Happy Things

Interesting Activities of the Week:

- Soul Food at Kathy's, a local resturant in our neighborhood here. Great food--smothered chicken, greens, mashed potatoes, fried corn. Very heavy stuff. Had to nap after that huge meal.

- Followed Mama Brenda (Brenda Matthews, our spiritual director)around on Wednesday. For her job, she performs poetry at schools, after-school programs, etc. With her poetry, she tries to promote abstinence. On Wednesday, she collaborated with five other poets at a middle school to talk about the reality of HIV/Aids, and the importance of abstinence. We also went with her to a high school, where she read a few poems to 9th-graders. I must say, the middle schoolers listened better than the high schoolers! They just wouldn't be quiet! It was amazing to realize how huge an issue this is for these kids. I was so pleased to see these adults (Mama Brenda and others) speaking so honestly and 'real' to these kids. Sex-ed at my schools was never this interesting and truthful as to what actually went on. Even though many people would say it is pointless to preach abstinence to kids who are already sexually active, I was inspired by the perseverence of Mama Brenda and her friends who want that to change, and are being a beacon of hope in the midst of a warped culture.

- Linda Shelly, who is the MMN director of Latin American missions affairs (I think that is her title) came and spoke with us on Friday about our outreach locations. How exciting to finally hear some details!! I found out that I will be in the Patagonia region (the southern part) in Choele Choel, a smallish city. There is an active Mennonite church there, who in very involved in mission outreach, and helping start new church plants in Argentina. I will probably get a chance to visit many of these new churches, missionaries who are starting new contacts, and visits to other Mennonite churches around. I still don't know exactly what my work will be--Delbert and Frieda Erb (missionaries down in Choele Choel) will help figure that out as they learn more about my giftings. I could be working with youth and children, teaching English, helping with cooking, and much more. The four of us who are going to Argentina will all be in Choele Choel, but will likely live in separate host houses (which I'm glad about--I'll learn Spanish better).
It is now starting to sink in that I am going to Argentina. Everyone in my house is realizing this too. We've all got CD's and books from the library, and I am currently in our living room, while everyone repeats the words on their own language CD. Spanish and Portuguese. I'm getting inspired to learn now that I have a purpose to learn the language. Once we are in Argentina, we might have a tutor to help us learn, which would be great, but I have a feeling that I will pick up the language pretty fast once I am hearing and speaking it 24/7.
I was a bit worried when I heard that Argentines tend to eat dinner at midnight! I hope I can adjust to the different sleep schedule. Siestas will be vital to my survival.

- Friday evening we spent at the Agape Community Center where we do service twice a week. It is a Christian after-school program/hang-out place for neighborhood teens. Every friday they have a special program--a combination of bible memory-verse contest, a time of sharing their dreams for this year's program, a Christian hip-hop dance, and singing. It has been great to make some connections with kids here in this neighborhood. I realize how different a culture I am in. Learning to share my story, how to be brave in meeting new people (as opposed to being scared of introducing myself in new settings), and appreciating a new culture here in Chicago is good preparation for Argentina I think.

- I took advantage of the gorgeous weather today, to go for a Sunday walk. I went to church this morning at Chicago Community Mennonite (a nice, small congregation), and then in the afternoon walked for 2 1/2 hours along the lakeshore. The sky was bright blue and sunny, the temperature a lovely early fall feel, and the pathways bustling with other Chicagoans enjoying the day. I sat stood by the shore at the Planetarium, looking towards Indiana. I fondly thought of all my loved ones, and said a prayer for each. I am looking forward to seeing some of you in my week before I leave for Argentina (Oct 22-27). Feel free to leave comments on this blog-site (that would make me happy), or email me. Chao.

Pic of us waiting for the El (the subway train):