Sep 2006

It is interesting that I titled this blog 'The Joyful Journey'. I think that is both a prophecy and a challenge for me--God is revealing himself to me during this year, but I am challenged to constantly seek God. And, as most journeys go, there are moments of sore feet, detours, new discoveries, and reliance on fellow pilgrims.
A challenge for me lately has been learning to open myself up to my fellow "pilgrims", the other members on my RAD team. We enjoy each other's company, and have been living well together, but our conversations haven't quite gone to a deeper level yet. Learning to become vulnerable and trusting with people I have only known two weeks is scary and new for me. But, today our group had our first session with our once-a-week spiritual director, Brenda Matthews.
"Mama" Brenda lives and works in Chicago with HIV/Aids awarness, is connected with the Mennonite churches, and is a poet pregnant with passion for bringing God's kingdom here on earth. I was nervous (and a bit disappointed) when I heard that we were going to have group spiritual direction, as opposed to individual time with her, but our first meeting dramatically changed my thoughts.
She invited us each to share our testimonies (a word that carries some fear for me), but in doing so, a great sense of openness and trust was released. We shared our responses to the new situations we were facing while living in this new culture, 'the hood', and shared our fears that we weren't making any difference here. I admitted that being here for only 8 weeks didn't seem like a lot of time to develop friendships, or even impact lives in any way.
With the faith of someone in close relationship with God, and prophetic words, she told us that our stories do matter, our actions here, no matter how small they may seem, will affect people in this neighborhood. Telling our stories to the world is what God wants us to do, and our experiences of coming through pain may be just what someone needs to hear. We are God's vessels, God has called each of us here, and God will use us for his work. Hearing this reassured me that yes, I do have a purpose for being here, that I do have a testimony, that God loves me and is with me on this journey.
I pray for more meaningful encounters with people in this neighborhood, and for a continuing sense of Christ's presence with me as I face the mundance, exciting, and scary things here in Chicago.

Whenever I think I have God somewhat figured out, God decides to shake me up and keep on stretching me. One of these occasions came on Saturday evening, when the six of us visited "The House", a hip-hop church in a nearby neighborhood. I am looking forward to visiting different churches this year in RAD (although I love PSMC with all my heart), but I didn't know what to expect at this hip-hop church.
We entered the worhsip-room, and my first thought was, "I feel like I'm in a dance club". If one imagines the exact opposite worship-style of Prarie Street, and most other Mennonite churches, I think this would be it. With disco lights, loud pumping-bass beats, rappers, and a hip-hop dancing troupe, it was a challenge for me to accept that this was a form of worship. I must say that I definitely felt out of place at moments, seeing that our RAD group is very not hip-hop (and very white). I didn't really understand much of what the rappers were saying, but I came to the realization that God was here in this place, and speaking through this music.
I saw beauty in the dancing of the congregation there (mostly teenagers), the passionate preaching of the pastor (donned in rapper-style jeans, and an X-large t-shirt with Jesus' face on it), and the emotion-filled rappers. It amazes me that God is so big that people of every race, culture, tradition, and language are able to worship in their own way. I saw the beauty of God through this new style of worship, and even though I don't think I could worship that way every week (because it isn't my tradition), it was refreshing to see the body of Christ in a surprising new way.

Hello everyone! I am overjoyed to finally have a chance to write on this blog...every time I've gone to the library it seems the computers are all busy.
This first week has been an overwhelming mix of new situations, people, and experiences. It has taken a week for me to begin to feel settled in my new community, and to get a sense for how things are going to run here. My RAD group consists of six persons--three from Mennonite background, three not. We are a diverse group, and realize that we wouldn't have necessarily chosen to live in community with one another, but we all feel we have been called here together for a purpose greater than we imagine. I feel that sharing my journey of sprititual discovery, as well as cross-cultural experience, with my group members will be a necesity, challenge, and blessing.

Here are some highlights from my week:

- Spending careful time as a group developing our house/group covenant. Very important to maintain our community, and help each other grow.

-Being blindfolded, and dropped off in an unknown part of the city, with the instruction to find our way home. Sounds scary, but learning to get around the public transportation has been exhilarating. At times frustrating, but I love Chicago.

-Actually living here in Chicago is a good feeling as opposed to just visiting as a tourist. I am getting a sense of what living in a different culture is here, and seeing the real side of the city. In all its quirks, danger, violence, and beauty. There is more to Chicago than just the museums and Michagan Ave, if you can believe it.

-Starting teachings has been wonderful. Eleanor Krieder came last week and spoke on prayer. I thought is was fitting to start my journey with a focus on prayer. I am eagerly looking forward to study scripture, discussing difficult topics, and reflecting on my faith experience.

Here are some prayer requests:
-That my RAD group will continue to bond and support each other.
-Strength for me as I am tested in new situations, and in deepening my relationship with God. It won't be easy.
-For focus and clarity of thought. There is so much to soak in and process. I pray that I won't be distracted.

Thank you to all who are supporting me financially and in prayer. I too keep you in my prayers.

p.s. I haven't figured out how to post photos here yet, but hopefully someone with better computer skills can help me there.

Until next time,
Andrea