NicoleBartley

Nicole Bartley

March 10th 2009

Reflection

Reflection: Day Four

So, I know the last 3 day’s I had been complaining about the trip so far, this is my first day, that I was actually pleased with the work we did. Today my group went to the Music City Rescue Mission, though I’m not sure if thats the name, its something along those lines. I was incredibly pleased with today. From the moment we got there, we were put to work. Some people were sorting through clothes, others working outside, some working with food. The first thing I did was split 50lb bags of rice and beans into smaller baggies, so that they could be distributed to familys. I was really impressed with the working staff at this organization. They knew ahead of time what they needed us to do, and they had even written out a list. I’m the type of person who likes organization, and plans, so this pleased me very much. Another great thing about this place is that we were able to mingle with some of the familys that came by for help, and it was great to see that our hard work wasn’t a waste of time.

The one thing that I wasn’t happy with is that I found the Man in charge of the organization to be a little sexist. He seemed to go to the two boys, Eric, and Brian, to do the heavy lifting, even though I told him I would be able to do that as well. He basically shrugged me aside without seeing if I could actually help or not, and that got me angry. I’ve been spinning a 10lb rifle for 4 years, and shooting that same heavy rifle for 5 years, I have muscles. Instead of letting me try, Brian and Eric were left to do a lot of the work, that they really didn’t have to do. I like being tested, and I was upset that I didn’t get to be.

My favorite part of the day was when the Jennifers, Grace and I got to carry down the cubicle parts from upstairs, next door to the churches basement. It was the part in the day where I actually did get to use the strength I had and I was able to carry over parts by myself, that took two girls to do otherwise. I’m not going to lie, I was proud. At the end of the day I had felt like I did a good honest days work, and that’s the feeling I was hoping to experience throughout this trip.

Alas though, I really must include this story, though I’m sure everyone else who witnessed it spoke of this story as well. Later that day when a group of us had gone to the mall, Eric and I had seen a family there who was at the Mission earlier. While at the Mission they were taking advantage of free clothes and toys, when we saw them later at the mall, they were all wearing stylish name brand clothing, with more bags of clothes at their feet, and all with starbucks drinks in their hands. It just goes to show that anyone can cheat the system, I suppose.