During my time at homestay, I've been really fortunate to meet a lot of wonderful people. My study abroad program really places an emphasis on 'sense of place' as one of its tenets and I think I can safely say that I've developed this elusive sense of place with the town of Lismore - that is, I feel as though I've developed a deeper personal tie to the area. It actually reminds me a lot of Easthampton, which is both strange and comforting. I've gotten the chance to volunteer at the soup kitchen three times now - each one really special. This last time, I was able to pass out cadbury chocolate eggs to the residents and clients, my way of spreading some Easter cheer (and not eating them all myself!). The soup kitchen actually reminds me a lot of the Northampton Survival Center, the emergency food pantry I volunteered at every week in high school and where I interned full time the summer after freshman year of college. There is just such a sense of community, humility, grace and caring at both the NSC and the Lismore Soup Kitchen. I am really grateful to have been able to share this experience with my homestay family and I've posted a few pictures below. Because the Soupie (as it is fondly known) is (unofficially?) affiliated with Christianity and takes place in the same hotel/building as the services, the presence of religion and spirituality is unsurprising.
I thought this was a really endearing poem.
An artistic representation of Jesus' identity.
Music was a big part of mass; a really beautiful part. These services are worlds different from the Roman Catholic masses I attended growing up - never mind the structure, even just the venue (these services at held in the Winsome Hotel, which was renovated and turned into accommodations for the homeless).
From the Winsome Hotel website
Goodbye Lismore, Hello Brunswick Heads!
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