Over the last few days, I have really been thinking about the time I have spent here as I approach the halfway point of my year long commitment. I've been thinking a lot about the things I've done, things I haven't done, and things I wish to accomplish during the 2nd half. It has really been a great assessment process, especially during the season of lent. I have been going back to orientation and asking the question, "why did I initially sign up for this and what did I want to accomplish, and how am I doing at accomplishing this?"
The motto of the SLM program is "finding Christ in the face of a child" and this is something that was high on my list of things to accomplish. I wanted to experience the poor, life, and Jesus in a completely different way than in America. I wanted to work with the poorest of the poor and try to gain an insight into what life is like for the least of my brothers. This is something that I encounter on a daily basis, but it is always in a different manner. Sometimes, it is in the beautiful smile of a child with missing teeth. Sometimes, it is in a 6 year old girl teaching her 3 year old sister the proper way to genuflect and make the sign of the cross when entering into a church. Sometimes it is in the gentle touch of a child's hand while praying the rosary. Sometimes it is seeing the children play with such joy that you would never know that they haven't eaten all day. Sometimes it is the children reaching out to me, other times it is me reaching out to them. Everywhere I go, Christ is in the face of these magnificent children and I am surrounded by His love and feel it in everyone of the children here (even the troublemakers)
While at orientation, we wrote a personal mission statement. While I could not find mine to get the exact words, it was something along the lines of "do not be afraid to love and be loved, to teach and be taught, to change and be changed, to give and to receive, to both be and do. Do not be afraid." Changing others while being changed myself have definitely been a part of my time here. I think of the changes in the students at the school as they have improved each and every day. Not just with their learning of book knowledge, but their learning of values such as discipline, respect, and ability to link the future with the present. Just the other day, there was a student that was talking loudly in class. Before I could say anything, one of the other students spoke up and said "you need to be quiet and respect the teacher. We're trying to learn English." 6 months ago, that would have been unheard of. I couldn't have said it better and the slow transformation of the students has been awesome to be a part of. As far as changes for me, I feel I have definitely changed in a lot of ways, mainly with my views about life and how it should be spent, and I think those will really be revealed to me with my visit to America next week and will write on those later.
So far, things have been life changing in South Sudan and been an amazing journey. There have been a fair share of struggles, frustrations and misunderstandings, but they have contributed to the growth process and are a part of life, especially life on mission. The appreciation I have for basic needs, my definition of need and want, and gratitude for life will never be the same. While I still have 6 months to complete my mission, continue to do and constantly get better at some things, continue to cut some things out of my life, it has been an unforgettable journey. I'm living on a prayer for another life-changing 6 months.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Opportunities
Greetings from South Sudan! Things here have remained busy and hot! The past couple of weeks have included a vocation camp, youth seminar about ways to improve our oratory (where we play all of the sports and games), and also 3 different celebrations for the feast of Don Bosco! As usual, every celebration and program we have allows me to deepen my relationships with the wonderful people here as they teach me more about their simple and joy-filled lives.
Since the school started back up almost a month ago, we have been having some issues with attendance. We have 28 students enrolled and we probably average about 15-18 people a day. There are also some students who haven't been back yet as they are still on their own personal holiday break. For some, they have been unable to get transport from where their families are back to the friend or relative they live with in Juba. For a very select few, they just don't want to come back. However, it is the complete opposite for those who do come to school. as they are filled with a desire to learn and improve their lives. Education is the only way they will be able to live a good life and help their family members and people of South Sudan. This spirit has really gotten a hold of my heart and I have been spending a lot more time and energy in the school because of it. My heart jumps when they want to know more about something, or they complete a crossword puzzle and throw their hand in the air with a huge smile and scream "I'm done!" We have also started writing letters back and forth to students in America and it was such an amazing moment when the first replies came in earlier this week. Their smiles, laughter and curiosity filled my heart with joy as the entire class gathered and read the letters out loud. I also led a debate this past Friday and the topic I gave them was the death penalty. They did very well and it was very interesting, as African culture is naturally VERY heavy on the pro side(as expected in a country that has seen nothing but war for the last 50 years).
Anyway, one of the students answers that opposed the motion really got me thinking. She said "God has given us freedom and we have to forgive them. He sent Jesus so Jesus can take away our sins, we must do the same." She went on to also mention St. Paul, his past, his conversion and how everyone can change. She concluded with "people are supposed to be a positive benefit and help our people of South Sudan and they need the opportunity to be able to do that."
While her argument struck me in a lot of ways, I've been thinking a lot about the last words "the opportunity to be able to do that". I have been blessed with so many wonderful opportunities. Some I have taken full advantage of, some I have taken but not given my all, others I have not taken at all and let them pass. Every moment is an opportunity to make a difference in somebody's lives, both the lives of others and your own. My students have taught me that each moment is an opportunity to change somebody's day (as they have done for me countless times) by a simple smile, asking how they are and truly meaning it, singing and dancing, just enjoying the life you have and using every opportunity to enjoy it. There is no greater opportunity than the present moment, and every moment is an opportunity to truly love, truly live, truly learn from the blessing of education, and truly make both yourself and the people around you better. Thank you students and people of South Sudan for this wonderful lesson and opportunity.
God bless!
Since the school started back up almost a month ago, we have been having some issues with attendance. We have 28 students enrolled and we probably average about 15-18 people a day. There are also some students who haven't been back yet as they are still on their own personal holiday break. For some, they have been unable to get transport from where their families are back to the friend or relative they live with in Juba. For a very select few, they just don't want to come back. However, it is the complete opposite for those who do come to school. as they are filled with a desire to learn and improve their lives. Education is the only way they will be able to live a good life and help their family members and people of South Sudan. This spirit has really gotten a hold of my heart and I have been spending a lot more time and energy in the school because of it. My heart jumps when they want to know more about something, or they complete a crossword puzzle and throw their hand in the air with a huge smile and scream "I'm done!" We have also started writing letters back and forth to students in America and it was such an amazing moment when the first replies came in earlier this week. Their smiles, laughter and curiosity filled my heart with joy as the entire class gathered and read the letters out loud. I also led a debate this past Friday and the topic I gave them was the death penalty. They did very well and it was very interesting, as African culture is naturally VERY heavy on the pro side(as expected in a country that has seen nothing but war for the last 50 years).
Anyway, one of the students answers that opposed the motion really got me thinking. She said "God has given us freedom and we have to forgive them. He sent Jesus so Jesus can take away our sins, we must do the same." She went on to also mention St. Paul, his past, his conversion and how everyone can change. She concluded with "people are supposed to be a positive benefit and help our people of South Sudan and they need the opportunity to be able to do that."
While her argument struck me in a lot of ways, I've been thinking a lot about the last words "the opportunity to be able to do that". I have been blessed with so many wonderful opportunities. Some I have taken full advantage of, some I have taken but not given my all, others I have not taken at all and let them pass. Every moment is an opportunity to make a difference in somebody's lives, both the lives of others and your own. My students have taught me that each moment is an opportunity to change somebody's day (as they have done for me countless times) by a simple smile, asking how they are and truly meaning it, singing and dancing, just enjoying the life you have and using every opportunity to enjoy it. There is no greater opportunity than the present moment, and every moment is an opportunity to truly love, truly live, truly learn from the blessing of education, and truly make both yourself and the people around you better. Thank you students and people of South Sudan for this wonderful lesson and opportunity.
God bless!
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