I have a few reflections in the works which I hope to post soon. However, I am traveling with the Durban Circuit Men's League choir to the South Eastern Diocese Prayer Men's League Rally this weekend, so they probably won't go up until I return from the rally.
In the meantime, I highly suggest checking out the program facebook page for more news from South Africa. Also, if you are interesting in learning more about the motivations behind accompaniment, I highly recommend this article written by one of my Country Coordinators, Brian Konkol.
30 September 2010
21 September 2010
Two Weeks in Durban
It's hard to believe I have been in Durban almost two weeks already. With new experiences every day, time really seems to fly by here. At the same time, life seems to be moving at a slower pace, with every experience an intentional time to be in relationship with people from all walks of life.
I look forward to each day I am in the creche. Every day, the children greet me with hugs and requests to be lifted up. Their joy is infectious and lifts me up even when I am feeling under the weather.
I also look forward to my afternoons in the PUSH office where I am helping with some administration tasks. The ladies in the office are full of joy; I look forward to the times we have to share stories from our lives with each other.
Every aspect of who I am as a person seems to find room to flourish here in Durban.
When I was at St. Michael's congregation on last Sunday, I was introduced to a man named Tsepo who promptly invited me to sing in a choir. As a result, I am now singing in two choirs, the Durban Circuit Men's League choir and the Durban Circuit choir.
I am working with children and youth of all ages while here in Durban. At the creche, I am working with children up to age 7. Some Saturdays, I work with children who are a little older at an outreach program with the YMCA. On Thursdays, it is likely that I will be helping youth ages 15-18 with math and other subjects with another program with the YMCA. Prior to this year, I never would have suspected that I have it in me to work with children and youth like this. I wonder what other hidden gifts God will help me unlock this year.
My faith is also finding room to flourish here in Durban. From conversations with Jonathan (the German volunteer staying with me who has been tremendously helpful teaching me how to find my way around Durban), to Bible studies at the Y, to working at the creche and PUSH offices, to attending beautiful worship services on Sunday, everywhere I turn I see faith in action that only serves to strengthen mine.
On Friday, I met Elise, an American volunteer with the Mennonite Central Committee temporarily volunteering at the creche. Talking with her about her background in international development was a fruitful step in my discernment process this year. As I live in community this year, I putting my faith in God to lead me where I need to go.
I look forward to each day I am in the creche. Every day, the children greet me with hugs and requests to be lifted up. Their joy is infectious and lifts me up even when I am feeling under the weather.
I also look forward to my afternoons in the PUSH office where I am helping with some administration tasks. The ladies in the office are full of joy; I look forward to the times we have to share stories from our lives with each other.
Every aspect of who I am as a person seems to find room to flourish here in Durban.
When I was at St. Michael's congregation on last Sunday, I was introduced to a man named Tsepo who promptly invited me to sing in a choir. As a result, I am now singing in two choirs, the Durban Circuit Men's League choir and the Durban Circuit choir.
I am working with children and youth of all ages while here in Durban. At the creche, I am working with children up to age 7. Some Saturdays, I work with children who are a little older at an outreach program with the YMCA. On Thursdays, it is likely that I will be helping youth ages 15-18 with math and other subjects with another program with the YMCA. Prior to this year, I never would have suspected that I have it in me to work with children and youth like this. I wonder what other hidden gifts God will help me unlock this year.
My faith is also finding room to flourish here in Durban. From conversations with Jonathan (the German volunteer staying with me who has been tremendously helpful teaching me how to find my way around Durban), to Bible studies at the Y, to working at the creche and PUSH offices, to attending beautiful worship services on Sunday, everywhere I turn I see faith in action that only serves to strengthen mine.
On Friday, I met Elise, an American volunteer with the Mennonite Central Committee temporarily volunteering at the creche. Talking with her about her background in international development was a fruitful step in my discernment process this year. As I live in community this year, I putting my faith in God to lead me where I need to go.
08 September 2010
Durban: A Truly International City
On Monday, we dispersed from our in-country orientation in Pietermaritzburg to our host sites. Now I had heard that Durban was a diverse, international city, but I never truly appreciated that until I arrived in Durban to stay. One of the sites where I will be working is a creche (pre-school for children aged 0-6) started by refugees and operating for refugees from various conflicted regions in Africa. Walking down the street, I see people from all over the world mingling with each other, going about their daily business. The very first night I was in Durban, there was a parents meeting at the creche where one of the sponsoring agencies, the Mennonite Central Committee, brought in speakers from the US and Canada to talk about parental involvement in their child's education. While at the meeting, I was introduced along with a German volunteer who is also working at the creche.
Being in a very international environment has served as an immediate reminder to me of the many tensions I will be living this year on my journey. There are dichotomies between serving and being served, learning and teaching, doing and being. Orientation helped me to cast aside my old way of approaching life and become open to new ways of living. As I expand the relationships I have already formed and develop new ones this year, I will learn to adjust to these tensions and experience a new way of approaching life.
Being in a very international environment has served as an immediate reminder to me of the many tensions I will be living this year on my journey. There are dichotomies between serving and being served, learning and teaching, doing and being. Orientation helped me to cast aside my old way of approaching life and become open to new ways of living. As I expand the relationships I have already formed and develop new ones this year, I will learn to adjust to these tensions and experience a new way of approaching life.
31 August 2010
Arrival in South Africa
After two days of travel, we safely arrived in South Africa on August 27.
One of the first things that struck me was how hilly the Durban and Pietermaritzburg areas are. I have no idea why, but I was expecting it to be flat for some reason. I am looking foward to discovering what other (less superficial) preconceptions I have of South Africa turn out to be false.
Our orientation sessions have been challenging us to disorient ourselves from our preconceptions and learn to challenge ourselves in new ways. I am already noticing a difference in my outlook on poverty, justice, and our gospel of the cross.
Peace be with you all!
One of the first things that struck me was how hilly the Durban and Pietermaritzburg areas are. I have no idea why, but I was expecting it to be flat for some reason. I am looking foward to discovering what other (less superficial) preconceptions I have of South Africa turn out to be false.
Our orientation sessions have been challenging us to disorient ourselves from our preconceptions and learn to challenge ourselves in new ways. I am already noticing a difference in my outlook on poverty, justice, and our gospel of the cross.
Peace be with you all!
Embarking for South Africa
Note: this post was intended to go up on August 25, but I lost internet access before I could finish it.
Today is the big day. Today, I begin my two days of travel to South Africa and will see my host country for the first time shortly. This week of orientation in Chicago has been an uplifting week of preparation for my spiritual journey through life, especially this coming year.
The bonds I have formed with the other YAGM volunteers and alumni have strengthened as we have grow closer to God and each other. We have learned what it means to be in community with one another even as we prepare to be in community with those partnering with us this year. We have come to appreciate the wonderous diversity in God's children even while finding common ground.
One commonality in all major religions is a call to be self-less and to be servants to one another. This foundation is expressed in the holy writings of each of the major religions. In a later post, I will explain more about this.
Today is the big day. Today, I begin my two days of travel to South Africa and will see my host country for the first time shortly. This week of orientation in Chicago has been an uplifting week of preparation for my spiritual journey through life, especially this coming year.
The bonds I have formed with the other YAGM volunteers and alumni have strengthened as we have grow closer to God and each other. We have learned what it means to be in community with one another even as we prepare to be in community with those partnering with us this year. We have come to appreciate the wonderous diversity in God's children even while finding common ground.
One commonality in all major religions is a call to be self-less and to be servants to one another. This foundation is expressed in the holy writings of each of the major religions. In a later post, I will explain more about this.
25 August 2010
Newsletter
While I am on this year long spiritual journey, I will be sending out a monthly newsletter of my experiences in South Africa. If you are interested in receiving a copy, please email me at lengel.michael@gmail.com to be added to my mailing list.
21 August 2010
Spiritual Nurture and Communicating Across Cultures
The first two full days of orientation in Chicago have flown by. There has been a good balance between getting to know our fellow YAGM volunteers and preparing ourselves for our year as servants in multiple ways.
Pastor Jim Gonia has been leading a session on spiritual practices to bring along with us for the journey. As we look after our souls' health this coming year, he has presented us with new ways of considering our relationship with God and new prayer techniques to consider using.
Learning to communicate despite cultural and language barriers was the theme of today. Sunitha Mortha guided us through sessions on communication between cultures. We simulated various language barriers through activities such as a tag game where the instructions were delivered in gibberish, a card game where the rules were taken away and silence strictly enforced, and navigating to a restaurant in groups without being able to talk.
Tomorrow's theme looks to be focusing on the logistics of the program.
Pastor Jim Gonia has been leading a session on spiritual practices to bring along with us for the journey. As we look after our souls' health this coming year, he has presented us with new ways of considering our relationship with God and new prayer techniques to consider using.
Learning to communicate despite cultural and language barriers was the theme of today. Sunitha Mortha guided us through sessions on communication between cultures. We simulated various language barriers through activities such as a tag game where the instructions were delivered in gibberish, a card game where the rules were taken away and silence strictly enforced, and navigating to a restaurant in groups without being able to talk.
Tomorrow's theme looks to be focusing on the logistics of the program.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)