A Basin of Dirty Water, Fist Pumping and Brother Sun: Welcome to FrancisCorps 12

August 21st was the day that I started my new journey of life. I arrived on the step of Court Street 1015-1017 with a few butterflies in my stomach not really knowing what to expect or who to expect. I was instantly greeted by a fellow volunteer named Mike and a family with a think accent, right away knowing they were from Long Island... or should I say "Strong Island" Jeannie? Soon enough everyone was trickling in from their specific corners of the country. I soon met Mike from Albany, Jeannie from Long Island, Amy from Buffalo, NY, Tim from Binghamton, Jelly from Laredo, TX, Brittany from Indianapolis, Matt from Durham, NC, Molly from Fairhaven, MA, Monsy from Miami, and Tom from Chambersburg, PA. A group that throughout this past week, we have formed a pretty strong bond. It has been quite an interesting ride bringing 11 recently college graduates together for one common purpose. One can say it is like college all over again with your closet friends but minus the homework... which makes it a pretty ideal way of life!

Orientation started off pretty good besides the fact it rained on us for almost two days. To keep things positive though we were here when Syracuse experienced the most rainfall in history with mas o menos (more or less) four inches of rain. This allowed for a some great group bonding time and a two/three hour game of Apples to Apples. Even though I didn't come out victorious... it LITERALLY was a blast. Hoping to get out of the rain, we headed up to Alverna Heights for a few nights for some more orientating and team bonding.....

... and did we for sure get both of those covered! We not only learned the life and times of the other volunteers, we learned who has the best knack for taking people out in the game of Mafia as well as who has the best acting skills. We also learned that a dirty basin of water can be lesson many of us can learn from. All 11 volunteers were so humbled to have their feet washed by Bro. Jim and Sr. Ann as way to remind us that we need to wash the feet of those around us. Not only in our FC (FrancisCorps) community but everyone around us. We have seen Jesus set the way for us, and now we must go out and continue this "washing" to those around us. Through this washing we can form a community, which can be represented by the gunk at the bottom of the basin. We all have our own way of doing it but in the end the gunk settles and it comes together at the bottom forming the community feeling. (Disclaimer... This is kinda an odd way of looking at community but I am trying to remember what Bro. Jim said during this time but I might have butchered it somewhat...bare with me :)

So after a couple hours of Spanish Taboo and a few more games of volleyball and a riveting game of Sardines, we packed up our bags and headed back to Syracuse. In about twenty minutes, we had our bags repacked and jumped back into the vans for a five hour drive to Seaside Heights...a.k.a..... Jersey Shore (insert fist pump here).

After a little traffic here and there, Lead-Foot Jim and Captain Tom parked us safely at our great beach house just a couple blocks from the infamous Jersey Shore Boardwalk and Beach. We spent the night enjoying the biggest pizza I have ever seen and playing a few games out on the porch while Sister moon laughed the night away!

The next morning, as well as for the rest of the week, Brother Sun was there to wake us up for another exciting day ahead of us. We did our orientating in the morning which consisting of working well within community, being good listeners (yea you heard me!) and figuring out our personality types. One morning, which was probably a favorite of all, we met the Poor Clares. A group of Contemplative sisters who live in community with each other. They are a group of amazing ladies who are working towards fulfilling the mission of St. Clare and St. Francis. Someday I will dive a little deeper on both of them. The afternoon was mainly for more group bonding which primarily took place at the beach...not a bad place for that to happen eh? Played a little volleyball, did a little swimming and body surfing, a few napskies, chasing after Snooky, and J-Wow... nothing too big. A good chance to really get to know the other members of the group.

For a couple of nights we stayed in to cook for ourselves, grillin up some delicious Shish Ka-bobs and enjoying the company of Crazy Uncle Bud and Aunt Coors. We also headed out to the Boardwalk for a meal. We had to wait a while to get our seats, but only because they were clearing the tables that Pauley D and The Situation were eating from... again no big deal :) After dinner we attempted to win ourselves the 13 member of FC 12 but some little kid was a sharp shooter on the water gun game...we believe it was rigged. The night ended in some quality dancing and fist pumping... even a little wrestling. We even caught the sunrise the next morning.

Saturday was a Free day with us so we really got a chance to get to know Brother Sun and Sister Water. We are all pretty much best friends but soon had to say goodbye once Sunday came about. We celebrated a wonderful mass with the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and talked with a few parishioner after mass. Soon after we jumped back into the car with Lead-Foot Jim and his Co-Captain, this time Monsy, and headed back to wonderful Syracuse... hoping to bring the sunshine back with us!

After hours of Disney music, Madonna, Alaina Morsette and Jewel... we successfully made it back to Cuse. Unpacked the car but soon enough jumped back in to hit up a stellar chinese restaurant for dinner. Just don't get the Beef Chow Mein... not the greatest. After dinner we popped in Dead Poet's Society and chillaxed for a while. It was the first day of work for the Cuse Volunteers the next and some more orientating for us going to Costa Rica.

The rest of the week consist of some more "housekeeping" items for the CR (Costa Rica) volunteers while the Cuse Volunteers work diligently at their new post. It is sad to see that the time together with both CR and Cuse volunteers is dwindling down but the relationships have formed and it looks pretty hard to break these bonds.

We head to Airport at 6:15 on Friday to book it out of the country so please keep us in your prayers during our journey. Please keep the other 6 volunteers here in Syracuse in your prayers as well as they continue their ministries.

I will keep you posted as life goes one but until then remember....

Continue to wash the feet of those around you, have fun and fist pump when ever you can, and thank Brother Sun and Sister Moon every chance you get!