Orientation Plus

Anabaptist history is just one of many topics we’ve covered!

We started our final week of orientation today, packed with sessions on international leadership for human resources, responding to trauma and finance. It’s been a great set of weeks with so many conversations about best practice. While I am new to the organization, learning from others about the many positive changes Mennonite Central Committee continues to make in it’s practice inspires me. It’s invigorating to learn about the relief, development and peacemaking practices that have been implemented and are growing and changing with the organization. It’s sobering to think specifically about what we might do in case of a security risk or what to do with a report of child abuse or sexual assault. And it’s encouraging to hear how MCC is making strides to treat all it’s employees across 55 countries with the same dignity, respect and equity that we have come to expect from partner organizations. One of the key phrases I’ve picked up here is: “how you do something is just as important as what you do”.

Our room

Perhaps my favorite part of orientation has been the people. I’ve spent many, many hours these weeks around tables listening to people who are from or going to Colombia, Mexico, Vietnam, India, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Brazil, Mozambique, Cambodia, Malawi, Honduras, Nicaragua, China, Indonesia, USA, Canada and South Africa. Together we question, learn and share from our experiences, and it is so life-giving. We’ve also had a wonderful time laughing together between talking about serious and important things. I am so grateful for the people who are doing this relational work and I am excited to join them.

Charlotte standing on a rock in the garden at the center of The Welcoming Place where we are staying for Orientation

The girls have fully settled into Orientation mode. They were not much interested in the goodbyes of the weekend. Final goodbyes to friends, family, church and the house brought emotional upheaval to their parents. As we said goodbye to the house and I cried in each room, Charlotte kindly waited until we were done and then asked “so…when do we get to go back to orientation?” I am grateful for many wonderful memories in Red Hill and I am also grateful to be back at orientation.

Catherine touching a cicada for the first time. They’ve been loudly serenading us every night!

3 Comments Add yours

  1. Homer Wood says:

    Sounds exciting, tiring, joyful, and much more.

  2. Barb Gebelein says:

    Thank you for taking the time to keep us so informed of your wonderful journey! It must be so exhausting to just keep up with everything else!❤️Godspeed and so many prayers are going with you all!

  3. Rose Graber says:

    So glad it’s going well. Emotional good-byes…empowering training and exciting people. I’m sure it will be good to settle into your new home. The girls will both need lots of cuddles and love and feelings of security. You will need some rest even as your adrenaline kicks in for the new work. Prayers are with you!

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