the weeds from the wheat (or in this case oats) and pick vine ripened grape tomatoes. Although the sun was hot and the work was hard, we had a fabulous time enjoying God's green earth as the chlorophyll from the tomato plants drenched our arms and the dirt from the farm covered our feet.

In the evening three activists who have been involved in the Ferguson Black Live's Matter movement came to break bread and speak with us on their efforts seeking justice for every human being. After a delicious chili meal, complete with Kings Hawaiian ham & swiss sliders, we had the unique oppertunity to hear first hand accounts of what it has meant to organize and protest in Ferguson, MO. We listened to the stories of college students and young professionals who shared their intense passion for justice in a country that has struggled with the debilitating effects of racism. Asking what we can take home from this experience, our guests helped us see how we were making the first steps. By beginning dialogue and making ourselves aware of the injustices rooted in our society, but also the love and passion present in our communities desperately working to be heard and make a change, we were making space for the powerful movements of the Spirit. As we continue on our Urban Mission we reflect especially on the last vows in our Baptismal Covenant this evening: to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being." 

Wednesday - Weeding & History

Wednesday morning we visited St. Magdalene House ("a residential community for women who have survived lives of prostitution, violence and addiction"), where we participated in the "beautification" of this communities home. When we arrived we learned about the community and the services that St. Magdalene's provides to their community members. The women who are part of the St. Magdalene House program live in the home for two years, where they go through detox, have vocational training, and learn how they are each beloved children of God. We weeded, cleaned up trash, swept, and sweated a lot.

In the afternoon we visited the St. Louis History Museum, where we saw "The Little Black Dress" exhibit (from Mourning to Night). We got to create a little black dress, learn about Coco Chanel (who took her inspiration and timeless style from her time growing up in an Abby, surrounded by the simplicity of churches, cathedrals, nuns, priests, and stained glass windows), and see how fashion and industry played a part in the history of St. Louis. We also saw an exhibit about Route 66, one of the most traveled highway's in the United States (throughout this countries history). One of the most famous roads in America, this highway played a large role in Western expansion (especially during the dust bowl). During our museum excursion we were able to bypass a HUGE storm, that took a tree down in our driveway (all persons and cars safe).

In the evening we visited the famous Ted Drewes where we all got to experience the original "concrete". As we wrapped up all our adventures for the day we looked at how we lived into our baptismal covenant during the day. Our Urban Missioners commented on the Magdalene House where we worked together to help beautify a space for beautiful women who were getting a fresh start, as they "sought to serve Christ in all persons, loving their neighbors as themselves." They also became aware of their continued fellowship as they were cooking, breaking bread, cleaning, and hanging out together. We ended our day asking God for peaceful night and a perfect end as we shared a drowsy compline together.

Till tomorrow,

Peace and blessings from the Cathedral Youth Urban Missioners!

We have arrived!

The Arch from the car (via James Pollard's iPhone) 

Today we arrived in St. Louis after our 5 and half hour drive to the Gateway to the West. When we arrived we got to work figuring out our meals and menu for the week, and went to the local Schnucks for our groceries. Our Urban Missioners planned their meals, shopped for their groceries, and will be cooking all their own food. It is already turning out to be a fun and  certainly educational adventure.

Till soon, peace and blessings to our family and friends back in Lexington!