Logistics, placement and fund-raising

Since the last time I wrote there have been some major developments in my life and in preparation for South Africa. Firstly, I am a college graduate! Hooray! I graduated on May 23rd and it seems I’ve been in a whirlwind ever since! Especially with trying preparing all kinds of documentation for my Visa before I get ready and start at camp on Sunday! Insanity! We are getting traction though, it seems… on most things. There seem to be a million tiny details! It’s somewhat stressful and yet, in the chaos, I still find for myself little moments in which I realize that I literally have less than 2 complete weeks of being home between now and when I leave the country. Working at my camp will be awesome. But it will take me away from my home for the majority of the summer. It won’t be easy!

Specific details about my actual time in South Africa also are quickly unfolding! I received my placement information on Tuesday! It turns out I will be living just East (about 15 miles) of the very large city of Johannesburg in a smaller suburban-type sounding city of Boksburg. I also have been primarily matched with a care center that works with the terminally ill and a specific branch of the center (it sounds like) which works on developing children from infancy through 12 years old. The program sounds like a great match for me and it also sounds like there are lots of other opportunities to explore within the “Eastern Circuit” diocese of the church such as parish ministries, music education and youth group and bible study type ministries. So we shall see. For now, it sounds incredible!

Also, there have been some major developments in my fund-raising efforts! I have decided to collect donations through Faith Lutheran Church in Blakeslee, PA where I have interned for several summers. The people up there know me pretty well and are familiar with what I’ve been up to the last few years so when they offered to hold my funds, I was more than happy to work with them! SO, a word about fundraising!

As I said in last month's post, each volunteer is asked to raise about $4,000 towards their support costs for the year. I’m not very good at asking people for money but when I start to think about it, it really is an awesome way to invite people to be part of the journey in a very real and practical way. So if you are interested in supporting me in this way, you can send checks to: Faith Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 228, Blakeslee, PA 18610. And you can make checks payable to “Faith Lutheran Church” with YAGM in the Memo line. Thanks for considering it!

I’m excited at the prospect of having a whole network of supporters and contributors who will receive my newsletter updates and will be praying for me throughout the year. It’s so comforting to know this will be a reality soon! =)

That’s all for now, I think. If you’re interested in hearing more or being on my email list, feel free to email me anytime at amandat527@gmail.com

Peace!

The challenges for now. =)

Hello!!
This is my first post of what will be many, I'm sure!

Today I finished my last final at Muhlenberg and I am now DONE with my undergraduate education! =) It's strange because in past years, when I would get to this point, I would have plenty to think about in terms of the summer, the next year of academics, which friends were living where, etc. But now, all I can think about is that I'm leaving!

For an entire year, I'll be away from my family and closest friends. I'll be serving with the Young Adults in Global Mission Program of the ELCA in SOUTH AFRICA! The process of discernment that led me to this decision was so tumultuous and so uncertain. But, when I left the YAGM discernment event back in April, I knew this placement was right for me. That weekend, I found out how easy it would be to trust the people working with the Global Mission Unit of the church. The people in Chicago and around the world working with YAGMs are so invested in the program and so committed to the vision of the church in the world.

What especially attracts me to Global Mission service with the church is their model for mission: accompaniment. Serving is not about going abroad and "fixing" what is "wrong". It's about living and serving in a new context. Learning to slow down and be present with other people who are also part of God's story. I'm so excited for the opportunity to live and serve in a completely new place. =)

SO- the challenge now has been, and continues to be the following:

Preparing my family and friends...
This has been so hard for me. It's incredibly difficult to articulate a sense of call to some people who just don't understand. Also, even if people do understand, it's still hard to say goodbye to them and reassure them that it will go quickly and I won't be completely MIA for the year.

Raising financial and personal support...
It's been so fun telling people about my awesome plans! The more I discuss it, the more excited I get!! Plenty of people have asked to be on my mailing list for monthly newsletters. I've also had some offers of financial support. The challenge though is learning how to ask and inviting people to be a part of my adventure. =)It costs the ELCA about $10,000 to send one YAGM abroad for a year. Each volunteer is asked to raise about $4,000 of support. It will be interesting. But God has led me thusfar through this process and I have faith that it all will fall together.

Basically those are my two main challenges now. Also, it's a constant struggle to keep myself in check and keep from letting my imagination (worry, mostly) run away with me! I just keep remembering the path I took to get this far and I'm constantly assured that this is right. =)

Thanks for reading!! Can't wait to travel this road with you all!!