A Reflection on Friends

I haven't written in a few days so let's catch up.

So we did some more training. And then ate. And then some more training. And took a break (with food). And then some more training and more food and then training again and then bed. We did this basically all week. It was interesting and we learned a lot, but most of it will probably be discussed when I write about the work I will be doing so I will save you from all the specific details.

On Wednesday night, we drove (for only 2 hours!) to go out to dinner. I will write about the lovely experience others had because I was quite sick for most of the night. :( But the food was amazing (so they told me). It included a bunch of different seafood dishes including crabs, clams, muscles, shrimp, and multiple kinds of fish served many different ways.  Pretty sure there was a pork dish and maybe even a chicken dish. To say that there was a lot of food would be an understatement. Dinner was folłwed by a performance of traditional Filipino dances. There were many times in the dances where the Spanish influence was obvious both in style and dress. They invited us up on stage to try the traditional Filipino dance. I did not dance but I had the pleasure of watching all my fellow GJVs try it. It was done between two long sticks that the men tapped on the ground to the beat as the partners hopped in and out of the middle in time with the beat. It was funny to watch everyone start slow, get faster and then misplace a foot or lose count and have to stop and let the next person try. Overall, it was a great cultural experience.

What I wanted to reflect on today, the day we said goodbye to volunteers going to different placements in Japan and Manila, was the wonderful experience I had meeting all the great people who are now out serving as Global Justice Volunteers.

6 countries
17 volunteers
1 fantastic week of deep conversations and new friendships.

It presented an interesting dynamic having a global presence at our training. We were able to hear prayers in Tagalog, Russian, Swahili, and Portuguese which was moving to say the least. We also had a diverse presence from the United States. Five people went to/are attending a Historically Black College or University. People came from Florida, Texas, Michigan, and Virginia. (And of course I'm repping the NJ!) In the span of a week I have opened my eyes to other cultures, and not just the Filipino culture that I was expecting. 

It's not often you can discuss the political unrest for the world cup in Brazil with a Brazilian and then discuss your views on same sex marriage with a Russian all in one day. It amazed me how easy it was to think deep thoughts and have these conversations with people I had just met.  We were able to talk freely an openly without fear of judgement. The girls in my room (and the other room too) had "girl talk" and we all talked about our families, schooling, and other travel experiences. I know that every single person who I trained with is highly capable of being successful both this summer and in the future. I see plenty of great pastors and missionaries. Shout out to my engineers too! I have made some great friends already and I can't wait to hear all their volunteering stories! Please keep them in your prayers as well as they go out to do God's work.