Photo courtesy of Margaret Mikula
Normally, I hate group projects; too many people and differing opinions on how to do something. Yet somehow I found myself agreeing to be a part of a service project group through the Newman Center at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Despite my vehement distaste for giving up my Saturdays, along with a group of fellow college students, I ventured off to the Hope House for expecting and single mothers. The objective: painting a house.
Perhaps a little context: the Hope House is a place for expecting single women or those with a newborn to get some help and establish themselves. When I was approached and asked to join the group, the thought of saying no never even crossed my mind despite the labor that it would entail.
After all, life is a precious gift from God, and as a community, it is crucial to nurture it. So who am I to turn my nose up at an organization focused on helping single mothers?
Initially, one of the coordinators of the Hope House was planning on painting the place by herself, but that would be remarkably strenuous and time consuming, so we stepped in. Prior to heading over, we gathered for breakfast and played some ice breaker games to spend some time together.
Once everyone was introduced, we went over why we were doing this service project. This was done as a part of living the Focolare Word for Life that month, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.” (Mt 5:7)
This was our end goal, doing something to help those in our community that were in need of mercy. As it turns out, painting a house for a good cause is actually rather peaceful and relaxing. So much so that a few of us gave up another Saturday to return and get more painting done!
All in all, group projects really aren’t that bad, you just need the right people and the right motive behind it. It doesn’t have to be loud and flashy—even the smallest project can be impactful to a few in need.
