While Omar and Rachel gallivanted around the Great West District, Tori, Rach, and myself spent time at the Open Door Mission, a campus complete with housing facilities for diverse needs, a bustling thrift store and pantry, and a cafeteria with daily-made meals. Contrary to the expected image of volunteering like serving food, watching kids, and pulling weeds among other things, much of what we did had to do with the behind-the-scenes aspect of their ministry. Whether sorting through tenant files, making room for new curriculum, or combining all of their resources in one, organized list, a lot of our work seemed very mundane at times and it was difficult to see the reaping of any of our good intent.

Tori sorts through present participants in Lydia House!

     However, we came to a sort of peace understanding that there IS a grey area of charity which moves closer to justice. In our quest to distinguish these two concepts throughout the summer, the basic definitions we have come to are that charity is taking care of the immediate need in an act of compassion while justice takes care of the root of injustice over time as a movement of compassion. Organizations such as Open Door Mission  create a blurred area between the two. While they may not challenge the national social structure, they certainly are continuing to grow and adapt within their own structure and that of the state of Nebraska. It was a true pleasure working with such wonderful staff and volunteers and being able to meet face to face with some benefactors of the diverse aid Open Door Mission provides!

Rach calls people interested in Lydia House!

 

Idea for Action: Next time you’re in Omaha, stop by the ODM, sign up for a tour, and witness the true power of mercy.