While in Geneva on a SPRINT trip, I found out at that serving others looks different in a first-world setting; in fact, it's extremely hard. Our hosts ran a week-long service project called ENGAGE. They invited locals to join us in serving their city and to "engage" much like SPU's mission. I was in charge of revamping a low-income housing building. We scrubbed walls, stripped wallpaper, and added decorative touches. The catch? I didn't see, hear, or meet any of the tenants of that building the whole week! The people I did meet were my team members who lived in Geneva and volunteered their time. I met nannies, high school kids, teachers, and people who just had time on their hands. At the end of the week, we gathered to celebrate our successes and share stories. I still keep in touch with a friend I met during the experience, and we're both grateful to know each other.
—Leslie Jensen '07
