Our Adventure Begins . . .

Our Adventure Begins. . .

Sue Klappa

Alla Campbell’s poem entitled Passover Remembered speaks of traveling to new lands and the changes that will occur during the journey of one’s first Passover. The poem begins with the following words:

“Pack nothing bring only your determination to serve and willingness to be free. . . . Do not hesitate to leave your old ways behind—fear, silence, submission. Only surrender to the need of the time—to love justice and walk humbly with your God.”

Twelve students from the St. Catherine University DPT and PTA programs will travel to the Dominican Republic from May 1- 15th for a capstone service learning experience. Two faculty members, Dr. Lisa Dutton and Dr. Sue Klappa, as well as Jamie Tranberg, DPT and SCU alumna from 2009 will serve as team mentors during the trip.

Although we have a packing list, we are topping our list with a determination to serve and an openness to learn from those we will encounter. We will leave behind our old ways of thinking and knowing—leaving fear, silence, and complacency behind. We hope to come away from our experience with a new way of viewing the world and challenge our understanding of justice. We have prepared for this trip during the last year and are ready for our journey—our adventure to begin.

Alla Campbell further writes:

“Some of you will be so changed by weathers and wanderings that even your closest friends will have to learn your features as though for the first time . . . . Some will find new friendships in unlikely faces, and old friends as faithful and true as the Pillar of God’s flame. . . . Sing songs as you go, and hold close together. You may at times grow confused and you may lose your way. Continue to call each other by the names I’ve given you, to help remember who you are. You will get where you are going by remembering who you are. Touch each other and keep telling stories. Make maps as you go remembering the way back from before you were born.”

We hope to use this blog as a way to share our experiences with you all at home so that you will feel connected to us. We invite you to travel in solidarity with us as we have mountain top experiences. We invite you to hold us in your thoughts and prayers through our difficult and challenging times—our dessert experiences.

Saturday, we will go forth to the DR with the words of wisdom from our Sending Ceremony in our hearts and minds committed and dedicated to the call of healing, the call of social justice, the call to love and serve through our work of physical therapy.