The Joyful Journey

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

My journey with RAD is in the works, and as the date of my training comes closer, my eagerness and business increases. Lately, I've been working on letters and prayer cards to send out to all I know. Letters to church folk have been placed in their mailboxes and letters to family and friends are ready to be printed. This past Saturday evening I hosted a fundraising "Spaghetti Dinner" at my church, with the help of my "Connection Team" (my support group consisting of Alan and Eleanor Krieder, John and Marty Bender, my parents, and Paula Snyder-Belousek). It was a great success, in terms of money raised and the support I felt. I feel so blessed already in my journey, with the love and prayer and well-wishing of all I talk to about my year ahead.

About 40 Prairie Street members showed up for spaghetti meal cooked by LaMar Fletcher, a quiz on Argentina by my dad, and a breif note on my fundraising by John Bender. With Alan Krieder interviewing me, I spoke about why I had come to choose RAD, what RAD is, and what I will be doing in RAD. Here's an overview:

Why I choose RAD:
- I've felt God calling me to do service for a number of years
- I want to give first-fruits fashion: doing service before going to college, as opposed to putting off service until late in life
- I am at a searching point in my life…searching to know God more, and what God wants me to do with my life
- I want to learn Spanish, explore and learn from other cultures and people, and take a year off from studying

What RAD is:
- A Mennonite Mission Network service program for young adults (18-30 year-olds)
- An Anabaptist program based on preparing young adults to serve in the world, and be witnesses to God’s love and power through deed and word
- Sends teams of 5 to overseas locations for service

What I will be doing in RAD:
- 2 months of theological training, language study, cross-cultural experiences and other practical skills learned while living in Chicago
- 8 months in Argentina (not sure where yet) doing a variety of service work, living with host families, and connecting with the Argentina Mennonite church
- 2 month internship at my home congregation, Prairie Street Mennonite Church

I'm hoping that this "travel blog" is a good way to stay connected with everyone supporting me. I will try to keep regular postings on what I am doing, my prayer requests, and photos of events and places. Please feel free to leave comments on this site, or email me at andreakraybill@yahoo.com. Thanks a lot!