Amanda
I chose to come on the trip
because I was already a part of Habitat for Humanity at Gannon, and I thought
it would be a great experience.
I'm nervous about doing
well with the actual build itself. I've never really done anything like this
before, so it should be interesting!
I hope to gain a new
understanding of the situation in Bridgeport, Connecticut and make a
positive impact upon it.
Benjamin
I used to be a carpenter by schooling. That being said, I
have not been able to work on a jobsite since I came back to college a year and
a half ago. When I saw that I had the chance not only to get back to work but
also help people while I was at it, I jumped at the chance.
Now that I have spent a couple of hours getting to know this
group, I must say we are an … interesting bunch. It should be enjoyable to work
with them. At the last meeting it was decided that I should be the one who goes
around making sure everyone gets up on time. I get up at 5 everyday anyway.
Something tells me I will have some fun with that.
To be serious though, I have always respected Habitat for
Humanity because they help prepare people get housing. But in the process they
also teach those people how to take care of their houses, which is a dying
skill. It is not every day that I get to be a part of that.
I am looking at this little strip of paper that they gave me
that is prompting me to answer questions like “what are your fears?” and “what
do you hope to learn?” To be honest (and to answer all the questions they gave
me), I am not worried about this trip, nor I am looking to learn anything. I
just want to be able to do some good for a week. Everything else is icing on
the cake.
Brian
As the date for our endeavor rapidly approaches I find
myself feeling more and more like an old fashion pirate setting off for new adventures
and far off land lands. Each member of our group a different but intricate part
of our crew. And at the head of our crew is our brave and fearless captain whom
I shall follow into the darkest abyss. While we may not be out in search of
booty and treasure I feel our quest is a more nobel and dignified one. What we
will be finding buried under the X will be more valuable than anything you
could ever find in a treasure chest. We will be finding something that only you
can describe or fully experience yourself. A feeling of satisfaction and
goodwill toward your fellow man kind that cannot be matched by any plunder in
the world. I look forward to our castoff and cannot wait to embark on our great
voyage to the port of bridges with the greatest crew to ever sail the open
freeway.
Bryton
Since I have been here at Gannon, I have been actively
involved with Habitat for Humanity. I love the organization and the work that
they do not only to build houses, but to help people learn how to be homeowners.
In fact, I loved this organization so much that I decided to take on the role
as President for Gannon’s Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which is largely
what got me involved to lead this trip! I had gone on an ABST trip in the past
and had absolutely amazing experience; I was hooked! There is nothing like
spending your break by losing yourself in service to others. The fact that
there was a Habitat for Humanity trip to participate in just made the decision
that much easier!
I am very excited to see how Habitat for Humanity is run
in different parts of the country. I am also very interested in learning more
about Fairfield County and in seeing the area first-hand. Most of all, I am
excited to share in this experience with my classmates, and deepen in
relationships with them and with the community that we are serving. I am not
really nervous about anything; I think that my excitement outweighs my nervousness!
I just hope that we are all able to make bigger connections and see the bigger
picture as to why we are doing this service and as to what we can draw from it.
I hope that everyone can apply what we learn on this trip to the rest of their
lives!
Thank you all for your support!
Evan
I chose to go to Bridgeport with Habitat because I really
believe in the 'hand-up' message that is core to Habitat for Humanity's
mission. I'm really excited for the challenge of working on a build site for a
week straight, seeing the progress that will be made, and knowing that all of
our collective work will go toward a home for a family that truly needs
it. I'm only nervous about all the challenges that I haven't considered -- this
is my first time on a trip like this, and while I'd like to think that I know
what I've committed too, I won't find out until I experience it for myself. I
hope to gain a better understanding of the real poverty people face in America.
I feel like I've never been exposed to the day to day realities that some
people are forced to face, and I hope that, through this week in
Bridgeport, I'll better understand what it means to be impoverished.
Jenna
I am nervous but excited about this trip. I chose to come on
this trip because service is a big part of my life. I like helping others and I
love that I am getting to go on a habitat trip. I love building things and
painting so I know this trip will be fantastic. I am excited to meet new people
and have a week to get away from college and just help others. I am nervous
about how the week is going to go. I hope to learn more about this group and
building houses. I am also excited to learn more about the family that we are
building the house for. I want to gain more of an appreciation for those around
me and I feel like this experience will do just that.
Laura
I chose to come on this trip to meet new people and make
friends and also for the experience. I am most excited about spending
time with my fellow classmates and actually getting to know them more than just
as simple acquaintances. I am somewhat nervous about getting injured on
the trip, but I am more nervous about 13 people staying under the same roof in
cramped conditions and still trying to keep happy positive attitudes. I'm
afraid that sparks are gonna fly at some point. I am hoping to gain more
compassion for people in general. I would like to learn how to put love
in action.
Mackenzie
I am very excited for our trip and I am counting own the
days. I wanted to come on this trip because I wanted to do service that was
more local. As nice as it would be to go to a foreign country and volunteer, it
is also extremely rewarding to be a part of something that is close to home. I
am excited to become a part of volunteer work again because I was very active
with it at home. Since being away at school it has been harder to do a lot of
service and it is nice to start volunteering again. I am also excited to build
closer relationships with my group and form new friendships. I am nervous about
learning house-building skills because I have no idea what I am doing. It will
be nice to learn these new skills though, whether or not I use them later in
life.
Marya
Hello
There Everyone! I CANNOT wait for the trip – and I cannot believe it is
less than a month away already!!! It really snuck up on us fast, but I am
beyond excited for it. Our group meetings have been going well – it will
be great to get to know each member of our team more and more once our trip
begins! It is wonderful being part of a group where each member is so
individual and diverse, it will be interesting to see how we all work
together. During our last meeting we began to talk about the specifics of
our trip – what we are bringing, wearing, eating – different topics that made
the trip feel real! I mean we have been talking about it for months now –
but for it to actually be just around the corner is just craziness!
Why
did I choose to come on this trip? Good question. I am not entirely
sure to be honest with you. I knew of course the trip sounded fun and
amazing, and I would get good memories from it for sure –but something drew me
towards it. I believe this is a time in my life when I need to find out
who I really am. I feel we all get too caught up in everyday life – not
realizing (basically ignoring) the special little things and becoming easily
frustrated by other little pointless things; we need a wakeup call! I am
doing this for the wellness of myself and others, through acts of kindness and
love. I hope to become more appreciative of all that surrounds me,
bringing me closer to God through my actions and in prayer. I love being
with others and helping them, and I believe working for the good of others is
the most rewarding thing anyone can do! Gosh, did I say I was excited
yet?!?!
Something
I am nervous about would probably be taking myself out of my element and
comfort here at school – but this is also something that excites me! I
hope that I can take all the things that make me scared and nervous and turn it
into feelings of excitement. I hope that I will not let my fear stop me
like it has so many other times in my life – I hope it motivates me to take the
extra step towards something I normally wouldn’t have done. I plan on
bringing a journal with me to jot down different memories and ideas while I am
on the trip – I hope I am successful with that! But I think reflecting
every evening of our trip as a group will be key to helping us build skills
that will keep us grounded when we return to Gannon. And I hope we come
back ready to continue what we learned here at GU!
Thanks
everyone for reading my blog and I hope you are getting PUMPED UP for our
trip! Can’t wait to tell you all about everything that happens to us and
around us:) Keep the positive thoughts and prayers going!
Nicole
With the ABST trip to Bridgeport, Connecticut right around
the corner, my feelings of excitement and eagerness are making their way to the
surface. I am so stoked to be going on a
trip with my fellow peers, and cannot wait to make everlasting friendships
while doing good for a community in need.
I love the idea of getting my hands dirty and doing some hard, physical
labor to help others. Although the tasks
may be difficult at times, if we all work together as a team, anything is possible. I know our hard work will leave a lasting
imprint on this community, but more importantly, they will leave a lasting
imprint on us.
Stephen
I
have volunteered with Habitat for a few years now, but only on an afternoon
build here and there. I thought helping with their mission on the “Golden
Coast” would be a great way to spend my spring break.
I
am most excited about the group of people going. Everyone seems like they will
be a lot of fun to work with. As with other trips, I am most nervous about the
work. But being such a big, muscular guy, I shouldn’t have too much to worry
about. (In case you do not know me, this is sarcasm…)
As
for expectations, I try not to have any for what I may learn or gain while
doing mission work. My attempt is always to keep the focus not on myself but on
those whom we are called to serve. Working with open minds and open hearts
allows God to speak to us through surrounding situations and people. I feel it
is in this way something of true value can be learned or gained.
Tonia
Whenever I think about the Connecticut trip I get really
excited because I know it is going to be such a great experience. I chose to
come on this trip because I want to expand my horizons and this is the perfect
opportunity to do so. I also want to volunteer more. A few years back a friend
of mine went on a trip with Habitat for Humanity and helped build a house for a
family. After hearing about the experience and seeing through pictures the
amazing work they did I knew I wanted to be part of something like that. There
are so many things that I am really excited about! For starters, I am pumped to
go to Connecticut and see this state in general. I would love to eventually
travel to all of the states, so this will be a good addition to my list of states
I’ve been to. Another thing I’m so excited for is assisting in BUILDING A
HOUSE! That is going to be so cool! I am definitely looking forward to
traveling and living with our group too. It’s always exciting to branch out and
meet new people, especially in a situation like this where we are all coming
together for a great cause. Along with meeting new people and exploring new
places comes a little bit of anxiousness and fear of the unknown. Living with a
group of 12 other people will be interesting and fun, but realistically I know
that some conflicts could potentially arise. I always try to get along with
everyone and never seem to have issues with this; I just hope others will feel
the same. Another fear is whether or not I’ll be able to figure out what it is
I am to do when working on the job site. I know there will be contractors
directing us, but I hope that I will be able to complete everything that is
asked of me. Also, I have heard a couple negative things about the area of
Bridgeport that we are going to, such as it being “ghetto”. This makes me a
little nervous, yet at the same time I know that there will be twelve other
people there with me and we will all have each other’s backs ;). Overall, I
have no doubts that this will be an unforgettable trip and a start of many
great memories made with wonderful people. I am looking forward to learning
more about not only who I am, but who I want to become. I hope to also gain
knowledge from the contractors and everyone on the trip on building and home care.
I can’t wait!! J
