Today was the launch of a new children's fellowship ministry that I designed for the church where I'm completing my internship...and it worked!!! I don't know if people (aside from my mother) fully understand how nervous I was about this. I can design new projects all day, but implementing them totally intimidates me. As was to be expected, there are some kinks that need to be worked out, but all in all I was really pleased with how well it went! It's really cool to see a program that I designed come to life, and to see the kids enjoying it, and the adults appreciating it...and, this is the first big thing I've done at work that I completely came up with (as opposed to just doing things that I'm told to do).
Even though it went well for the most part, I was EXHAUSTED when I left work. It's been a long time since I've corralled a large group of children, and it wore me out! I therefore spent the afternoon on the couch watching mindless television and going out for celebratory Smores Hot Chocolate with a friend. I skipped Bible Study because I was just too tired to go, and instead spent the night watching The Big Bang Theory reruns and painting glass jars into Christmas-y luminaries. There's something very therapeutic about painting at the end of a long day...I ought to do more of it. The crafting phase may be here to stay. I'll post a picture of the luminaries once they're done - they're still in the process of drying right now. It's not a complicated project by any means, but it's fun :)
"The only way of catching a train I have ever discovered is to miss the train before." - Gilbert K. Chesterton
Showing posts with label Internship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Internship. Show all posts
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Mabuting Pakikitungo
That is, according to Google Translate, the Tagalog word for "hospitality;" and, after just a couple of days of working at a church with a majority Filipino congregation, I think that we Americans could use a lesson in mabuting pakikitungo.
As an illustration, I shall now recount to you my tale of unintentionally crashing an intimate Filipino get-together.
Today was my first non-Sunday day on the job at the church, and since my mentor pastor is out of town at the moment, I wound up just tagging along with the associate pastor on his activities for the day - including, apparently, a goodbye lunch for an elderly church member named Nora who is returning to the Philippines tomorrow. From the way that Edwin (the associate pastor) casually invited me along, I pictured a good-sized gathering of people from the church. Instead, after a lengthy drive out to Garland with Edwin's wife and daughter, we pulled into the parking lot of a modest apartment complex, knocked on the door, and walked into an apartment about the same size as my personal one-bedroom apartment, but stuffed with more furniture and more people.
The woman who answered the door (the owner of the apartment, whose name I'm ashamed to say I don't remember) glanced at me with confusion at first, but greeted us all enthusiastically and lit up when I was introduced as "the seminary intern." Still, I felt like I was intruding on an intimate family affair, horribly aware of the fact that I had no significant connection to this woman nor any of those who were actually invited.
But then, as I stepped through the door, I saw Nora smiling and sitting across the room on a couch. Although, to be fair, I only saw her sitting on the couch for a moment; the next second, this short, 82-year-old Filipino woman, who perfectly fit the embodiment of elderly wisdom, was walking across the room with outstretched arms, and embracing me in a hug. The top of her head barely came above my elbows, but with great authority she welcomed me into the house, and designated a spot on the couch next to her for me to sit (which I did, with gratitude). As everyone settled into the small living room, the conversation shifted seamlessly from English to Tagalog and back, punctuated by the sounds of a Filipino game show coming from the flatscreen TV lingering overhead. Shyness and language restraints getting the best of me, I didn't participate greatly in the conversation, but I felt a sort of intangible feeling of being welcomed in this place - a feeling that was reinforced when it came time to eat, and I was gently forced into serving myself first: a right that I felt I certainly did not have, but a gift which was bestowed upon me nonetheless.
Speaking of the meal, this was my first real glimpse into an authentic Filipino meal, and it was such a cool experience! The rice was cooked in that perfect way where it is gooey and sticky, and served with some sort of sea-green colored soup mixture featuring floating chicken drumsticks, and large chunks of ginger root and potato that were tinted the same inexplicable green color. Alongside this intriguing bowl sat a dish of super thin noodles tossed with shrimp, scallops, carrots, egg, and seasoned with some sort of reddish spice that was familiar but unidentifiable. The final dish appeared at first glance to be two long pieces of seared steak, but upon closer inspection was actually whole fish (heads and all). I actually didn't eat the fish because initially I didn't see a knife to cut it with, and eventually because it never made its way across the table to me and I didn't necessarily care to request its presence on my plate. But everything else was quite good.
As we were eating, more relatives flowed in and out of the apartment, occasionally grabbing plates and dishing up some of the leftovers of the meal, which were plentiful despite the deceivingly small serving dishes. I eventually struck up a conversation with Nora and one of her daughters (again, the name escapes me), and I learned that, in Filipino culture, one always plans for unexpected guests when preparing meals - that is, to them, an integral part of hospitality. That was such a foreign concept for me (pardon the pun). When I cook meals for people (which, granted, is not very often) I plan the meals in such a way that there will be enough for everyone to take a good amount of food, so that nobody gets shorted. So, if I'm cooking for a group of 4, I'll probably prepare something like 6 servings of everything...but, if two extra people showed up unexpectedly, I would likely go into a hostess panic and, quite honestly, be quietly resentful of their presence and the inconsiderateness of the people who invited them without informing me.
What a difference from the Filipino culture that I suddenly find myself immersed in.
Really, after experiencing this Filipino culture of hospitality in just a couple days, I am convinced that the Filipino picture of hospitality is much closer to authentic Christian hospitality than the American idea. This is not just in regards to food preparation, but in the entire attitude of welcoming strangers that seems to pervade their gatherings. Over and over, I have been told the same two things by church members: "You will be well fed" and "Welcome to our family." And, I must say...I don't think they're exaggerating on either account.
The other thing that stood out at lunch was the sheer strength of Nora's faith even in a life filled with hardships. As I munched on rice, she told me with great vivacity of how she came with her husband to the United States from the Philippines and struggled for 25 years to get all their children to the USA as well. She told me of losing her son and her husband, but spoke of both of these events with a smile on her face and in her eyes, declaring in a way that was not at all ironic that they were "with the Lord." Nora asserted over and over that we all "have the same Father," and reminded the table frequently that "man proposes, but God disposes" (meaning that we can come up with all the plans we want, but God's plan is supreme). I only knew her for a couple hours, but I was infinitely grateful that I had the opportunity to meet her before she returned to the Philippines, however brief our meeting.
As I left the lunch, Nora gave me several hugs and declared that she would never forget me. And while she may or may not really remember me in years to come, I am certain that I will never forget Nora.
As an illustration, I shall now recount to you my tale of unintentionally crashing an intimate Filipino get-together.
Today was my first non-Sunday day on the job at the church, and since my mentor pastor is out of town at the moment, I wound up just tagging along with the associate pastor on his activities for the day - including, apparently, a goodbye lunch for an elderly church member named Nora who is returning to the Philippines tomorrow. From the way that Edwin (the associate pastor) casually invited me along, I pictured a good-sized gathering of people from the church. Instead, after a lengthy drive out to Garland with Edwin's wife and daughter, we pulled into the parking lot of a modest apartment complex, knocked on the door, and walked into an apartment about the same size as my personal one-bedroom apartment, but stuffed with more furniture and more people.
The woman who answered the door (the owner of the apartment, whose name I'm ashamed to say I don't remember) glanced at me with confusion at first, but greeted us all enthusiastically and lit up when I was introduced as "the seminary intern." Still, I felt like I was intruding on an intimate family affair, horribly aware of the fact that I had no significant connection to this woman nor any of those who were actually invited.
But then, as I stepped through the door, I saw Nora smiling and sitting across the room on a couch. Although, to be fair, I only saw her sitting on the couch for a moment; the next second, this short, 82-year-old Filipino woman, who perfectly fit the embodiment of elderly wisdom, was walking across the room with outstretched arms, and embracing me in a hug. The top of her head barely came above my elbows, but with great authority she welcomed me into the house, and designated a spot on the couch next to her for me to sit (which I did, with gratitude). As everyone settled into the small living room, the conversation shifted seamlessly from English to Tagalog and back, punctuated by the sounds of a Filipino game show coming from the flatscreen TV lingering overhead. Shyness and language restraints getting the best of me, I didn't participate greatly in the conversation, but I felt a sort of intangible feeling of being welcomed in this place - a feeling that was reinforced when it came time to eat, and I was gently forced into serving myself first: a right that I felt I certainly did not have, but a gift which was bestowed upon me nonetheless.
Speaking of the meal, this was my first real glimpse into an authentic Filipino meal, and it was such a cool experience! The rice was cooked in that perfect way where it is gooey and sticky, and served with some sort of sea-green colored soup mixture featuring floating chicken drumsticks, and large chunks of ginger root and potato that were tinted the same inexplicable green color. Alongside this intriguing bowl sat a dish of super thin noodles tossed with shrimp, scallops, carrots, egg, and seasoned with some sort of reddish spice that was familiar but unidentifiable. The final dish appeared at first glance to be two long pieces of seared steak, but upon closer inspection was actually whole fish (heads and all). I actually didn't eat the fish because initially I didn't see a knife to cut it with, and eventually because it never made its way across the table to me and I didn't necessarily care to request its presence on my plate. But everything else was quite good.
As we were eating, more relatives flowed in and out of the apartment, occasionally grabbing plates and dishing up some of the leftovers of the meal, which were plentiful despite the deceivingly small serving dishes. I eventually struck up a conversation with Nora and one of her daughters (again, the name escapes me), and I learned that, in Filipino culture, one always plans for unexpected guests when preparing meals - that is, to them, an integral part of hospitality. That was such a foreign concept for me (pardon the pun). When I cook meals for people (which, granted, is not very often) I plan the meals in such a way that there will be enough for everyone to take a good amount of food, so that nobody gets shorted. So, if I'm cooking for a group of 4, I'll probably prepare something like 6 servings of everything...but, if two extra people showed up unexpectedly, I would likely go into a hostess panic and, quite honestly, be quietly resentful of their presence and the inconsiderateness of the people who invited them without informing me.
What a difference from the Filipino culture that I suddenly find myself immersed in.
Really, after experiencing this Filipino culture of hospitality in just a couple days, I am convinced that the Filipino picture of hospitality is much closer to authentic Christian hospitality than the American idea. This is not just in regards to food preparation, but in the entire attitude of welcoming strangers that seems to pervade their gatherings. Over and over, I have been told the same two things by church members: "You will be well fed" and "Welcome to our family." And, I must say...I don't think they're exaggerating on either account.
The other thing that stood out at lunch was the sheer strength of Nora's faith even in a life filled with hardships. As I munched on rice, she told me with great vivacity of how she came with her husband to the United States from the Philippines and struggled for 25 years to get all their children to the USA as well. She told me of losing her son and her husband, but spoke of both of these events with a smile on her face and in her eyes, declaring in a way that was not at all ironic that they were "with the Lord." Nora asserted over and over that we all "have the same Father," and reminded the table frequently that "man proposes, but God disposes" (meaning that we can come up with all the plans we want, but God's plan is supreme). I only knew her for a couple hours, but I was infinitely grateful that I had the opportunity to meet her before she returned to the Philippines, however brief our meeting.
As I left the lunch, Nora gave me several hugs and declared that she would never forget me. And while she may or may not really remember me in years to come, I am certain that I will never forget Nora.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
First Day of Work: Check!
I had my first day of work at the church where I'll be serving my internship this year! I arrived at 9am for breakfast before the service; so, my first image of my mentor pastor "on the job" (aka, not formally interviewing me) was scrambling eggs in the kitchen. I kind of love that. Sundays are big at this church...it's the kind of church where the entire congregation stays around for upwards of 6 hours. Throughout the day I attended breakfast, morning devotional, an adult Sunday school class, the (lengthy) worship service, the young adult Sunday school class, lunch, and a United Methodist Women meeting before meeting briefly with my mentor pastor (now far removed from scrambling eggs) to discuss my schedule for the upcoming week.
So all in all, a busy first day! My focus for this month is just to become familiar with all the ministries of the church, meet the members of the church (I seriously met about half of them today), and just generally learn my way around the church where I'll be working this year! My first impressions are very good...the church is wonderful in its hospitality, and over and over the members of the church welcomed me to their "family." I really think it'll be a great year!
So all in all, a busy first day! My focus for this month is just to become familiar with all the ministries of the church, meet the members of the church (I seriously met about half of them today), and just generally learn my way around the church where I'll be working this year! My first impressions are very good...the church is wonderful in its hospitality, and over and over the members of the church welcomed me to their "family." I really think it'll be a great year!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Really Oriented.
Yesterday I was oriented. Today...I am REALLY oriented.
The final step of intern orientation was tonight - the Lay Teaching Committee orientation, during which I met with my mentor pastor and eight members of the church where I'll be working, who will be supporting me and giving me feedback throughout the year. It was so great to get to meet some members of the church - they were all so excited to meet me and so friendly! I think they're going to be a really great group to work with, and if they're representative of the church as a while, then I think it's going to be a really great church to work at!
I also acquired all the remaining textbooks for my courses, meaning that I am officially ready to start the semester. I'll have tomorrow and Saturday off, and I start work on Sunday and classes on Tuesday!
The final step of intern orientation was tonight - the Lay Teaching Committee orientation, during which I met with my mentor pastor and eight members of the church where I'll be working, who will be supporting me and giving me feedback throughout the year. It was so great to get to meet some members of the church - they were all so excited to meet me and so friendly! I think they're going to be a really great group to work with, and if they're representative of the church as a while, then I think it's going to be a really great church to work at!
I also acquired all the remaining textbooks for my courses, meaning that I am officially ready to start the semester. I'll have tomorrow and Saturday off, and I start work on Sunday and classes on Tuesday!
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