The following is a reflection, written by Kendra Miriam Calhoun, on the Avodah Day Youth Prayer Walk on Friday, May 14
If you looked back on my life, you would’ve seen a shy, quiet, not out-going girl. Three years ago, I would have dreaded the idea of going up to random people and making conversation. I can’t tell you when I became more outgoing and started to speak out, because I don’t even know when it happened. There wasn’t a big change in my lifestyle, I didn’t wake up one day and decide I was going to change, it just happened gradually over time. The once shy, unapproachable girl is now comfortable meeting new people, praying out loud, and now stepping out of her comfort zone to try new things. I’m still a work in progress though, every day there’s something new I learn and try to apply to my life.
The first prayer walk I did was a couple months ago through St. Peters with Tameeka, Fr. Bill, and my mom. I won’t lie, I was scared to do it. I didn’t want to do it, but I was kind-of ‘volun-told’ to by my sweet mother. I am so glad I went because I really enjoyed it. The first door I knocked on, my fear melted away, and by the second door, I was excited.
This past prayer walk around Riley Elementary with the youth was amazing. Everyone was so engaged and excited to invite people to come to Avodah day. To me personally, walking the neighborhoods surrounding Riley was an eye-opening experience because it’s a totally different atmosphere than what you would find when walking around Killearn Estates. Not once did I feel as though we were in danger, but I think we all felt like we were out of place, and of course that’s a perfectly normal feeling. Everyone pushed through though and did their job.
When we came back together as a group, everyone had smiles on their faces and we began to share about our interactions. There’s one story that I particularly want to share with you, St. Peter’s Cathedral family. My group (Stephen Redmond, Fr. Bill, and me) was wrapping things up and heading back to the rendezvous point, but on the way, we stopped at this one house because there was a man, a woman, and a child outside. The kid was playing and didn’t really take any notice of us, but the man and woman were friendly to us. Fr. Bill and they talked for a few minutes, he invited them to Avodah day, told them what it was, and what we’d be doing. Just when we said goodbye and were making our way to the street, the man stopped us handed Fr. Bill $20, “For the food…” he said.
In that moment, my heart exploded with compassion. That family might have been going through a really tough time or one of them might have had a bad day, but that man still stood up and offered what he had to us because he was grateful.
My heart goes out to every single one of the kids and families that I met when walking around. I am so grateful that I was able to pray for them and am so happy that I can continue to do so.
God Bless,
Kendra Miriam Calhoun