A quiet week
Three of the staff are out of the office this week and camp is over so things are quiet and slow at Emmaus House. It's great. I have been working on various projects here and there. Right now I am making up an information sheet about Emmaus House that will be translated into Spanish. Next week four of us are going to go up and talk with the Hispanic community, I am really looking forward to doing that. Also next week I am going to work with the assistant director to research some of the vacant houses and lots in the neighborhood. About 49% of the buildings in the NPU (neighborhood planning unit) are vacant. Yesterday I coordinated a group of youth volunteers from three different states. Three of the volunteers were from Elkhart Faith UMC! The youth finished up some painting jobs and then played a game with the seniors. Next week I will coordinate for the volunteers for the whole week. Wow, it looks like I am going to be very busy next week!

Tonights is the monthly community supper and I have just been asked to help set up for it. Off I go to do that!
Posted at 15:36 #

What a week!
Last week we took about 70 kids up to a church in North Atlanta for the last week of day camp. It was a crazy week of fun and stress. I helped with a drawing class (something I am not that good at) and rode the bus to and from the church with the kids. Tuesday I had the delightful (haha) experience of going to the health clinic that is around the corner. Starting Saturday afternoon after the monthly community meeting I felt horrible. I had a sore throat, fever and was achy all over. This continued through Sunday and was somewhat better by Monday. The only thing that didn't go away was the sore throat. So, on Tuesday after work I called my insurance to find out where I could go. I entered the office at 4:00 pm and left three and a half hours later with a prescription for antibiotics. It amazed me that it took that long given the relatively empty waiting room. Turns out there was only one doctor working that night. I know that my experience was not atypical for the patients who use this clinic but it was very different for me who is used to the GC health center. I stayed home Wednesday to rest and was back to work on Thursday. In the morning we took the campers to the Georgia Shakespeare Festival's children's theater production of Robin Hood. The kids really liked it. Friday afternoon we all went swimming. Sadly it rained pretty much the whole time. None of the kids got hypothermia but it was really cold! Well, it is getting close to time to go home! I know that I will update more this week because I will be in the office. Take care!
Posted at 08:40 #

Sorry!
Well, things have been very busy here in Atlanta and I get very little time on the computer. But I have some time right now so I will update y'all on what is going on in my life.

I have been spending my weekday mornings with the campers. The kids are fun and full of energy, everyday brings new challenges. This morning I built a lego tower with some of the boys. The tower ended up being taller than me!

My afternoons are filled with many different activities. I still have paint on my hands from doing crafts with with seniors this afternoon. Somedays I help to drive them home or drive the 15 passenger van on trips. The seniors are a wonderful bunch who have all decided that they are not going to grow old quietly and want to stay active as long as possible.

The Poverty Rights Office is one of the oldest continuing ministries of Emmaus House. I work in the PRO two afternoons a week. There I help people with referals for IDs mostly, but also food.

Well, I am being called away to help Charlotte the art director over at Holy Comfortor (a church made up of mostly adults with mental disabilities)! Until next time dear readers! ps- I love to get emails with comments from you! annalh@goshen.edu
Posted at 14:53 #