Emmaus Week 3

 I can’t believe I have been at Emmaus for 3 weeks now! I really love being here! It did not take long at all to become adjusted to a new living environment and working here. I had a busier week working in the MC, and was able to experience more of the Uptown community this week. As the weeks go on I am getting to know the guys more and learn more about my role at Emmaus.

I worked in the MC Monday-Friday this past week. Monday wasn’t too busy in the MC, and it was more of a relaxing day. A few guys came in, we had lunch, and I got the chance to hang and talk with them more rather than facilitating clean up and chores. On Tuesday since my roommate Austin wasn’t able to be in the MC that day I stepped in and cooked the meal. I am not going to lie out of all the things I have done and learned to do at Emmaus I was really nervous about cooking for the guys on Tuesday. The guys are not shy about how they feel about how their food is cooked or how it taste. When I came down to start preparing the food one of the guys just came into the kitchen and started helping me. He basically took over the kitchen, which was fine with me! He made a chicken taco, burrito type of thing. It was fun to have the experience in the kitchen as nerve racking as it was. I heard from my roommates that when there is a new person cooking all the guys would crowd around kitchen and give their cooking request and/or “advice”. The guy who helped me out cooking said to me, “Ill make sure they don’t bug you when you are cooking. You are like my little sister now.” I think it’s so cool and heartwarming that even with the littlest things they are such caring guys.

Later on that Tuesday before our staff meeting I went shopping for a few items at the local Aldi. When I was walking back to the apartment. (I was in a hurry to get back to the staff meeting on time.) On the way back I witnessed a domestic dispute between and man and two women. The guy was pretty belligerent and getting physical with the women. It shook me up to see that happen in the middle of the day on a crowded street. I felt guilty for not knowing what to do in the moment besides call the police. I was afraid and concerned for the two women’s safety and prayed that they were okay. When I came back to the apartment I felt like I needed to talk to somebody about what happened. Christa has been working at Emmaus for a while and is the go to person for any questions or just to talk about anything. I got the chance to talk to her about what happened and we prayed about the situation and for the community of Uptown. Being able to talk and pray about it brought a sense of peace over the situation. I am definitely thankful and blessed to work along side people who care enough for their volunteers/co-workers and community to be able to do that in situations like this. I was especially thankful for Christa taking the time out of her day to listen and pray with me.

On outreach that night (first night of outreach where the temperature was at least above 15 degrees.) it was still a pretty slow night. I partnered with Doug who is the outreach director at Emmaus and he as been there for a while so he basically knows everyone we see on the streets that is connected with Emmaus. We ran into a couple guys, got some coffee, and talked with the guys for a while. Just before we left to go back in Doug and came across a young man on the streets that fit the description of someone involved in prostitution. Doug approached him and gave him our contact card to come into the MC. I found it heartbreaking that this man we came across was my age. He was very open about stopping by at Emmaus. At the end of the night we prayed together for all our guys and the new contact we came across on the street that he would come to Emmaus and stay safe. 

The rest of the week went smoothly in the MC and office. I felt a little more tired this week. My strategy for when I get tired is to drink coffee and attempt to exercise. I don’t live to far away from the lakefront trail so it’s nice to go for a run or a walk when I can. I feel like it gives me energy, distresses me, and a way for me to spend time with God. I also have really amazing roommates and coworkers at Emmaus that understand about stress management and self-care.