A Voice To Be Heard

Today is the day. Today is the day that we have been waiting for. Today is the day that we have been waiting for since the last ´92 Earth Summit. Today is the day where people from all around the world are together for the first day of the Rio+20 Conference.  Today is the day we must take a stand and tell our leaders that the future we want cannot wait.   

Within the last few days, government officials from around the world have been negotiating on an outcome document outlining international commitments that will lead to a more sustainable future.   Discussing issues such as reproductive health, fossil fuel subsidies, peace and more, diplomats from around the world negotiated the commitments that the international community will follow.  On Tuesday, Brazilian diplomats gathered and produced a final conference document for the first day of Rio+20.     

To be honest, I am completely overwhelmed. 

 In one sense, I am filled with frustration and disappointment.  I am frustrated with the UN process, and feel a sense of disappointment with the lack of leadership displayed even by my own country.  As my first close interaction with the UN process and international negotiations, I am still in the process of learning the system and the way that it works.  The other day, I had the opportunity to sit in on a session discussing two key issues: sustainable consumption and production as well as water.  Let´s just say it was not very productive.  The energy spent by negotiators on changing or revising the language of the text, in my opinion, has completely separated this process from the humans it will impact.  It is so upsetting to me that we as a world still see ourselves as entities that are separated from the environment and mostly, from ourselves.  

In addition, it makes me question the role that civil society plays in these types of negotiations.  There are thousands of knowledgeable and passionate people that came to Rio+20, but these people are not at the table for official negotiations.  And as youth, this conference is mainly for us – future leaders and members of society that will be affected by the decisions our government leaders make.   So what can we do? As young people, how can we make an impact on our governments, our peers, to children as well as adults that extend beyond the three-day Rio+20 conference?  The need for intergenerational discussions has become apparent during this conference, and as a whole, civil society has a huge role to play in terms of mobilizing and impacting what is happening on the local level.  It is critical as a group that we are bold in keeping our government officials accountable and we need to engage people at the local level on how to achieve practical sustainable goals.  

Through all of these frustrations and disappointments, I also feel inspired and engaged by those people not involved in the process, who are passionate about and dedicated to sustainable development.  More specifically, I am in complete awe of my young peers that I have been able to meet and work with from around the world.  As a part of a more global and interconnected generation, we have grown up with global communications and travel.   We grow up in a world with YouTube, facebook, and twitter and through these media tools, we are able to mobilize people from around the world at a must faster pace.  From what I have seen here in Rio – I have hope for future governance and future progress.  The way I have been able to see international youth collaborate at this conference has given me faith that future generations will be able to cooperate and progress will be made.  However, we cannot wait until we are older.  We must embrace the power we have now.  We must make our voice known. 

As I was on the bus this morning, I randomly sat next to this man.  He told me he was from Gabon and told me a little bit about himself.  We engaged in a conversation about our lives, our countries, and our experiences at the conference thus far.  Little did I know it was the previous Prime Minister of Chad, in Africa, but as we were talking about the conference, he said these words to me that I will take away from this experience:   

He said, this is important and this is what we need to successfully achieve sustainable development:

Love.  Love the world. Love each other. Love the earth.  

I think we need to take a step back, and look at the disconnect between the policy decisions taking place here and the implementation of development initiatives on-the-ground around the world.  Decisions made here do affect people´s lives and livelihoods, and I think it is time for officials to recognize their global responsibilities.  I think it begins with compassion and love for your neighbor, recognizing that solutions cannot just come from the brain or what individual countries think what is right.  I think we need to personalize the issues affecting people around the world as a global community and have productive global discussions to effectively address these issues.  Clearly our current system is flawed, and I would argue that one reason is because of this disconnect. As a participant of an interconnected global community, I think we all need to develop a more world perspective and look outside of our interests to address the needs of others. So what did I say to the Prime Minister? 

 I could not agree more myself.  

Inspired by Rio+20

Greetings from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!  It has been a crazy few days, but I am inspired more than ever to promote the ideals of sustainable development.   So I apologize if this is a long post, but I just want to fill everyone in on what has been going on here in Rio!

So….

I arrived on the morning of Tuesday, June 11, and was instantly greeted to a beautiful morning in Rio.  After getting picked up by our hostel, another delegate and I made our way through the streets of Rio de Janeiro to the area of Copacabana – the section of the city that we have been staying in.   I met two or three of the other delegates upon arrival and we set off to explore a part of the city.  After running some errands, we ended up at the beach – and it really set in that I was in Rio! 

During the days of June 10-12, youth from all over the world attending the UN Conference in Rio were invited to attend the Youth Blast, a five day event specifically held for youth held by the Major Group for Children and Youth. The purpose of this was to empower children and youth present at Rio+20 by sharing best practices for implementing solutions and participating in decision making at the international level.   I was lucky enough to make it to the last day of this event, and when I walked into the facility – I met the creator of Captain Planet, one of my favorite childhood cartoons.  I instantly knew that this conference was the place I needed to be.   From there, I participated in a group session where youth facilitators held a simulation mimicking multi-lateral negotiations on issues that would be discussed in the upcoming conference.  Youth representatives took on the roles of lead negotiators and after the simulation, we had the opportunity to discuss the process, and reflect on what we had just experienced.  It was great to see youth from around the world completely engaged on these issues and it was inspiring to see how these youth participants worked together to solve issues that our government representatives will discuss in the negotiations to come.

 The past three days are a part of what is called the 3rd PrepCom, which is where national governments come together before the conference to discuss and negotiate the text that has been drafted thus far for the outcome document. Government negotiators are discussing issues such as the development of sustainable development goals, the strengthening UNEP, the creation of an institutional framework for sustainable development, information sharing surrounding the ideas of the green economy, and action-oriented outcomes in areas such as: water, energy, oceans, food security, cities, women’s empowerment, education, health, and more.  Although no one seems overly optimistic that much will come out of Rio+20 or that the conference itself will be a success – I am still hopeful and there is still time to develop new commitments to create a more sustainable future.  

While negotiations are being held,  there have been side events offered by different governments, think tanks, NGO groups and other stakeholders to provide a forum to discuss issues surrounding Rio+20 negotiation points.  Ranging on issues from Energy for Sustainable Development in Brazil to Sustainable Lifestyles to the Legacy of Rio – these side events facilitate discussion among those that are not a part of official negotiations.  I have had the opportunity to participate in many of these side events, and I have to admit, participating in these events was probably the best way to start my UN Conference experience.  Surrounded by inspiring and passionate people, there is no way I could not feel inspired myself. 

More specifically, I participated in a session yesterday focused around the legacy of Rio+20 and how we as participants can carry on the ideals of sustainable development after the conference.   One of the panelists posed a series of questions that really left me thinking of my own position in the world.  She asked:

Who do we think we are?

What do we think we are doing? 

At first, I have to admit that I thought these questions were a bit sassy - but the more I started thinking about it and the more it resonated in my mind the more I was perplexed by my own thoughts.  Like the first question - who DO I think I am?  And second - what DO I think I am doing?  While these thoughts were rather humbling, they also gave me a sense of empowerment.  

Yes, I could say I am Lauren Borsa, a recent graduate and a youth representative of sustainable development on behalf of US youth with SustainUS.  I could say I am daughter, a sister, a friend.  But being in this environment, I again realize how small I am in the midst of this big, big world.   I am just one of the 7 billion people on this earth, but again, this environment reinforces the idea that the gathering and assembling of a group of individuals can inspire great change.  I am now a part of a network of people that have gathered together who understand that we have a future worth working toward and that in order to do so, there needs to be change.  Especially within this youth network, I am continually inspired by the dedicated and passionate young people that are advocating for the future we want.

But what do I think I am doing?  How am I trying to achieve this?  What is it that I cherish and hold dear?  This is the question I keep asking myself.  What are things I/we can do to promote sustainability?

From this conference so far, I feel inspired to make change.  Therefore, it has become my personal goal to take this opportunity to learn as much as I can from policymakers, researchers, think tanks, NGOs, and young people that are knowledgeable on many subjects related to sustainable development.  Again, I am reminded that there is a critical need for a change of current world systems, and all it takes is the engagement and mobilization of people around the world to start making more sustainable choices in their everyday lives.  Rio +20 provides a platform for major groups to come together and discuss important global issues, but the things we have learned should not be contained to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  The process of creating a more sustainable future should not stop here.   It is time for our voices to be heard and motivate ourselves to act.

One Week 'til Rio!

After two long years - it is time for my next international adventure (finally)!   Next Monday, I will board a plane in Pittsburgh, make my way through Charlotte, and land in Rio de Janeiro to join thousands of people from around the world for the United Nations Conference for Sustainable Development, or Rio+20.

But before I go, I wanted to fill everyone in on what I'll be doing in Rio with a little Q&A!


What is Rio+20?

Twenty years after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the UN is again bringing together governments, international institutions, and major groups to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to define pathways to a sustainable future and to look ahead to the world we want in 20 years.  Official discussions will focus around two main themes of the conference: (1) how to build a green economy to achieve sustainable development and lift people out of poverty; and (2) how to improve international coordination for sustainable development. Therefore, this conference will not only allow these groups to agree on a range of smart measures that can reduce poverty while promoting decent jobs, clean energy and a more equitable use of resources, but more broadly, give international actors the chance to rethink economic growth, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection.


What Will I Be Doing in Rio? 

As many of you know, I was recently accepted to take part in an exciting Youth Delegation that is attending this conference.  As an "Agent of Change," through an organization called SustainUS, I will be part of a 28- person team of dedicated college students and recent graduates that are passionate for promoting international sustainable development.

The SustainUS Agents of Change program is the only non-profit program of its kind in the country that has successfully increased youth stakeholder involvement at the United Nations for the past ten years.  As an accredited non-governmental organization, SustainUS will effectively engage government policymakers at the international, regiona, national, and sub-national levels, concerning sustainable development policies.  In preparation for the conference, the delegation is currently developing policy recommendations, collaborating with other U.S. and international youth activists, and working tirelessly to ensure that nations respond to the urgency and severity of the crises facing our planet today. We will join dozens of international youth in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on June 20-22, 2012, to ensure that all countries understand that the world demands action and progress right now.



Lauren's Schedule in Rio:

June 12:  Lauren's Arrival to Rio
June 13-15:  3rd Prep Comm
June 16-19:  Sustainable Development Dialogues
June 20-22:   Rio+20
June 23-27:  Travel
June 27:  Lauren's Departure back to the U.S.


I am truly and incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to attend this conference, and I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this process.  It is my goal to blog frequently during my trip to Rio - but if you have any specific questions about the Conference itself or SustainUS - please feel free to email me at lauren.borsa@gmail.com. I will respond as soon as I can.


For more information on Rio+20 or SustainUS:

Rio+20 website
SustainUS website
Rio+US:  A Live US Youth Video Conversation on Rio+20 

The Bel@mericans

As time passes this year, I am becoming more and more convinced of God’s bigger hand on my life and in the lives of others around me. He has used me as His instrument each and every day – in situations that I never thought I’d ever find myself in. As it says in the chapter of Acts, we are put in a certain time and in an exact place determined by God so that we and others can grow closer to Him. This verse resonates in my mind constantly and I am continuing to find this message to be true all the time. April has been such a wonderful month, and I feel I have many stories to share with you in this newsletter. I will share more about my newest placement site in future newsletters, but I have a story that has really touched my heart the past few weeks. Again, God was working in a place that I had no idea, but He later revealed himself and made His presence known in a situation that I never thought He would.

Over the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to work alongside another foreign counterpart at my newest worksite, Lebone. She and a group from her university in Belgium were present here in Bloemfontein during the past few months completing internship credits through a local university and local non-profit organizations. At Lebone, there were six international volunteers throughout April: 4 from the Netherlands, 1 from Belgium and 1 from the United States (me). Petra and I formed an instant bond since we had been there the longest and because we came to volunteer at Lebone by ourselves. Our relationship developed into a very good friendship over the four weeks that we worked alongside each other, and the two of us started calling ourselves the ‘Bel@mericans’. So for one of her last weekends in South Africa, we decided that she, I and one of her other Belgium friends would journey together to Durban for a long weekend to travel, to visit friends, and to hang out together.

The three of us traveled our way to Durban that weekend, and God was the last thing that I thought we would talk about on this trip. Although I am quite comfortable talking and sharing my faith, I have to be honest in saying that it is a topic I don’t often bring up in random conversation. Petra and I had not talked about this topic before and I wasn’t quite sure how she felt or how comfortable she was on the subject. In addition, I don’t think of ‘teaching and speaking’ as one of my spiritual gifts. As many others, I tend to get nervous when I talk about my faith, I end up babbling, and often just talk in circles. So unless it is a topic of conversation, I seldom bring it up.

One night while we were out in Durban, Petra and I were having coffee and sharing dessert (a Belgian waffle ). We were just talking about her soon-to-be trip home and both of our experiences in South Africa. We were sitting there for a good while before the conversation took a turn and we started talking about religion and faith. In South Africa, or in what context I have been exposed to here, it has seemed rather easy to bring up God in a conversation without it being weird, without people feeling awkward, or without people feeling threatened. To Petra, this was something completely different than she was used to back home in Europe. She explained that in Belgium, she has only been exposed to Roman Catholicism-which she says is not very popular among the younger generation of Belgium’s population. Church was not something that she had grown up with nor did she have an interest in going to while at home, unlike my childhood where we went to church and Sunday school every week.

I sat there in shock just trying to process the change in the conversation but I became more and more excited as she spoke. She told me how strange the whole ‘faith’ thing seemed to her because she was not brought up with it. She did mention, however, that she loved seeing that look in people’s eyes when she would talk to people from South Africa about their faith. She said it looked as if people’s eyes lit up and she could feel their passion when discussing their faith – like there was truly something to be excited about. So she decided to buy herself a Bible while she was in South Africa but told me that did not know how to read it. She told me how she has tried to pray but didn’t know how. It was as if she was pouring herself out to me before my eyes, and I sat there, overwhelmed but extremely fascinated by her story. Then she started to ask me questions. I decided not to be afraid and allowed the Holy Spirit to work through me as I opened myself up to her. I shared certain views I have about issues she questioned and I told her about my faith and its importance to me. It was one of those moments where I could feel the relationship that we had developed becoming deeper and I felt God’s words speaking through me to her. For me, that was the best night of the trip and I felt the presence of God where I never thought I would.

The next day, Petra wanted me to talk about what we had spoke of the previous night to the third member of our Durban ‘tripod’ on the way back to Bloemfontein. I didn’t know him as well and I got a little nervous having to repeat what I told Petra the day before. We started talking about God, religion and faith, and we had a great conversation in the car. After a half hour or so, we changed the topic of conversation and continued our trip home. The next day, Petra came into work telling me that they had talked more about our conversation and that I had inspired him to go to church when he goes home to Belgium. I was completely dumbfounded. I did not think that I, Lauren Borsa, could change his heart toward God in 30 minutes of talking in a car. Then I suddenly realized, it wasn’t me at all.

This past week, Petra and most of her group left South Africa to go back home to Belgium. I was not ready to say good-bye to her after such a short time of being together. Also, I was sad that I was not able to help nurture and develop her new interest and did not have enough time to encourage the two of them more about their faith. As I waved Petra goodbye at the airport, I gave her two of my old devotional books from my church and a note hoping they would help start her in her journey of faith.

As 8 months have gone by, I can name and remember the names and faces of those who have touched my life during my time here in South Africa. But on the other hand I started thinking, who have I touched during my time here? What if I was sent here and placed in Bloemfontein this year only to touch the lives of two Belgium students for just a short while? What if God called me here to invite them to “come and see” and plant the seed for their faith to grow?
Often times I just don’t feel as if I am worthy enough to impact others- who am I to share and speak of God to other people? I am not the wisest, smartest or the most knowledgeable about the Bible or theology. But then I came across a verse in Acts 11 where Peter says, “Who was I to think that I could oppose God?” These last months have shown me that in Him I don’t need to be the wisest to explain how God has worked in my life. I am worthy and in Him he can do his works through me. God can use me, an insignificant human being, for his glory. I am just continually encouraged that in Him, I can make a difference – that from the vine, I can be a branch reaching out to others.

Acts 17:24-28a- “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.”

It is my prayer that we would be eager to listen and act on God’s call in our lives. We are put in times and places predestined for us so that we can impact one another with God’s love, grace and mercy. So it is my encouragement to take a step back and reflect on how you are impacting the community around you and recall the many “God Moments” you’ve had during the month of April. You may not know you are making a difference, but God has been showing up within you. He will reveal himself in times and places when you least expect it- and who are we to oppose God doing His work?

Two Worlds - March Reflection

I think I might have just had the best two weeks of my life. It all started at the beginning of March where all ten of us South African YAGMs and our coordinators, Brian and Kristen, came together in Cape Town, South Africa to share about a week together in fellowship and reflection. It is so enjoyable to be with each and every one of the 11, to share stories, struggles and laughter about the year so far. Even though we are all serving in South Africa, we each live our different lives, are all experiencing different things and have our own stories to tell. It is so encouraging to be able to speak with someone else that knows exactly what you are going through and knows exactly how you feel. I am blessed to have each and every one of them, for we are all different in who we are, in our gifts and where we come from in the States. But I am most thankful that now we have this one common bond of being ‘09-10 South African YAGMs, and I know that this bond can never be erased. It is so crazy to think that our experiences in South Africa have made these 12 U.S. citizens closer. We bring our two worlds together to relate to one another, uplift each other, and get to know each other on a much more intimate level that maybe no one else will ever be able to understand.

The end of our retreat wasn’t the end of my excitement. For the first time, my parents traveled thousands and thousands of miles to visit their youngest daughter in South Africa. They surprised me a night early, the last night of our retreat, and I was just ecstatic to see them! To all my Steelers fans out there, I ran and hugged my Mom so hard it was as if Polomalu ran and tackled his opponent. But the best part about them coming early to see me is that they got to meet all of the YAGMs that I have become so close to, and it was so special to me that they got to put faces and personalities to the names that I have kept on referring to over and over throughout the year. This time, two worlds of mine collided and it brought my past and present together.

Although I was very sad to see my YAGMs leave Cape Town, I was so excited at what awaited my parents and me on their first trip overseas to South Africa. We had many plans, but I had one rule: I wanted no stress during our time together. It had been 7 months since we had last seen each other, and during these last 7 months we all have gone through our struggles and withdraws from one another. Our relationship has deepened, and I have truly realized what wonderful family I have that completely encourages, supports and uplifts each other daily. As the saying goes, ‘distance makes the heart fonder’. But there was going to be nothing more special than sharing this part of me and my life with my Mom and Dad, which before this experience might have been so foreign to them.

After exploring Cape Town and the Garden Route for a few days, the three of us made our way up to where I have been living in South Africa, Bloemfontein. This part of the trip was the most special to me – where my two present worlds truly collided. The first night we arrived, I took them out to dinner with a few of my really good friends that I have made here. As much as I was excited for my parents to meet the people in my life here in Bloemfontein, I was just as excited for them to meet my parents. I feel like in order to get to know a person you need to know about their past as well as their present. With my parents there, they could now get a glimpse of where I come from to truly understand the person that they see from day to day.
But my friends are just one part of my Bloem life that I wanted my parents to experience. The next morning, I took them to the Rocklands Congregation of Bloemfontein’s Lutheran community where I have been attending on a regular basis. I could only smile as I led them through the service, heard them try to sing church songs in Sesutu, and took them up for both offering and Communion. It was so awesome to lead my parents, who in every other situation in my life has led me, and so special to share these moments with them. They were able to meet my supervisor and his family and the people of the congregation, and got to experience for themselves the wonderful, lively church services that I get to experience on a weekly basis.
On our last day in Bloemfontein, I took my parents to three of my previous worksites that I have talked about for months and months. First, I took them to the Children’s Ward of the National Hospital where I have volunteered for the past two months. It was good to see the faces of the staff that I had been apart from for two weeks and my parents got to meet the people I had formed such good relationships at the hospital. They were able to see the joys of life that I saw in the premature baby room, and they were also there for me when I found out two of the children that I became very close to died the week I was gone. Next, I brought them to the Sunflower House, the children’s hospice I volunteered at during the first four months of my year. Again, I introduced them to the staff and all of the children that had been such a large part of my life. It was so surreal to see my parents playing with the children that they recognized from photos and again my two worlds were colliding – worlds that seem so far apart at times, but were together there in one room at that moment. Last, I took them to Carel du Toit, the school I had volunteered as well. It was so special to me that they were able to meet the staff there, who in many ways became family to me here in Bloemfontein.


The last day came too quickly, but I guess we all know that every good thing must come to an end. It was so important for my parents to come to South Africa and I am so glad that they did- not only to see me, but to see where I have been, what I have been doing and who has become such a huge part of my life. The night before they left, my Dad (who at the beginning was less than thrilled about my moving to South Africa) said to me, “I am so glad I came. I see what you have been doing, and I feel much better about you being here. Now every time I have a selfish thought about you being here and not being with us at home, I can remember what we have seen.” And my Mom asked me, “Okay, so where are you and then we going next? How about a tropical island?” When they said these things to me, I almost burst into tears at the change in their hearts. I think it’s so amazing how God works! But it just brought me back to my personal mission for the year –1st Thessalonians 2:8 - “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us” - to love those who I serve with my whole heart, share my life with them and to share my God-given experiences with those I love back home. I am just so thankful that I could experience this trip with the two of them, and to think that my parents will go back and get the opportunity to share with those at home what they have experienced just encourages me. These past few weeks will hold some of the most precious memories I have and alas, my two worlds are now connected to make one.

Not Just Any Other Christmas

December Reflection

Christmas time is my favorite time of the year. Usually school takes a bit of a break, you have an excuse to stay inside on the extremely cold days, and you find a reason to do absolutely nothing and everything you wish with your closest family and friends. If you know me, you know that I am obsessed with Christmas music and start listening to it the day after Thanksgiving, and I am such a fan of watching Christmas movies on ABC family’s 25 days of Christmas. Also, I love all of the Christmas traditions – it gives me something hopeful to look forward to in the middle of a cold December. I love finding the family Christmas tree out in the snowy mountains, decorating the tree with the family and some hot chocolate, baking and decorating piles and piles of Christmas cookies, Christmas Eve church service and singing harmony with my sister to all our favorite carols, my own family traditions on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning including the food and watching Ralphie’s 24 hour marathon of the Christmas story all throughout the day. All in all, Christmas has become all these things and imagining a Christmas without it seemed impossible.

Well, this Christmas was not just any other Christmas: this Christmas was my first Christmas away from home, the United States, the Northern Hemisphere, but a Christmas in sunny, warm, South Africa. I always wondered what this would be like- and now that I have experienced it for the first time, I’d like to share some of my memories with you!

In South Africa, or more specifically the people I have come into contact with in Bloemfontein, Christmas is surrounded by schools’ and business’ summer holidays. So many people associate Christmastime as a time of vacation to the sea and many don’t have yearly traditions. This came as a surprise to me since Christmas is all about traditions! Many people at home, or at least in Pennsylvania, associate a ‘White Christmas’ with the season, and it just felt so strange to me when the whole week before Christmas was over 90 degrees. I rarely saw Christmas lights, Christmas trees, Christmas music or Christmas movies– and at first, I was rather distraught. I only heard Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is you” and saw a pine Christmas tree while I was walking through a mall. I felt I could only find Christmas in certain places and these places were scarce. What is Christmas without these things that I have relied to mean Christmas for me each and every year?

Unfortunately this year, I was quite under the weather for the holiday. After a wonderful Christmas Eve spent on friends’ family farm, I became extremely sick with severe stomach pains on Christmas day and the day after, and I was taken to the hospital on the evening of the 26th. Afraid that I might have appendicitis or some other stomach infection/virus, the doctors at the hospital decided to admit me into the hospital. I would have been scared and nervous to hear this in my own country, let alone a foreign country, but subconsciously I knew it was the best decision for my health and I knew that I would be in good, safe hands. Nevertheless, it is always a bit frightening being sick, away from home, and alone.

But the truth is, I was not alone at all. I had a wonderful group of people surrounding me here from Bloemfontein to support, uplift and encourage me all along the way. During my two day stay at the hospital, I had many visitors that came every day to see how I was feeling and to see if I was doing better. I can’t express my gratitude and appreciation for all the visitors and how much their presence meant and continues to mean to me. I have really been blessed by the people that I have gotten to meet here so far, and I am so thankful for their love and their friendship. And although my family and friends at home and my coordinators could not be physically here to be with me, very encouraging words, thoughts and prayers were supporting my family and me. I don’t think I could have gotten through this experience without ALL OF YOU - And to me, this is what Christmas is all about. Christmas reminds us that Christ came to earth to live with us, to love us, and to be one of us. Each one of these special people, and all of those who have been kind to me, extended their homes and their lives to me, or has kept me in their thoughts and prayers have been Christ in my life.

Throughout this time, I could only think and hum one of my favorite Christmas songs sung by Point of Grace. The lyrics are as followed: “Oh Immanuel, God with us, Spirit revealed in us, so we may show your hope to the world.” Whether the people of Bloemfontein or those back home know it, I can see Christ within each and every one of them. They have given me hope that through their friendship, love, and support I can survive in a world beyond Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the United States or even the northern hemisphere. Christmas isn’t about the weather, the music, or the gifts – it’s about remembering what we inspire to be because of the birth, life and the death of Christ. It is my hope that this will serve as a reminder to me throughout the rest of my time here and when I return to the United States to extend the vision of hope to all who I encounter because of Christ in me yesterday, today, and forever.

I hope you had a merry and blessed Christmas this year. It is my hope that this New Year would provide you with blessings of hope and that you would be always reminded of Christ’s love in your life.

Undomestic Goddess

November Reflection

Although I have not always had time for it, reading has always been a passion and hobby of mine. A few summers ago, I finished an easy-read by one of my favorite authors, Sophie Kinsella, called The Undomestic Goddess. (Sorry if I ruin the story by explaining the plot). This romantic comedy of a book tells the story of a high-profile London professional that has a nervous breakdown due to her hectic and stressful lifestyle and unexpectedly flees the city life to enjoy the calmness of the countryside. While keeping her identity and whereabouts a secret, she disguises herself by acting the role of a housekeeper, although she has no clue, in fact, how to be a housekeeper. Throughout the book, Kinsella tells the hilarious tale of how the main character figures out how to become a respectable housekeeper, even though simple household tasks were way out of her comfort zone to start. The reader also sees how the main character finds fulfillment in these tasks and how she grows in ways she never thought she could throughout the process. A few years later- I look back at the book and realize this is now my life.

Chores like cooking and cleaning have never been my strong point, and I normally try to avoid doing these things as much as humanly possible. At home, I rush, rush, and rush and I NEVER make time to clean or cook. They are usually placed in the last lines of any to-do list that I make; so you could say it was never one of my top priorities. What I have found that during my time in South Africa thus far, is that God has put me in positions where I have been doing these things- a lot. I have become the master of doing dishes, perfected the art of folding clothes, and even been acting as lunch lady: cooking, baking and serving food for others. It is funny the way God works; to see what ways he chooses to humble us. He is definitely working through my imperfections and frustrations and has allowed me to learn from others while making special relationships with those who have been able to teach me. So in this reflection, I want to share a few recent stories that have highlighted the ‘undomestic goddess’ in me and how I am growing through attempting very tiny things like dishes or cooking.

Baking at the Sunflower House:

On a normal Monday, a few weeks back, I went to the local children’s hospice where I volunteer every Monday. I was doing the morning dishes like I always do and Michelle asked to talk to Anne and I (another volunteer from Germany) in her office. When we went in, she handed us this magazine filled with recipes and she told us that she wanted us to bake muffins that day for the kid’s afternoon snack. Great, I thought. I like to bake – but then again, I am used to baking things from a Betty Crocker box. Anne and I looked at each other, said we would do it, and off we went. This is where the trouble began.

First, the recipe was completely in Afrikaans. Granted I am trying to learn the language, but there was no way I was going to be able to decipher the entire recipe. We luckily got someone to translate the recipe for us into English, but I have come to find that when you translate something from one language to another, things tend to get ‘lost in translation’. So there we were with a sort-of recipe and we went off to find our ingredients. We were then told that we didn’t have the exact ingredients from the recipe to make the muffins (including the main ingredient), but that we should use what we had in the kitchen and improvise. Oh great, I thought - if there is one thing that scares me the most when cooking or baking, it is improvising or tweaking the recipe.

Next, I find that it is completely frustrating that the United States uses its own measuring system while the rest of the world uses the same metric system. This recipe called for milliliters instead of ounces and cups – so again I had no concept of how much of the ingredients to put in – and then we had to multiply that by 4 (to make enough). Improvising due to the lack of measuring utensils, we improved and worked with what we had and used small medicine cups to measure out milliliters out of all the ingredients. When we finally had all the ingredients together and measured, we put the mixture together, but something did not look right. It looked all too runny and the consistency did not seem right so we added and added things to it until it looked right and finally said- “hey, let’s just try it!”

So with our eyes closed and fingers crossed, we put the first batch of muffin batter in the oven. Forty-five minutes later, we pulled out fresh muffins that still seemed a little wet in the middle. When we finally decided that the muffins were done, about an hour later, we pulled them out and took the first taste. They were actually good! So, we made the rest of the muffins. The muffins were all finished and cooled when we gave the kids them for their snack, and they seemed to really enjoy them. It is such a great feeling when you know you are a part of creating a smile on a child’s face even though they have no idea you made them. I was just overjoyed the next day when I found out that none of my babies got sick after eating them – We had fun creating the muffins, the kids enjoyed eating them, and no one got sick: Success!

Kitchen at APD:

Unlike many of the other South African YAGMs, I have and will continue to rotate volunteer worksites about every two months to expose myself to many different organizations in Bloemfontein. At the beginning of November, my primary worksite became a center working with persons with disabilities. I have to admit I was a bit discouraged at the beginning since I had started to make deep relationships at my previous worksites, but I saw this as a new opportunity to try something different and meet different people so I remained optimistic. So on my first day I came in with an eager volunteer’s heart and a big smile and was handed a broom and a dust bin. You could only imagine what was going through my head, but if that’s where they needed me – then that was what I would do. At the end of the day, I ended up in the kitchen where I have stayed the past few weeks.

I have to admit the first week wasn’t pretty – I think I peeled and cut up to 3 huge bags of carrots, my fingers were permanently orange, and I always got embarrassment and frustration when I flung carrots around the kitchen when cutting them into small pieces. Cutting peppers, lettuce, pumpkin, and onions was even a chore for me, but I was persistent in trying my best and the ladies were kind in showing me how they cut the various vegetables for the different dishes. I can’t count the number of times I cut my hands cutting things – I seem to wear permanent band-aids on my hands. But as the weeks have gone by, the two pairs of women have increasingly given me bigger and bigger tasks to do – which to some might be very simple and novice tasks, but for me, felt like a personal victory in kitchenland. The ladies began to trust me more and appreciated my hard efforts. Now, they allow me to flour and fry chicken by myself (even though I burnt myself on the first piece I put in the frying pan) and they let me make my own salad creations. They are teaching me Sesotho along the way, I have had the opportunity to read the Bible to them during tea time and we are starting to give each other hugs when I leave volunteering. Last month, the thought of working in the kitchen would not have been a comfortable idea for me- at all, given how I feel so incompetent to do anything. Now that I have tried it, I have put those insecurities behind me and instead, I feel a sense of worth knowing that I am preparing and serving meals for the special people that I have come to get to know at the center.

I think the best part of my ‘undomestic goddess’ experience is that, like the main character of the book, I am finding such fulfillment in what I am doing and I am growing so much in the process. I continuously put myself outside my comfort zone and make myself do things that I feel uncomfortable doing. Even though it is only making muffins or cutting vegetables, throwing myself into these situations has allowed me to make myself say ‘yes, I can do this’ instead of feeling inadequate, looking at situations from the outside and being afraid to jump in. In addition, I am learning to laugh at myself more. As I continue to fling carrots around the room, get soaked while doing the dishes and drop things on the floor, I have learned that I cannot be prideful of such silly things. I have faults and imperfections and I am trying to learn how to let go of my constant quest for perfection. Last, I am really learning to become interdependent with the people I work alongside. Learning the metric system from my German counterpart or learning how to cut vegetables from my fellow kitchen workers has really allowed me to depend on others’ skills in order for my success. While these are small examples, I am thinking of them as baby steps as I continue to throw myself into other situations. I want to maintain the ‘yes I can’ attitude, continue to laugh at myself, and depend on others to teach me things that I do not know. I am just so thankful for these humbling God-given experiences as I continue to learn and grow every day, and I just encourage all of you to throw yourself out of your comfort zone more often and try something new, laugh at yourself a little more and let go of your imperfections, and continue to open your ears to others and listen to what they have to teach you. Trust this ‘undomestic goddess’ – as you do these things, you’ll find the fulfillment in the small things of life and you’ll never ever be the same.