Howdy everyone!
So I just spent the last 2.5 days in silence so, if you can, picture me writing this blog but speaking it out loud. Because that's what I'm doing. Haha.
Well the past week has been so awesome and crazy as we busily prepare, squeezing in whatever we can before we head off tomorrow (eek!). We covered some more logistical things and self-care, and even had an entire day devoted to teaching. This is totally understandable as most of the JVs will be in teaching positions and a lot of RdC will be as well. And if you aren't in an actual classroom, you'll be trying to manage 50-100 kids in an afterschool program :) So the day was well spent. I'm starting to wonder if God is calling me to teach in Ecuador...we'll see where this goes.
So us leaving is getting more and more real by the day and I'm getting excited to really see what our community will be like. We got a little taste when we met to go over "real life situations" that could be addressed by Our Way of Life and seeing how everyone viewed the realities of our pillars (Spirituality, Community, Hospitality, Simplicity and Service). It was a good look into how we interact and discuss things. I'm happy to say things went really well and we're all pretty close to being on the same page! Definitely relieved because if we weren't in a good place -in the States, well rested, in A/C and with fake scenarios- it could be scary to think how it would go in-country. But luckily we passed with flying colors! Haha.
I've been really starting to miss home and everyone in the 208. Shout out! Love you all. Don't forget to update me on your lives as I'm trying to do the same for you with mine!
Oh, so my days of Silence. We ended Orientation with a Silent Retreat at a retreat center in Holliston, MA. It wsa rather luxurious, rooms all to ourselves including a bathroom, 2 twin beds, a desk AND a balconey! We were encouraged to use the time to rest, read, journal, reflect, process, whatever we needed. I will admit that I was dreading it but it ended up being really great. (Although meal times, with everyone together - remember the characters I showed you before - were kinda difficult and filled wtih laughter). I enjoyed my time to sleep, talk with God and just try to let my body and mind absorb the last 2 weeks. We also had Spiritual Directors, which I had never experienced before. I think it was a nice benefit and it gave me things to think about :)
But now we are back at Boston College, finishing up our last day. They are having a few last sessions and a Commissioning Mass for us. Then all that is left is to pack and hang out for one more night. I doubt I'll be sleeping much...I am excited to finally start this journey, but sad about the people and relationships I'll be leaving behind. I am really hoping we'll all write one another.
So I have no idea of my flight plan for tomorrow...just that it will be Boston-Miami-Guayaquil. Tomorrow I will be in Ecuador. Wish me luck and pray for strength! Also keep the JVs headed to Belize and Micronesia in your prayers, they leave tomorrow as well.
Paz y Amor.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Orientation!!
Hello All! I am currently sitting on in the O'Neill Library at Boston College, just over halfway through with orientation. There is absolutely no way that I can convey everything I am feeling and tell you all that I have experienced in the last week but I will try to hit the important parts :)
Starting with leaving home...I successfully packed (no overweight bags!) and made it onto my flight. I've been told that may have been one of the harder things I'll have to do. I cried. (That's right, all of you who know me well, there were tears.) I cried with the hugs (not goodbye, I'll see you later), gathered myself and got through security, cried sitting at my gate and then again on the plane. And on the 2nd plane. These were not 'bawling' sessions, but tears flowed freely, silently, down my cheeks. It's hard to face the reality of leaving your family (shout-out here to Kaitlin who also came to see me off! TL). And it still hasn't completely hit me yet (scary thought. what the heck is that going to be like?!)
Then the whirlwind of orientation started. Rostro and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) pair up for this so I had about 40 new wonderful people to get to know, share fears and excitement with, and now am growing to love. 15 of those are my fellow Rostro vols. We have all hit if off from the beginning. I mean, these programs attract similar people in the fact that we want to do some good in the world, have a faith (of some sort) and have felt called to international work yet we are also all so different. I have loved getting to explore the depths of these similarities and differences through sessions, free time and meals. It is relatively upsetting that I will be saying goodbye to all the JVs in less than a week...we have grown so close. :P
As exciting as this time has been, it has also been exhausting and draining. We are at breakfast by 7:45, which we eat in silence, spend the day in sessions about topics ranging from Spirituality to Safety to Physical Health (try to eat lunch after that! haha) to Cross-Cultural Interaction and Transition and the list goes on. These are deep, long and thorough conversations/lectures, a lot of which involve extensive self-reflection. Today we spoke about relationships in-country (romantic and/or platonic) and how that affects your experience and your community. A fellow volunteer, Mandi, put it so well...it's like we're playing Chubby Bunny: we are so full, and really can't handle anymore and yet we keep shoving more and more in. It's amazing and just as important as the first thing we covered, but we are so full right now. The day goes until 9:30-10ish and then we all of course want to hang out!
So I have really enjoyed getting to know my community-mates that I'll be headed to Ecuador with and speaking with Rostro alum about their experiences. You can see the crew below:
And as if you couldn't tell with the program we all signed up with and Matt plopping himself in the middle of the picture, we are characters. See below for a little proof:
Starting with leaving home...I successfully packed (no overweight bags!) and made it onto my flight. I've been told that may have been one of the harder things I'll have to do. I cried. (That's right, all of you who know me well, there were tears.) I cried with the hugs (not goodbye, I'll see you later), gathered myself and got through security, cried sitting at my gate and then again on the plane. And on the 2nd plane. These were not 'bawling' sessions, but tears flowed freely, silently, down my cheeks. It's hard to face the reality of leaving your family (shout-out here to Kaitlin who also came to see me off! TL). And it still hasn't completely hit me yet (scary thought. what the heck is that going to be like?!)
Then the whirlwind of orientation started. Rostro and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) pair up for this so I had about 40 new wonderful people to get to know, share fears and excitement with, and now am growing to love. 15 of those are my fellow Rostro vols. We have all hit if off from the beginning. I mean, these programs attract similar people in the fact that we want to do some good in the world, have a faith (of some sort) and have felt called to international work yet we are also all so different. I have loved getting to explore the depths of these similarities and differences through sessions, free time and meals. It is relatively upsetting that I will be saying goodbye to all the JVs in less than a week...we have grown so close. :P
As exciting as this time has been, it has also been exhausting and draining. We are at breakfast by 7:45, which we eat in silence, spend the day in sessions about topics ranging from Spirituality to Safety to Physical Health (try to eat lunch after that! haha) to Cross-Cultural Interaction and Transition and the list goes on. These are deep, long and thorough conversations/lectures, a lot of which involve extensive self-reflection. Today we spoke about relationships in-country (romantic and/or platonic) and how that affects your experience and your community. A fellow volunteer, Mandi, put it so well...it's like we're playing Chubby Bunny: we are so full, and really can't handle anymore and yet we keep shoving more and more in. It's amazing and just as important as the first thing we covered, but we are so full right now. The day goes until 9:30-10ish and then we all of course want to hang out!
So I have really enjoyed getting to know my community-mates that I'll be headed to Ecuador with and speaking with Rostro alum about their experiences. You can see the crew below:
Back Row: Liz, Billy, Lindsey, Katie, Emily, Me, Patrick and Megan (our In-Country Director)
Middle Row: Matt - Front Row: Brittany, Ali, Julia, Alli, Molly, Chris, Mandi, Bernadette
And as if you couldn't tell with the program we all signed up with and Matt plopping himself in the middle of the picture, we are characters. See below for a little proof:
An important and exciting note, on Saturday I found out where I will be living and with whom! Monte Sinai is the newest Rostro community and I will be living there with Patrick, Bernadette, Matt, Mandi and Katie! So excited!! It's nice to know a little bit more about what to expect when we head down.
So that's where I'm at. Ready to see what the rest of orientation brings. We are already getting a little anxious and just ready to 'jump on a plane already' but I'm trying to enjoy my time here. It hit me that I don't know much about what's going on at home when I jumped on fb so I could post this update and saw that my great-uncle had passed away, and a couple from school got engaged, among other things. So feel free to write a letter or shoot me an email to fill me on your lives and what is happening around the world!
I hope everyone is doing well. Please keep the RdC and JVC volunteers - both here at orientation and around the world - in your prayers! This is a crazy transition time for all of us.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Logistics!
A re-post of a note from Facebook, just so I don't leave anyone out! :)
So I leave in 48 hours for a year-long mission trip in Ecuador with an amazing program, Rostro de Cristo. (To learn more, visit their site! www.rostrodecristo.org) My cellphone service will be shut off for the year and I will have intermittent internet access. Because I will not be online often, I will not be checking facebook (it would be overwhelming!) so please use one of the following avenues of communication :)
Snail Mail*:
Madison Skogsberg o Megan Radek
Rostro de Cristo
Casilla 09-01-1024
Guayaquil, Ecuador
*From my handbook: The Ecuadorian postal service is generally reliable. Letters from the US take a week or so to arrive and soft-padded envelopes take a bit longer. Due to heightened restrictions and hefty fees, we ask that no boxes be sent to volunteers; please use padded envelopes. Mail must weigh less than 2kg (about 4lbs) or volunteers will have to pay customs fees.** RdC has a post office box in Guayaquil, and mail is picked up once a week.
VERY IMPORTANT: Send everything through the US Postal Service. FedEx, DHL and UPS will not deliver to Guayaquil or the RdC post office box. **I will now be charged for ANYTHING that is not a letter or card. I will have to pay for this out of my small stipend. This is not a big deal unless I receive like 4 packages in a month. So if you would like to send a package, PLEASE coordinate with my parents. If you would like their email or phone number, please ask! :)
Email Address: madison.skogsberg@yotes.collegeofidaho.edu
Blog: http://madisonsyearinecuador.blogspot.com/ (obviously. haha)
I would really love to hear from you throughout the year and will do my best to keep everyone posted on how things are down on the Equator!
So I leave in 48 hours for a year-long mission trip in Ecuador with an amazing program, Rostro de Cristo. (To learn more, visit their site! www.rostrodecristo.org) My cellphone service will be shut off for the year and I will have intermittent internet access. Because I will not be online often, I will not be checking facebook (it would be overwhelming!) so please use one of the following avenues of communication :)
Snail Mail*:
Madison Skogsberg o Megan Radek
Rostro de Cristo
Casilla 09-01-1024
Guayaquil, Ecuador
*From my handbook: The Ecuadorian postal service is generally reliable. Letters from the US take a week or so to arrive and soft-padded envelopes take a bit longer. Due to heightened restrictions and hefty fees, we ask that no boxes be sent to volunteers; please use padded envelopes. Mail must weigh less than 2kg (about 4lbs) or volunteers will have to pay customs fees.** RdC has a post office box in Guayaquil, and mail is picked up once a week.
VERY IMPORTANT: Send everything through the US Postal Service. FedEx, DHL and UPS will not deliver to Guayaquil or the RdC post office box. **I will now be charged for ANYTHING that is not a letter or card. I will have to pay for this out of my small stipend. This is not a big deal unless I receive like 4 packages in a month. So if you would like to send a package, PLEASE coordinate with my parents. If you would like their email or phone number, please ask! :)
Email Address: madison.skogsberg@yotes.collegeofidaho.edu
Blog: http://madisonsyearinecuador.blogspot.com/ (obviously. haha)
I would really love to hear from you throughout the year and will do my best to keep everyone posted on how things are down on the Equator!
The First Post...in two pieces.
Well...if the beginning of this blog is any indication of how it is going to go, I apologize! Below you will find the first half of my first post, started over 3 weeks ago...then I'll finish the thought where I am now, about to jump on a plane to orientation!!!
(First Half)
So I had my first dream about Ecuador, and subsequently felt like this would be an appropriate time to make my first blog post!!
So, first of all, the purpose of this blog is to help chronicle my experience working as a year-long volunteer with Rostro de Cristo (Face of Christ) in Duran, Ecuador this coming year and share it with family and friends back home. My departure for orientation is a short 3.5 weeks away (July 17th)! (insert excited/nervous sound here lol)
I want to preface this blog and year with a disclaimer: if you are looking for a happy-go-lucky, everything is just peachy depiction of the next year of my life, don't expect to find it here (request a personal email and I'll see what I can do). I am committed to making this as real as possible. So when things are amazing and wonderful, I'll let you know. But if I'm struggling with homesickness or the fact that I can't communicate at my placement well, or the poverty is overwhelming, I'm not going to hide that.
Along with that disclaimer is one about regularity and consistency. I will do my absolute best to update this site often but once I am in Ecuador, my internet access will be variable.
To bring everyone up to speed and explain the title of this blog:
After speaking with lots of physicians, thinking and praying for a long time about what I would do after graduation, I was led to year-long volunteer programs. With the intention of applying to medical school during the next year, I primarily researched domestic (state-side) programs. However, God had a different plan than I did (imagine that!) and continued to put RdC in front of me. I argued...repeatedly reminding Him that A) Ecuador is a LONG way from home and B) I was on a track & med school interviews couldn't take place while I was in Ecuador, so that obviously wasn't where He wanted me. Yet, He wouldn't freaken let it go! So I finally begrudgingly applied, and through the application process I grew to love what RdC is all about about and wanted to know more about Duran and the Ecuadorian people. At this point, I was so sold that I told God if He didn't want me there, He couldn't let me get a spot ;) Thankfully, after interviews I was offered a spot in their program!
2nd half...From today...at 5am, the day of my flight
So here I sit on my bedroom floor, piles and boxes around me, no sheets on my bed and very bare walls surrounding me and I am unable to come up with a feeling. Anxious? Excited? Nervous? Content? ...or none/all of the above? I couldn't tell you. I know that I'm not remotely tired and my stomach and throat feel a little funny...and there it is. Fear. Of being unprepared, leaving my friends and family, leaping into this journey that I never pictured myself on.
So that's why I chose to title the blog "Leap of Faith". I believe it was, is and will be incredibly applicable to how I got here and this experience, this blessing of a year of service in Ecuador.
I ask for prayers for myself and the other 2011-2012 RdC volunteers as we leave our homes and head to Boston for orientation and also for the current volunteers in Ecuador as they are saying their own goodbyes in preparation for their return to the states. Hopefully I'll have an update for you again soon!
Paz y Amor,
Madison
(First Half)
So I had my first dream about Ecuador, and subsequently felt like this would be an appropriate time to make my first blog post!!
So, first of all, the purpose of this blog is to help chronicle my experience working as a year-long volunteer with Rostro de Cristo (Face of Christ) in Duran, Ecuador this coming year and share it with family and friends back home. My departure for orientation is a short 3.5 weeks away (July 17th)! (insert excited/nervous sound here lol)
I want to preface this blog and year with a disclaimer: if you are looking for a happy-go-lucky, everything is just peachy depiction of the next year of my life, don't expect to find it here (request a personal email and I'll see what I can do). I am committed to making this as real as possible. So when things are amazing and wonderful, I'll let you know. But if I'm struggling with homesickness or the fact that I can't communicate at my placement well, or the poverty is overwhelming, I'm not going to hide that.
Along with that disclaimer is one about regularity and consistency. I will do my absolute best to update this site often but once I am in Ecuador, my internet access will be variable.
To bring everyone up to speed and explain the title of this blog:
After speaking with lots of physicians, thinking and praying for a long time about what I would do after graduation, I was led to year-long volunteer programs. With the intention of applying to medical school during the next year, I primarily researched domestic (state-side) programs. However, God had a different plan than I did (imagine that!) and continued to put RdC in front of me. I argued...repeatedly reminding Him that A) Ecuador is a LONG way from home and B) I was on a track & med school interviews couldn't take place while I was in Ecuador, so that obviously wasn't where He wanted me. Yet, He wouldn't freaken let it go! So I finally begrudgingly applied, and through the application process I grew to love what RdC is all about about and wanted to know more about Duran and the Ecuadorian people. At this point, I was so sold that I told God if He didn't want me there, He couldn't let me get a spot ;) Thankfully, after interviews I was offered a spot in their program!
2nd half...From today...at 5am, the day of my flight
So here I sit on my bedroom floor, piles and boxes around me, no sheets on my bed and very bare walls surrounding me and I am unable to come up with a feeling. Anxious? Excited? Nervous? Content? ...or none/all of the above? I couldn't tell you. I know that I'm not remotely tired and my stomach and throat feel a little funny...and there it is. Fear. Of being unprepared, leaving my friends and family, leaping into this journey that I never pictured myself on.
So that's why I chose to title the blog "Leap of Faith". I believe it was, is and will be incredibly applicable to how I got here and this experience, this blessing of a year of service in Ecuador.
I ask for prayers for myself and the other 2011-2012 RdC volunteers as we leave our homes and head to Boston for orientation and also for the current volunteers in Ecuador as they are saying their own goodbyes in preparation for their return to the states. Hopefully I'll have an update for you again soon!
Paz y Amor,
Madison
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