Random Wordiac

This Monday and Tuesday and today we have been working on Mike's house, a local Aliquippa resident who broke his back in an airplane accident. As a result, he can't walk upright and is in constant pain. He is living in his nephew's basement, which is unfinished, dirty, non-handicapped accsessible, and more or less unsuitable to life. We have been slowly knocking things down, attempting to measure, cut, etc. My job, specifically, has been mudding in areas that have chipped walls. Then I sand the mud (concrete stuff) after it is done drying. I have operated a variety of power tools, including an electric sander, which is really interesting. I have also hatcheted/hammered/sledged/chipped walls. One guy on our trip, Schroeder, says I make him nervous. This is probably true. We wear protective eye and mouthwear, but are still COVERED in dust and debris by the end of the day. The first day I showered afterwards my hair pretty much hardened upon impact with the water. I shampooed many, many times. Now I just wear a bandana so my hair is protected. More to come later, but we have to run to another church that is feeding us.

We got to Aliquippa at about 430, at which time the team was finishing up helping with the food for a Haiti fundraiser dinner. We hopped in the car and drove back to Dr. Meek's house to get ready for night church at the local Episcopal church. We got there a little late, and sat down. It was a pretty confusing church, but really well-ordered. EVERY SINGLE THING was written on the bulletin/song sheet thing. They are super-big on the I-say-something-you-say-something kind of worship, which was kind of confusing since I'm used to Pastor-says-something-I-just-listen style. They had absolutely amazing music, and clapping. Lots of clapping. We ate dinner with them, and talked with some of the people who had lived in Aliquippa for a while. From what I saw, their church doesn't do many (or any) programs, and doesn't seem on the extreme edge of evangelical-ness. The extent of what seemed to be their missionary-like activities was living and working in the community, as well as operating low-rent apartment housing. We left after dinner and headed back to Dr. Meek's house, where we debriefed, got settled, and went to bed (I should add here that the team had been hauling rocks all day to help fortify a creek, so they were just a little tired....).

Today we had breakfast at 930, and then picked up John Stanley (the owner of Uncommon Grounds) to head off to Church. We went to an African American church called New Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in Aliquippa, which was a thoroughly amazing experience. They welcomed us with open arms (seriously, way open. As in every lady within 10 feet hugged and kissed us) and were just all around amazing. We got there during a church sunday school and meeting, and it was just incredibly different than a "white" church. Someone suggested something, and everyone was like, "No! What you THINKIN??". So much for saving face, lol.  
The laws that seem to typically guide white americans DO NOT APPLY in a black church. Not one bit. You want to sing a random melody that the Spirit just brought you? Go right ahead! You want to clap 4 times every 5 beats? Do it! You want to dance around hallelujah-ing in your seat? Well, if the Lord leads you, do it. It was inhibition-less church, which I must say something can be said for. Yes, there is a balance, you don't want people going nuts in the aisles or disrupting service, but these people worshipped. With everything they had. Sometimes in the movies it presents the stereotypical black church, and the people come out seeming like they are not real, like their faith is just a show. And while many of those stereotypical traits do seem to hold up in this church (organ music, organ sound effects, effusive clapping, church hats, etc.) this is one that does not hold much at all. One interesting thing was that all church members were told that they MUST bring in 100$ on such-and-such a date. Not, "could everyone who is a member please donate some money by sometime this month? Please" No, more like, "You had better bring your money in, or we gonna search you out." Also, this church kept all of their children in church, babies on up. This didn't affect the service at all, as any baby who cried was quickly drowned out by the insanely loud sound system/pastor/and singing-clapping people. It was a pretty interesting experience. 

*coughs* erm.....I couldn't help myself. *grins innocently*

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One of the latest adventures has included the death of my poor T.V. We were about to watch Season 1 of the show Arrested Development, when I realized the T.V. was unplugged. I trotted over and plugged it in, noting a rather sinister Pssft sound. I ignored it and sat back down on the bed. A few seconds later I realized that the T.V was SMOKING. A lot. I screeched, jumped up and frantically threw open the window (envisioning fire alarms going off). I the proceeded to screech for my suitemate, my RA, and anyone who could help. I briefly entertained the notion of flinging the TV out the window. I unplugged the TV, and continued my franticness. Soon the TV stopped smoking and settled into just being dead.