Signs of the tornado’s destructive force were visible everywhere as we approached the work site. Bits of broken furniture, glass, and plastic lay nestled among thistles and weeds; the landscape was dotted by the silhouettes of dead trees scraping against the wide expanse of the sky. And yet, in the midst of death, I heard the steady ring of hammers against nails, saw houses growing before our very eyes, and felt the hope that my friends and I brought with our cheerful determination. In our discussions at night, I came to find beauty and goodness in faiths other than my own. I saw the presence of God within our deep hunger to learn more about each other and in our struggle to reach an understanding even through our differences. Though I leave Tuscaloosa, the bonds and friendships I have made on this journey will continue to help me grow spiritually as I step back into the Purple Bubble.
Yours Sincerely,
Agnes Chang
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Going to Tuscaloosa was an eye-opening experience for me for two main reasons. Besides feeling a renewed familial bond with both people new to me and old friends, I have learned the confidence of working with my hands and the spirituality of silence. I had never built anything in my life – in fact, even at home, I rarely did chores. My mother always wanted me and my sister to focus on schoolwork and because of that, shielded us from doing too much around the house. This trip was an opportunity to both learn how to work with my hands and the value of doing so. Anyone can pick up a hammer, anyone can make a difference, as cliché as it is to say, I truly believe it now.
I also learned how spiritual silence can be. I expected the trip to be focused on dialogue, and though the conversations we had were enlightening, I realized how much of inner spirituality and faith can be expressed without words. There is something so beautiful about not understanding a prayer and still feeling a connection to it. At the same time, there is also beauty in working to only the sound of hammers pounding and feeling a spiritual connection to all of the other workers. There was one day that I spent lunch on the stairs of the house and didn’t talk to anyone – I simply tried to imagine the desolation, and nothing put my life more in perspective than that silence.
Hope it’s okay – thank you!
Aseel AbulAhab
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To reflect on the Alabama service trip in writing limited to a specific number of words is near impossible. The trip aroused within me doubt in all that I believe in and left me pondering the fragility of life. I knew most of the students before the trip, but after returning it was like we all had experiences something that no one knew about. It was our own little secret between on another, one that was very difficult to share with the world for it held anecdotes of those special people we had met who had over the course of seven days transformed our lives, our thoughts, our beliefs. They had strengthened our beliefs in some things, while giving room for doubt and question to grow. The people i met, the 82 year old Nancy who seemed to have a story harboring within her, Peter who taught me patience is a form of kindness, the whether which taught me that God is truly everywhere. Through all those I met, all the places we visited, but mostly all those students and ‘older people’ that I spent the days, and nights, with, I learned that life is too short to waste trusting in only ones own self , and too fragile to waste marinating in sadness, or the state of stagnation, no matter how deep the pain may be.
Sumaya Awad
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Well I’ve learned quite a bit on this trip. For starters, there was a lot about the history of Birmingham and the civil rights movement that I had no previous knowledge of. The interfaith part of our trip opened up my eyes to the different beliefs people had (spiritual or not) and in this way not only did I learn a lot about peoples different faiths but their beliefs on various other issues as well. I also learned a bit from the service part of the trip, from acquiring some skills that I had not previously had, to observing the destruction that could be produced by mother nature (in this case a tornado). Even though the incident had occurred two years in the past, the consequences of its force where still present in Tuscaloosa, AL and so was the aid that Tuscaloosa was receiving from various people. The latter is especially enlightening.
Couldn’t have asked for a better Spring Break,
Roger Vargas
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The Spring Break Interfaith trip to Tuscaloosa was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. I initially approached the week primarily as an opportunity for spiritual growth, thinking about our
service work only in theoretical ways. At the end of seven days, I saw the tangible results of my work and was able to link it to human faces, faces of people with so much excitement and energy that inspired me every day. At the work site, I helped build a deck for Nikki and plant a garden for Miss Jackie. I learned about construction, patience, safety, and ingenuity from Pete, our friends from AmeriCorps, and other students. This type of work physical labor was not something I was accustomed to doing. I gained a new appreciation, not only for the challenges of labor, but for the intelligence and creativity it takes to direct the construction of a house that provides a safe space in the aftermath of a natural disaster. As my hands and feet carried out the work of tornado relief alongside new friends, I rejoiced in the knowledge that I was useful, despite my lack of experience. We grew together and shared our work, which made our night time conversations more and more meaningful throughout the week. I was grateful for “push backs” and affirmations, questions and doubt, and displays of unshakeable faith. I do not see any of these in opposition to each other, but rather as irreplaceable parts of the marvelous faith journey we each experience. I thank God for the diversity of religious experiences we have and the opportunity to learn from each other.
Veronica Gould
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Tuscaloosa was a blessing, really.
On this trip, I recognized that my life philosophy is dual. I view the world one way, and I act in a different way. In my view, everyone has the freedom to act as they please, and because I do not believe in a higher power or any sort of force that demands order, there is no way that anyone SHOULD act. So, in my broad world-view, there is no system of morality. However, personally, I do have a system through which I view my behaviors, because for me, there is only one way to respect the freedom I’ve been given.
I’ve been accused of having a double-standard. That isn’t really the case. My world view is descriptive and my personal view is prescriptive, but both are built around the metric of freedom.
I’ve struggled to define my beliefs. Firstly, because they do not come from a strong tradition or a holy text. But, more importantly, I’ve long questioned the use of defining them. Because my beliefs are so deeply tied to my personal experience and what works for me, I feared the exercise was pointless- just me, patting myself on the back, no utility for anyone else. Tuscaloosa was great for allaying my doubts and On the trip, there were a lot of interesting stories and ways of viewing the world. Hearing people articulate very personal and specific ideas, even if they, in no way, pertained or could pertain to me, was really special and useful in adding nuance to the way I think about spirituality.
Thanks,
Lil
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Reflection~
What did I learn from our interfaith trip to Tuscaloosa? I learned how to hammer. I learned how to clear a foundation and build a floor. I learned that Hinduism is monotheistic. I learned how little I know about religious traditions, even my own. I experienced patience, generosity, Southern hospitality, faith, and love. I learned that the Freedom Ride went through my hometown. I learned how much I want to develop my spiritual life and make the world a better place and how these tasks go hand in hand. I learned to speak up and reach out. I cannot thank the Chaplains enough for this opportunity to learn all of these things and for their guidance throughout the ongoing journey. It was and is an amazing, life-changing experience.
Sarah Rhu
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What I’ve learned:
I’ve learned that I need to truly listen to people and their perspectives. Sometimes I don’t know how to engage with people so I tune them out. An unhealthy approach to dealing with people and myself, After this trip I want to Listen to others, and actively engage with their views and share mine. Truly, I want to be mindful so that I can trust people and myself. Seeing and participating in the creating process in Tuscaloosa has showed me to continue pursuing this aspect of my life.
Long Dang
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