Day 1: Getting Settled

Today was about getting ready to spend our week at HighPointe and being in the right frame of mind for the immersion. We talked about the different types of disabilities we will see and how to address them. We also did activities where we replicated experiences of different disabilities such as speech impediments or autism so that we can better understand the people we are trying to serve and what they are going through.

Today our major reflections were on our ministry of encounter and presence and what all that means. I think one of the saddest realities for many disabled people is that few people want to spend time with them and just exist in the same space as them because it can be difficult at times. Thus, many disabled people are living very lonely lives. This immersion experience may not be about physically making the lives of a disabled person easier, but simply about being the first person in a long time to sit down and be present with him or her. 

We talked a lot about the story of the Good Samaritan who, even though it was difficult, went out of his way to help someone in need. Specifically, we discussed what might stop us from wanting to "cross the road" to help those who need it most or what might push us towards crossing the road to help. We talked collectively as a group about what might push or pull us away from helping, and how sometimes you might be embarrassed to do something, so many people avoid. Overall, what we took away from the story of the Good Samaritan is that this week on our immersion experience we have to be the Good Samaritan by stepping out of our comfort zones and help those that might be avoided.