This week at the girls home we had college night!! We had two college students Kyle and Jordan visit and a young adult living on campus who just moved to the US from Australia, Nathan. I was sitting down to write my blog post for the week when Nathan ironically sent me his own, he had posted about the girls! So I know I talk about how the girls inspire me weekly, but I thought you all might be interested in hearing how it impacted Nathan. So without further or due, here are Nathan’s words…
So usually I have small group on Tuesday night – yet tonight some of our small group went to a program called Wordsworth – “Voice of the Beautiful Flower” – I only knew I was going to be with a group of girls that are in a facility for kids who struggle emotional, behavioral, health and in the welfare services, little did I know this group of girls would inspire and encourage my life.
So I shared this awesome journey with Kyle, Jordan & Katrina. We left Delaware and began our journey to Philadelphia. We asked questions about what we would be doing tonight with the girls and Katrina explained – tonight they are talking to the girls about college and what to look forward to and what the college life is like. So instantly I started freaking out inside thinking – oh I shouldn’t have come, I don’t even go to the college these girls are going to ask me questions and I would have no idea how to respond.
(I should say that this program that we were going to has been running for 5years by Ms Em who has just devoted her time and has been a rock to these girls.)
So we arrived at the center, signed in and got to the room that had been saved for us and we were prepped on what usually happens and what the night will run like. Ms Em told us briefly about the program and how she gets the girls to write poetry as a positive influence on their life and to share their stories hence the “Voice of the beautiful flower” title . Next thing you know, in enter about 12 girls from the ages of 15-18, they hugged Ms Em and Becca and then said hello to us and shook our hands of even gave us hugs. Becca then introduced us to the girls and once they heard the “Aussie accent” that was them gone laughing and asking to record it haha made me laugh.
Becca then showed the girls a quick slideshow and explained to the girls about what University of Delaware provides in programs and courses/degrees for the girls and what other colleges have and provide. The girls where excited and keen and asking questions about the campus life – it was awesome to see this light shine in their eyes.
Ms Em then asked us to introduce our-self and what we are studying and abit about our journey. With each introduction from Katrina, Kyle and Jordan the girls had questions in regards to their degree and life. My time came and this is pretty much how it rolled.
Hi im Nathan, 23 yrs old from Australia. I moved to the states to follow my passion and heart for performing! Baam the questions started coming in about Australia and my accent, then Ms Em and a few girls asked me to sing… I was taken back – so wasn’t expecting to sing – had just finished a mouth full of popcorn. I then asked – do you know Stevie Wonder – they were like YES! So I sang ‘Isn’t she lovely’. It was taken well and more songs where then requested… yet it was time to meet the girls that sat in front of us and to hear their story and what they want to study.
We went around the room and one after the other these girls spoke of becoming a nurse, a lawyer, plastic surgeon, model, vet, performer and what colleges they want to attend and what their dreams are. It was inspiring to hear what these girls wanted, after having a tough life and dealing with more stuff then I think I could handle these girls wanted to get a good education and help others out in the world. To see the room full of girls faces light up when each of them spoke about their future was amazing.
Ms Em then asked if any of the girls had brought in their poetry and wanted to read it. We heard words of hope, passion, hurt, truth and light – truly inspiring. Then Ms Em and one of the girls asked for one more song from me – so this time I asked the girl who wanted to be a performer to sing with me… she was super shy and wasn’t up for it… I asked did she know Beyonce ‘Halo’ she said yes.. So I began the verse and by the end of the first verse she had joined in and I stopped and listened to this girl sing and fill the room with her beautiful voice. (In case you don’t know music is a big part of my life, music gives hope, music heals, music calms) To see her face light up when she sang and to hear a room full of girls cheer and clap after she finished was priceless I will always remember that moment.
Some of the girls then went back to their floors and some stayed…we bonded with them they asked us questions about college and our life’s and my budding performer came up to me again and we sang some more songs at the end of the night. Just as she inspired me I gave her some words of hope and encouragement. We left their soon after this, the girls hugged us, high 5’s where exchanged and our life’s were changed from that moment on. I do want to return again as these girls are truly inspiring.
For those that read this – May I ask that you pray for Ms Em and the work that she continues to work over these girls life’s. She cant technically speak of God to these girls – yet some of them do ask about our background and beliefs which then creates an open door for that conversations. I ask you to also prayer for Becca and Katrina and the other people that enter these girls life’s and just show love to these girls who don’t always receive love. I also ask you to prayer for the girls, that their passion and dreams may come true, that there hearts will be soften and led to forgiving others who have hated upon their life. That these girls will become stronger and prepared to face the world when they do leave and continue on with life.
I only spent about 2hrs with them tonight and they have inspired me.
Here is a link to Becca’s Blog – which is her experience and time spent with these girls week after week!
https://voicesofbeautifulflowers.wordpress.com/page/2/
The book of poetry written by the girls in the Wordsworth is soon to be published – “Voice of the Beautiful flower”
This is his blog!
http://sandercn.blogspot.com/2013_11_01_archive.html
And his personal website! : www.nathansandercock.com
This week was an educational yet moving experience at the girls home!
Voices Of Beautiful Flowers 
This entry had me in tears as having been there and met some of the girls, Nathan’s description took me right into that room and I could feel the impact of his starting the song and allowing the girl to take over. I know it was an amazing and overwhelming experience. Thank you for sharing, and as always, thank you for taking the work to another level.
The girls are amazing and their poetry is deep and real and I cant wait for this book to be released so more people can read and experience just a small part of what we felt as we left that building. God is good and he continues to bless our lives as well as the girls as they are blessed by the people who are just willing to share time and life with them. Alot more to come for the “Voice of Beautiful Flowers” so blessed to be apart and cant wait for my next visit.