Brandon 2002

Although most people viewing this musing will not know who I am, after the last period is read, unfamiliarity will not matter to anyone. The notion that complete strangers can be one's greatest ally and trusted friend, has been the greatest and most cherished lesson I have learned this past summer.

Making my way through two years of college I have learned how to calculate supply and demand, market any product to any consumer, the psychology behind making a business work more efficiently, and even Mozart's true personality. Coming into my internship here at Brier Patch I thought I had all the necessary experience and knowledge I would need to make this summer a success; I mean, how hard could it be? Come in, do a little filing, some typing, maybe work on a few projects, and I would be back to school two credits closer to graduating. The experience would be great, and I'd have acquired some valuable skills to take with me in future endeavors. Little did I know however, that what I really needed to succeed this summer was nothing I could learn in a classroom.

From the first day, I knew that I would be required to rely on more than just my academic intellect to really make it through this internship. At the moment I sat down in my office and was greeted by the smiles and high-pitched voices of Janel's children, initially three-year-old Mason and two-year-old Natalie, followed by seven-year-old Joshua and ten-year-old Ashleigh, I realized this was not going to be a normal summer job. The next couple of months would take me to a lawyer's office, a YouthFest in Pennsylvania, and the most memorable experience at the Western States Youth Gathering in San Jose. Through all of these travels I met countless strangers who not only welcomed me with open arms, but gave me the love that I had been accustomed to receiving from only my closest friends and family.

While in San Jose, I failed in my responsibilities to handle and watch over Ken's sales from CD's at the event, when I let someone steal the moneybag holding our earning's from the week. I had lost a great amount of money, but more importantly I felt I had lost the trust that Ken and everyone at Brier Patch had invested in me. Later in the evening of the incident, the money was returned to us, but not from the thief. The Western States Servant Band and director Rev. Steve Olson, wrote a check to Brier Patch that fully recovered the amount that was taken. These were strangers to me two days earlier, and at that moment they had become my greatest allies.

There are no words in Webster's great book, and I am sure if I knew another language, there would not be a foreign text that could adequately describe the gratitude I have to the strangers who taught me the most this summer: Dave, Janel, Jarrod, the kids, Stephen, Beverly, and Ken. I have never met a family more loving and close than Dave and Bev's. The kids and I would eat donuts every morning while Dave and Janel ate their chocolate chip muffins (much healthier, I know!). We would discuss our delights and frustrations with our weekends and outside priorities, and catch a little Regis and Kelly on the television. I have always considered myself the most private of persons, but the idea of not sharing at least some part of my life with them seemed almost sinful. How could I not tell them about my crazy weekend or irritation with my other job when their kids are sitting on my lap asking me to click on www.bobthebuilder.com or pulling me outside to show me their best Crocodile Hunter impersonation with the many creatures that can be found in a backyard. Everyday we all would sit down to lunch and have a strategy session, or more commonly known joke and laughter time. Everyone at Brier Patch including the children have become like second family to me, something I know is not supposed to happen working with strangers for the summer.

Of course there would be no Brier Patch or summer internship without Ken Medema. I know that I do not need to tell anyone about the gifts that Ken Medema has, because he has touched so many lives in so many different ways. Meeting Ken in O'Hare airport for the first time was nerve-racking, but within the first five minutes, I felt at complete ease. At first I was curious as to how a blind man lived, be it adapted or normally, but later I became amazed knowing that Ken could not wish to be sighted, for it would change the remarkable person he is. While in the beginning I tended to forget Ken was not sighted (I even walked him into a metal pole), after learning so much and spending so much time around him, I started to assume every new person I met was blind. Ken has the amazing ability to sense someone's physical presence, but even more incredible is his knack of understanding exactly what a group of people needs to hear. I watched as Ken would draw emotions out of people they never knew they had, and turn a quiet group of kids into dancing fools! All strangers to him that shared their most intimate stories like they had known him all their lives.

I cannot close however without thanking two people who made this internship possible for me. Leroy and Marge Koopman, trusted friends of my family, recommended me to Brier Patch and Ken, knowing I was struggling to find the right place to intern this summer. Without them I believe I may have been in New York City eating Ramen noodles and struggling to make rent while fetching coffee and filing papers. This summer has been the most memorable and educating three months of my life, and I thank Mr. and Mrs. Koopman immensely for making it possible. Thank you to former strangers who I now would give anything for, and most of all to the Lord who makes all things possible.

So while good parents always tell their child not to talk to strangers, as adults I encourage everyone to say hello or do something kind for someone you have never met. I promise Your life will never be the same.