Christian McNellis Shares His Experience as a Volunteer
Christian McNellis drove our family to an appointment and
afterwards he sent me (Julie Ginader) an email describing his experience. He did such a
great job capturing the essence of the experience that I asked his
permission to share it with you.
Hi Julie,
Yesterday I picked up Doo Loe, his wife, and their one year old and took them for their English testing / screening where they will be taking classes. The experience was a memorable one.
Upon arriving at the apartment I realized the magnitude of the language barrier. It was interesting for me to see people so trusting, to just get in a car with their child and go with a complete stranger. It made me think that sometimes in life I myself need to trust more in areas where I am completely lost, instead of questioning, worrying, trying to control. I can only imagine what they were thinking of me, checking directions and GPS location while I showed them pictures of my family on my iphone and the same device was streaming music through the car's stereo using bluetooth.
I thought Doo Loe might get a kick out of heated seats, but there is really no way I can tell what he thought. Their attitudes were friendly, yet as was discussed in our meeting, I couldn't help but notice what would best be described as apathy. I can't imagine what they have seen in their lives, and to be introduced to the way we live must be overwhelming to say the least.
When we arrived at our destination, neither of them knew how to open the car doors, and I had to constantly remind myself of just how much of our routine, mundane, daily life is something they have never experienced before. At the center, it was good to see them able to talk to others there. I felt for them, that they must feel so far away from the people they know and left behind, and witnessing them chatting and exchanging phone numbers with people was positive for all of us.
The testing took about an hour. While we were there I had an interpreter ask if they had any immediate needs, food, clothing etc... I was told that they have food stamps, so food is ok, but that the children needed shoes for school. I then had the translator ask if it would be okay with them if we stopped at a store and got some shoes on the way home, to which they had time.
When we got to the car Mrs Loe(?) accidentally opened the drivers door to get in while I was getting the baby in the car seat. I handed her the key and asked if she wanted to drive. She laughed. We went to Walmart and Doo stayed in the car with the baby, I think it's difficult for him to move around.
Mrs Loe (?) was understandably confused with the shoe selection. I pulled out my phone and googled "average shoe size for 11 year old boy" planning on taking off a couple of sizes as they are smaller people. At this point I'm realizing how bizarre my phone is, and she thinks I'm half robot. Remember the show Quantum Leap? There was the guy that had the thing that told him everything? "Ziggy" I think? That guy was me, with that thing, to this woman. I digress.
We did our best and picked out 4 pairs of shoes, got a loaf of bread, and some juice. I learned I should consider shoes from Walmart, by the way, very reasonable. We arrived at their apartment just before the kids got home and they seemed very happy, energetic, and smiling. The center said that someone would be in touch with them regarding when they will begin classes. I look forward to seeing them all again.
Best regards,
Christian
Hi Julie,
Yesterday I picked up Doo Loe, his wife, and their one year old and took them for their English testing / screening where they will be taking classes. The experience was a memorable one.
Upon arriving at the apartment I realized the magnitude of the language barrier. It was interesting for me to see people so trusting, to just get in a car with their child and go with a complete stranger. It made me think that sometimes in life I myself need to trust more in areas where I am completely lost, instead of questioning, worrying, trying to control. I can only imagine what they were thinking of me, checking directions and GPS location while I showed them pictures of my family on my iphone and the same device was streaming music through the car's stereo using bluetooth.
I thought Doo Loe might get a kick out of heated seats, but there is really no way I can tell what he thought. Their attitudes were friendly, yet as was discussed in our meeting, I couldn't help but notice what would best be described as apathy. I can't imagine what they have seen in their lives, and to be introduced to the way we live must be overwhelming to say the least.
When we arrived at our destination, neither of them knew how to open the car doors, and I had to constantly remind myself of just how much of our routine, mundane, daily life is something they have never experienced before. At the center, it was good to see them able to talk to others there. I felt for them, that they must feel so far away from the people they know and left behind, and witnessing them chatting and exchanging phone numbers with people was positive for all of us.
The testing took about an hour. While we were there I had an interpreter ask if they had any immediate needs, food, clothing etc... I was told that they have food stamps, so food is ok, but that the children needed shoes for school. I then had the translator ask if it would be okay with them if we stopped at a store and got some shoes on the way home, to which they had time.
When we got to the car Mrs Loe(?) accidentally opened the drivers door to get in while I was getting the baby in the car seat. I handed her the key and asked if she wanted to drive. She laughed. We went to Walmart and Doo stayed in the car with the baby, I think it's difficult for him to move around.
Mrs Loe (?) was understandably confused with the shoe selection. I pulled out my phone and googled "average shoe size for 11 year old boy" planning on taking off a couple of sizes as they are smaller people. At this point I'm realizing how bizarre my phone is, and she thinks I'm half robot. Remember the show Quantum Leap? There was the guy that had the thing that told him everything? "Ziggy" I think? That guy was me, with that thing, to this woman. I digress.
We did our best and picked out 4 pairs of shoes, got a loaf of bread, and some juice. I learned I should consider shoes from Walmart, by the way, very reasonable. We arrived at their apartment just before the kids got home and they seemed very happy, energetic, and smiling. The center said that someone would be in touch with them regarding when they will begin classes. I look forward to seeing them all again.
Best regards,
Christian
