Jenkins, Kentucky: Another World

When I was asked to write an article about Jenkins for the Dove, I was somewhat overwhelmed.… Not by wondering what I would say, but wondering how I would ever limit all that I would want to say to one short article.
We have been visiting Jenkins for sixteen summers now, and it is indeed an awesome experience. Both my head and my heart are full of wonderful memories. Although there is dramatic poverty in that area, there is also great kindness, gratitude and grace.
The people who live in Jenkins know Alleluia now, and the majority of them are very welcoming and generous. There is one family who has been buying pizza for all of our kids for about 12 years now. Another woman always makes brownies or cookies. The hospital allows the guys to shower in the Doctors’ Lounge, Hardees often gives us a break and the grocery store has lent us money to pay our bill until we return the next day.
Most people smile and wave at us–especially if they have kids in the camp. At this point we also have young adults who come up to us and say, “I went to camp with you when I was a child.” We do have much to give to Jenkins, but we also RECEIVE A LOT including spiritual growth.
I knew it would be difficult to limit my input and so in an attempt to bring some closure to this article, I asked four of the high school students to write a brief description of their impression(s) of Jenkins. In addition to that I have the following sights and sounds to share.

Sights I will long remember:
• the Sisters running out to meet us
• all the strange new colors of hair the guys acquired
• two of the guys RUNNING to get everyone to pray when an injury occurred
• Nicki’s sadness when it was time to go home
• Clare and Bridget’s return from New York
• some of our kids in the swimming pool in 60 degree weather so that the camp kids could have fun
• watching all the girls come down the stairs (in skirts) for 5 a.m. prayers
• the delight on the camp kids’ faces as Jacob, David and Isaac said, “Now sing it faster!”
• the delight on everyone’s face when we knew we were having pizza for lunch at camp
• watching Father Randall’s commitment and determination to say Mass regardless of how badly he felt
• Anna going through one, now two, now three boxes of Kleenex in a morning... and STILL trying to go to camp
• Amy, Chris, Johnny and Joe working in that TINY room with all those kids
• Corrie’s face when she saw the house decorated for her birthday
• the reverence , peace and joy on the Sisters’ faces
• Dave Mills, Ray O’Keefe and the guys working on the Sister’s steps in the blazing sun (after the guys had worked all day in the camp)

Sounds that will ring in my ears for a long time:
• the alarm clock going off at 4:30 a.m.
• If You’re Happy and You Know It, Honk Your Horn
• camp kids saying, “But I don’t want you to leave.”
• the faltering sounds of children trying to learn the Lord’s Prayer
• the constant ringing of the bell which calls the Sisters to prayer
• “No man can live as an island...(cha cha cha”)
• the absolute glee which broke out in the van when we hit Bobby Jones Expressway
- Yellow truck, Woodsie, P.T., Cruiser, R.V.
• “Where did you see Jesus today?”

Jenkins: Opportunity for Growth

Working with the Missionaries of Charity in Jenkins, KY was an awesome experience. I learned so much and grew tremendously spiritually. One area where I really grew in was gratitude. I thought that I was thankful for all that God had blessed me with. I told him so. Well, was I in for a shock at Jenkins.
It was not hard to spot the children’s physical poverty when I went to pick them up in their run down homes. Their apparel also revealed their lifestyles. There was also spiritual poverty. It was very obvious every day at the Bible camp. So many of the kids did not attend church regularly. They lacked the love of Jesus in their lives and it was evident.
The lack of wholesome family life smacked me in the face. It was a rare sight to find a family that was not broken. Most parents are divorced and live with their siblings who are also divorced. This is how the kids are raised and are molded for their future. The families are not full of love either. It showed in the kid’s behavior. All that we could do was respond in love back.
It is very easy to take blessings for grantedwhile growing up in community. I found that I was not thanking God as much as I should. God let me experience true gratitude, and I am truly grateful for it.