When freshman Davayah Hull heard Chico Fajardo-Heflin speak in chapel last fall, she knew she wanted to learn more. Many months, lessons, prayers, introductions, and meals later, she certainly has.
Davayah is one of five students that makes a monthly trip to Ford Heights, the home of UCA parents Chico and Tatiana Fajardo-Heflin. Along with UCA English teacher Mrs. Hannah Morgan, the group spends a few hours at the Fajardo-Heflins’ house, engaging in a lesson and discussion led by Chico, and eating a meal with the Fajardo-Heflin family and some of their neighborhood friends.
“I’ve been learning more about Jesus,” Davayah said, “I’ve been getting convictions about myself that I’ve never thought about before, like how comfortable we are with our own wealth and class.”
Davayah Hull is a freshman at UCA.
Davayah also said she’s been impacted by Chico’s teachings on Jesus’ life, especially how he ate with outcasts, and had a special love for those in poverty.
Rethinking community and comfortability
Mrs. Morgan said the extra-curricular program is “About trying to do what Jesus has said about eating with people who are different than you, and being in community with people who are different than you, specifically the poor and marginalized.”
The Fajardo-Heflins, not originally from Ford Heights, chose to live there years ago and made intentional choices to connect with the often overlooked community, and enter into relationships with those around them. Their family’s testimony is one of being welcomed and loved, and they have a desire to share their experiences and Christ-centered mentality with others.
“That’s one thing they’ve been teaching the students about — You’re not bringing bread, you’re breaking bread. You’re not bringing the kingdom of God, you’re entering the kingdom of God,” Mrs. Morgan said, adding that she’s been deeply impacted by the program herself.
Mrs. Morgan is an English educator at UCA.
After a couple one-off visits to Ford Heights last school year, Mrs. Morgan and the Fajardo-Heflins worked together to create a more formalized program for this school year. Students were invited to apply for the monthly visits, and the list currently includes two freshmen, two juniors, and one senior. The group has already made four visits this school year, with four more planned.
“Students have a lot of fun. There are a lot of fun, vibrant people in the household. And they’ve been very welcomed.” Mrs. Morgan said. “And I’ve also found the students very eagerly reading the scriptures, and seeking to learn more about the Bible and Christ’s commandments.”
Changes and challenges
Davayah, who describes herself as a “reserved” person, said the experience has challenged her to be more like Jesus, even in her social life. “I want to try and talk to people who I usually would be uncomfortable with. I want to try and see them for who they are. … You can meet the sweetest people just on the streets — that’s not something we really care about nowadays, with all the social media. But it can be deeper than that.”
Mrs. Morgan said the goal for the program at this point is to continue it year-to-year. “It’s easy to have an educational experience and be moved by it, but not changed by it. I think it takes a sustained dialogue and commitment to really leave a lasting impact on students’ lives and how they think about where they’re going to live, where they’re going to work, and who they’re going to be in community with after they leave UCA.”
With four more visits planned, Davayah, who first found it hard to “come out of her shell,” is looking forward to learning more from the Fajardo-Heflins.
“As we keep going over there, I just love it more and more,” she said.