Friday, August 31, 2012

Two weeks of orientation


First, let me start by giving another financial update. I am now at $3,325 of my $6,500. Thank you so much to those who have given already. If you would like to donate, or know more about what I’m doing this year, feel free to send me a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Here it is the end of my Chicago orientation and I feel like I need to process a lot. We have had so much to take in over the past two weeks. We had a full week of orientation in Stony Point, NY and then a week of orientation here in Chicago.

Last week’s orientation was great! There was a lot of useful information given to us. At the same time, there were a lot of emotional struggles that came up during the week; things I had thought I had dealt with from my past resurfaced. I was not at all prepared for that. I am so thankful for the new friends I made and the staff that was there. Without them I’m not sure how I would have handled myself or what I would have done. The Lord worked in my life in so many ways. The worship services were a huge blessing every night. We were all there for the same reasons and with the same goal in mind and this is what bonded us together. From the time I set foot on the grounds of The Stony Point Center, I knew, and could feel it was a safe space, a place where I could be myself, no one would judge me, and a place where I immediately felt love.

This week has been a very long one as well. We’ve been asked the same questions many, many times. We’ve met so many new people. We started this week with a crash course in the grid system of Chicago. Then Tuesday afternoon we were given a list of addresses we had to find and explore. It was great. My group only had to ask for directions once, and even then we really didn’t ask for directions. Here’s that story. So, we had to find a library, and if we were able get a library card we were supposed to do that. We were heading in the right direction, but we weren’t too sure so we pulled out our handy dandy map. Yeah, that didn’t make us look lost at all. A nice young lady pushing a stroller stopped and asked if we needed help. I said that we were new to the city and we were supposed to be finding a library. She told us that’s exactly where she was going, but that it was the big brick building almost directly in front of us. Wednesday is when we started visiting our placements. It’s nice to see where everyone will be working and what they will be doing. There was just so much to take in all at once. I felt like sensory overload was taking place today. I am so ready for free time tomorrow. I’ll take lots of pictures and get out there and explore!

One thing I am going to miss this time of year is all the small town festivals and fun stuff like that. It’s been tradition for my family to go to the Sweetcorn Festival in Hoopeston, IL. I’m not sure the last time that I missed it. From what I’ve seen, it’s supposed to rain down there this weekend, so maybe it’s ok that I’m not going to be there. Watching a parade in the rain isn’t my idea of fun. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with myself tomorrow. I’m sure I’ll find something fun to do. I may venture out to Jazz Fest which is going on this weekend. We’ll see…

Well, it’s getting late (it’s 11:02pm) and I’m wiped out! I must be getting old! Not really, just a lot to take in this week. So, I’m signing off for now. I’ll be sure to take pictures and share some of my experiences about venturing out into the city solo. I’m sure there will be some funny stories about taking wrong turns, getting off at the wrong L stop.

Thank you all for your prayers! I love you and miss you!

James

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Brief update


So, I haven’t written a blog in a while. I guess I’ll take this free time during orientation to give a brief update about some things.

First, I want to let everyone know where I’m at in my fundraising efforts. As of my last update I was at $2,900. This means that I still need to raise $3,600. That’s only 36 people giving $100 each. I know that not everyone has sent in their support, so I am confident that this number will continue to rise as the year progresses. If any of you would like to donate or know more information about what I’m doing just send me a message and I’ll do my best to get that to you quickly.

Second, I thought I’d let everyone know about my placements while I am in Chicago. I will be working with an after-school program at First Church of the Brethren. I will also be working with an organization called Breakthrough. With this organization I’ll be working with first and second graders during an after-school program. As far as specific things I’ll be doing, I’m really not exactly sure.

Thirdly, I am having a blast at orientation so far, and it’s only Tuesday! It didn’t really start off that way, though. See, I have been anxious about this for a few weeks. The few nights before leaving for orientation, I didn’t sleep very well, if at all. Sunday, I took some of my belongings to the house I’ll be staying while in Chicago. Walking around the city with suitcases can be pretty agonizing. But I managed to get it done. I didn’t sleep well Sunday night either. A very close friend reassured me all would be well. I started my trek to the airport at 7:30 am for an 11:05 flight. By the time I got to the airport my legs were sore and tired. My shoulders ached from the two bags I had draped over them. Then, out of the blue I began to get the chills, but I was feeling very warm. I thought to myself, “I can’t get sick, they’ll send me home.” It wouldn’t go away. I tried to sleep on the plain, but didn’t get to do much of that. We arrived in Newark and I found my way to the terminal where the YAVs would be meeting. They seemed like a great and fun group of people, but I was just tired and feeling miserable. I decided I would go to one of the shops and find something that would help make me feel better, even if only temporary. The Advil seemed to help, along with the Coke I washed it down with. I began to perk up and be my “normal” self everyone seems to know and love. But on the van ride to the retreat site things started to go back to feeling miserable. I knew that my anxiety and insecurity of going into the realm of the unknown, I was making myself physically ill. My group arrived at the site after dinner had been served, but they had made us plates so we could eat when we arrived. By the time we were done eating the evening worship service had just started. It was during this time of worship I let go of everything and gave it over to God. He is the Great Physician, if I was going to be helped, I knew He would be the one to do it. I’m happy to say I had an amazing night of sleep and, with the exception of some stiffness from carrying all my luggage, I’m feeling so much better today! I would still covet your prayers for continued health, not just for me and my housemates, but for all the other YAVs. The work we will be doing is going to be emotionally draining and at times physically demanding.

Finally, I’d like to say thank you to everyone who has already supported me financially, but also to those who are supporting me with prayer. I know the power of prayer is a very great thing.

I’m having a wonderful time so far and I know I’ll be learning many more great things during this week and also during the weeks and months to come. I’m excited for what God has in store for me.

Well, I think it’s time to go play Frisbee with some of the others! Until next time!

James