Peer Learning: With A Little Help From My Friends

Connor remains purposely "hands off" and coaches the younger learners to figure it out as they learn together.

I found the different ways that younger kids approach problems and projects interesting. It was often different from how I would look at things.

They often question the process more than I would and are a lot more fluid in how they learn and approach things.

Connor Aguilar

Thinking back to High School, I don't recall tutoring or volunteering to help kids.  Perhaps, I was too consumed in my own life: sports, friends and school work.  In defense, I don't even remember hearing about these opportunities. In college, there were a handful of times I volunteered, when asked or expected to because of my sorority or college courses  I certainly wasn't asking about volunteering, and didn't even know about service learning projects. How embarrassing as I was seeking a future in education...

It's embarrassing and yet enlightening. Enlightening because as I observe this current generation of millennials and now digital natives, I see them volunteering and doing more service than my generation talked about, let alone participated in.   The media can often portray our younger generation as corrupt and consumed with themselves and their technology; yet, if you look closely enough you will see a completely different side. And if you don't, let them show you. Offer them ways to show you the side of serving others and what that looks like.


While peer teaching is not exactly a new way of teaching or learning, it certainly has been picking up popularity. But I prefer to support activities which involve peer learning. Why? Because when we teach others there is an instant role assignment. I'm the teacher, you are the student. When there is  peer learning, we BOTH learn TOGETHER. Right away the stigma of an authoritative role is taken away and lines are blurred and crossed to see both sides of the learning taking place. According to a web article from Stanford,  "It is not a substitute for teaching and activities designed and conducted by staff members, but an important addition to the repertoire of teaching and learning activities that can enhance the quality of education" (Boud, 2002).  


Since little has been researched among K-12 students, last summer, Rockhurst High School and the STEAM Studio  teamed up. Greg Owsley (Rockhurst High School STEAM Director), JW Clark (Rockhurst High School STEAM Coordinator) and I developed and conducted a research project involving RHS students and STEAM Studio K-8 participants to see what they could learn from each other. 

In summary, the 16 RHS "coaches" (participants in the research project) chose this project as their service learning hours and came to the STEAM Studio twice a week to share knowledge they gained from their RHS classes (robotics and other classes) with almost a 100 (98 to be exact!) K-8 youth in the after school programs.

The RHS coaches approached every activity using this model with the K-8 youth at the STEAM Studio.

We were invited to share our findings at the international conference, ISTE this past month. Connor, Krishon, and Brion (Rockhurst High School students) along with a few STEAM Studio youth, our STEAM Studio Coordinator, Laine Eichenlaub, Greg, and myself spent two hours presenting and sharing the interesting and effective strategies we found from the 12 week research project. Here are some of those findings...

 Unlike other service projects in which the affect was direct and right now, STEAM Studio was about giving kids skills that they could use for the rest of their lives. 

Krishon Harris

• What would you do if I sang out of tune?  Many times we worry about failing. It's natural, but such an incredible part of the learning process. We gave the RHS young men an hour long training of Design Thinking which is how we engage all our youth into each and every activity we do at the STEAM Studio. We discussed how to keep them focused and what to do if the STEAM Studio youth were to go off task. We realized from the RHS feedback that they would have liked more planning on the Design Thinking for the weekly activities, while they certainly did a great job engaging the younger learners! Every week I heard our young STEAM Studio kids get so excited to see which RHS volunteers where there. According to the data we compiled, 100% of the RHS students said they felt Design Thinking helped them share their knowledge with the younger students. Design Thinking is the confidence that everyone can be part of creating a more desirable future, and a process to take action when faced with a difficult challenge. That kind of optimism is well needed in education.

"I found this to be a really cool idea for teaching high schoolers how to teach and explain things like teachers.

I also found that the kids seemed to be really interested in the topics provided and wanted to learn more."

Ethan Fetters

• Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song. Motivation. How do we motivate humans to learn, to work, to do anything? There has to be an interest! One of the questions on the post-survey (at the end of the project) given to the RHS coaches was "how do you think you will made a difference?"  Over 50% of them said they felt they made the most difference by raising interest in the areas of STEAM. What is interesting is that none of them thought this would happen when we asked them in the pre-survey (beginning of the project). This goes to show that they felt after they worked with the youth they definitely observed some sparks flying!

I found this project interesting because it provided an environment in which I could both learn from the kids and help them.

It was cool to see all of the different projects come to life with the resources in the STEAM Studio.

Mitchell Roberts

• Gonna try with a little help from my friends. I'm happy to report that our RHS boys are coming back to try more activities and continue this research project for the 2016-2017 school year!  This next time around we will be focusing on what the K-8 youth are learning and how they feel about learning from older peers as we also continue to track data from the high school students.  This will enable us to find interesting and creative ways to motivate learners to not only learn STEAM content, but learn from each other.

 We do know that peer learning can facilitate friendships.

Friendships that increase confidence in both parties and motivation to learn...together.

Let's get by with a little help from our friends.

SPECIAL THANKS to:

• The ISTE presenters: Greg Owsley: Teacher, Rockhurst High School, Laine Eichelaub: STEAM Studio director, Connor Aguilar, Brion Dennis, Krishon Harris, Rockhurst High School Students & Research participants

Our crew who represented the Rockhurst High School/ STEAM Studio research project at the international technology in education conference in Denver, CO in June, 2016.

• To our 16 new friends, the "young men for others" Rockhurst High School service learning/research project participants who worked with 98 STEAM Studio youth: 

Brendan	Odrowski
Brian	Medina
Brion	Dennis
Connor	Aguilar
Ethan	Fetters
Jacob	Bamesberger
Keaton	Schieffer
Krishon	Harris
Mitchell	Roberts
Sam	Lee
Sam	Keitges
Seth	Harper
Sherlock	Gong
Steven	Madigan
Thomas	Leggio
Ting	Gong

Sister Act: What A Week In A Convent With Nuns Taught Me

Whether you are near or far, you are always needed.

We are called to serve others.  Sometimes it's comes at the most challenging times, other times it's actually perfect timing.

My mission trip to Philly was both.

As a professor at Rockhurst University, I am blessed with the opportunities to participate and lead service immersion trips. Serving over winter break provides me the opportunity to be away when I am not teaching, my kids are in school during the day and there's not much action during the wintry mix of early January. However, it does fall on the first week my kiddos are back in their routine, courses need to be organized for the semester, and the aftermath of Christmas is in high gear.


Helping others is never convenient. It's just not. If it was, everyone would do it. Serving others is a calling, it's done with out the expectation of reciprocation. I flew to Philly thinking I would be serving the homeless and helping in the urban Catholic schools, what I experienced with 9 students and my fellow faculty companion was much more than I could have anticipated.

So I went, and stayed in a convent with a group of nuns for a week.  What does that look like?

NOT THIS

It actually looks like this...

Our last supper serving at a homeless community center in Camden, NJ.

Here are 8 lessons I learned from my week with the Sisters of St. Joseph in Chestnut Hill. A group of soldiers who carry out their mission daily without reservation or judgement about those they serve or those who choose not to serve.

1. Let go of judgement you don't know you have.  This is powerful. I had thoughts floating around in my head about the homeless, until I sat down and talked to them. Looked them in the eye and saw what they were sharing...from their soul.

2. We shame so many people without getting to know them.  That person who is on welfare, that person who lives in the multi-million dollar house, it's all relative. We tend to look at others without really seeing who they are.

3. Acting is not always about doing something- most often it's about listening, We don't listen, deeply.  We hear people but do you listen to what they are really saying? How often do we take the time to really listen to someone, without thinking about offering our thoughts or thinking about what we are going to say back?

4. Meet people where they are- not where you think they should be.  Every adult is responsible for their own life. If you are in their life, you are there to support them and to accompany them on their journey. Not to give them a road map, but to show them their options of routes to take. Some take longer than others, there's the chance of getting lost along the way, but usually they will find their way back. Perhaps you are the gas in their tank.

5. Try to greet everyone with a smile.  This is so cliche' but if you do it for a day, you will feel like you are walking on cloud nine. It only takes a second and it will change their day... more so, yours.

6. Quit searching for love. It's there. See it.  I'm not expert on love, but I've learned from my week with Sister Jules, Sister Celeste, Sister Rita and Sister Michelle (and many other of my Sistas) that it is there. RIGHT.IN.FRONT.OF.YOUR.FACE. It may not be pretty, but what a rewarding feeling, to love and experience love unconditionally.

7. Don't help. Serve.  No one is a superhero. Quit trying to be one. When you help someone, there's this feeling of paying back. You changed my tire, you took my kids for an afternoon, you covered lunch, I'll pay ya back....no no no.  Serve people with humility- no strings attached. It all shakes out the way it should in the end.

8. Cross boundaries. Do things that blow your mind.  How many times do you go beyond your comfort zone? Yeah, that's what I thought. In a world of instant gratification we need to challenge ourselves to be patient, to be risk takers, to let our excitement be our passion. You live once, try something new, try helping someone new.

I may not be converting to be a nun, but I am converted. After my week with a house full of nuns, I'm learning to let go of judgments, trying to live more simple, being mindful of my actions and reaching out to those who need it most, no matter their economical status.  It will be a daily challenge, but one I am excited to act on because of my new Sisters.

Turn your magic on. Make someone feel alive.
Get someone through their adventure of life, 

without judgement, without expecting something back.

Sing it Coldplay!

Special thanks to:

•  Sister Jules, Sister Michelle, and Sister Celeste, who accompanied us daily and put up with our questions, lousy Monopoly game tactics, and card playing sharkness!  You saw the good in us and daily loved us, reminded us to mindful of our actions, to "see" others,  and gave us "treats!".  You changed our lives forever though God's love.
• Sister Rita- Personally, you forever changed my thinking about serving others with your witness and straightforward, yet loving attitude. You opened my eyes to what it really means to serve, hold people accountable and share kindness to all, no matter what.
• Sister Delores, Sister Jane, Sister Linda: what you accomplish daily in your ministries is beyond amazing. The passion, humbleness, dedication and soul you put into every task you do, no matter how small it may seem was and is an inspiration to all of us.
• The Notable Nine: Abigail, Angie, Clare, Emily, Grey, Leanna,  Nellie, Nicole, and Peter- So many memories and quality time together. I am awe of the sacrifice you took to service a week of your time, the happiness you shared constantly with others and each other, but more than anything, your sweet souls that will continue to serve in the ways you are called to do so. Thank you for one of the most memorable weeks of my life!
• Kenneth Mellard: Thank you for driving us all over Philly and Jersey and being there for us each and every day.  I enjoyed being your co-pilot even though geography is obviously not my strength. Your insight and thoughtful reflection was appreciated and makes me beyond grateful that I was lucky enough to take this journey with you and those who's paths we crossed.

Helping Others: No Need To Go Out Of Your Way

We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.
Ronald Reagan

We've all been in a time of need.  Maybe you just needed a ride somewhere, some extra cash, a piece of advice, a place to crash or a supportive hug. Every single soul out there has needed something at sometime from someone who didn't have to give you anything.

But he or she did. Why?

The other day I was on campus outside grading (one of my favorite things to do...not really). It was such a beautiful day so there were students everywhere soaking it all in. Such a positive buzz all around.  I overheard a student shout out to a friend, "hey! I need your help, can I get a ride to Ashley's house?" To which the other student replied, "I can't right now." I saw the desperation in the requester's face, but then the another girl standing there said, "I can! It's on my way."


For some reason it got me thinking about helping others and volunteering. I feel as though sometimes there seems to be two extremes when being asked for help: overwhelmed or excited.  It's hard to say no, but on the other hand we need to say no at times. Generally speaking, we want to pay it forward, go out of our way, do what's right for the greater good.

What if we were just honest. Instead of indirectly, or directly making someone else feel like we are going out of our way, we just responded with: "you're on my way" or "I can't right now".

If you think about it in the big picture, no one should volunteer or help others out of guilt or pressure. You do it because it makes you feel good, and it should!

What? Isn't that selfish?

Nope, ask yourself, "where am I going?"  When you think of where you are with your life and you think about ways to add a positive energy to that, where do you see yourself? Helping others because you want to grow, learn something new, connect with someone, and want to increase your chance of happiness as you help someone else find happiness results in a win-win for both parties. It's not selfish. It goes beyond being nice, it's seeing the bigger picture.

It makes sense then to serve someone  or an organization who in return serves you in some psychological, emotional, or spiritual way. They can teach you about a different aspect of life or maybe open your eyes to seeing something a different way. It can be a one time shot, or long term commitment. The choice is yours. There's nothing wrong with picking a time or place based on an area of yourself hat is lacking.  Life is short, spend your time wisely!

If someone feels as though they are "going out of their way" to help someone else, than maybe they should just stay where they are.  Keep opening your mind to new avenues of volunteering, serving others and let others help/serve you. It leads to a healthier life, happiness and higher self- esteem.

"There is no separation between inner and outer, self and other. Tending to ourselves, we tend to the world. Tending the world, we tend to ourselves." 

The Wise Heart by Jack Kornfield.

At the STEAM Studio, we rely on different types of volunteers. As a non profit with a mission of inspiring kids of all ages to be interesting and engaged in the area of STEAM, that can sometimes be challenging. It amazes me at the flow of people we have helping. We always can use more (so please jump in if you wish!) but we have volunteers who return consistently without anyone requiring them to do so. These same volunteers also serve others outside of the STEAM Studio.  Here's what some of these RU college students had to say about just that...

Alli W. on volunteering with a wild group of first grade girls' soccer team, "I am thankful for the opportunity to work these girls. It's been amazing experience getting to know them. Each one is different which makes it so fun to be around them and watch them interact."

Mitch F. on serving others from Uganda to the STEAM Studio, "I learn an immense amounts of things from working with different kinds of kids and people. I also learn more about myself and how to be more understanding of others lives and the some struggles people go through." 

Jamison W. on also volunteering at the STEAM Studio and coaching young girls in soccer, "I help because I enjoy being there for them and helping the little ones. It's what I love to do!"

Laine E., our new STEAM Studio Coach/Volunteer Coordinator on what she enjoys about helping others," Supporting creativity and inspriing students to explore new areas is what I love doing. We have support from professionals and STEAM coaches which helps us all achieve."

Next time you volunteer or help someone and they respond with,  
"thanks for going out of your way", 
why don't you say, 

"thank you for getting me on my way."

We all need somebody to lean on...

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Animal House? Not Quite: What Teaching College Students Teaches Me

I have to go to class?

Back at it this week! Rockhurst University classes start today. Every semester, I look forward to getting back in the swing of things; partly because I am a creature of habit who enjoys a daily routine, but mostly because I get to meet new students in my courses. They all come with their own personalities, needs, attitudes, talents and spirits. This blog post is specifically about the undergrad college students I teach as two of the three courses I am teaching this semester are undergrad sections. Naturally, I have been reflecting more about this particular group and realize they have taught me quite a bit over the last seven years.


They motivate me to be a better teacher: First and foremost, this is one of my goals as a life long educator, to continuously become better. Each generation of students bring their own uniqueness and eccentric outlooks on life and learning. As a college professor, in my opinion, nothing is more humbling then your course evaluations. This is the point in the semester, right before finals, when your students can anonymously write and critique all the areas about you as a professor. There are multiple choice questions which cover questions asking how rigorous the class was, were the readings tied to the objectives, did the instructor assess you fairly then onto open ended questions about your organization, delivery of content and overall performance...just to name a few. Over the semesters, I have been appreciative and work hard to earn high ratings, but there are always students who blatantly see the areas I need to improve on, and they are as right as they feel. Who am I to judge what they say? I try hard to think about their written feedback and figure out how I can improve the course and my teaching. That's my job.

I have to be in tune with their emotions and thoughts: They are adults, but just beginning. Sometimes they come to class, tired, overwhelmed, stressed and disconnected. Other times they bounce in with energy, motivated to tackle the world and happy to share their intellectual thoughts related to the course content. I learned quickly the importance of getting to know them through small and individual discussions, their reflections about their past experiences and where they see themselves as future teachers. I am fortunate to teach at a university where my class sizes typically range between 15-25 students, so I can get to know them and they can get to know me. This does impact the way I teach. If I notice that they are losing interest in a particular topic, I need to switch gears and teach it differently. If one or more of them are crabby, I leave them alone. If I can see others are excited to share and teach their peers, then I give them that opportunity. It's not always easy, but it's taught me to be more flexible and the incredible importance of having a pulse on each student.

If you want to play hard (whatever that means to you), you have to work harder.

It's not Toga, Toga: If you are a college grad, it seems typical that you remember the good times and the parties, but that is not the case.  Very rarely do I have a student fail my class. I like to think it is because I care and help them along, but in the end they are required to do the work, no matter what they did the night before or what they have coming up over the weekend. The students I have taught at RU are huge volunteers, provide more service then ever expected. They study hard and I assume they play hard in their own individual way. They tend to be dedicated and choose not to miss class.This past semester, I ended up teaching on two of the nights we were in the World Series, not one student missed! I am impressed by how they put their studies first, even though it is expected, as there are also a variety of distractions in college!

I am their mentor, not their friend:  WOW, that's a big hat to wear. I'm not even sure I have this whole life thing figured out, but I do take my professional career seriously. I feel my experiences in and out of the classroom as a teacher and an administrator  were meant to be shared with other future teachers. The good, the bad and the ugly. I explain why I loved and continue to love teaching, but the challenges and sacrifices which occur when you are a teacher. I remember appreciating my college professors being honest about ways they reached kids, when they made mistakes and how they learned from those mistakes. These preservice teachers are no different.   They have plenty of friends, they don't need me to pal around with.  They need me to guide them into experiences which will set them up for success as an educator and to become a mentor to others.


They are like onions:  Not stinky. Well, not usually. They come with layers and sometimes they can bring you tears when you least expect it. I seek to challenge them and push them to learn more and to be more. They can be very tricky at times and if you try to peel away a layer too quickly, they can fall apart. They can become aloof and their trust in you as a professor can be damaged.  I have learned to slow down. To take my time and encourage them to take their time over the semester to really let the content and their teaching experiences sink in, reflect on them and figure out how we can all learn from them. From time to time, tears of joy, tears of struggle and tears of relief are seen. These are few and far between, but when it happens I realize they are more delicate than I assume.

Don't forget your sharpened pencils and your charged iPad.

I have to remind them: I do struggle with this one. Do I really need to remind them to turn off their cell phones EVERY class. YES. Do I have to remind them that an assignment, which has been posted all semester, is due next class. YES. It's a "given" that that they need to come to class on time and do the readings prior to class, do I still need to remind them? YES.  Hyperlinking additional resources, offering extra help, checking in with each one frequently to make sure they are where they need to be? YES.  I give them reminders, not a grade. They have to earn that!


They remind me that I'm glad my college days are over:  I loved college, all of it. Could have I have studied more, yes. Where there things I would go back and change, maybe. But, overall, I love looking at old pics and reminiscing with the best of them. However, I am glad that chapter is over. Even more, I'm glad that my undergraduate students are in it. They get to write their own chapter, they get to live their own college experience. They get to tell me about it...and I get to watch them and smile.

Know a college student? Give them a big hug, tell them to work hard and be nice to their professors!

Enjoy my favorite song from Animal House...

Adios! Off to Nicaragua

 "Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, 
a beautiful thing." ---Mother Teresa

This Saturday I will be receiving one of the greatest gifts. An opportunity to serve in Nicaragua. I am  leaving for a week long service-immersion trip through Rockhurst University to Chinandega, Nicaragua. Fifteen RU undergraduate students (selected from over 200 applicants), Ken Mellard,and I will be together on this adventure. I'm fortunate to work and serve at Rockhurst University, where there are several opportunities for service-immersion trips in domestic and international places. This is a trip I have been striving to be a part of for several years. I kept telling myself the time wasn't right, but now it has all come together. I can't stop smiling.

These week-long experiences, which include manual labor, cultural immersion activities, relationship-building, and daily prayer and reflection, move students and faculty to a deeper understanding of the Gospel’s call to solidarity and justice. Extensive trip preparation and follow-up lead students and faculty toward the life-long path of becoming women and men for and with others. 

We will be working with the organization, Amigos for Christ. Amigos for Christ is a nonprofit organization which has been serving the people of Nicaragua for 15 years. This charity hosts over 50 mission trips a year. They continue to hold a four star rating through Charity Navigator. Charity Navigator has been in existence for over 10 years and they evaluate charity organization on two broad areas: Financial Health and their Accountability and Transparency. Amigos for Christ support four different projects:  Water and Sanitation, Health Care, Education and Nutrition, and Economic Development.

A few startling facts related to these projects:

• One half of Nicaraguan population survives on less than $2 a day.
• 67% of children in Nicaragua will not finish 6th grade.
• Skin disease, parasites and diarrhea are the leading causes of death in Nicaragua.

I'll be honest, I have a little bit of anxiety about the language barrier. Even though I took three years of Spanish in High School (thank you Senora Wempe!) and two years in college, I am not fluent, to say the least. But, one of my students who has gone on this mission trip prior said she felt the same way. She explained she just went for it and that made all the difference. Meaning, she just approached everyone she met with a smile and did the best she could to interact and communicate with them through playing and working. Once she started modeling actions speak louder than words, her week long journey in service was a very positive one. She said she felt alive with everyone she met. This reminded me of a quote I read on the Amigos for Christ website: 

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive".  --Howard Thurman

I'm excited for the week ahead! I feel incredibly honored to be working alongside our RU students, the volunteers at Amigos for Christ, and most importantly, the Nicaraguan people. Please keep us in your prayers. I can't wait to share my experience with you when I return. 

True to the picture of those precious little girls from Nicaragua above, I hope to see, feel, share, and receive many smiles!

Here is a short video of some Nicaraguan children:

To learn more about Amigos for Christ and those they serve you can: 

• Visit http://amigosforchrist.org/
• "Like" them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amigosforchrist

Nicaragua: Digging Deeper

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart..." Colossians 3:23.

I have a new talent. I learned how to dig deep in Nicaragua. Our group was given the task of digging ditches to lay pipe for moving clean water into the homes of El Moto families. It's harder and more rewarding than you would think. We learned about the process of digging, which tools are helpful when you dig, and what to do when you think you are finished digging. I had the pleasure of digging both physically and spiritually for seven days. Here few things I learned about digging.

• You are going to get very dirty. I'm not one that enjoys getting dirty, especially when I am sweating. Hand sanitizer and wipes are my best friends. Wouldn't you know one of the first activities we experienced when we arrived was climbing the Cerro Negro Volcano? Sunday morning after mass we all gathered together to learn what we were going to do that day. They explained it was our 'play' day and casually mentioned we were climbing a volcano. Now, when I think of playing, a vision of Mt. Everest doesn't come to mind.  However, when we pulled up to the volcano,  I thought,  this is totally doable. It didn't look that big. We were given choice of two different paths to take. The paths were described as the "hard" path and the "harder" path.  Of course I chose the harder path. Straight.up.the.vol.can.o.  It kicked my butt.  I should have a T-shirt that reads, "I climbed a Nicaraguan volcano and I'm alive!" Literally I would take one step and slide back two or three steps.  We had to dig our feet and hands into tiny hot black pebbles in the blistering sun. At first I could only take about five steps. Slowly, I worked my way up, but the breaks got longer. To add to the craziness, the volcano ash was everywhere, all over me. Every time I took a break, I realized just how much I was out of my comfort zone. I really didn't think I would ever get on the top. It was encouraging that we all were feeling the same way. I ended up joining Lauren, Alex, Eric, and Annie and we just kept cheering each other on, laughing and dying at the same time. When we finally made it, the top was most beautiful scene- you had a 360 degree view of the breathtaking Nicaraguan land. Green and thriving, what appeared to be untouched beauty. We were covered in black ash and it took quite a bit of scrubbing to get it all off. As we reflected about the day, I couldn't help but think about how symbolic that whole experience was as it took almost three hours of exhausting effort to get to the top. There were times I didn't think I would make it, completely out of breath, so incredibly filthy and frustrated at how hard it was overall. But, when we all got to the final destination, it was the best feeling.We all shared the excitement of making it...together. Sometimes you have to get dirty to get to the top.

Taking a break, about half way up.

Marc and Kayla jumping for joy at the top!

We each had our own tools to dig deep with daily.

• You need the right people and tools: Who knew actually digging ditches for a week would bring meaning to my life? This was actually one of my favorite activities and the hardest. I know how to use a shovel, but swinging a pickaxe into a huge pile of rocks was much different than I expected. You have to have the right rhythm in your swing and know which end to use. It's hard, especially when each inch you dig deeper just produces more rocks. But when you are down in a ditch so each family can have a 100 gallons of clean water, something about inhaling dust and acquiring blisters quickly becomes no problem. The families in El Moto have never had a bathroom, a kitchen, a sink, a shower, let alone fresh water. I learned fast how easy it is to make friends with someone when you are both sweating and working as hard as you can together. We worked WITH the Nicaraguan people, young and old ---who are just like us. We talked about our families, danced while digging, ate lunch together, played games on our breaks, and laughed, ALOT. The tools you use may vary along with the people you dig with, so it's not about the digging, but the purpose of why you are digging that matters.

Digging trenches and laying pipe to bring clean water for modern bathrooms to the village of El Moto.

I was blessed to dig with Jenny (go Ole Miss!) and Nicholas one fine day.

Alex, Eric and Whitney ready to take on the rocks.

• You need to reflect about your digging:  Living on Purpose was the theme for the week. The time we all spent reflecting each day at devo (devotional time), was inspirational. I loved hearing what others took away from the day and how differently the activities impacted each person. To say that I was proud, impressed, and moved by our own RU students, doesn't even give justice to what they all did and how well they did it. They shared their own thoughts with such honesty and spirituality. They thanked each other, expressed through words and silence how much they meant to each other. We all tried our best to work with all of our heart and I think at the end of each day, we knew there was always more to give. But it's important to be happy with what you did. Whether we were digging in a ditch, hugging a special child at an orphanage, doing our daily chores, or any other activity we were experiencing, we were digging deeper in our hearts to think about the meaning behind it all.  We felt guilty for what we have after seeing the circumstances and lack of resources there. But, as we discussed over and over: we all can LIVE ON PURPOSE anywhere, day in and out.That's the wonderful thing about service. It's different for everyone,  where God has placed you,  how you service Him and those around you. Many times it doesn't matter if you speak the language or not,  because love speaks one language.

My man Maldorf (from the handicapped orphanage) who reminded me how much a hug and even holding hands can mean to both people. I didn't want to let him go.

My contribution to the Amigos for Christ graffiti wall of reflection.

Our RU group started the day here as the sun would rise and end our day here as we reflected about our experiences

• You need to take breaks with those you are digging with- The volunteers, Nicaraguan people and Amigos for Christ staff all dug together daily. Breaks were of the essence. Some took more breaks than others, but we all looked forward to them. What I looked forward to most, was the little ones. I don't know how to even begin explaining the genuine love I felt with the kids.They reminded me of my own children in so many ways. Appreciating a high five, looking for a warm smile, asking to play Temple Run on my phone, sitting in my lap to play UNO, taking a selfie with my camera, wanting to be chased, kicking the soccer ball back and forth and just holding my hand while we walked to or from the site. They opened my heart to feeling and remembering how a very small, simple gesture can bring such complete happiness. They energized my mind, body and spirit to continue on through each day. Watching the whole group engage with the children was fun as the kids loved to play jokes on us and everyone laughed together.  

Juan mastering his "selfie" with my phone. I have about 100 of these on my camera roll. Practice make perfect!

Alex and her boys, loving every minute together during the school fiesta.

I had the opportunity to spend precious time with our students (like Carolina), the staff, the Nicaraguan people and children.

• You need to understand that digging is never done. When you dig you realize there's always a need to dig more. There might be another place that needs digging, or perhaps you need to dig deeper where you are located. Whether you choose to go somewhere else or dig where you are, it's important to do it with purpose. Just like digging, service can be hard, overwhelming, dirty, and frustrating. However, in the end, each person feels special in different ways through reflection and getting to know those they serve. Getting to know others and serving with them is key, because you both are touched in ways you don't even realize sometimes, until the time has passed. I loved serving with the RU students, the people we met through Amigos for Christ and the Nicaraguan people. Each had their own story and shared a piece of their journey with me. I hope to carry on my love for digging in KC. Everyone can benefit from digging a little deeper!

I cannot wait to return to this beautiful place.

RU students laughing about their digging.

Our work is never done, which is why we must play together!

Through it all I've had the feeling as though I've been the one being served and impacted the most. We all laughed, worked hard, danced and sometimes we cried. Service brings out a deep piece of you to share with others, which... brings love.

 Whoever you serve; 

 do it with purpose, show love, share talents, and dig deep.

SPECIAL THANKS: 

Ken, my companion through it all. Thank you for your wisdom and "Kenisms". You are an inspiration to each one of us. 

The RU students/ my new friends: Marc, Carolina, Annie, Lindsey, Libby, Alex, Lauren, Ryan, Annie, Alex S., Kayla, Allie, Chanelle, Sam, and Whitney, I got to know each of you in such a special way. Thanks for all the laughs and sharing yourself with me.

The Ole Miss KD girls (you know who you are)--you all are gamechangers! Thanks for letting me join in on your fun. 

The Purdue AIM group: you all were hard working and reflective. I'm glad we were able to spend the week together.

Amigos for Christ staff:  especially; Will, Herald, Walter,  Paige, Jenna, Joey, John, Elizabeth, Jeff, Kristen, Josh, and the others we had the pleasure of meeting : The encouragement and journey you supported us through will never be forgotten. Everyone who crosses paths with each of you are extremely blessed.