Los Tabicones….Ahora en Chiapas!

A full fledged MCC Kid

little students enjoying the campus

We were very proud of both Ezra and Hilary for making it successfully through their children’s orientation. We were proud to have been told several times that they were very well behaved!  They were able to go on many field trips but also read stories, taste other foods, and do various crafts – yes including the tie died shirts below – all to help prepare them for their journey ahead. Interestingly, now that Ezra has had a taste of what school might be like he has boldly told us today that “when I grow up I’m going to be a scientist.”

Hello again – today I wish to share some reflections on the teaching and discussions we had last week during our orientation in Akron, PA.  During one session, by chance, I happened to stand beside our facilitator during the opening group exercise, which was designed to stimulate our thoughts on service and power/privilege.  He picked me to role-play the King of Israel in the account found in II Kings chapter 6.  Quite sobering, for as king I have all the power (and desire) to slaughter the captured army of Arameans.  But I also have the voice of the prophet Elisha to consider (or contend).  While I won’t detail the whole story here, in the end I do follow the advice of Elisha and in fact give the captured soldiers food and water, and then let them go, back to Naaman, captain of the Aramean army! Why would Elisha recommend something so absurd?  Our facilitator pointed to the faithful and humble service of Naaman’s Hebrew servant girl.  Her initiative to see her master healed through the prophet Elisha helped build a bridge between Israel and Aram – one that may have influenced the peaceful resolution to the situation in II Kings 6.  While that peace did not last, the account does point out some realities about power that remain very relevant today – the grappling for power that oppresses others….the power of God’s wisdom spoken through his people…..and the power of service and faith in God’s restorative justice.

Much of our discussion focused on the Biblical call for God’s children to serve.  What does it mean to serve?  If we always serve without allowing ourselves to be served how does that impact our community?  Can we potentially misuse power over others if we always assume (wrongly) that we are the competent, the one without needs?  In my scribble book I wrote a few phrases about service that are meaningful to me: in step with the spirit…attentive and engaging with my surroundings…transparent as to my own needs and need for community…and service rooted in establishing mutual friendships that strive to be interdependent – for this final point see John 15:15 as an example of Jesus’ wisdom in building God’s kingdom / community……. can I say kingdommunity?

Peace,

Whew, what a day in NYC!  We enjoyed various parts of the city on foot and by subway – Times Square, Empire State Building, World Trade Center, and the zoo at Central Park (Ezra was able to spot the elusive snow leopard).  Perhaps the most New York-ish place we hung out at was Battery Park, where we enjoyed the local street entertainment, pretzels, and feeding the pigeons.

MINE!!!

ezra, block

lets see...where do we go from here?

original breakdance

Hilary shaking out her pretzel crumbs for the avian crowd

Empire State Building

Before leaving for Akron we were curious about who might be the other people that had made this decision to go to out as International service workers with MCC. Upon arriving we were blessed to find a wonderful diversity of folks from the U.S., Canada, and other countries –

Our Living Quarters at MCC

some yes who are going out to places in Latin America and Africa – but also others who serve in their home country with MCC and still others working for MCC in Canada and the US. A huge answer to prayer came when we realized there were 3 other boys close to Ezra’s age (2 born within the same week)  for him to play with – one whom even had a favorite “stuffie” twin.

So here we find ourselves in this new community of people and while we miss those we left back home it is quite enjoyable to see and hear about other peoples journeys with MCC. To hear of other people and families whom have  rented their homes, sold their cars, packed up all their belongings and are carrying with them a few suitcases filled with personal items and whole host of both nervous and excited emotions.