JESUIT PERSPECTIVES • FALL 2016 13 patients due to Zika concerns, we were able to see the families of the patients inside the lobby. This hospital didn’t provide toiletries for their patients; instead the families had to supply these basic items, which were expensive in the local grocery stores. We passed out toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap to the family members, who would later give it to the patients. The waiting room had doors and windows open, with fl ies and other insects coming in and out of the lobby. There wasn’t enough seating so families lined up along the wall waiting for their turn to see their loved one. As we walked around and handed out our donations, the people were extremely grateful. It was a humbling experience to give out items so simple to us, but so meaningful to them. This mission trip showed us that in order to truly serve others, to truly follow God’s will and His mission, you have to lose yourself in the service of others. In doing this, you fi nd yourself in a state of happiness. When it was all over, every single one of us was proud of the work we did. We felt honored to get to know these people and learn about their life. You can’t learn in a classroom the true differences and struggles of others, especially those of the needy. You need to experience it yourself. I was incredibly fortunate to attend this trip. SOUTH DAKOTA Philip Plazewski ’17 with Lakota children APPALACHIA very year, 10 Jesuit rising seniors serve the Lakota children at the Rosebud Indian Reservation. This year, accompanied by Jesuit teachers/chaperones Nick Werner and Corey Perich, students Camden Bauman, Gabriel Brown, Juan Dumois, Dalton Garrett, Joseph Hanis, Blake Motzer, Philip Plazewski, Justin Raab, Quan Trinh, and Kyler Waldron from the Class of 2017 provided hands-on assistance to the local St. Francis Mission in its ongoing work at the t was another amazing week of good deeds accomplished by a large and determined Jesuit student contingent of 27, plus chaperones, in Appalachia this summer. Repairing and painting homes, building stairs, porches, and fences, major landscaping projects – you name it, and the Jesuit students did it for the people of the rural community of Jasper, Ga. And like the Nicaragua mission trip and the World Youth Day pilgrimage, families and friends were able to follow along on the Twitter account of Fr. Patrick Hough, S.J. (@jphoughsj) with numerous photos posted daily. Andy Wood ’92 and Sean Wickett ’16 in Oregon Digging in Appalachia or decades, a pillar of Jesuit’s summertime community service has been an amazing week at the annual MDA Camp in Brandon. Each summer at Rotary’s Camp Florida, MDA Camp connects counselors with campers – who are all children with muscular dystrophy – at what everyone says is the highlight of the year and a truly transformative experience. “It was a week I’ll never forget,” said Brett Nevitt ’18, a fi rst-time counselor. Those who served MDA Camp this year, and have also served in previous years, were: George Boghdadi ’14, Connor Bracy ’11, J.P. Collins ’17, Shane Eilers ’17, Joe Epstein ’15, Myles Hahn ’16, Austin Jurado ’11, Drew Kamaris ’17, Justin Martin ’11, Adam Perhosky ’08, Ralph Vaello ’13, Frankie Wamsley ’13, and Sean Wickett ’16. Rookie counselors at MDA Camp this summer were: Jason Accardi ’19, Edward Bocchino ’17, Ryan Cox ’17, Brendenn Flynn ’18, Gianni Jurado ’18, Matt Mainzer ’18, Kevin Mendez ’18, Brett Nevitt ’18, Chandler Rodriguez ’17, and Justas Schillinger ’17. Andy Wood ’92, who has served MDA Camp for a quarter-century, and Wickett took it one step further: A couple of weeks after the MDA Camp in Brandon, the annual Oregon MDA Camp spread the word that it was in dire need of veteran counselors. Wood and Wickett, on just a few days notice, boarded a fl ight across the country to Salem, Ore., to serve another week at MDA Camp. reservation. They operated a vacation bible school for about 30 Lakota children each day, introducing the children to important biblical stories, teaching basic prayers, performing arts and crafts, and playing games. Late in the afternoon each day, the students helped with painting and building repairs, and worked in the community garden. E I MDA Camp Brandon and Oregon F Mount Rushmore
19096JH
To see the actual publication please follow the link above