Greetings from Nativity Prep!

This morning marks our third day of service at our sites this week. As I take a little break from all the excitement of the day, I’ll share with you a little bit of my week so far.
Dan and I were placed at Nativity Prep School, which is a small multi-cultural middle school just across the parking lot from the convent. It has only been up and running for 2 years, and currently holds grades 5-7. There are 35 amazing kids attending that have such unique personalities. Most of the kids come from low-income families and a majority were falling behind in the public school system. From the very first day we walked into their morning assembly, I felt so blessed to get to spend time with them and experience diversity that I never experienced growing up in small town Montana.
Throughout the week we’ve done many different tasks including reading with students and tutoring after school. Yesterday I had the opportunity to work with 4 different students after school, and we had a blast. They are so energetic and of course they wanted to do anything but homework. I have to say that I have gotten attached! I have had so much fun reading with a fifth grader named Treveon. He gets so into the stories, does sound effects, and is always asking when we can read together again. It’s going to be very difficult to say goodbye at the end of the week.
Overall, I am very impressed with the school. The faculty, which consists of experienced teachers and volunteers, really care about their students. They constantly strive to help the kids be the best they can be. It really reminds me of Carroll’s motto “Not for school, but for life,” because they really are taught life lessons that will change their future.
Back at the convent, last night was our Mardi Gras celebration. We ate way too much, ice cream sundaes and brownies included, and had a dance party. The highlight of my night was watching the sisters dancing the Macarena and The Electric Slide (pictures and videos will be available!) We really have become a little family here and I have been blessed to get to know some amazing classmates on this trip that have really become friends.
The whole experience has been very humbling and I have come to see and appreciate how much I really have. The kids I work with everyday are so full of life and it has really sparked something in me, and I thank God for that. The experience has been inspiring, and there is so much yet to come. Thank you for all of the support and to the Kansas City group, we are praying for you!

Katie