Dame fe: Wesley Foundation spring break work project to Pilsen, Chicago

I recently returned from a service-learning trip to Pilsen, a relatively poor, Hispanic neighborhood in Chicago, IL.  The goals were to do some maintenance work on Lincoln United Methodist Church (service) and to experience the lives and situations of those in the community (learning).

Many there are affected by immigration issues: maybe the breadwinner of the home is facing deportation; maybe someone is sick and can't get care because they are here illegally.  Seeing the families and hearing the stories gave me a whole new perspective on immigration issues.  Many of these families are very strong, and it's hard to imagine tearing them apart for the sake of borders and boundaries, especially when divorce rate in this country is at least 50%.  At the same time, don't they know what they are getting themselves into by coming here illegally?  If not, is it not irresponsible for them to come here?  Are things so bad in Mexico that it doesn't matter?  So many questions, but boils down to this: what would Jesus do for these folks and what should I do as a Christ follower?

As tough as it was (and is) to wrestle with these issues, it was incredibly rewarding to serve the community and church.  We cleaned up and beautified the church yard, we cleared out an attic which was overflowing with old stuff, and we stripped and repainted the frame of the front door.  A number of us worked with a ESL and GED class which met at the church each morning.  Interacting with the students was wonderful.  Their hard work and dedication was inspiring.  Class ran over every day because they were so eager to learn.  Teaching them (mostly in Spanish) how to make "arbolitos de factores" (factor trees) was a personal highlight!

The work was very self guided.  Pastor "Slim" had two surgeries during our stay, and Pastor Emma was still recovering from heart attacks.  Roberto, the building manager, just found a job that week, so he gave us as much instruction as he could before and after work each day and via telephone.  Gio did pop in fairly frequently, though I don't think he had quite the authority to give us much instruction about what to work on.  As one of the work coordinators, I found it difficult to have a team ready to get to work, but few tasks to work on.  I was glad for everyone's patience and flexibility as we defined and scheduled tasks.  Maybe this is why we were singing "Dame fe, oh Señor, dame fe" throughout the trip!

The food was outstanding.  Everything from tostadas at Jacobita's home, to deep dish pizza at Conney's, to tamales and those amazing rolls filled with cream cheese and jalapeños that Antonio brought for us.  Music was outstanding.  Jamming on drums with Gio, Hector, and Sam while Amish break-danced was epic, as was singing hymns in Spanish at worship on Sunday.
 
The five day trip wrapped up with a whirlwind of activity.  Organizing/sorting/donating/trashing all the junk we pulled out of the attic, finishing the painting, cleaning, packing, and we were out the door with barely minute to catch our breath or to take in the clear, sunny, 60-degree, late February afternoon.