Peace on the Farm

I spent this past weekend on my grandparents farm. I went up because of the Black Swamp Benefit which helps support MCC. I saw a few relatives and lots of beautiful quilts. I learned a little more about MCC and observed a community where everyone knows virtually everyone else.
I spent the next morning with my three cousins ages 3, 8, and 11; and my grandparents. We picked strawberries and cleaned up around the new construction at my cousins house. On Sunday my eleven year old cousin sang a duet in church showing a talent I didn't know she had. Old hymns sung with only voices were a pleasant respite from the overused praise choruses found in most contemporary churches. I was able to sing one song in German while the congregation sang in English and then we sang In Christ there is no East or West. We are all connected in Christ despite language and cultural differences. The hymns were fitting as both the sermon and the Sunday School hour were taught by MCC representatives. One from the advocacy office in Washington and the other from a young man from Swaiziland.
For lunch we headed to the Pettisville school where my Grandpa attended and graduated, then my mom and her siblings attended and graduated from, and where my cousins now go and will someday graduate from. We were there for a benifit lunch for one of Pettisville's students who was having health problems. We ate in the gym where my mother was on the homecoming court and as we left saw her senior picture hanging with the other members of her class in the old hallway.
Now, no summer trip to the farm is complete without some time in the pond. And sure enough I spent Sunday afternoon on the old cracking foam raft in the pond with my 19 year old cousin and my 11 and 8 year old cousins. Four years ago you would have found the four of us there but this time the 11 and 8 year old had decided they were old enough to push me off the raft and for them to be pushed off as well. And just like summers back in high school, when we were done swimming the four of us loaded up on the gator to head to the woods in search of blackberries to put on homemade ice cream. It was a peaceful and restful Sunday and I was reluctant to leave.
This may be a long description of my weekend that means little to anyone but me :). But my point is not to describe the events but to allude to the love of Christ that is found when we gather together. To show a love that lasts as we grow older, that ties generations together, that ties cultures together. To show that it is in the moments of simplicity and quietness that we are reminded of God's calling us and the response we have given. As my past, my present, and
my future met I found that God is speaking and I desire to listen.

Development

Development – growth, advancement toward a favorable outcome

You may be wondering how my preparation for Ethiopia is developing at this point. Honestly, I am too. Not because I don’t know what I am doing to prepare, but rather because I am not sure what exactly what the favorable outcome these things are helping me advance toward.

We (used in the broadest sense) often talk about development and new technologies as positive influences on our lives. Development becomes an advancement toward a favorable outcome when in fact development is not always positive, nor is it necessarily an improvement. Take for instance the development of a tumor. As the tumor develops it grows until it invades the bone taking away the good and replacing it with bad. I wonder if we sometimes don’t become tumors developing in others, ensuring our own livelihood, but destroying those around us. Once the bone tissue is destroyed we collapse our own support network and our own death is immanent.

When left to our own self interests growth can be rather negative. Development done to soon, in the wrong place, using the wrong methods may temporarily bring life but inevitably it simply destroys. Especially growth where there is no preparation or support structure in place. Perhaps that’s why they added the word sustainable with the word development. Sustainable implies that something will last indefinitely. Sustainable development is growth that looks toward the future generations and how considers how the current growth will impact others. Sustainable development poses a different set of questions than mere development. I want to practice sustainable development.

But the question I posed was not is development good or bad but how am I developing? I am growing in knowledge. I am learning more about Ethiopia, more about culture, more about poverty, more about disease, more about marketing, and more about development. I am developing my thought process on how to better organize my day to spend time in prayer and meditation. I am developing ideas on how to be a better writer. I am developing strategies on how to pack. I am developing theories on how to meet emotional needs while in Ethiopia. Basically, I am working on developing conscious thought processes on how to better develop myself. But is this sustainable development? Its not if I never put anything into action. Its not if I keep wondering if I am developing anything. I think perhaps I best stop trying to come up with the best way to develop and instead act. Act within a realm of accountability. Act by listening and learning. Act by spending time in prayer. And share the results of my actions. But most importantly act.

And yet, I keep getting that question asked of me: are you prepared for Ethiopia? What are you doing to prepare yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually? Keep asking me that question. I can only hide behind evasive answers for so long. Perhaps if its asked enough I will better understand that each little step is part of the preparation process and each person I meet along the way contributes to growth, hopefully toward a favorable outcome.

Hi!
I have returned from Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a beautiful country and my time there was wonderful. I now know how to paint, a great skill to posses. We painted three churches in the San Jose area. We also visited a volcano, an important Catholic Church, downtown San Jose, and spent the night at the beach. The two weeks in Costa Rica were great but I am glad to be back in the States as I prepare to leave in two short months.
I have moved out of my house in Anderson. It has been hard to leave my friends and the town that has become home but the future is exciting. I will be living in Fort Wayne and interning with an organization called Crossroad. This internship will provide me valuable experience that will be helpful both in Ethiopia and when I return and begin the job search. Living in Fort Wayne I will also be able to visit Anderson on occasion.
Preparations for Ethiopia continue. I have received introductions from the MCC Ethiopia team and the other three SALTers who will spend the year in Ethiopia. We will not be in the same city but will be able to connect with one another when we visit the MCC compound in Addis. I am keeping busy with the logistical parts of preparation such as visas, travel itineraries, shots, etc.
I have begun to read up on Ethiopia and am welcome to any book suggestions people may have.
That is my brief update for now. As I settle into the summer routine, I will post more updates.
Blessings

Two more days and I will be an official college graduate! Its strange to think about but awfully exciting. On Monday I head to Costa Rica with the university. After having attended AU for four years its odd to think that this will be both my first and last Tri-S trip. I am excited when I take the time to think about it. These past few weeks have slipped by so very quickly. As I look to the summer I realize that my time here in Anderson is limited. I will miss the friends I have made here greatly and the opportunities I have had but I look forward to what God has in store for this next part of the journey.
In four weeks my lease is up and I am somewhat unsure where I will be, starting in June. I have several options and pray for wisdom and guidance in making a good decision. Changes are characteristic of this week but change brings growth and adventure both of which can work to serve God. My prayer for the summer is that I may be of service to those I come in contact with, that as our lives interact we may positively impact one another creating space for God to be glorified.
Preparations for Ethiopia are going well. I have been able to squeeze things in between classes and homework. Things should move forward, more quickly when I return from Ethiopia.
God Bless

Here is my official letter, but chances are you've already read it :).

Friends and Family,

In August of this year I will travel to Nazret/Adama Ethiopia were I will spend the next eleven months. I will travel as a representative of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). MCC is a relief organization that is part of the Mennonite and Brethren Church. MCC is committed to bringing peace, justice, and dignity to the oppressed through sharing experiences, resources, and faith in Christ. I will be a part of MCC’s eleven month Service and Learning Together (SALT) program for young adults. SALT sends out young adults to work and live in the culture they are ministering among. As a participant in SALT one of the largely defining characteristics is a commitment to nonviolent peacemaking.

I will be working with an organization called Remember the Poorest Community (RPC). RPC is an organization started and maintained by members of the local Evangelical Church in Ethiopia. RPC is committed to helping street children and orphans in Nazaret. RPC runs and operates a school for poor children as well as running different projects to provide for orphans and street children. RPC also works with the men and women who are caring for the orphans.

My specific role will be that of project officer and my task will be to assist the projects’ manager in reporting, communicating (in English), and the overseeing of the day to day running of the projects. This will include writing the stories of those RPC serves for publication in reports, brochures, and newsletters, working on the website, project publicity and promotion, management of the volunteer program, and fundraising. I will also be encouraged to look for and brainstorm ways to financially support the projects without relying on fundraising, creation and distribution of the newsletter, working with visiting groups and other tasks as they arise. Of the 40 hours a week I work I will spend approximately 20 in the office, 14 working at the different projects, and six on site or in meetings.

My objective: to use my passion for and experience with women and children in poverty to creatively promote awareness and action. I desire to further the mission of MCC by being a nonviolent peacemaker. I hope to use my skills in reporting, communicating, and fundraising, to further the mission of MCC and RPC, and their work among the poor in Ethiopia. As a projects manager I will be expected to help establish creative ways to earn money without fundraising and be invited to brainstorm new projects to better the lives of the women and children. It is my hope that my time in Ethiopia will not only impact me but impact those I will live among.

As I prepare to leave I begin the steps of creating a support network. The support network will be a group of individuals who are dedicated to praying for me and connecting with me during my time in Ethiopia. I have created a blog, rememberethiopia.blogspot.com, where I will be posting updates, prayer requests, and hopefully creative writing that arises from Ethiopia.

I need financial support. I need to raise a total of $4,300 which will go directly to MCC and is tax deductible. This will cover my expenses for the year in Ethiopia. If you would like to and are able to give monetarily let me know and I will email you information.

Just as important, if you would like to receive email updates send me a comment with your email address and I will add you to my email list. As I mentioned above you can also check out my blog. I sincerely hope to add you to my email list.

I would appreciate your prayers and thoughts during this time. Words of encouragement and emails will be greatly appreciated. If you would like further information let me know. You are an important part of this process. Thank you for your support.

God Bless,

Krista Allen

The end of college is rapidly approaching and I am ready for time to breath. Its been a good full semester. The question, what are you going to do when you graduate has an answer! I am going to Ethiopia for eleven months with Mennonite Central Committee. Yes, I am excited and nerves but right now more than anything I am busy.
But amidst all the busyness I am going to take some time to create this blog with the purpose of keeping you updated on my journey to Ethiopia. I hope to share with you (my readers) what I am learning, experiencing, and hopefully some creative writing that results from this process.
Stay tuned with in the next few days I hope to post more information on what I will be doing.
Welcome to my blog and please keep reading, cause you really are an important part of this process :).
Blessings