I feel guilty that I haven't wrote i this thing, but I kind fo feel like no one reads it probably! I am doing well though!
I have been having difficulty with french, because I feel so full of it! I feel like I haven't had the opportunity to let the grammar and such settle in my mind! So I look forward to time to rest at Kalalé, to have alone time there to just study and think!
Perhaps it si presumptuous o me, but I think I am going to love my post, even though I have not yet seen it! Often times people arer discouraged by post visits, and leave the Peace Corps. I think ti will have the ooposite affect for me. I look forward tos eeign what my community is like, problems and all! I think problems tend to me rather than scare me! So we shall see how things develop, but I have faith that this community is my own!
Thank you dear God for giving me a place to belong in Benin!
And how are you my friend?
It is actually nice to post on here, maybe I will do it more often while I have the time! Peace and love to you all!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
A look at Beninese Beliefs
About a week ago I had an interesting conversation with one of my host Uncles. It went a little like this...
He mentioned that Jesus liked when people were equal, refering to economic status in particular. I agreed.
We went on to talk about Christianity in Benin and my personal beliefs. I mentioned I was not a big fan of a church group that mixed several religions. He was not sure if they had it so wrong though. He said that Africa began believing God was in all of nature. Then European Christianity came and said it is all about Jesus. Such an emphasis seemed to say the creation did not matter, that personal salvation was most important. He said that does not work in Africa, for we already had other beliefs. I agree and said you know I do not think God wanted nature to be destroyed thoughtlessly just because we were saved. I gave some scriptures where it says like when humans destroy the earth, the earth will come back and destroy us, scriptures that revealed how God wants us to care for the earth.
It was an intersting thing to think aboug, a sad one too. To think that some who share my faith in Christ do not mive it out in how they treat the same savior's earth. In John 3:16 it says he came to save the world; the original meaning of world in this context is all of creation, not just humans. God gave Christ for the whole world, he cares about all that has been created.
My African friends seeing the discrepancy between the behaviors of some Christians and what seems like what God would want, have turned to idols, or a pluralistic faith in search of people who live for a God of all creation. It is a bit sad for me, but so fascinating. I love these sort of conversations that challenge me and other Chrisitans to think are we really seeing and treating the world as God would, as God intended us to?
God guide your thoughts until next time! Love in Christ, Joc!
He mentioned that Jesus liked when people were equal, refering to economic status in particular. I agreed.
We went on to talk about Christianity in Benin and my personal beliefs. I mentioned I was not a big fan of a church group that mixed several religions. He was not sure if they had it so wrong though. He said that Africa began believing God was in all of nature. Then European Christianity came and said it is all about Jesus. Such an emphasis seemed to say the creation did not matter, that personal salvation was most important. He said that does not work in Africa, for we already had other beliefs. I agree and said you know I do not think God wanted nature to be destroyed thoughtlessly just because we were saved. I gave some scriptures where it says like when humans destroy the earth, the earth will come back and destroy us, scriptures that revealed how God wants us to care for the earth.
It was an intersting thing to think aboug, a sad one too. To think that some who share my faith in Christ do not mive it out in how they treat the same savior's earth. In John 3:16 it says he came to save the world; the original meaning of world in this context is all of creation, not just humans. God gave Christ for the whole world, he cares about all that has been created.
My African friends seeing the discrepancy between the behaviors of some Christians and what seems like what God would want, have turned to idols, or a pluralistic faith in search of people who live for a God of all creation. It is a bit sad for me, but so fascinating. I love these sort of conversations that challenge me and other Chrisitans to think are we really seeing and treating the world as God would, as God intended us to?
God guide your thoughts until next time! Love in Christ, Joc!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Hey!
I'm headed to Benin, a nation in West Africa, in less than five days! I'm nervous, sad, and excited! The first 9 weeks there will be spent learning about the culture, safety, and perhaps most importantly learning French- the most widely used language there. By Sept. 5th I must be at a high intermediate - working fluency - level of French in order to be sworn in as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
Benin was formerly a French colony. It gained its independence in the 1960s. The nation is considered one of the most stable democratic countries in Africa- so I should be quite safe there! :)
My job title is Community Natural Resource Advisor. I will be working to increase environmental action in the nation at the community level especially. I'll be working with, or helping to build environmental clubs probably, doing environmental education lessons in secondary and primary classrooms, and helping local people to develop natural resource management plans. I will be working with and for the people of Benin, and thus plan on spending much time getting to know those I will be serving. I look forward to hearing about what they believe their needs are, and living with them their stories.
I leave on the 30th of June for staging (a brief orientation of sorts) in Philadelphia. From there I will then be headed to Benin on July 3rd! As I get closer to the date my stress level has increased, but so has my excitement!
Please pray all will be ready in mind, body, and spirit! Thank you for your loving support!
I hope to post on here or send out e-mails at least once a month, and hopefully once every two weeks or so! So check back from time to time and get a peak at what it's like to practice being in a new place, the nation of Benin. :)
Peace, love and care in Christ, joc
I'm headed to Benin, a nation in West Africa, in less than five days! I'm nervous, sad, and excited! The first 9 weeks there will be spent learning about the culture, safety, and perhaps most importantly learning French- the most widely used language there. By Sept. 5th I must be at a high intermediate - working fluency - level of French in order to be sworn in as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
Benin was formerly a French colony. It gained its independence in the 1960s. The nation is considered one of the most stable democratic countries in Africa- so I should be quite safe there! :)
My job title is Community Natural Resource Advisor. I will be working to increase environmental action in the nation at the community level especially. I'll be working with, or helping to build environmental clubs probably, doing environmental education lessons in secondary and primary classrooms, and helping local people to develop natural resource management plans. I will be working with and for the people of Benin, and thus plan on spending much time getting to know those I will be serving. I look forward to hearing about what they believe their needs are, and living with them their stories.
I leave on the 30th of June for staging (a brief orientation of sorts) in Philadelphia. From there I will then be headed to Benin on July 3rd! As I get closer to the date my stress level has increased, but so has my excitement!
Please pray all will be ready in mind, body, and spirit! Thank you for your loving support!
I hope to post on here or send out e-mails at least once a month, and hopefully once every two weeks or so! So check back from time to time and get a peak at what it's like to practice being in a new place, the nation of Benin. :)
Peace, love and care in Christ, joc
Monday, June 9, 2008
Preparation
I haven't even shared this with anyone yet... but I feel like writing!
Preparing for Benin is crazy with so little time! I feel like I'm trying to cut out anything extra at this point, because my time is so limited to prepare in general.
It's a little frustrating, but I really think all things will work out ok in the end. I've been fairly unfaithful about doing rosetta stone, for I had limited internet access while I traveled. So here I go - I am attempting to do 37 hrs or so of lang training in 3 weeks!
Pray please. It's crazy, but I already feel part of the loneliness of going on this grand adventure. There is so much to do on our own, so I just have to remember where I have come from, what I have done thus far. There is always hope through remembering who we are, who God has helped and enabled me to become. Hmm...
Okay, back to language training!
Preparing for Benin is crazy with so little time! I feel like I'm trying to cut out anything extra at this point, because my time is so limited to prepare in general.
It's a little frustrating, but I really think all things will work out ok in the end. I've been fairly unfaithful about doing rosetta stone, for I had limited internet access while I traveled. So here I go - I am attempting to do 37 hrs or so of lang training in 3 weeks!
Pray please. It's crazy, but I already feel part of the loneliness of going on this grand adventure. There is so much to do on our own, so I just have to remember where I have come from, what I have done thus far. There is always hope through remembering who we are, who God has helped and enabled me to become. Hmm...
Okay, back to language training!
Friday, May 23, 2008
july 1st
It seems I am headed to Benin.
It all is a bit overwhelming when you find out about 6 weeks before leaving. The paperwork along with finishing packing and getting ready for the road trip is a bit daunting.
Bummer for those who have some weeks to graduate and are headed off July 1st as well!
I started using Rosetta Stone. It's cool, but a bit frustrating as well. I do plan on getting my 40 hrs in, I need to acquire the language as quickly as possible!
Peace and blessings until...
It all is a bit overwhelming when you find out about 6 weeks before leaving. The paperwork along with finishing packing and getting ready for the road trip is a bit daunting.
Bummer for those who have some weeks to graduate and are headed off July 1st as well!
I started using Rosetta Stone. It's cool, but a bit frustrating as well. I do plan on getting my 40 hrs in, I need to acquire the language as quickly as possible!
Peace and blessings until...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)