Yesterday I had the blessing of meeting with Philip Serez from MBMSI and Aurora (my co-leader and friend) for coffee and conversation as to what my role really was in this trip. I walked away feeling excited, encouraged and inspired but at the same time a little nervous.
Last year I approached my trip to Taiwan with some nerves but SO much excitement. I knew God was providing for me in amazing ways and until I got to Taiwan the only other person I really needed to worry about was myself. This year heading in is a different story...
As my role is to be the encourager, relationship builder, team bonder, conflict settler I think a bit more weight falls on my shoulders. And in light of this I feel more responsibility, that everyone is doing well, finding support, feeling like they are part of the team, like they are being supported by the team. And how do I do all this? I guess the answer is that I don't, that I rely on God to give me what I need... but at times that is hard.
This year as I head off I also head of with my best friend, encourager, supporter and boyfriend (that's right 4 in 1!) and I know that this adds a little more difficulty to the situation. I have to learn to depend more on Aurora, team and God when I have learned to depend on Rob and God. As we were talking tonight my friend Rachel prayed for something that struck me. That Rob and I would use this time to grow individually in Christ. I had forgotten to look at it that way, I had begun to worry about how it would pull us apart. It just takes a little encouragement from friends to get my head back in place.
This week I have been encountered with remembering where my ultimate dependence lies, with realizing where my priorities need to be, and of knowing that I am weak and that is OK.
This summer is going to stretch me in ways I did not know I could be stretched, and I'm slowly becoming excited to be stretched! :) I will probably come back a new and improved me.
"Now presenting Alysha new and Congolese improved. "
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
My Team
I am sitting in the DP (The Dana Porter Library for you who are not familiar with the Waterloo campus) today thinking of doing research for my papers but instead catching up on e-mails, to-do lists, news, Kinshasa weather and apparently writing this blog. Anyway, I have come to the realization that I have not introduced my team members! I'm not just going to the Congo alone, oh no, my parents may have had a fit, I'm going with a wonderful team! So I thought I should introduce you to them before we head out on this wonderful adventure and I forget that you have no idea who I'm talking about!
Most of us know each other from church, but for some of us this trip has given us the first opportunity to meet each other! I will go in alphabetical order!
Amanda: she is lollipop provider and immunization trip planner extraordinaire, she has an incredible sense of humour, and will be our saving grace in any situation that we need to plan, organize or look ahead! She dives wholeheartedly into any situation with a smile and lots of love. I know I have so much more to learn and I'm looking forward to it!
Aurora: She is our french friend, loving and kind and full of laughter. She has come over from France to co-lead our trip to the Congo! My roommate Joanna and I get the lovely chance to chat with her over dinner every Wednesday and laughter always ensues. She has a big heart and an understanding character. It will be a blessing to have her with us on the trip.
Emily: She is gentle, and quiet but full of life and spunk (I have not used that word in ages!). She has a huge heart for people, and shines God's love! Her gentleness and patience will keep us all calm and in line at times I'm sure! Her laugh can also fill up a room, I love having it fill our apartment every Wednesday at bible study!
Jacob: He is full of ideas, supportive and pretty much willing to help in every situation! I love his ability to make people laugh, and to encourage people as well. I look at this trip as an opportunity to get to know him better as well!
Josh: He has a calm and easy-going nature! His stories made us cringe and laugh in the doctors office! His ability to keep conversation going and make people feel comfortable is going to be a huge blessing while we're constantly in new and potentially uncomfortable situations.
Rob: His patience, understanding and caring nature are going to be well appreciated! His sense of humour will also be able to bring light to heavy situations. I know that his ability to listen and make people feel as though valuable will transcend across any culture or language barriers that may arise.
I am so excited for the chance that this trip will give me to get to know each one of these people better! I also know that we will have a lot of laughs, because this team has a great sense of humour! Hopefully these little descriptions will help you feel a little bit more connected to us as we head off!
Most of us know each other from church, but for some of us this trip has given us the first opportunity to meet each other! I will go in alphabetical order!
Amanda: she is lollipop provider and immunization trip planner extraordinaire, she has an incredible sense of humour, and will be our saving grace in any situation that we need to plan, organize or look ahead! She dives wholeheartedly into any situation with a smile and lots of love. I know I have so much more to learn and I'm looking forward to it!
Aurora: She is our french friend, loving and kind and full of laughter. She has come over from France to co-lead our trip to the Congo! My roommate Joanna and I get the lovely chance to chat with her over dinner every Wednesday and laughter always ensues. She has a big heart and an understanding character. It will be a blessing to have her with us on the trip.
Emily: She is gentle, and quiet but full of life and spunk (I have not used that word in ages!). She has a huge heart for people, and shines God's love! Her gentleness and patience will keep us all calm and in line at times I'm sure! Her laugh can also fill up a room, I love having it fill our apartment every Wednesday at bible study!
Jacob: He is full of ideas, supportive and pretty much willing to help in every situation! I love his ability to make people laugh, and to encourage people as well. I look at this trip as an opportunity to get to know him better as well!
Josh: He has a calm and easy-going nature! His stories made us cringe and laugh in the doctors office! His ability to keep conversation going and make people feel comfortable is going to be a huge blessing while we're constantly in new and potentially uncomfortable situations.
Rob: His patience, understanding and caring nature are going to be well appreciated! His sense of humour will also be able to bring light to heavy situations. I know that his ability to listen and make people feel as though valuable will transcend across any culture or language barriers that may arise.
I am so excited for the chance that this trip will give me to get to know each one of these people better! I also know that we will have a lot of laughs, because this team has a great sense of humour! Hopefully these little descriptions will help you feel a little bit more connected to us as we head off!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Immunized and Fun-raised
Well, we all headed off on the epic journey to get our immunizations last Friday. The sun was shining, the mood was bright, the lollipops were hidden away in Amanda's purse, it was going to be great. We got separated into two groups of three and got ushered away to separate rooms in the dark recesses of the travel clinic.
OK, so it wasn't dark and we weren't ushered. We stood in fact for a while before we were politely called and told where to go. Once we were in the room we stared at all the posters and wondered if we would contract Japanese Encephalitis or if we would experience the joys of being a traveler and drinking water or eating food that was foreign. We have quickly become comfortable with some discussion after reading through many pamphlets on the dangers of traveling. We listened as Josh explained his many broken bones.
The doctor was helpful, and probably one of the best needle givers I have ever experienced. We cringed a little, paled a little and moved on to paying for all our protection. Then we were happily surprised once again as Amanda pulled out lollipops from her purse. It takes little to make us happy apparently.
We continued on in our weekends a little sore, constantly finding joy in telling people we had yellow fever. Then it came to be Sunday and we did a little "Fun-raising" through an artisan fair and we were greatly blessed by our church community. Raising a lot of support!
It's been a good week for our team! We continue to move forward in learning how to support each other and how to work the best with one another. We're all feeling more excited as there is only one month and 29 days left!
OK, so it wasn't dark and we weren't ushered. We stood in fact for a while before we were politely called and told where to go. Once we were in the room we stared at all the posters and wondered if we would contract Japanese Encephalitis or if we would experience the joys of being a traveler and drinking water or eating food that was foreign. We have quickly become comfortable with some discussion after reading through many pamphlets on the dangers of traveling. We listened as Josh explained his many broken bones.
The doctor was helpful, and probably one of the best needle givers I have ever experienced. We cringed a little, paled a little and moved on to paying for all our protection. Then we were happily surprised once again as Amanda pulled out lollipops from her purse. It takes little to make us happy apparently.
We continued on in our weekends a little sore, constantly finding joy in telling people we had yellow fever. Then it came to be Sunday and we did a little "Fun-raising" through an artisan fair and we were greatly blessed by our church community. Raising a lot of support!
It's been a good week for our team! We continue to move forward in learning how to support each other and how to work the best with one another. We're all feeling more excited as there is only one month and 29 days left!
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