New Beginnings

The following is a reflection written by Katie Kenefick, one of this year's Little Village House Volunteers.

After taking some time to reflect on the past couple of weeks, marking the first weeks of placement at our service sites, I recall the nervous anticipation of the unknown my fellow housemates and I were feeling as we geared up to begin our year of service. Now that the first-day jitters have passed, the initial unknowns have been demystified. Not only have we seen where we will be serving, met our supervisors, and interacted with coworkers, but we’ve started to discover the true meaning behind our work. As time passes, and as we travel out into Chicago to serve every day, the faces of commuters on the train will no longer be strangers to us, the quirky office jokes will become endearing, and we will find comfort in the familiarity of our new routines.

We’ve started the 9-to-5 grind but through the support of our community, belief in our work, and trust in God, we meet the coming months with enthusiasm and energy. At every work site lies an amazing potential to serve and be served, to learn, to grow, and to be challenged. We will be using each of our unique, God-given talents to act as legal aides, translators, mentors, teachers, health care assistants, coaches, and friends to the under-served in Chicago. We have taken a leap of faith and stepped outside of our comfort zones to be challenged as individuals of faith and as members of intentional community. We will share the burdens of those facing injustice, connect with those who go unnoticed, and delight in the simple joys shared by all of humanity.

In Little Village, at the end of the day, tired and wary from the miles we’ve traveled and the sights we’ve seen, we come back together as a community and recall our day’s events. Hearing the passion in the voices of my housemates as they share the stories they’ve heard and the relationships they’ve built provide a space that encourages each and every one of us. The wonderful community Amate House fosters, allows us to meet the coming day with the same excitement to inspire one another and learn from those we serve. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers as we continue this journey.