Alan Douglas

The day after Mardi Gras is known as Ash Wednesday and it marks the beginning of a season called Lent.  In short, Lent is the 40 day period before Easter Day and a time for Christians to learn about sacrifice and discipline.  Traditionally, people who observe the season of Lent would fast something (not always food, it could be a habit) for 40 days.  It is also common for people to fast while taking up a good habit or discipline.  In this time Christians are encouraged to rely on God rather than depending on other things they may encounter on a daily basis.

During this time in March and April I've heard a lot about the meaning of Lent.  And when I say a lot, I mean A WHOLE LOT more than I've ever heard!  It really dawned on me that the season of Lent had a whole tradition that I, at best, took for granted.  There were a whole lot of stories and spiritual activities that were totally new to be, but in reality were very old and practiced.  It blew me away and made me feel like I was entering a whole new culture (even though I grew up in this country and heard the Easter story hundreds of times!!!).

Although I had heard about Lent years ago, this time around I took it seriously.  I gave up a few of my vices (I love donuts!) and took up the discipline of prayer in the morning.  As the weeks (slowly) rolled by, I realized that I was strong enough to fast from more things and I began giving them up (chips, brownies, sodas, coffee, cookies, cake).  I even started feeling better than I thought I would.  I couldn't believe it.  For the final week, I tried the unthinkable.  I gave up pastries of any kind, any candy, and chocolate!  For me that was crazy!  It meant I had to give up all of my back up snacks when I felt like eating something I promised I wouldn't.  It meant eating less and eating healthy.  I found myself eating apples on my own and looking to add vegetables to the foods I ate.  Instead of grabbing something fast I either had to prepare ahead of time or wait for the next hearty meal.  I felt like I was being a boy scout, and that's really saying something for a guy like me who follows rules all the time!

Reflecting on Lent after Easter I realized that I am much stronger and more gifted than I believed myself to be.  I am now more confident in my abilities and more willing to share my gifts with others.  Thank goodness for that!  I am emerging from a shell I didn't even know existed, it's great, and I am doing it for Jesus who gives a real purpose to my life.

In late January we were hit with a few snow storms.  We've had to wake up early to start our days shoveling our sidewalk, scraping our windshields, and pushing our vans onto the road.  When the snow got bad and the after school programs were cancelled, we went to the waterfront with some of the students and played in the snow.

I am also volunteering for one special program, Urban BoatWorks, one day a week.  Urban BoatWorks is this incredible program that instructs high school and middle school students in building wooden boats.  Since the program began two years ago, the students built a total of seven boats:  three rowboats, two sailboats, and two canoes.  They all work well and look great too!  So great, in fact, that two of them have been sold for thousands of dollars!  That is the value of the handiwork these Camden students can make when they learn to work together toward a common goal.  I am proud to say I know most of these students by name!

On Tuesdays I drive Urban BoatWorks students to swim practice.  I even get to swim with them.  It’s very fun to go swimming, but it’s even more fun to watch these students learn how to swim.  They reminded me that even swimming was an activity that needed courage.  A number of these students were afraid to keep their heads underwater for long periods of time, or even to walk around without a t-shirt on!  I join the Urban BoatWorks staff and the instructor in encouraging these Camden students because swimming is not only an important skill in a canoe but, “Be not afraid" was one of Jesus’ most common phrases. The courage these children learn at the swimming pool is a great life lesson.

Urban BoatWorks is under the umbrella of UrbanTrekkers, an experiential learning program that allows students to get outdoors and see their lessons before their eyes.  I can't explain how valuable the staff and students' journeys together have been.