At first, when I moved into Messiah College Philly Campus, I was taken by surprise that our apartment complex is located on a Temple fraternity row. On our block there are three fraternities, (AEπ, TKE and KE), and a Jewish coalition of some sort. I thought our placement was by coincidence. Maybe Messiah just happened to buy property in a Greek life residential area. However, as I take a closer look at the two different types of communities, I start to realize that maybe we are more alike than we know.

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A few minutes ago I started writing out my first blog, and then I realized that I have not yet introduced myself… My name is Kelsey. I am a Biology major, Psychology Minor with the hope of becoming a Physician’s Assistant. I chose to come to MCPC this semester for a few reasons. One reason was: God has bestowed upon me a deep desire to use my life to serve the poor. My hope is that encountering the urban poor will help me to decide if this is the field where I am called for ministry. Another reason was I am drawn to the city- the excitement, opportunity, diversity- I find this lifestyle intriguing. A last motivation for coming was to get out of Grantham for a while. In Grantham, I love the people, the classes, and the beauty of campus. But, at the same time, I was tired of running that same path around campus, of watching countless movies in the dorms, and going to Daybreak each Sunday. I was ready for my next adventure!

It has been three weeks since the semester started, and I am already considering how I could work out my schedule to stay another semester. The funny thing is I can not place my finger on why I am so undoubtedly infatuated with this experience. Perhaps it is because I have become at home with the close knit community of MCPC students (and faculty). With in weeks I feel a sense of family- of belonging, security, and safety- with the group of friends that I have here. Or maybe it is because I am enthralled by the people that I meet, bump into, and even notice from afar. Or, it could even be, because I am enticed by the options, entertainment, and unique dining that is suddenly an eight minute subway ride away. Whatever the case, all I know is that I find joy here everyday. I never expected such a blessing.

But living here has already presented challenges along with its pleasures. What do you say to a homeless man begging for money? “God bless you” is often my first instinct but what do I give? How can I help? Another challenge has been meeting so many students without faith. Out of the Temple students that I have met so far, I have found it most common that my peers are jaded or even resentful because of some “religious experience” in their past. Can I try to be like Jesus- can I love, feed the (spiritually & physically) hungry, and offer Truth like He did? I hope so…