Hey Everyone. Chicago was fantastic. Turns out I wasn't just working with Young Adults only but also not just with Lutherans either. The Chicago Ecumenical Missionary Training brought young and older missionaries from the P.C.U.S.A.(Presbyterian Church of the USA), the R.C.A(Reformed Church of America), the E.L.C.A.(Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) and lonely old me from the Episcopal Church. During this training I met both young and old missionaries serving from one year up to three year committments. There are a couple of families among these missionaries who will be starting a new life with their children. I think that is amazing but I can't help but think about how the children feel about spending three years or more of their life in another country. Some of the kids I talked to have already spent some time with their parents as a missionary family in other parts of the world. God truly indeed does call all people in whatever walks of faith to serve his people among the earth.
The orientation in Chicago consisted of training on a variety of topics. Topics included were interfaith experiences, living in and understanding new culture, bible study, and of course security training over all the scary things we hear about on the news (this was my favorite topic of discussion). Security training included being trained by a retired lead secret service agent to President Reagan and to President Carter. (I think we had more fun listening to the stories he had to tell about them than the scary parts of the training.)
My boss David Copley also came for a day and we discussed the specifics of my upcoming departure and work in Ecuador. We also talked about what my fellow YASCers did at training in Toronto and he brought me a daily prayer book for us to read while abroad. The book, entitled Praying Our Days is written by former Presiding Bishop Frank Griswald. I though it was a great gift cosidering that apart from the work I will be doing while on mission, I will also use the year in reflection and prayer contemplating God's will for me in this life. Whether it be graduate school, law school, or seminary, after my work in Ecuador, I know the time in prayer with God will help lead my decisions through life.
It wasn't all classtime though in Chicago. When we weren't in class, we were out and about the city of Chicago. We had the weekends off so we took advantage of them. Whilst in Chicago, I took advantage of swimming in the Great Lake Michigan; watched the world cup from a pub downtown, went to the Lincoln Park Zoo, Oh! and accidentally wandered onto the set of Michael Bay's Transformers 3 and was politely escorted out. We even watched Michael Bay blow up a bridge downtown Chicago. The time in Chicago was incredible and I met some great new people. I reflected on what is to come and spent some time talking to people about where we stand in our lives and our journeys in our faith. The time spent was informative and fun. I met great people and had a great time in Chicago. We closed the two weeks with worship, and had a blessing and send off ceremony followed with a celebration party of karaoke and talent show. All in all, it was a great time. My next post will come to you from Ecuador as I arrive on the 2nd of August. It's only a short time away and then I will be writing to you from my new home and the new work I will be doing. Until then, may God's blessings be with you always and I ask you continue to keep me in your prayers. May the peace of Christ be with you.
