Well it’s been a quiet week in Balige, Tobasa Sumut, my new home town. Travel went smoothly even if it is a long trip to get here. I finally adjusted to the time difference- fourteen hours ahead. (Hello from tomorrow!) In missionary orientation one of the Pastors said we should take our list of everything we are able to do in a day at home and divide it in half. And then only expect to get only one thing done each day. It’s true, I have not been able to do much by myself and therefore I have never been so dependent on others. Even when I was sick or in the hospital at least after infancy I was able to talk easily with my caretakers and get my needs met. Here it is more complicated and difficult. BUT everyone is sooooooooooooooooooo nice about everything I am in good health and spirits. Really really really nice. Sister Risma keeps flowers in my room by stopping by every three days and saying “Sister Laura, your flowers must be ....” Then she makes a sad face and comes into my room to take what look like perfectly beautiful flowers out and replacing them with a new bouquet. Last week she gave me dahlias from the courtyard. This week it’s a birthday mix of elephants ears and asters. I mentioned that I like spinach and Sister Lamria said maybe we should plant some. Can you imagine? Planting something just because a guest casually mentioned they like it, wow. How can I repay the kindness I’ve received?
God is here for sure. In the beauty of the surrounding countryside and in the hearts of the people with whom I am working. We have visited many people sense my arrival three weeks ago. We have visited the homebound elderly and held a service for prisoners at the jail. We talked with mothers who were organizing for environmental protection. I shared my story and to my surprise many were moved to tears. I have to think maybe there is some good or a plan behind all the headaches.
Their compassion healed something I have long been hesitant in facing. How to share my story without being the victim or getting totally preachy about the environment? The reality is that just sharing what happened to me might help them to prevent exploitive mining in their community. The women heard what the consequences unregulated mining are for me and may be able to stop it. I am not opposed to all mining. But I am concerned that without effective protection their children will bare the cost of industry. This is an issue of justice. Too often it is the poor that suffer the most when industry does not protect the communities health.
If I get a different kind of visa, I will be able to start teaching English, Community Organizing (thanks INVST!), and Environmental Issues (thanks University of Colorado ENVS department!) in January.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
GOT MY VISA AND MY TICKETS!!!
Hooray! Today in the mail I got my visa and tickets. I leave on Saturday Nov. 15th. HOORAY! This week has been really amazing. Pres. Barak Obama may be able work for change in our government. The weather has been perfect. My tickets AND visa came. I love my friends and family. I am finally packing.
One last important thing before I go- If anyone. I mean anyone. Can help me find someone to care for my bird while I am gone or forever, please contact me ASAP. Two people have backed out of contracts to care for him this week and I am very worried about my little guy. He is a ten year old (I think- I got him in 2000) Nanday Conure. He is sweet with me, tame and loving. With other people he can be aggressive, though it depends on the person and the context. He is loud. He is also crazy smart. He is healthy and very handsome. His name is Murray and he has been my constant companion for eight years. I love him so much and need a good home for him.
One last important thing before I go- If anyone. I mean anyone. Can help me find someone to care for my bird while I am gone or forever, please contact me ASAP. Two people have backed out of contracts to care for him this week and I am very worried about my little guy. He is a ten year old (I think- I got him in 2000) Nanday Conure. He is sweet with me, tame and loving. With other people he can be aggressive, though it depends on the person and the context. He is loud. He is also crazy smart. He is healthy and very handsome. His name is Murray and he has been my constant companion for eight years. I love him so much and need a good home for him.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Pastor Julie
Today I saw my friend Julie become a called and ordained minister in the ELCA. I have never been to an ordination ceremony before and like many times this week found myself crying the whole way through. First off, Pastor Jim delivered a beautiful sermon on the import of remembering it is not about you. Our time here is to glorify God by working to hear and do his work here on earth. Second, the day was bright and beautiful. What a wonderful moment to affirm my faith. I have struggled to stay positive as time passes and I still do not have a visa. I am not able to make plans for more than the next month without serious hesitation. But today, for a minute I lost myself. As I looked out the windows at the top of the sanctuary I found myself spinning (maybe floating?). Suddenly the very world seemed too bright. I thought, I want to keep this feeling, and instantaly I was snapped back into the song. People around me were missing entrances, holding notes too long, they were not in key and many were fumbling words. I love it. We are so fragile and so mistaken. I thank all the people who have helped me decern my call. Is this God calling me to work half a world away? Donno. It's a leap of faith. And today I saw a very wise very strong women give it all up. Without help we are lost. Today for just a light filled moment I was found. I thank God for that moment of clarity. The sound of all those voices lifted me up.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Letter to Atonement Boulder
Dear Friends in Boulder
Thank you so much for your prayers of support. I did not know you all were praying for me until recently when I traveled from my home in Lakewood to Boulder for an organizational meeting on how we can support members of our congregation as they face health challenges. Many people at the meeting expressed surprise at my still being in the United States. Frankly, I am also surprised. When I sent the congregation an announcement in July we believed I would be leaving for Indonesia in late August or early September. But here it is October and I do not have a departure date. I am waiting for my visa. Our colleagues at church-wide tell me it is very likely I will be granted a visa sometime this month. To put bread on my personal table I have a temporary position at a costume store and enjoy it very much. Most Sundays I do not drive the hour and half round trip to see you but you all are in my thoughts and prayers as I join with Atonement Denver in worship. There is very little I can do to speed up the bureaucratic process but it is my prayer I will arrive in Balige in early November.
While I am waiting God has blessed me with the opportunity to do his comforting work here at home. Several members of my family have faced unexpected life changing events in these four months. I am blessed to be with them as they walk through these things. Everyone is in their right place. God has a plan and a time.
I have been in contact with my supervisor at in Indonesia and have been preparing for my departure by learning Bahasa, writing some lesson plans, and getting my vaccinations. Please allow me give the congregation more information about what I expect to do when I get to Southeast Asia. I have been invited by the people of Indonesia, the HKBP church, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to serve God at the deaconess school for two years teaching English in Balige, Tobasa Sumut, Northern Sumatra. I will also be designing a curriculum for the school to keep when I leave to use with short term native and near native English speakers.
While studying Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder, I learned about the December 26, 2004 magnitude 9.0+ earthquake in the Indian Ocean. This was the fourth largest earthquake since 1900 and the resulting tsunami was over 10 meters tall when it reached shore in Sumatra. In Indonesia at least 110,229 people were killed and all over the world more than 150,000 people died as a result of the earthquake and tsunami in 2004.
My colleagues who have recently traveled to the area tell me the people of northern Sumatra are recovering well, the communities are coming back from the disaster and most houses in the devastated areas have been rebuilt. But God still has more work to do in this part of the world. I was approved to serve for two years by the Global Mission unit. While I may not be directly working with disaster relief efforts, I believe I will be working with the women in the school to affect long term change so that when future natural events happen they will not become disasters like the tsunami. By empowering the deaconesses to speak with officials at agencies around the world, it is my prayer any future natural disasters will be mitigated before they become a tragedy like the 2004 tsunami. Additionally, by many estimates more than 80% of scientific publications are in English. With greater access to information my students will be able to affect many other aspects of their community lives. They may use their skills to build interfaith relationships, better nutrition, organize rural development, and in the professional fields of nursing and education.
As a church we have been called by God and justified by faith to walk humbly with all people on earth. In preparing to travel I pray for safe travel and health. I pray God watch over and care for my friends and family. Finally, I pray the people who have supported the Global Mission unit of the ELCA know how much hope, joy, and good they are bringing to an area of the world that has been devastated by a tsunami. The people that I have contacted in the area are very excited for my arrival. Finally, I am reminded of what we learned in orientation- mission work goes two ways. I pray my ministry will serve as a witness to God’s promise to the people in Indonesia. Equally importantly, though, when I write home and when I get back our church will be better for the talent, insight, diversity in thinking and challenges our companions bring to us as we walk in accompaniment. God’s work. Our Hands.
Thank you so much for your prayers of support. I did not know you all were praying for me until recently when I traveled from my home in Lakewood to Boulder for an organizational meeting on how we can support members of our congregation as they face health challenges. Many people at the meeting expressed surprise at my still being in the United States. Frankly, I am also surprised. When I sent the congregation an announcement in July we believed I would be leaving for Indonesia in late August or early September. But here it is October and I do not have a departure date. I am waiting for my visa. Our colleagues at church-wide tell me it is very likely I will be granted a visa sometime this month. To put bread on my personal table I have a temporary position at a costume store and enjoy it very much. Most Sundays I do not drive the hour and half round trip to see you but you all are in my thoughts and prayers as I join with Atonement Denver in worship. There is very little I can do to speed up the bureaucratic process but it is my prayer I will arrive in Balige in early November.
While I am waiting God has blessed me with the opportunity to do his comforting work here at home. Several members of my family have faced unexpected life changing events in these four months. I am blessed to be with them as they walk through these things. Everyone is in their right place. God has a plan and a time.
I have been in contact with my supervisor at in Indonesia and have been preparing for my departure by learning Bahasa, writing some lesson plans, and getting my vaccinations. Please allow me give the congregation more information about what I expect to do when I get to Southeast Asia. I have been invited by the people of Indonesia, the HKBP church, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to serve God at the deaconess school for two years teaching English in Balige, Tobasa Sumut, Northern Sumatra. I will also be designing a curriculum for the school to keep when I leave to use with short term native and near native English speakers.
While studying Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder, I learned about the December 26, 2004 magnitude 9.0+ earthquake in the Indian Ocean. This was the fourth largest earthquake since 1900 and the resulting tsunami was over 10 meters tall when it reached shore in Sumatra. In Indonesia at least 110,229 people were killed and all over the world more than 150,000 people died as a result of the earthquake and tsunami in 2004.
My colleagues who have recently traveled to the area tell me the people of northern Sumatra are recovering well, the communities are coming back from the disaster and most houses in the devastated areas have been rebuilt. But God still has more work to do in this part of the world. I was approved to serve for two years by the Global Mission unit. While I may not be directly working with disaster relief efforts, I believe I will be working with the women in the school to affect long term change so that when future natural events happen they will not become disasters like the tsunami. By empowering the deaconesses to speak with officials at agencies around the world, it is my prayer any future natural disasters will be mitigated before they become a tragedy like the 2004 tsunami. Additionally, by many estimates more than 80% of scientific publications are in English. With greater access to information my students will be able to affect many other aspects of their community lives. They may use their skills to build interfaith relationships, better nutrition, organize rural development, and in the professional fields of nursing and education.
As a church we have been called by God and justified by faith to walk humbly with all people on earth. In preparing to travel I pray for safe travel and health. I pray God watch over and care for my friends and family. Finally, I pray the people who have supported the Global Mission unit of the ELCA know how much hope, joy, and good they are bringing to an area of the world that has been devastated by a tsunami. The people that I have contacted in the area are very excited for my arrival. Finally, I am reminded of what we learned in orientation- mission work goes two ways. I pray my ministry will serve as a witness to God’s promise to the people in Indonesia. Equally importantly, though, when I write home and when I get back our church will be better for the talent, insight, diversity in thinking and challenges our companions bring to us as we walk in accompaniment. God’s work. Our Hands.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Wondering about a sea of consumption
I was walking to work the other day and there were hundreds of cars zooming by at a busy intersection. I was the only person not in a car or shop as far as I could see. But I had memory of hearing sometime that there is a story about aliens coming to earth and concluding that cars are really in charge and they have enslaved the human race. Which in some ways is true. We spend time in them everyday and work to support them. I guess I feel a little isolated sometimes because I don't have a car.
It seems everyone owns a car. I did learn in school how we decided to move from an infrastructure of public transit and spaces to a private car culture. It wasn't an accident. I am thinking specifically of how Goodyear bought up all the train companies in the West (specifically starting in L.A.) and then replaced them with buses. Buses are louder and more expensive to keep going and use a lot more carbon and are less reliable and safe but they make money for the manufacturers because they have to be replaced more often. I am waiting to go somewhere and I am going everywhere in a private car. My neighbors are fighting the Fasttracks rail line going in behind their houses because it will be loud. But it's not like they are building new tracks from scratch- they are just fixing an old track to make it usable again. I am frustrated with my neighbors because public trains are better for everyone- they cost less than private cars, are better for the environment, are safer, and create a sense of shared responsibility by encouraging public spaces.
It seems everyone owns a car. I did learn in school how we decided to move from an infrastructure of public transit and spaces to a private car culture. It wasn't an accident. I am thinking specifically of how Goodyear bought up all the train companies in the West (specifically starting in L.A.) and then replaced them with buses. Buses are louder and more expensive to keep going and use a lot more carbon and are less reliable and safe but they make money for the manufacturers because they have to be replaced more often. I am waiting to go somewhere and I am going everywhere in a private car. My neighbors are fighting the Fasttracks rail line going in behind their houses because it will be loud. But it's not like they are building new tracks from scratch- they are just fixing an old track to make it usable again. I am frustrated with my neighbors because public trains are better for everyone- they cost less than private cars, are better for the environment, are safer, and create a sense of shared responsibility by encouraging public spaces.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Temp Job try number Two
Sometimes in life we need a do-over. The position with water was, um, how to say? Not successful for me or the organization. I did something so unlike me it was an out-of-body experience- I left the job during a shift. I've gone home because I was deathly ill. I've gone home because there was a real family emergency. I've even been sent home because I wasn't needed that day. But I have never, in my whole life, left because I felt a position was totally wrong for me and a movement. I spent most of Sunday in bed thinking, praying and crying. What went wrong is almost too hard to explain. Let me just say canvassing is not for me.
But things seem to be working out for the better now. I called a costume shop that I also interview with and they still have a position for me. So I went in and got trained. I am now the wig Matron of the costume shop. I also get to answer the phone, and in a real pinch help out at the register. Wow. From what I applied for to now that's like three promotions in three days of working.
At the wig counter I get to laugh with the public as they try on new identities for Halloween and dress up. As you might notice from my profile picture dress up time is my favorite time anytime. So this position fits my personality and my needs- it pays (not great but some is better than nothing), it's now until October 31st, and it's close (just across the street). So the lesson children is to listen to your heart when it's shouting NO! and find something that fits.
By the way I heard from the folks at Church wide- they seem to think I'll be leaving in early November. Which is much later than I originally thought but still leaves time to volunteer during the election season. GO VOTE!
But things seem to be working out for the better now. I called a costume shop that I also interview with and they still have a position for me. So I went in and got trained. I am now the wig Matron of the costume shop. I also get to answer the phone, and in a real pinch help out at the register. Wow. From what I applied for to now that's like three promotions in three days of working.
At the wig counter I get to laugh with the public as they try on new identities for Halloween and dress up. As you might notice from my profile picture dress up time is my favorite time anytime. So this position fits my personality and my needs- it pays (not great but some is better than nothing), it's now until October 31st, and it's close (just across the street). So the lesson children is to listen to your heart when it's shouting NO! and find something that fits.
By the way I heard from the folks at Church wide- they seem to think I'll be leaving in early November. Which is much later than I originally thought but still leaves time to volunteer during the election season. GO VOTE!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Head case, my job.
Here's a little story that is part of a larger story. I went on an interview marathon. Four interviews in three days. Phew. I think I am going to do my temp work on an issue that is really almost too close for comfort but I think I am ready to try. Here's some background.
When I was not yet born Mom and Dad lived in a Colorado Mountain town. The water supply that spring was not always good. Sometimes the neighbors would complain of the taste and floaties coming from the tap. Several children were born with horrible birth defects that summer. In December Mom went into labor with me ( WAY too early) and went to the hospital. She had an emergency Cesarean section.
I was born with Craniostynostosis. It's a disease that causes the bones in a fetus head to fuse and harden. The skull shouldn't fuse until much later in development so the brain can grow- think around the age of 6 and completely after teenagerhood. Without surgery brain damage is a possibility, death is too. The doctors did a very long, very painful surgery to correct my defect. It was successful. (Even though sometimes I do/say/act like an idiot for no discernible reason other than obvious brain damage.) I sometimes have headaches. I have had a mild headache for 28 years.
There were many others born with the defect. And still others with different defects. WHY?? The government (EPA among others) launched an investigation. A few years ago the water was found to be contaminated with heavy metals. And they found pollutants in the soil. And there was crap in the air, too. The whole aquatic ecosystem had collapsed from mining activities that happened, are you ready?...138 years before.
So the government declared our little city water pools a SUPERFUND site and began clean up. Now, nobody ever said the water made me sick. I have my hunches and some pretty promising sources but am not ready to make a direct accusation. Plus, the reality is even after billions of dollars in clean up the water, soil and air will never be 'clean' they will just be 'clean enough.' These things are complicated and I will write more later in new entries.
What's a girl to do? I went to one of the best schools in the nation to get my Environmental Studies Degree to figure it out. And for good measure I got a Community Leadership certificate so I could use what I learn to help people PROTECT themselves. (yeah, the minor in geography to find out how far the problem extends;)
What really stinks is, even if I wanted to personally fill the mines that are leaking cyanide, mercury, lead, beryllium, arsenic, and other nasties into the water supply, I can't. Cleaning up those site is ILLEGAL. Due to antiquated legislation no one except the government can touch the tailings or the mines themselves. There are more than 800 abandoned mines in Colorado. I think about that every time I am hugging the toilet to throw up because the pain of YET ANOTHER headache. I think about that every time I think about having babies myself. I think about the stuff sitting in my bones every time I have to explain to yet another doctor that I am still in pain. And that no, the medication did not help, and that no, I am not ready to live with it.
So starting Thursday, I am going to work with an environmental non-profit to PROTECT myself, my community, and my family from ever having to deal with something like this again. I am just glad the defect did not kill me. It could have, but I am lucky I am to be able to fight for everyone's right to drink clean water.
For just a few weeks I am going to knock on doors and say, hey friends, you should think about your little babies heads and vote. Vote for the environment. Then I am off to Indonesia to work with a different water, the water of life that sustains us all. The water from God washing away the pain of illness and anger at injustice and replacing it with joy and purpose.
When I was not yet born Mom and Dad lived in a Colorado Mountain town. The water supply that spring was not always good. Sometimes the neighbors would complain of the taste and floaties coming from the tap. Several children were born with horrible birth defects that summer. In December Mom went into labor with me ( WAY too early) and went to the hospital. She had an emergency Cesarean section.
I was born with Craniostynostosis. It's a disease that causes the bones in a fetus head to fuse and harden. The skull shouldn't fuse until much later in development so the brain can grow- think around the age of 6 and completely after teenagerhood. Without surgery brain damage is a possibility, death is too. The doctors did a very long, very painful surgery to correct my defect. It was successful. (Even though sometimes I do/say/act like an idiot for no discernible reason other than obvious brain damage.) I sometimes have headaches. I have had a mild headache for 28 years.
There were many others born with the defect. And still others with different defects. WHY?? The government (EPA among others) launched an investigation. A few years ago the water was found to be contaminated with heavy metals. And they found pollutants in the soil. And there was crap in the air, too. The whole aquatic ecosystem had collapsed from mining activities that happened, are you ready?...138 years before.
So the government declared our little city water pools a SUPERFUND site and began clean up. Now, nobody ever said the water made me sick. I have my hunches and some pretty promising sources but am not ready to make a direct accusation. Plus, the reality is even after billions of dollars in clean up the water, soil and air will never be 'clean' they will just be 'clean enough.' These things are complicated and I will write more later in new entries.
What's a girl to do? I went to one of the best schools in the nation to get my Environmental Studies Degree to figure it out. And for good measure I got a Community Leadership certificate so I could use what I learn to help people PROTECT themselves. (yeah, the minor in geography to find out how far the problem extends;)
What really stinks is, even if I wanted to personally fill the mines that are leaking cyanide, mercury, lead, beryllium, arsenic, and other nasties into the water supply, I can't. Cleaning up those site is ILLEGAL. Due to antiquated legislation no one except the government can touch the tailings or the mines themselves. There are more than 800 abandoned mines in Colorado. I think about that every time I am hugging the toilet to throw up because the pain of YET ANOTHER headache. I think about that every time I think about having babies myself. I think about the stuff sitting in my bones every time I have to explain to yet another doctor that I am still in pain. And that no, the medication did not help, and that no, I am not ready to live with it.
So starting Thursday, I am going to work with an environmental non-profit to PROTECT myself, my community, and my family from ever having to deal with something like this again. I am just glad the defect did not kill me. It could have, but I am lucky I am to be able to fight for everyone's right to drink clean water.
For just a few weeks I am going to knock on doors and say, hey friends, you should think about your little babies heads and vote. Vote for the environment. Then I am off to Indonesia to work with a different water, the water of life that sustains us all. The water from God washing away the pain of illness and anger at injustice and replacing it with joy and purpose.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Fun times in Limbo land
It would be silly to pretend like I don't live some charmed life that would turn a leprechaun green with envy. Two weeks ago I went camping with my three siblings and my niece in Golden Gate State Park. Then last weekend I went jet skiing with old friends down at Chatfield and read poetry in a research canyon outside Boulder. This weekend Bevin and I went down to Colorado Springs to go horse back riding in Garden of the Gods. It was beautiful and oh so much fun.
I have also had the chance to visit and be visited by friends and family almost every day. Last Friday I held my sweet, well mannered first cousin who just turned five weeks. Still, when the visa comes through I am totally ready to go. Here's to filling up my time with wonderful moments! I did apply for temp work, and I have been writing some preliminary lesson plans. I know there are so few times in life when one would be permitted to live such a carefree existence. I am grateful for the time I have just futzing around and the many amazing friends and family.
I have also had the chance to visit and be visited by friends and family almost every day. Last Friday I held my sweet, well mannered first cousin who just turned five weeks. Still, when the visa comes through I am totally ready to go. Here's to filling up my time with wonderful moments! I did apply for temp work, and I have been writing some preliminary lesson plans. I know there are so few times in life when one would be permitted to live such a carefree existence. I am grateful for the time I have just futzing around and the many amazing friends and family.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Small Wire by Anne Sexton
My faith
is a great weight
hung on a small wire... I don't want to violate any copy write laws so I am encouraging you to go find this amazing poem and read it. It is a delicious drink of poetry.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Visa-limbo is a dance you can do too.
Well another week has passed, and while I did have a good week I am reminded of the book "Oh, the places you'll go" which has this section in it about the waiting place. I am there! I am waiting to see about getting materials for my classes, waiting about my visa, waiting for my new computer to come, waiting to hear what kind of language help I should get, waiting to pack everything, waiting to say goodbye to my Bevin and mom. It is not bad, this waiting place. But I find that certain routine chores suddenly have epic value. (They keep my mind busy.) Yesterday I cleaned the house- for seven hours. I wiped the walls and ceiling of the bathroom. I moved all the furniture so I could clean under it. I dusted the ceiling fans and under the refrigerator. My thought was, this is better than sitting around. Today my tired body seems to say, by all means sit around, or read a book or something. But I trust God has a timeline, and the Indonesian government will come through soon. The nice folks at church-wide seem to think early September is most likely. So this weekend, I'm going camping with my siblings and niece(and interestingly no spouses-the husbands said they couldn't handle this amount of fun=0). We are going up to Golden Gate Park, which is one of my favorite places to see hummingbirds. So at least I have that to occupy my mind. Now, then, about the baseboards...
Monday, August 4, 2008
Going away party!!
With a still undetermined departure date we went ahead with the party Saturday. Thank you first to Bevin and Jesse for putting together a beautiful and relaxed open house! I am astonished at the attention to detail, creativity and love you ladies put into the party. I cannot possible begin to put into words my gratitude to you both for the opportunity to say goodbye. What a blessing it was to hug many of the people I love. To see my photo album see my photos copy and paste the address into a new tab or window. http://picasaweb.google.com/laurastephenson4/NewAlbum9108609PM?pli=1&gsessionid=Yvq444CdvguZJv0a1n1JBw
To be honest I cannot take credit for getting to this crossroad in my life. I am saying goodbye to my home of 28.5 years, Colorado, and hello to what feels right now as the unknown. I know each person I at the party (and many who couldn't make it!) have helped me discern a path that serves the environment, humanity, my own highest good, and God. Thank you for your loving support. You all have proven a million times over the power of the human heart to love.
It is with a mixture of sadness and joy I prepare to say hello to Indonesia. Last month I have learned about the ELCA's mission understanding- God's work, our hands. This new understanding of mission is based on compassion and joy. It feels to me like the right way to go because I have witnessed it in my own life with the people I love.
To be honest I cannot take credit for getting to this crossroad in my life. I am saying goodbye to my home of 28.5 years, Colorado, and hello to what feels right now as the unknown. I know each person I at the party (and many who couldn't make it!) have helped me discern a path that serves the environment, humanity, my own highest good, and God. Thank you for your loving support. You all have proven a million times over the power of the human heart to love.
It is with a mixture of sadness and joy I prepare to say hello to Indonesia. Last month I have learned about the ELCA's mission understanding- God's work, our hands. This new understanding of mission is based on compassion and joy. It feels to me like the right way to go because I have witnessed it in my own life with the people I love.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Oriented and Ready to Go!
In what can only be described as a whirl wind experience, the last three weeks in Chicago have been wonderful. I was invited to go for an interview just a two weeks before orientation began. In fact, the whole thing has been fast. When I sent an e-mail to the ELCA Global Mission staff on the suggestion of the best advise available (thanks Julie, Sarah, and Brooke!), I did not expect that they would ask me to write a ten page application in just an afternoon. It was a blessing, though. I sat down and wrote from the heart, with all the mistakes and spelling errors one would expect from a quickly written series of essays. I guess they saw the qualities they needed. To save money it was decided rather than flying out and back from Denver we moved the interview to the day before orientation began and I would stay if I received God's call. On Monday July 7th I left the house not knowing if I would be gone for the afternoon or for the month. It turns out being flexible as a missionary is a good thing. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve in Northern Sumatra. The HKBP church of Indonesia and the ELCA have combined to offer me the opportunity to teach English.
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