On Tuesday our group of Connor, Stephy, Eric, Tyler, and Joel had the privilege of working at the Catholic Worker House. This particular organization caters to the homeless in San Antonio. At first I was a little nervous about working with homeless, as I have never had any contact with them! As we started out our day Stephy and myself immediately started washing dishes after breakfast and preparing to serve another 120 people at lunch. As we were taking meat off the rib bones a man walked up and asked for the bones we were throwing away so that he could keep them because he didn't know when food would be available again. I was amazed and shocked that these people were actually willing to eat our trash because they were not able to afford food for themselves. Being able to talk and interact with these men and women really opened my eyes to the homeless and how fortunate I really am to never have to worry about when the next meal is gonna be or if I will have a place to stay the night. (Connor)
Last night we played a game called Starpower. We walked into the Mennonite church and there were three circles of chairs. One circle had comfy chairs, another tallish wooden
chairs, and the last had tiny wooden chairs. We were immediately told to pick a seat and no talking allowed. The game seemed pointless at first. Trading colored chips to get the highest point value, but how did this apply to anything we were doing this week? As the game progressed we continually heard Eduardo snap at us to stop talking and he gradually began to insult those who were falling behind in points. Pretty soon it all fell into place. The people with the most points sat in the circle with the comfy chairs, the next highest in the tallish wooden chairs, and the lowest in the tiny wooden chairs. Eduardo's behavior toward each group changed. To the lowest he was rude and began accusing them of cheating. The middle he simply treated respectfully. The highest he showed absolute mercy to from complementing them to forgiving every mistake they made. As the rounds went on, Eduardo's acting skills only improved. Each group began to notice something: nobody had switched groups in a while. We then realized that the availability to higher point value chips had been changed. The best group only had high value chips available, the middle had the moderately valued chips, and the lowest had only the lowest value chips available. After a few rounds, the highest point holders were allowed to change the rules of the game to whatever they wanted. No boundaries. In our reflection afterwards, we discussed how this game is a simulation of society. It shows the social, judicial, economical, and political injustices that exist in our world today. It also showed the opportunities that are denied to some people. We then talked about Illegal Immigrants. Why do they cross the border if it's illegal? Are they desperate or determined for something? I think these are all things we take for granted. We are so lucky to have all we have. The fact that we can come to San Antonio to help people says a lot about the opportunities that none of us have been denied. After this evening of intense competition from a game that felt so real and the uncomfortable, interesting reflection afterward, I felt truly blessed to have been able to experience this first hand. I had gone to the Catholic Worker House earlier that day and met with homeless people that seemed no different than myself. While playing the game, some of their faces and events of that day popped in and out of my head. What gives me the right to be sitting here playing a game when these people live this injustice in their lives everyday? Yesterday, as a whole, really put the world in perspective for me. I'm not claiming to be all knowing on how to solve the problems of the world after one enlightening day. I, simply, wish to express the magic that I felt working inside me that I hope was working in my fellow DOOR participants as well. (Stephanie)
For four of us, today started off at 5:30 with a trip to San Fernando cathedral for mass. Built in 1731 it is the oldest cathedral in the country and boy was it beautiful. Being the only Presbyterians there we already felt out of place but as the service started we realized that it was bilingual. This would have been fine if the priest's accent hadn't been so thick we couldn't understand his English. Nevertheless it was a beautiful service and church. (Connor)
This week has really reminded us to count our blessings and how lucky we are to have the lives we do!

Love from San Antonio!
--Stephanie and Connor