The first work group arrived last night, after the Annual Meeting. Every year, I assume around the same time, the Board and staff of Meeting Ground have a meeting. They do business-y stuff like going over the Annual Report. But at Meeting Ground, that consists of more talk of spiritual changes than you would see at most organizations that put out Annual Reports and have Boards and Trustees and Directors of Operations. There's food all afternoon, and then the residents and staff put on a fantastic dinner. We had kebabs with fish, shrimp, beef, chicken, peppers, onions, tomatoes. Really a lovely color palate. I got to wear a name tag and be briefly introduced during Udo's turn at the microphone. Very exciting.
So the work group arrived in pieces. The first couple came around 7:30 and the rest didn't get here until around 9:30ish. Which was fine. They are all adults, many with lots of experience in construction and farming. Udo is overjoyed, because this means they can do complicated projects like installing windows and doors and siding. These are things I have no experience with.
I was grateful for my waitressing days last summer when the group arrived -- I like to think I am still rather talented at small talk and endearing myself to a group. We're getting along well; I've heard some good stories about farming and living in rural Ohio. This group actually comes from three different churches, and there are only eight of them! The one pastor ministers to two churches (can't imagine the time and responsibility involved there) and his wife is the pastor of the third church. They're hoping the collaboration of this trip will encourage future ecumenical projects and activities. (I just have to note here, briefly, that every time I hear the word 'ecumenical' I think of the end of the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie when Jack uses it)
Anyway, so the projects today were re-digging some holes and installing two windows and a door on the dining hall. I elected to help the group with the digging. Wow that's hard work. We're digging holes to fill with cement for the foundation of a modular home that was donated to the farm. Hopefully by the end of the week we can have the inspection and fill in the foundation. Once the home is situated, Udo wants to replace the siding and give it a new roof -- jobs for other work groups later this summer.
I find myself eating full meals and completely clearing my plate here. Very refreshing. At Wellesley, especially towards the end of the semester, I was not eating enough. Really I was not hungry enough. Its a really nice change to be hungry at every meal. Such appreciation for physical labor!! :] (Maybe its a combination of a real appetite and better food, I don't know)
Turns out Ronald (the nice man who was conversing with the night outside my window Thursday night) is schizophrenic (I guessed, but didn't want to assume). He also has a ton of lung issues, as a result of smoking for years. I get the impression he has been here at least a few years. People around seem to know him, and Meeting Ground apparently gets donations specifically for Ronald. He also cannot read or write, which means he may be here for a good while longer. The job market for the illiterate is not too large. :[
Everyday I have the same realization through my interactions with the staff and the residents: I am so incredibly lucky. Who am I to have been born intelligent, to two loving, sane, intelligent, clean and sober parents, no chronic illnesses, the opportunities for quality education, a roof over my head, the list goes on... I feel like I won the genetic lottery.
And now I have this opportunity to level the playing field a little. Not much, but I can't think of anything more important than sharing my luck with the unlucky.
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