The last two Fridays are good examples of what I love about ministering to Marines (and specifically Infantry Marines).
Last Friday (April 27th), I had the pleasure of spending my entire day helping out with a local Special Olympics event. I got paid to go and hang out with 300 of my Marines as well as about 500 Special Olympic athletes. We were there to assist in everything from escorting and coaching athletes to parking and serving lunch. I was amazed by the high turnout and interest from the battalion (over 1/3 went) which shows we found something to keep them coming back to help with. The best part was seeing the smiles on the faces of everyone involved and I'm not really sure who was smiling more, the athletes or the Marines. It was great to see the Marines and sailors enjoying the softer side of their job and the biggest reward for me was the number of them who have asked about doing more of this on a regular basis, something the command wants them to do as well.
Two days ago we had the first battalion wide hike since I've been with 1/9. Normally, just companies go out for a hike. But, we have been selected to perform an endurance test to get some evaluative data for the Marine Corps next month and have been doing longer hikes the last two months to get ready for the 12 mile hike next month. The 8 mile hikes were done on a company basis in March but were nothing compared to Friday. It is impressive to see the entire battalion in one line taking up the road and stopping traffic for 5 minutes at a time each intersection we came across. And the ministry opportunity is amazing as I get to walk back and forth talking with Marines and passing out candy as I go along. It sure makes the miles and time pass by quickly and I can't believe I get to minister in such a unique way.
Showing posts with label Volunteering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Volunteering. Show all posts
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Missing Those Kids
I have been traveling a bit the last few weeks and haven't really thought of posting during that time. Taking in some Georgia Tech football and a Presbytery meeting along with getting the honor of re-enlisting my little brother a few weeks ago. That was a special moment that I will never forget. Each time I get asked to serve as the re-enlisting officer is an honor and privilege, but to do that for a family member is truly amazing.
But none of these excursions are the reason for this post. The trips were all scheduled with the impression that my official orders would be here by now, but budget issues still keep them held on a computer in Millington away from me. I had hoped the movers would have been here this week, but everything stays on hold while politicians get to take a vacation and tell me they are fighting for me. Oh well. Having to at least plan on the possibility that things would have been rolling by now, I had to quit volunteering at a special place right before I headed on three weeks of traveling around and hence the impetus for this post.
For the entire time I was in seminary I volunteered at the UNC Children's Hospital working in the playroom (with the exception of my time there as a pediatric chaplain intern for dual hat issues). I have to admit I probably learned more about theology and being a pastor in those two hours each Monday morning than during the rest of my time in class each week. I never thought I would enjoy the experience as much as I did. I started there to see if I could handle working with suffering children and their parents. I figured if I could handle those situations and seeing seriously ill children I could probably handle anything. And I did see some horrific physical and emotional situations, but after about a month it was less about me and those situations that just being with those kids. I have vivid memories of those kids, their families, my fellow volunteers, the therapists and nurses that I will never forget. It is my hope and prayer that I keep the lessons from all these people with me throughout my life and ministry and use them to guide my theology when I'm not with them each week.
I had the opportunity to look suffering and despair in the eye on a level that many people will never see. We tend to let people suffer in hospitals isolated and alone, especially those who don't have normal support systems in place. I learned just how important it is to just be there. Those kids didn't care who I was or what I looked like or what I did for a living. They just wanted someone there who wasn't going to talk about the illness or injury unless they wanted to. Maybe they needed someone to yell at or take out their frustrations with through Wii boxing. I learned to see beyond the illness and see the person, which was a lot easier than I expected.
They taught me how to suffer with dignity. They made me translate all the theological language I heard throughout the week into the vernacular. They shaped me as a pastor and person without knowing that is what they were doing. I learned how to be present in horrible circumstances. I learned how to listen. I learned how to share. I saw true wisdom first hand. I learned how to laugh. I learned how to play. I learned how to love. I learned how to smile from deep inside. I learned I dominate in air hockey (two losses in three years). I learned resiliency. I learned how to suffer. I learned how to cry. I learned to open my eyes and see the world around me. I learned what the world looks like from 2ft instead of 6ft. I learned how to use a Wii. I learned that nurses are amazing people that don't get enough recognition. I learned more than I can articulate and will continue to glean lessons from people much younger and wiser than I'll ever be. Perhaps most importantly, I learned who I was.
Man, I miss those kids.
But none of these excursions are the reason for this post. The trips were all scheduled with the impression that my official orders would be here by now, but budget issues still keep them held on a computer in Millington away from me. I had hoped the movers would have been here this week, but everything stays on hold while politicians get to take a vacation and tell me they are fighting for me. Oh well. Having to at least plan on the possibility that things would have been rolling by now, I had to quit volunteering at a special place right before I headed on three weeks of traveling around and hence the impetus for this post.
For the entire time I was in seminary I volunteered at the UNC Children's Hospital working in the playroom (with the exception of my time there as a pediatric chaplain intern for dual hat issues). I have to admit I probably learned more about theology and being a pastor in those two hours each Monday morning than during the rest of my time in class each week. I never thought I would enjoy the experience as much as I did. I started there to see if I could handle working with suffering children and their parents. I figured if I could handle those situations and seeing seriously ill children I could probably handle anything. And I did see some horrific physical and emotional situations, but after about a month it was less about me and those situations that just being with those kids. I have vivid memories of those kids, their families, my fellow volunteers, the therapists and nurses that I will never forget. It is my hope and prayer that I keep the lessons from all these people with me throughout my life and ministry and use them to guide my theology when I'm not with them each week.
I had the opportunity to look suffering and despair in the eye on a level that many people will never see. We tend to let people suffer in hospitals isolated and alone, especially those who don't have normal support systems in place. I learned just how important it is to just be there. Those kids didn't care who I was or what I looked like or what I did for a living. They just wanted someone there who wasn't going to talk about the illness or injury unless they wanted to. Maybe they needed someone to yell at or take out their frustrations with through Wii boxing. I learned to see beyond the illness and see the person, which was a lot easier than I expected.
They taught me how to suffer with dignity. They made me translate all the theological language I heard throughout the week into the vernacular. They shaped me as a pastor and person without knowing that is what they were doing. I learned how to be present in horrible circumstances. I learned how to listen. I learned how to share. I saw true wisdom first hand. I learned how to laugh. I learned how to play. I learned how to love. I learned how to smile from deep inside. I learned I dominate in air hockey (two losses in three years). I learned resiliency. I learned how to suffer. I learned how to cry. I learned to open my eyes and see the world around me. I learned what the world looks like from 2ft instead of 6ft. I learned how to use a Wii. I learned that nurses are amazing people that don't get enough recognition. I learned more than I can articulate and will continue to glean lessons from people much younger and wiser than I'll ever be. Perhaps most importantly, I learned who I was.
Man, I miss those kids.
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