I'm currently sitting outside, sipping an iced chai tea, using Ugly Mugs' internet. Our house is not yet set up with the internet. And while that has been stressful, it's also nice to get out into our East Nashville community and start to feel as if I belong. I know I do belong here, but with stuff going on in Erie, it's been hard. It stressful to live away from home when issues arise. . . but it's all out of my control and I have to accept that. I wish I could be physically present, but this is a good lesson on relying on God's spirit to surround my loved ones.
My new community of YAVs been wonderful in being present with me & watching out for me. I already love this intentional community. . . they are holding me accountable, making me realize the importance of self-boundaries, and have promised to help me say that one particular word I hate to use . . . "no." Last night for example, I watched Brothers & Sisters with my roommates and enjoyed time to just be; what a blessing that is.
In other news, our Nashville orientation is going well. We served Meals on Wheels today, which was great. (Thanks, Dad, for all the lessons on how to talk with strangers! I never would have thought that I could do it or be thankful for those lessons, but I totally am!) We've visited all 8 partner sites, heard the incredible missions of each organization, and saw where each other is working. It was heartbreaking to hear of the needs within this community, but such a comfort to know that people are making small triumphs each day. I've all ready had my beliefs on the death penalty, poverty, health care, and church mission challenged--and all in healthy ways. For so long, I've avoided having an opinion. Now, I feel as if I have to be educated,at least to know the facts. I'm not certain that at the end of the day I'll have changed any of my thoughts, but at least I will be semi-well versed on them. I have always known, but now truly believe that ignorance is not bliss. There is so much out there that I have to learn. And still so much more to touch my heart.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Nashville Orientation
Hard to believe that it is September all ready.
It’s also hard to believe that I’ve officially spent one full day now, as a resident of Nashville.
Besides a few passing thoughts and prayers for all that I have left behind in PA, I haven’t really processed my move too much. I know that Westminster is back in session, and that things are going on in Erie, but this transitional time has really kept me from thinking too much about that now distant community. I certainly miss my WC friends, and wish I could be physically present in Erie to give a few hugs out, but this new community feels so natural and well established it’s hard to remember that I haven’t always known them or lived here. It’s such a blessing to feel the peace of God in this new place. . .
Today was the first day of Nashville orientation. We got up, and ventured (in my car—I hope I get used to major city driving) over to 2nd Pres, and the “Toolshed.” The Toolshed is the house on the 2nd Pres property, where three other YAVs live this year. Liz, Bonnie, and Karol live there together. All three girls are 2009 college grads.
After a brief schedule meeting with Susan, the Nashville site manager, we all loaded into 2nd’s 1989 van, and headed off to visit the agencies Liz and Karol will be serving this year. Our first stop was in a HUD (Housing & Urban Development) community. Nations, a nonprofit agency for immigrants is settled among the other houses. As our group of nine women walked in, we were immediately the attention of about 10 little children. They were working on art projects. Adorable does not even begin to describe their precious faces. In a back room, we gathered around a table with Chris, the director of Nations, who described to Liz (who will be working there) and the rest of us, what role Nations plays in that community. What Chris shared with us, was incredibly enlightening. He shared the stories of Burundi refugees: how generations of Burundis have only ever lived in refugee camps. How the US invites them to come over, but then expects them to pay for their travel expenses—which would be fine, except that most of these refugees have no skills, are illiterate in all languages, and have one minimum wage job per household to support typically 5+ people. Before they can even get themselves established, debt overwhelms them. The government will teach them basic skills (understanding how electricity work, bus schedules, grocery stores etc.) but that assistance only lasts about 90 days. After 90 days, the government believes them to be well established. Without organizations like Nations, these refugees could not assimilate into our culture, could not learn English, and truly have no hope to function within the US.
I was shocked by what I was hearing. I suddenly felt very sheltered and unaware. There are so many issues out there . . . so many shortcomings, so many of my brothers and sisters left out. Thank goodness there are people who hear the gentle whisper of God (whether they recognize it as that or not is a different subject) and do the best they can to meet the needs of those around them.
After our Nations visit, we headed over to Preston Taylor Ministries (PTM), the agency Karol will be working with. PTM is settled just outside another public housing development. This ministry reaches out to the children in the neighborhood with after school programs and homework help. PTM’s mission is to have the children discover their God inspired dreams, and to improve their reading skills. The space they have is incredible. Beautiful pictures and murals, computer rooms, study rooms, a fabulous playground (designed by some PTM 4th graders), and walls covered with Bible passages. The directors of PTM have made an investment into that community, and the students and community is blooming under the guiding hand of PTM.
The work of these organizations is incredibly impressive. They are truly seeing needs and filling them. I’m eager to hear the stories Liz and Karol share. I’m also very hopeful that I can encourage the Vanderbilt students I will be working with to get involved, as both places depend heavily upon volunteers. My work at Vandy will certainly be different, but I pray that I can and will make a difference in the lives I’ll be working with, just as Liz’s & Karol’s work will.
It’s also hard to believe that I’ve officially spent one full day now, as a resident of Nashville.
Besides a few passing thoughts and prayers for all that I have left behind in PA, I haven’t really processed my move too much. I know that Westminster is back in session, and that things are going on in Erie, but this transitional time has really kept me from thinking too much about that now distant community. I certainly miss my WC friends, and wish I could be physically present in Erie to give a few hugs out, but this new community feels so natural and well established it’s hard to remember that I haven’t always known them or lived here. It’s such a blessing to feel the peace of God in this new place. . .
Today was the first day of Nashville orientation. We got up, and ventured (in my car—I hope I get used to major city driving) over to 2nd Pres, and the “Toolshed.” The Toolshed is the house on the 2nd Pres property, where three other YAVs live this year. Liz, Bonnie, and Karol live there together. All three girls are 2009 college grads.
After a brief schedule meeting with Susan, the Nashville site manager, we all loaded into 2nd’s 1989 van, and headed off to visit the agencies Liz and Karol will be serving this year. Our first stop was in a HUD (Housing & Urban Development) community. Nations, a nonprofit agency for immigrants is settled among the other houses. As our group of nine women walked in, we were immediately the attention of about 10 little children. They were working on art projects. Adorable does not even begin to describe their precious faces. In a back room, we gathered around a table with Chris, the director of Nations, who described to Liz (who will be working there) and the rest of us, what role Nations plays in that community. What Chris shared with us, was incredibly enlightening. He shared the stories of Burundi refugees: how generations of Burundis have only ever lived in refugee camps. How the US invites them to come over, but then expects them to pay for their travel expenses—which would be fine, except that most of these refugees have no skills, are illiterate in all languages, and have one minimum wage job per household to support typically 5+ people. Before they can even get themselves established, debt overwhelms them. The government will teach them basic skills (understanding how electricity work, bus schedules, grocery stores etc.) but that assistance only lasts about 90 days. After 90 days, the government believes them to be well established. Without organizations like Nations, these refugees could not assimilate into our culture, could not learn English, and truly have no hope to function within the US.
I was shocked by what I was hearing. I suddenly felt very sheltered and unaware. There are so many issues out there . . . so many shortcomings, so many of my brothers and sisters left out. Thank goodness there are people who hear the gentle whisper of God (whether they recognize it as that or not is a different subject) and do the best they can to meet the needs of those around them.
After our Nations visit, we headed over to Preston Taylor Ministries (PTM), the agency Karol will be working with. PTM is settled just outside another public housing development. This ministry reaches out to the children in the neighborhood with after school programs and homework help. PTM’s mission is to have the children discover their God inspired dreams, and to improve their reading skills. The space they have is incredible. Beautiful pictures and murals, computer rooms, study rooms, a fabulous playground (designed by some PTM 4th graders), and walls covered with Bible passages. The directors of PTM have made an investment into that community, and the students and community is blooming under the guiding hand of PTM.
The work of these organizations is incredibly impressive. They are truly seeing needs and filling them. I’m eager to hear the stories Liz and Karol share. I’m also very hopeful that I can encourage the Vanderbilt students I will be working with to get involved, as both places depend heavily upon volunteers. My work at Vandy will certainly be different, but I pray that I can and will make a difference in the lives I’ll be working with, just as Liz’s & Karol’s work will.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Back in Town
We got back from Orientation on this afternoon. The week was good; great community was formed, but it was wonderful to finally and officially “land” where the work is to begin.
Our house, now full with the five of us, was patiently waiting for us to arrive. After figuring out the tv & discussing how the bathroom sharing was to work, we ventured out into our East Nashville community for dinner. We stopped, happily, a few blocks East at a Mexican restaurant “Las Maracas.” (Very similar to El Canelo in PA). We enjoyed laughs, stories, and great food. It felt as if we had known each other much longer than just a week.
My housemates are wonderful women of faith and character. Diana is originally from Washington State, and served last year as a YAV in Tuscan. This year, she’ll be working with TCASK, an organization fighting for the abolition of state killings. Leslie, a native Tennessean, is a 2009 college graduate. She will be working with the homeless ministry, Room In the Inn. Lisa, another ’09 college grad is from Arizona. Lisa is to work with the Martha O’Brien ministries, which works in a public housing development to provide after school programs to the youth of that community. Rebecca, my roommate, is also a PA gal. She’s been teaching GED courses in Philly and will be working with a church just down the road (Eastminster Pres.).
It’s a great group of us to be sharing this house. We spent most of the evening talking and learning about each other. We should have been unpacking . . . but fellowship seemed more important. What was really great was that just before we were all going to go to bed, Rebecca called everyone into our bedroom. She felt (and we all agreed) that evening prayer would be a blessing to each of us. To quote her: “A family that prays together stays together.” We couldn’t have christened our time together any better.
Our house, now full with the five of us, was patiently waiting for us to arrive. After figuring out the tv & discussing how the bathroom sharing was to work, we ventured out into our East Nashville community for dinner. We stopped, happily, a few blocks East at a Mexican restaurant “Las Maracas.” (Very similar to El Canelo in PA). We enjoyed laughs, stories, and great food. It felt as if we had known each other much longer than just a week.
My housemates are wonderful women of faith and character. Diana is originally from Washington State, and served last year as a YAV in Tuscan. This year, she’ll be working with TCASK, an organization fighting for the abolition of state killings. Leslie, a native Tennessean, is a 2009 college graduate. She will be working with the homeless ministry, Room In the Inn. Lisa, another ’09 college grad is from Arizona. Lisa is to work with the Martha O’Brien ministries, which works in a public housing development to provide after school programs to the youth of that community. Rebecca, my roommate, is also a PA gal. She’s been teaching GED courses in Philly and will be working with a church just down the road (Eastminster Pres.).
It’s a great group of us to be sharing this house. We spent most of the evening talking and learning about each other. We should have been unpacking . . . but fellowship seemed more important. What was really great was that just before we were all going to go to bed, Rebecca called everyone into our bedroom. She felt (and we all agreed) that evening prayer would be a blessing to each of us. To quote her: “A family that prays together stays together.” We couldn’t have christened our time together any better.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
heading South, again
Orientation is a few hours away from being over. I'm ready to hit the ground running in Nashville. We have a week of orientation once we get back to the city, but it will finally be time to get the work started.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Orientation
Stony Point, NY is unlike what I had expected. It's in a great community, that is very aware of God's glorious creation, and they strive to take care and preserve all that is around them. Set up much like Westminster Highlands, Camp Crestfield, and Lambec, it's a place of many buildings, great worship space, and free room to wander. I've meet the seven Nashville girls. . . we all ready have a great community forming. The larger group consists of nearly 70 YAVs, who will be serving both nationally and internationally. It's been a great blessing to meet and talk with each other, share our concerns, go through vocational discernment, self-care, and simply walk around. Through our activities up-to-now, I've discerned, thanks to the Meyer's-Briggs, that I'm an ISFJ personality--but I'm moving more and more to the extravert personality!, and that I have a hard time feeling my own personal energy. Right now there is a seminary fair going on. It was interesting to find that out of the YAV program, about 20-30% of all YAVs end up attending a seminary. I was impressed by that until I heard that from the Nashville site, the numbers jump to nearly 70%. Interesting. . . :)
Sunday, August 23, 2009
right where I belong
There's so much to say right now. I feel a strange mixture of feelings . . . I'm sad to have watched Stephanie leave, and then almost heartbroken watching Mom & Dad drive away. And yet, at the very same time, I am feeling so confident and assured that this is exactly where I need to be right now. I need to be on my own, listening for God's gentle whispers. I need to live on $400 a month, and I need to learn the value of hard work and putting my heart into something new. (And really, what better time in my life to be "poor"?)
I've enjoyed my sight-seeing adventures here in Nashville. I feel somewhat oriented to the city and traffic patterns. But I'm ready to really dive into the city, into the ministry, into a new chapter in my life. When I met with Jennifer and Bob at Vanderbilt, I was excited to meet students, face fears with them, struggle with the issues that come up as a first-year student, cheer on the Commodores, and wear black & gold (at least when I forget that black & gold are also Steeler's colors!). When I met Susan, I was excited to see the cute house I'll be living in. She told me about my new church, Downtown Pres, the homeless ministries there, the couple that have volunteered to be my host family--a very sweet sounding couple, who have gone on several mission trips and work with Habitat, which I feel is a wonderful God thing.
It all feels so right.
Even though I'm sitting here, alone, with the last of my physical PA connections heading into Kentucky, I know that sometimes God's plan for our lives demands some sad moments. It takes moments that make you wonder what it really means to allow God to guide your pathway. Even though it is hard, and will probably be much harder in the months to come, I'm with God, and there's no better place to be than in the midst of His grace and love.
Listening to David Bailey's song "Life," right now:
". . . the music will tell you that right now, you're right where you belong."
I've enjoyed my sight-seeing adventures here in Nashville. I feel somewhat oriented to the city and traffic patterns. But I'm ready to really dive into the city, into the ministry, into a new chapter in my life. When I met with Jennifer and Bob at Vanderbilt, I was excited to meet students, face fears with them, struggle with the issues that come up as a first-year student, cheer on the Commodores, and wear black & gold (at least when I forget that black & gold are also Steeler's colors!). When I met Susan, I was excited to see the cute house I'll be living in. She told me about my new church, Downtown Pres, the homeless ministries there, the couple that have volunteered to be my host family--a very sweet sounding couple, who have gone on several mission trips and work with Habitat, which I feel is a wonderful God thing.
It all feels so right.
Even though I'm sitting here, alone, with the last of my physical PA connections heading into Kentucky, I know that sometimes God's plan for our lives demands some sad moments. It takes moments that make you wonder what it really means to allow God to guide your pathway. Even though it is hard, and will probably be much harder in the months to come, I'm with God, and there's no better place to be than in the midst of His grace and love.
Listening to David Bailey's song "Life," right now:
". . . the music will tell you that right now, you're right where you belong."
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)