Life From My Perspective

[mperry7]

2020

2020 - where do I begin? You came in full force and ensured that the next decade would be very different than the last. This year has been unbelievably difficult for everyone, it has been a year of isolation, of testing our limits, of sickness and sadness. It has pushed us to the edge countless times and made us question our actions and those of others. One thing is for sure, 2020 will not be forgotten. I can’t say that I’m upset about 2020 being over, but I can’t say it was entirely bad either.

As we enter a new year, I’m appreciating the positive:

In March, Rob started working from home. We were able to spend genuine time together, rather than see each other for a few seconds as I left for work and he returned home. We no longer had to worry about sending Finn to daycare, instead he found his favorite spot under Dad’s desk in our make-shift office. We had more time for family walks, more time to sit together and plan our wedding, more time to appreciate each other.

My family and friends gained a new appreciation for phone calls and zoom meetings. We learned how to be together even when we couldn’t. I felt loved immensely by the friends and family who insisted on giving me everything a bride should have. From throwing a zoom bridal shower to making masks out of the bottom of their bridesmaids dresses -  they continually showed up and for that I am thankful.

Rob and I got married! Planning a wedding is difficult, planning a wedding during a pandemic is near impossible. Every time we thought we had everything done another curve ball was thrown our way. Nothing was ever for certain. Compromises had to be made and many family members and friends were unable to attend. It was difficult, however it forced us to remember that the most important part of our wedding wasn't the embellishments or the food, it was that we were getting married and promising our lives to each other.

We spent more time outside. We found new hiking trails and learned how to grill. Our cooking skills improved. 

I became a certified sexual assault nurse and a charge nurse in the emergency department. I have to say, being in control of the entire emergency department during a pandemic was not on the top of my bucket list, but it has helped me grow immensely. Working in healthcare in 2020 was nothing short of exhausting. It was a constant test of our patience, our skills, and our resiliency. There were so many moments that broke my heart - having to tell families that only one person could come in to say goodbye to their dying loved one, doing compressions on someone to young to die, witnessing the increase in depression and suicide attempts. Many days I left work joking with my coworkers ``I'm done. I’m not coming back for more tomorrow.” And even though I was only half joking at the time, I showed up again and again. We all did. To all my coworkers and friends who are on the front lines of this pandemic, thank you. Thank you for giving it your all even when you had nothing left.

As we enter 2021 I have a new appreciation for the little things in life - going out to lunch with a friend, seeing people smile (without a mask), being able to spend holidays with my family. As vaccines begin to roll out I can only hope that this is the beginning of the end. That before we know it the words “quarantine” and “pandemic” will only be used when talking about the past. So as the new year slides in I hope it will be as powerful as 2020, but hopefully a little more kind.

Rather than set large goals, I hope and pray that this year returns joy, hope, and health to our world. I hope:

To spend holidays with my family. To exchange gifts in person and hug without fear.

For the health of my family and yours.

To travel more. To see the world and to visit friends.

To read and write more and to worry less. 

To maintain a healthy work/life balance and to remember that you cannot give from an empty cup.

I have a quote burned into my memory from a church service I listened to this year: “While you are waiting, God is working.” We have done a lot of waiting this year. Waiting for more details, waiting to see friends and family, waiting to celebrate special events, waiting to go back to work, waiting for a vaccine, waiting for this pandemic to be over. I know I am not the only one that questioned my faith while I sit in the longest waiting room I’ve ever been in. How could I ever see this year as a positive? So many people have died, so many families split apart, so much isolation. Then I heard this quote and it opened up a new perspective. I may never know what God is working on behind the scenes, but I trust that all of this waiting is worth it.

[mperry7]

My New Normal

I wake up at 5:15p.m. The decrease in traffic has afforded me an extra 15 minutes of sleep that I desperately need. I get dressed in clean scrubs, put my lunch together, fill my bag with essentials for the night and head to work. Just another day in the life of a night shift nurse. But as soon as I begin to drive I remember that life is anything but normal now. The traffic is sparse. The drive that used to take me at least 45 minutes now takes only 15. I get to work early, but the extra time is needed to go through the processes that have been put in place at the hospital. I can't go through the door that I normally do. I have to walk to another entrance where greeters are waiting for me to scan my badge and enter the building. They stop me and take my temperature before I make it more than 10 feet inside the door. With a badge and a temperature <100F I am allowed to "pass go" and I make my way to the break room. In the emergency room, we are no longer having huddle. Instead our assignments for the night are posted on the door. This is our attempt to social distance at work, despite that fact that we will likely all be side by side in a code later that night. If I am assigned to our special isolation unit (which we have nicknamed "Camp Covid") I have to change into extra scrubs so that mine will not be contaminated. I grab my Maxair shield from my locker, the only one I have until it breaks. After 2 weeks it is beginning to come apart, it is difficult to see through and the face shield has loosened. But, it is something, something more than a simple facemask. If I have a patient that we suspect may have Covid-19 I am required to put on a gown, gloves, and my maxair prior to entering the room. Every time I enter the room.

Things have changed for patients and visitors too. Before they even go through the metal detector a nurse is at the door asking them a myriad of questions. Do you have a fever? Are you short of breath? Have you been coughing? Have you traveled in the last 14 days or been around anyone with Coronavirus? If they answer yes to any of these questions then they immediately get placed in our isolation section. Patients are scared and now they can no longer have their family member beside them. Instead, they have to face whatever they are going through with only a bunch of strangers in space-like helmets and yellow gowns.

With all of this said, Coronavirus has not changed what I do, only how I do it. I still show up to work every day and take care of any patient who walks through the emergency department door. I am a nurse because I am called to help others, to be with them in the most difficult times. Yes, as an ER nurse I am on the very front lines. We are the first contact a potentially sick person makes with healthcare professionals. However, I am sure most of my colleagues would agree that we cannot imagine being anywhere other than the frontlines during this pandemic. We are the type of people who have difficulty watching from the sidelines, we need to be doing something, we need to be making a difference. The outpouring of love and support for healthcare workers from family, friends, and the community has been amazing. Restaurants have delivered free food, family and friends have sent masks to help combat our PPE shortage, the media is circulating posts praising healthcare workers. The support does help us get through the uncertainty of each shift and for that we are thankful. However, for many of us, I think it feels strange to be called a hero.

In my opinion, I am no more of a hero than the parent trying to work from home while their kids grow increasingly stir-crazy each day or the person who stocks the shelves at the grocery store to make sure your family has enough food. I am not working harder than the parents who had to learn how to homeschool overnight or the teachers who had to change every lesson plan to a digital format. I am not experiencing more emotional turmoil than the elderly person living in isolation or the children who are stuck in unsafe homes. I alone am not saving more lives than every person who is properly social distancing and preventing the spread of this virus. Each of us is playing our part, so if healthcare workers are heroes, then so are all of you.

[mperry7]

Covid-19: The Beginning

I wish I started writing sooner but until recently this all seemed like something that would pass, something we would prepare for but never experience for ourselves. Months ago we learned of a novel coronavirus in China. We read articles every day about the death toll rising, about makeshift hospitals being built in a week, about quarantines and travel bans. But that was in China, over 7,700 miles away. Surely it would not get to America and if it did it wouldn’t be that bad, we would be more prepared.

Fast forward a week or two and now the virus is in Italy. It now has an official name, Covid-19. With the oldest population in the world and the highest percentage of smokers, Italy suffers. People are dying at an exponential rate. Italy goes on lockdown. This is scary but still it’s not here. There is some humanity showing through. People are singing to each other on balconies and the canals have never been cleaner.

Then, the first case of Covid-19 Is detected in Seattle. It’s here And we aren’t ready. We have very limited capability to test people and we still don’t know how big of an impact this may have. We are told not to travel, especially to Eastern Europe and Asia. But people don’t listen. They are young and healthy, they will be fine. We soon realize that the young and healthy people are spreading the virus throughout the United States. With a 10-14 day intubation period, the symptoms don’t set in until you’ve spread it to everyone you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks. Cases start popping up in every state, people start dying. Schools and universities are closed. First classes are paused, then all of the students are sent home for the rest of the semester. Everyone is advised to work from home if able. Hospitals begin to prepare for the worst, creating isolation units and hoarding personal protective supplies. It will only be 2 weeks they say, then everything will go back to normal. But our gut feeling knows that this is only the beginning.

The whole world seems to shut down. Only essential services like grocery stores and pharmacies remain open. We can get food delivered but cannot sit in a restaurant to eat. We must stay at least 6 feet away from people at all times.

In the hospital we try to prepare but our supplies are extremely limited. We have to reuse equipment that was previously single use. We only have so much. We have to hide our hand sanitizer and face masks because patients and visitors have started to take them. We are now down to only 10 containers of antibacterial wipes and we get one mask per day. This is in a hospital that still only has a few cases. Other hospitals are suffering much more, wearing trash bags as protective gowns and lining ventilators up in hallways. People are dying. Yes, those with risk factors are dying, but so are the healthy, young healthcare workers who caught the virus doing nothing other than their job.

This is real. I will admit that in the beginning social media and politics had me confused. Even as a frontline ER nurse I wasn’t sure exactly what to believe. This is something none of us ever expected, at least not in our lifetimes. But now it is here, and I am on the front lines. And let me tell you, this is real.

[mperry7]

2016: A Year in Review

When 2016 started I had no idea where the year would take me. In fact, I was probably more afraid of my future than anything else. Being my first year out of school there was no clear cut path and I found myself constantly contemplating my life’s purpose. Well, it turns out 2016 was the year for me to figure out how to create my own path.

Looking back on 2016 I see it as three distinct periods of my life:

From January to May I finished out my mission year with Cabrini Mission Corps. I worked with students, lobbied on behalf of refugees in Washington DC, and served as an advisor on a service trip to West Virginia. The year challenged me over and over again. It gave me the time to space to learn about myself, my goals, and my dreams. Since I was living only 5 minutes down the road, I was on campus when my alma mater, Villanova, won the NCAA Championship for the first time since 1985. I got to experience the crazy but passionate school spirit that filled not only campus, but the entire town.

Early in March the travel bug came on strong. This is when I applied to participate in a 40 day trip to Ghana with Operation Groundswell. When I found I was accepted reality set it…there was no way I could pay for this trip. In order to go on the trip I had one week to put down the $500 deposit, so I decided to leave it in God’s hands. I started a fundraising campaign and prayed that if I was supposed to go on the trip, then I would somehow come up with the money in time. 3 days later I had the money and I truly believe it was all part of God’s plan. For the next few months I did everything I could to fundraise and tell people about my trip. I could have never gotten there without the love and support of the family, friends, and even strangers that believed in me. I am ever thankful. Turns out, I fundraised exactly enough money, not a dollar more or less. That is God’s work.

On July 6th I began my journey. I spent my 23rd birthday in the Turkish airport during a 24 hour layover and eventually made it to Ghana. Not only did I check “Going to Africa” off of my bucket list, but I had an amazing experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I’m not going to go into detail about everything I experienced since I have written about it in other posts, but I will say that I am a better person because of it. While serving alongside the Ghanaians they taught me how to live simply and appreciate every aspect of life. I frequently find myself saying, “I lived in Ghana for 6 weeks,” when I begin to dwell on life’s little annoyances. Going to Ghana fulfilled a goal and a dream.

Chapter 3 of 2016 began upon my return from Ghana. I moved home to live with my family and work for a semester while preparing for nursing school. I took two online classes, worked part time at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and part time as a nanny. I babysat regularly for some amazing families and was blessed with time to spend with my family. Even though I was busy, I was spoiled living at home from home cooked meals to always having someone to do something with. Mom and I started attending a new church that I absolutely love and I joined a church group through which I met some amazing girls. Although I am sad to leave, I am grateful for this time spent at home.

2016 will soon be in the past and as we ring in 2017 I will begin yet another chapter of my life. On January 2nd, Dad and I will be packing up the cars and driving to North Carolina where I will begin nursing school at Duke University. The next year is sure to bring challenges and triumphs as I transition into a completely new stage of my life, but I am ready for it to begin.

Dear God, thank you for all of the opportunities you have blessed me with in 2016, for encouraging me to follow my dreams and for keeping me safe during my adventures. During this year I have come to know you better and I hope to continue learning about your life and the path you have planned out for me. Please bless the world as we move into 2017, that we will learn to connect with each other rather than create divisions. Help us to move forward in love.

[mperry7]

40 days of Living

In 40 days I traveled through 7 regions of Ghana, slept in 10 different beds, and learned how to say thank you in 4 different African languages. I rode in every type of transportation from carts that we like to call "bone-shakers" to tro-tros to VIP busses. There were days when I felt sick and all I wanted was a restroom with running water and there were days that I felt so amazing that I was thankful for the peacefulness of life without electricity. 40 days of traveling, 40 days of forming relationships, 40 days of sweat and dirt, 40 days of learning. I've been home for almost a week now and I am slowly readjusting. When we travel we expect to experience a bit of culture shock, but what we don't expect is the reverse culture shock we experience upon coming home. When you return home nothing is the same, or rather everything is the same, except you. While you have been out in the world having this transforming experience, everyone else has been continuing with their lives. You are different, but the world you left behind is not. When people ask how your trip was you struggle to find the words. Why? Because it was wonderful, it was difficult, it was heart-breaking, and it was life-giving. There is no quick response, only a story that may take hours to tell. In Ghana I was gifted a new perspective, a new way of looking at the world. I gained a new appreciation for the little things. Never again will I take for granted being able to turn on the faucet to get water, the enormous selection of food in the grocery store, or a bathroom with a toilet and a shower. Even though I appreciate these things, I also know that we don't need them...for 40 days I lived without them, many people do every day. What we do need is love and understanding, a willingness to learn, and recognition of the beauty that surrounds us. In 40 days I had the experience of a lifetime and I would not have gotten there without the abundant support from all of you. Every donation, every prayer, and every encouraging word brought me one step closer. I like to think that I made a difference while I was in Ghana, whether it was teaching children about hygiene or supporting women to build a sustainable farm, but I know that the real change was inside me. So, thank you. Medaase. Akeleinaa.

[mperry7]

It's About the Journey

Traveling is a humbling experience. When you first set out on a journey you feel lost and confused but there comes a point when you look around and realize that you are doing it... You are doing what you never imagined you could do. The last week of my journey in Ghana gave me a new perspective that you can only gain from completely leaving your comfort zone. A little over a week ago we left our home in the north and our group split up for independent travel time or ITT. With just a few directions, a final destination, and a list of things we wanted to see and do we set out on our own to discover every bit of Ghanaian culture. Without our group leaders for the first time we put on our backpacks and ventured out to the bus station. There is a sense of liberation that comes with doing things on your own, with having to struggle before you can reach the reward. After a long days journey and haggling with tro drivers we made it to our first destination, Mole National Park. There we went on a safari where we stood 20 feet from wild elephants and took in the beauty of the forest. After leaving Mole we split into smaller groups for the remainder of ITT. I began my journey back to the south with two of the people that I have become closest to. We chose to move slowly, taking in everything that Ghana has to offer. Our journey brought us to major cities, each one with its own feel and culture. We found ourselves at beautiful lakes and beaches where we reflected on the past 40 days. Each time we moved we experienced the struggle of finding a bus or tro, but we were also shown kindness by Ghanaians genuinely trying to help. About half way through the week we returned to Cape Coast where we had worked with partner organizations a few weeks before. As we walked through the market to get food for dinner we realized how much more comfortable we were the second time around, how much we had grown in such a short time. Each day of traveling brings new challenges and triumphs. Each moment is an opportunity to learn, to meet new people, to alter your perspective. Throughout the past week I have truly learned more from the journey than the destination. The next few days will be spent reflecting on the trip. Remembering the people we have worked alongside, sharing stories, and preparing to enter back into our lives at home.

[mperry7]

Living without lights in Kazugo

Imagine a place where you are greeted by every person you pass on the street. A place without the modern comforts of running water or electricity but with an abundance of greenery and the brightest stars you will ever see. In this place the houses are made of mud and the sound of the rain echoes as it pounds on the tin roofs. The people in this place rise and set with the sun, farm and trade to support their families, and always have time to dance. This is Kazugo, a rural village in northern Ghana that we have called home for the past week. Living in the Kazugo community was an unforgettable experience. We lived with host families and felt the sense of community that comes from appreciating people more than technology. While living in Kazugo we worked with ORGIIS, a nearby non-profit that works with local communities on sustainable development projects. In particular they focus on employing and educating women in agriculture. What I really appreciated about ORGIIS is that they work with communities to assess the issues and then to find solutions, rather than just imposing their own ideas of what should be done. Throughout the week we woke up with the sun and rode our bikes about an hour away to ORGIIS headquarters. In an attempt to beat the heat we started the mornings early, but the Ghanaian women still proved to be much stronger. When we arrived at the plot of land that we were clearing to start a sustainable moringa farm the women were already hard at work. Not only were they cutting down trees with machetes and clearing the land in intense heat, but many of them were doing it with babies tied to their backs. I am still in awe at the strength and work ethic of these women. Though we did what we could to help clear and plant, I think the real value of our service was in being there to support the women. I have no doubt that the farm would have been started with or without us, but I can only hope that our presence made a difference, whether it was providing a laugh as we tried to use a machete for the first time or struggling through the language barrier to learn where to put each seed. In addition to our work at ORGIIS, a significant amount of our time was spent in community with our host brothers and sisters in Kazugo. We helped prepare dinner in pots over coal fires, worked with the chief to plant some trees, and formed relationships. Our early mornings led to afternoons spent relaxing under the trees to escape the heat, lots of bucket showers, and eventually sleeping under the stars. I could go on forever about the value in disconnecting from our phones and computers to truly experience life. One afternoon a few of us were seeking shelter from the rain in one of the guest houses when we realized that our conversation would not be happening if we were back at home. Had we been at home each of us would have pulled out our phones to entertain us while we waited for the sun to come back out, but without electricity or lights we were forced to genuinely engage with one another. In that moment I made a promise to spend more time connecting with people both in Ghana and when I return home. There are so many memories and lessons that I will take with me from our week in Kazugo. But most of all I will remember the chief's message that embodies the spirit of Kazugo, should we ever return to Ghana we will always have a home.

[mperry7]

Cape Coast

As I sit listening to the waves washing up on the shore and the beat of the drums being played beside me I reflect on the past week that we spent in Cape Coast. We have worked closely with our partner organizations to educate children on health and hygiene, volunteered in a clinic, played basketball and soccer with the locals, learned who are the best chefs in the group, attended a gas station party, and discussed social issues after visiting the slave dungeons. Our perspective has been changed and we have gotten to know another side of Ghanaian culture. Throughout the week we worked with two organizations. I spent most of the time working with NKWA foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on sustainable community development, health promotion, and rural education. Each day we prepared a presentation on hygiene and presented it at various schools in the area. We also assisted in distributing dewormer medication. At some points it was difficult because of the language barrier, but we did our best and connected with the kids in whatever way we could. This involved a lot of music and clapping games... Universal languages. On Wednesday I had the opportunity to volunteer in a rural outreach clinic. When we arrived we found out that what would be the equivalent of a town hall meeting was taking place in the area where the clinic was to be held. However, they said it should be over shortly so we sat down and waited. Three hours later we finally started setting up for the clinic. While the experience of having to wait for hours at a meeting where we didn't even know the language was frustrating it was also a good experience in culture. In Ghana there is no time... People work off of a genuine respect for others and value personal interaction. No one is in a hurry to get somewhere or tied down by where they have to be. People simply live. Being from a western culture it is difficult to view the world without times and deadlines, without knowing exactly when and where you need to be. This week we also worked with Hoops Care International, a program that empowers youth in the community through sports. It also reaches out to surrounding communities to support health and education. We were able to visit one of the villages that Hoops Care works with and meet some of the young women and children that Hoops Care supports. We ended up getting drum and dance lessons from the community. Once again using music to break language barriers. This weekend we visited the slave dungeons in Cape Coast. The experience of walking through the place where thousands of people died at the hands of others was emotional and eerie. To think about the pain that these people suffered both physically and emotionally is unfathomable. But even worse than that is the realization that slavery still exists today. People are sold into trafficking, forced into labor, and tortured today. We need to be aware that slavery is not a thing of the past. Tomorrow we set out for the North where it is much more rural. That being said, we will not have running water or electricity, so I will not be able to update for a little while. However, I will be sure to write it all down so that I can share it with you when I have internet again. Ghana has already opened my mind and heart to new people, a new culture, and a new view on health care and I am excited to delve deeper into my experience in the rural north.

[mperry7]

Intro to Ghana

It's amazing how much can happen in one week. How many lessons you can learn, how strong of relationships you can build, and how much you cram into each day. Each moment in life is precious and being in Ghana is no exception. A little over a week ago I began my journey in Accra, a busy city in southern Ghana. I met my team that is quickly becoming my family and got my first taste of Ghanaian food and culture. After getting oriented for a day or two we headed to Wli Falls about 5 hours away In the Volta region of Ghana for orientation. On our way there the "tro-tro" that we were riding in got pulled over by the police...one of the first experiences of what it means to live in Ghana. The driver as well as other Ghanaian passengers bribed their way out of going to court (for a red light violation) and we were on our way. We are learning quickly that bribery is a part of Ghanaian culture that can't be overlooked. Sure, it exists everywhere, but here it is much more obvious and expected. Anyway, we made it to Wli where we met our host auntie Annie, had a delicious Ghanaian meal of rice and Shito ( a spicy sauce) and rested for our 6 hour hike up the waterfall the next day. Our hike up the waterfall was difficult but absolutely worth it. After trekking through the trees and up slippery rocks we made it to an awe-inspiring site. As we entered the water and felt the pelting of the waterfall on our faces we knew that it was worth it. We eventually made our way down, which turned out to be more difficult than going up. We sat at the bottom and took in all that we accomplished in those 6 hours. Yes, it was a challenge but working as a team we all made it up and down the mountain. That night we talked about our experience, played some practical jokes on each other, and listened to the goats as we fell asleep. After our weekend in Wli, we made our way back to Accra to experience the city and learn more about Ghanaian culture. We went on a scavenger hunt that almost resulted in us being in a Ghanaian music video and ate lots and lots of rice. We spent a day at the University of Ghana where we had a lesson in Twi (the local language) and listened to various cultural speakers. We've discovered that even being able to say thank you in the local language will bring you a long way. The next day we went to the Orthopedic Training Center (OTC). This place is nothing short of a miracle. It is a holistic center for those with physical disabilities. They do everything from fit and make prosthetics in the workshop to running a school for disabled children since they are often shunned from school. The place was more amazing than I can put into words simply because the people who ran it cared so much. We visited Old Fatima, a slum village. There we met with ladies who had come to find work in the city. When we got put of the car the air was so thick with smoke from burning trash that it was hard to breathe. The river looked more like oil than water. The experience of the village was sad and shocking, but for many people this is their reality. Then we went to an herbal medicine center where they grow, research, and distribute herbal medicines. They are doing amazing research on natural treatments and remedies and selling their products at low prices so that the most people could benefit. We are currently taking the weekend to relax at the beach while we prepare to work with our partner organizations in Cape Coast. Unfortunately I have been pretty sick for the past few days so it has been a struggle, but hopefully a little downtime is the answer. So far this has been an amazing experience, one that is difficult to put into words. It's impossible to describe the bonding that has taken place within our group, the feeling of walking down the street in Accra, or the community that is Ghana.

[mperry7]

I’ve been traveling for a little more than a day and I have made it to Istanbul, Turkey! Sonce I have a 22 hour layover I thought I would update everyone on my journey so far.

It began with some chaos. Storms in Indy and Atlanta caused some major delays which meant that I had to switch my flight or I would miss my connection to Turkey. So, mom brought me to the airport a little earlier than originally planned so that I could explain my situation to the airline desk attendants. I’d like to say thank you to the kind lady at Delta who put me on an earlier flight so that I could make my flight In time. I hope that the kindness comes back around to you.

So, I made it to Atlanta and boarded my flight to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. I don’t think I have ever seen such a large and elaborate plane. We were greeted with blankets, pillows, socks, slippers, and a travel toothbrush… Pretty much everything we could ever need on a flight. Then, a few hours into the flight one of the plane attendants tapped me on the shoulder and said “we heard that it is your birthday” and handed me a plate of fruit and chocolate (pictured above). I had pretty much forgotten that it was my birthday so it was a nice surprise.

Now, I am spending my 22 hours in the Prime Class Lounge in the Istanbul airport with a glass of wine and Turkish cuisine. Even though I do not plan on leaving the airport, I am still getting to experience a little bit of this culture.

So far, so good. Thank you for all of the birthday wishes. Only 13 more hours until I board my flight to Ghana.

God, thank you for keeping me safe on my journey so far. Please continue to watch over me. Bless all of those people who have helped me so far in my travels from the lady at Delta who switched my ticket to the Turkish airlines attendants who wished me a happy birthday to the bartender in the lounge who poured me an extra glass of wine. I am so grateful for the kindness I have been shown so far and I know that it will only continue.

[mperry7]

Let Your Faith be Bigger than Your Fear

Tomorrow begins my 6 week journey to Ghana where I will be working with local health agencies to learn about global health, meeting new people, and engaging with a new culture. I am excited, but also nervous as I embark on an adventure like nothing I have ever done before.

However, before I get to Ghana I will spend 2 days traveling...including a 22 hour layover in the Istanbul airport. In light of the recent terror attacks I had to make some decisions. Should I still go? Is it too dangerous? Should I try to reschedule my flight? In just a few minutes I went from printing my itineraries and making sure everything was set to questioning whether I was going to go at all. 

After a few hours of thinking, researching, and most of all, praying I knew that continuing with my plan to go to Ghana was the right choice. You see, from the very beginning I have left the details of this trip up to God. When I first got accepted to the program and learned how much money I would need to raise I did not think it was possible. I actually came very close to turning down the offer because financially it just was not going to work out. Then, my roommate came into my room and told me that it is God’s money. Even though I was not completely sure I believed her, I decided to try to raise the $500 deposit in one week. If I got the money, I would know I am supposed to go, and I would continue to fundraise. If not, it was not meant to be.

Within 3 days I raised $500. Over and over again it is confirmed that I am supposed to go on this trip. Every time I almost gave up, I prayed, and in some way that prayer was answered. When I let my faith be bigger than my fear, everything was okay.

So, tomorrow I will be leaving for the journey of a lifetime trusting God to keep me safe. Please keep me and all of the people I will be interacting with in your prayers. 

Dear God, please keep me safe as I go on this journey to Ghana. Please bless all of the other group members that they have safe travels and bless the people of Ghana that we will be working alongside. Thank you for giving me the strength to continue with my trip and for reminding me to let my faith be bigger than my fear.

[mperry7]

Leaving

“You get a strange feeling when you are about to leave a place, like you’ll not only miss the people you love, but you will miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you’ll never be this way ever again.” - Azar Nafisi

On Friday night I drove away from the main line for the last time. I packed up my car and left the place that has been my home for the last 5 years. And as I left, I realized how much a place can change you. I thought about all of the memories that each space holds, how the roads and buildings were witnesses to the most influential years of my life.

Not only did my year of service at Cabrini end on Friday, but so did a chapter in the book of my life. Now I truly have to move on, away from the comfort of familiar faces, away from Villanova, and away from everything I have known for the past five years. It is time to embrace the uncertainty and create a future of my own. 

So, here is one last tribute to the main line:

To Cabrini College...Thank you for welcoming me into your community as a missioner. Thank you for introducing me to amazing students, staff, and faculty who are no doubt going to change the world. I am grateful for my experience that taught me so much about the world and my place in it. 

To Villanova...My roots will always be with you. The best four years of my life so far were within your walls. Thank you for introducing me to campus ministry, traveling, and people who genuinely care. Thank you for pushing me to experience poverty in other places, so that I could return with new perspective. Thank you for basketball, an education, and hours in the library. Once a wildcat, always a wildcat.

To Bertuccis... Thank you for a job that provided me with the funds to travel the world and experience cultures. Thank you for the family I spent nights and weekends with, even if I did not always want to be there. 

To Downtown Wayne...Thank you for nights spend in your restaurants, the movie theater, and underground ice cream shops.

To the MLBs...Thank you for nights that turned into mornings, laughs, and cries. Thank you for dance floors and dartboards and times that I will always remember.

To Handles...Thank you for providing our community this year with delicious ice cream and jokes about where you keep your cows.

As I write this I am realizing that this list could go on forever, that I will never be able to capture the moments and memories that each place holds. I could never explain the feeling of home that this small part of Pennsylvania gave me. 

This chapter of my life is ending, but the next one is beginning. And although I am not yet sure where the next road leads, I know that eventually it will lead me home.

God, thank you for the place I have called home for the last five years. Please bless all of the people and places that have comforted me and made me feel like I belong. As I move on with the next part of my journey please watch over me so that I may move on while also remembering where I have been.

[mperry7]

Everything is Possible

Everyday for the past month I have posted a link to a GoFundMe or t-shirt sale that will help support my six-week trip to Ghana this summer. Every night I have prayed that if it is God’s will for me to to go to Ghana, He will help me help me get there. 

I have been asking friends, loved ones, and even strangers to support me, something I have never been very comfortable with. In my mind, this is something I want to do, and therefore I should be able to pay for it myself. Yet, to my surprise, people have willingly contributed to my endeavor to learn about global health and to serve where I am needed. In fundraising for this trip, I have seen compassion and faith like never before. Not only are my closest friends and relatives donating, but so are friends of friends, strangers, and people I have not spoken with in years. Everyone is coming out of the woodwork to remind me that true love in unconditional. You have all given me hope that somewhere among the terror and hate in the world, good still exists. 

My faith is bigger than my fear. This is why I have dedicated my life to serving others. This is why I volunteer full-time and live on the small stipend I receive. This is why I am going to Ghana this summer. Many people have expressed their concern about me traveling in a dangerous time to a place where I will certainly stand out. They have asked me if I am sure I want to go, even tried to convince me not to. However, my response is always the same...we cannot live our life in fear.

I am going to learn from the people of Ghana, to hear their stories, to work alongside them, and to learn about healthcare on a global perspective. I will serve in whatever way they need it most, not from my perspective, but from theirs. International volunteering is so often about going into another person’s home and doing what you came there to do. We often focus so concisely on our goals, that we forget to take everything in and ask what is needed. My hope, and the hope of Operation Groundswell, is to go to Ghana with an open mind, to work with our partners on projects that they have started, and to understand the struggles of healthcare in Africa.I am blessed to have this opportunity, and with your help, it will become a reality. 

1 Corinthians 13:13 says  “ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Your support, both financially and in prayer, is love. It is love that I will carry with me and share with the people of Ghana.

God, bless everyone who has shown me support in any form.  Please continue to show me that, with faith, nothing is impossible. Thank you for this amazing opportunity to fulfill my passions of traveling and service.  

[mperry7]

Appalachia

I spent my spring break in Ronceverte, WV a.k.a. Appalachia. Compared to the other trips I have been on, this does not sound very exciting. When I was told that they needed me to advise this Cabrini campus ministry trip, I didn’t think so either. While my community member was traveling to New Orleans, another class was going to Guatemala, and  others were intending to spend the week on the beach, I was stuck going to mountainous, cold, West Virginia. I was not thrilled.

However, I decided to go in with an open mind, knowing that the destination does not define the experience. So, about a week ago, our small group loaded into a van and embarked on the six hour car ride to Appalachia. I had been prepared for snow storms and frigid temperatures, but we were blessed with a sunny, sixty degree day. At that point I knew that the week would be a positive experience.

We spent our time in Appalachia helping to restore a house in Ronceverte. The home was owned by Pam, a widow who had several health problems her self. Her son (probably in his 20s) and his girlfriend also lived in the house with their two dogs. Pam’s husband died young at only 47 years old and had left many of the projects in the house unfinished. Our job was to replace the ceilings that currently had holes and mold growing from them. 

Now, I knew nothing about putting up ceiling tiles, but that did not stop me or the rest of the group from doing our absolute best. We quickly learned what a ferring strip was, how to handle a nail gun, and that trim angles would require more math than we thought. We also discovered the frustration of putting up square tiles in a house with uneven and slanted ceilings and walls. Despite all of this, in four days we put up ceiling tiles in three different rooms.

But this post is not about what we did, but rather about how we felt. Pam and her family were extremely grateful for the work we were able to accomplish. She took the time to hug and thank each one of us as we walked out on the last day. However, the main thing she thanked us for was our attention to detail and our motivation to do the best we could. She thanked us for respecting her home as if it were our own. 

Appalachia reminded me that there is something to be learned everywhere you go from everyone you meet. Originally, I was quick to dismiss Project Appalachia as a trip that I would enjoy, but I was wrong. After being there for only one day I felt the happiness return that only serving others brings. I realized how happy I was to spend all day drilling holes in the ceiling rather than sit behind a desk. Even though I was tired, sore, and frustrated...I was happy because I was doing something that would make life better for someone, at least a little bit.

I laughed more in Appalachia than I have in a long time. Being surrounded by others who also have a passion to serve gave me strength and belief in myself. They encouraged me to follow my dreams and goals, even when they seem impossible.

On my graduation cap I wrote, “wherever you go, go with all of your heart,” as a daily reminder to be present where I am. To encourage myself to continue traveling and follow my heart.

God, thank you for blessing with the experience of spending a week in Appalachia. Thank you for helping me to keep my mind open and reminding me to be present. No matter where I go I will remember that my presence is that best gift I can give.

[mperry7]

One Moment

Everyone has a moment in life that defines them, a minute, a day, or an experience that forever changed them. When we retrace the steps of our lives, we realize that they all lead back to this moment. They may stray off the path or seem to go in circles at times. There will be sections when you see footsteps walking beside your own and others when yours are the only steps around. The steps will change, some being leaps and others barely moving at all. Yet, every path will bring you back to this moment.

Try it. Take a second to look back on your life, on the accomplishments and the failures, at relationships formed and broken, at the experiences good and bad. Think of the moments that you hold in your heart. Remember the times that you knew your life was forever changed.

Many times we do not know when these moments are coming. It is not until after that we realize that they altered the course we were on.  For me, this moment came in the form of an experience.

Yesterday, my Timehop reminded me of the moment I was accepted to my first mission trip. 3 Years ago I found out that I would be spending my spring break in Kingston, Jamaica. Little did I know, the experience would change the course of my life. Jamaica was my last choice for a mission trip. I had heard many things about how dangerous it was and honestly, I was scared. I knew about poverty. I had studied the causes and effects in school and could tell you where poverty rates were high. The fear had been instilled in me that poverty equaled danger. I thought I knew what it looked like to live without, to lack means of obtaining basic needs. Really, I knew nothing.

That spring I made a choice to put aside my preconceived notions and experience the world with my own eyes. I took on the challenge of working through complex issues with no real answers and listening to unfathomable stories. I wanted to gain a better understanding of the world and figure out how I could make my childhood dream of making a difference in the world come true. I expected to help others, but in reality, they helped me.

While in Jamaica I spent time at a children’s hospital where young children laid in bed for months, some even years, in full-body casts. I spent several days at a nursing home where the residents sat in chairs and starred into space all day, simply because they had no other option. I used sign language, a skill I thought I had forgotten, to communicate with an old lady who had not communicated with anyone in years. I played with school children in the trash filled village that was their home. I assisted in the nurse’s office at a school, which was the only medical care for many miles. I saw loss, pain, love, and patience....but most of all, I saw hope.

In just seven days, my world was changed forever. I specifically remember returning to the retreat house after spending a day in one of the villages. The village and school had been built on a dump. There was trash everywhere and animals roaming in and out of the school. A military truck, with four men holding guns, had driven past the school and the kids thought nothing of it. However, in the midst of all of this, there was so much hope. On each home, which was no more than a few pieces of scrap metal laid against one another, was a bible verse or a quote brightly painted for everyone to see. These people, who had nothing, had so much more faith than I did and I could not understand why. When I returned to the retreat center, I felt a sadness, guilt, and passion that I had never felt before.

The trip was a lot to take in, but I did not do it alone. My break trip group became more like a family and in them I found sincere love and joy. They were people I came to trust and genuinely enjoyed being around. They understood the emotions I was feeling and were willing to discuss them. For the first time in many years, I felt that I had a place where I truly belonged.

So, this was my experience, but let me tell you how it changed my life. When I returned to school I realized that many of my friends could not understand. This is normal; they were not there. However, some of them did not even want to try, and for me that was hard. I reassessed the people I was surrounding myself with. I broke up with my boyfriend who did not share similar motivations in life and began allowing other people in. I added a pre-medical track to my psychology major in hopes that someday I could help those without access to medical care. Throughout the rest of college I spent every break on a mission trip, both domestically and internationally. I met people from all over the world, assisted in health clinics, helped to build houses, and worked on expanding my faith. I found a home in campus ministry, where the students and staff shared my values and desires to make the world a better place. I began dating my long-term boyfriend, who was there with me in Jamaica from the very beginning and has continued to travel the world with me. And now, I am dedicating a year of my life to service, something I never imagined doing. Every aspect of my life can be traced back to a moment.

This is how I got to where I am now. Serving with Cabrini Mission Corps and searching for what comes next. I believe in fate and I know that I was placed on that mission trip and every one after that for a reason. I needed that experience to change the direction of my path and bring me closer to God. Much of who I am today is because of a moment.

Dear God, thank you for showing me that faith exists most abundantly in people who have nothing. Please continue to guide my path. Let us know in our minds and hearts that every second is a treasure, holding the power to transform us. 

[mperry7]

SREHUP

A few nights ago I was able to visit the homeless shelter that played a huge role in my life during my college years. Throughout the past 4 years I have spent many nights volunteering at the shelter, picking up meals, and organizing volunteers. I have spoken with many men experiencing homelessness and listened to their stories. Going to the shelter was just something I did and no one would be surprised when they asked me to do something and my reply was “sorry, I can’t, I am going to the shelter tonight.” Then graduation came and I was no longer expected to volunteer. I had handed over my role and moved on. At first, this was a relief. No more last minute trips to Philadelphia to cover for someone who could not be at their shift, no more Saturday morning board meetings or sitting in traffic for an hour to get there, no more rushing home after volunteering to write an essay due by midnight. At the time, not having the responsibility of being president of a student-run homeless shelter sounded wonderful...and it was for a while.

Then came November. I knew that the shelter would be opening for the year soon and it felt strange not to be stressed about making sure all logistics were covered. So, I got in touch with the new directors and asked if I could continue to volunteer to which they willingly accepted. I think I always really knew that I would never be done with a place that was so close to my heart.

When I walked in for my first shift of the season it felt like returning home. I was greeted with a face of relief from the security guard who was hoping he would not have to train a new group of volunteers on his own. The men who benefit from our shelter thanked me by name, remembering me from years before. I was filled with the joy that only special places can bring, the joy of familiarity in a place where people know and trust you.

After dinner and some wonderful conversations I drove home with a smile on my face and warmth in my hear. Quite honestly, the homeless shelter makes me happy. It doesn’t seem to make sense that seeing men suffering from living on the streets or hearing their stories of adversity would bring me happiness, but being there is so much more than that. It is realizing the strength of the human person, of faith, and of love. It is being trusted to appreciate someone’s story, even though I could never fully understand. It is lessening someone’s pain, if only for a moment.

So, as I drove home I recognized a sense of happiness that I had not felt in a while and I realized just how much the homeless shelter means to me. It is somewhere where I am counted on and seen as a leader, somewhere I belong.

This year, as Cabrini Missioners, we have chosen to live by the slogan, “does it give you life?” When debating a difficult decision one of my community members will inevitably chime in with, “well, will it give you life?” When you debate choices with this is mind, the answer becomes clear. That inexplicable happiness that I feel after a night of volunteering at the shelter, that is life. It is life reminding me to always take opportunities, because you never know where you may end up. I never thought that a commitment to weekly service would play such a large role in my life, but here I am telling you that it can and it will.

Dear God, thank you for bringing opportunities into my life that will forever change me. Please bless all of the men who benefit from our shelter, as well as all people experiencing homelessness. Open our hearts to giving this holiday season and help us to realize that there is something to be learned in every situation. Amen.

[mperry7]

Faith is Love.

I didn’t grow up going to church every weekend or praying before meals. I knew about God and the basic principles of being Catholic, but I never studied the bible. I did not grow up in a religious family, but that does not mean I grew up without faith. 

For me, being a Christian has never been about following every rule or agreeing with every opinion of the church. I have gone through periods of questioning and disconnect, as well as times of strong belief. I went to college with a relatively strong faith. I knew that I was Catholic and felt called to the church community, but as college went on I began to question. At first, I was ashamed of my questioning and chose to pretend that it did not exist, but eventually I realized that we cannot truly have faith until we have chosen it for ourselves. Questioning is just part of the process.

I try my best to go to church every weekend, but I go because I want to, not because I believe it is a requirement. I think everyone should have the right to marry, regardless of sexual preference or identity. I believe that there are many ways to pray, many of them unconventional. I have made my own decisions on controversial issues that do not always align with those of the Catholic Church, but for me... that is okay. 

God is love. I heard this during a period of questioning and everything began to make sense. Faith is following that general principle. It means loving unconditionally and dedicating your life to making everyone feel loved. It is supporting refugees and working towards an end to war. It is finding the ministry that allows you to help others, whether that be healthcare, education, business, or something completely different. Faith follows the principle of acceptance. We are all human beings and we all deserve to be treated like we are. Faith is love.

This is why I have come back to my faith; because the church has finally dedicated itself to working towards social justice rather than focusing on “the rules.” Never before have I identified with a religious leader, until Pope Francis. He has been instrumental in this movement towards a better world for all and I feel that his ideas of church and faith align with mine. For the first time I feel genuinely welcomed and loved. I feel that I can live out my faith by being in service to others rather than stressing over missing church or forgetting to pray. 

No, I did not grow up being persuaded to go to church on Sundays or talking about religion on a daily basis. But, I did grow up with love, an abundant amount of love that has made me the person I am today. And for that reason, I grew up with faith.

I pray for those who are questioning their faiths and beliefs, that they may find comfort in knowing that it is okay. I pray that each and every person knows that they are loved for their own way of life, whatever that may be. May we each define faith in a way that is personal and life-giving.