So in my blog post I'm going to try to include personal anecdotes from the day supplemented by some analysis so that you readers can better understand what's going on here in the wonderful city of Flint. Also this is going to be really long with some writing mistakes. I'm an engineer sorry. (actually to be clear "I'm a Physics major but will be in aerospace engineering next semester" (that's an inside joke)).

It is day five of our expedition and it has becoming  quite evident that waking up is getting more difficult by the day. Thus far our ability to wake up and fend off fatigue is decreasing exponentially and could prove to be the determining factor in our survival and success in Flint. Quite honestly the magnitude of this realization led me to make the executive decision that sleep was more important than food. Consequently, I missed out on what was apparently a typical top-of-the-line breakfast prepared by Dave and company. That being said I woke up from my post-morning-prayer nap with vim and vigor. This vim and vigor was supplemented by Angela's wonderfully upbeat positive rap that put everyone in the mood to attack the day.

So my team the "Built like Sistas (But not the Nun Type)" consisting of Kelly, Angela, Chris, Grace and Louis (that's not really his name) went to help the saints of the N.E.W. Life Center. As stated in other posts we helped move food at the food pantry, or played with kids, or worked in the kitchen. I, personally, worked with my boys Antonio and Jay moving food to the cars. These two guys I have bonded with as I worked with them over the week. The reason I mention this is because all of us can say  that we have formed bonds with people and kids on this trip that have left lasting impressions on us. It has seemed that the recurring theme during reflection is that although the physical work is important sometimes just being able to enter into the lives of another and have them enter into yours is more rewarding.

The other group (who's team name is nonexistent) went to help the people of Habitat for Humanity put finishing touches on a house as well tour their future job sites. We all met back at Northridge Academy where everyday is a new day filled with interesting and challenging experiences. All of the older grades were preoccupied with a homecoming dance to conclude their spirit week, which left most of our assisting to the younger grades. I was met with a new challenges today by embarking on an ambitious venture to the infamous second grade class. Here I was met with rambunctious, adorable, rapscallious (possibly a made-up word), loving, difficult, eager kids. The two second grade classes operate in complete chaos and disarray where kids randomly leave the class, some screaming at the top of their lungs and others getting yelled at (when I mean yelled at I mean the screeching, shrill, loud type of yell that can be heard throughout the hall) because of their behavior. Our goal in helping this situation is removing the problem children from the classroom so that the teachers can teach.

Anyway, here's a personal anecdote from this situation. One kid got kicked out of the classroom by his teacher and was just told to leave because apparently he was acting up. He was indignant because he felt he was wrongly accused. So, he was just standing in the hallway with his fists clinched really guarded and obviously upset. So I went up to him and asked what was up. He had shut down because he was angry but after a lot of prodding he told me why he was upset. But I kept joking with him and told him you know what I bet reading would take your mind off of it and he kinda half smiled but was still guarded. I kept going and I got him so excited he was beaming and ran to go get his favorite book so that we could read. He had me help him read his Hot Wheels book and by the end of it he had changed from an angry, indignant, fist-clenching 7 year old to a kid filled with a genuine happiness, beaming, and doing his little run-skip back to his class to learn. So just by caring and going out of my way to talk to this little kid I made his day a little better and maybe helped his teacher by helping his attitude. Just cause I cared a little bit. Yet here I am reflecting about this moment and how much he made my day and it was him influencing me and making me happy. These are the experiences that we were told about going into this trip. It's the recurring theme I talked about earlier. This trip and life in general is about the bonds we make and the people we touch and the people that inspire us.

Our day was concluded with an unbelievable prayer and reflection session led by Grace that was definitely the best of the week. In which, we read a passage from Isiah. Actually, I personally recommend that everyone read Isiah 50:4-9 because it's "hardcore" and fantastic. Then we finished with some charismatic prayer which was new and wonderful to me. This concludes my long post of the day. God Bless. "You is kind. You is smart. You is important." Go Jesus!

With much love,

Michael Maynes