I'm working with a volunteer organization called Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS). This is a national program through the Mennonite Mission Network (sort of the same thing as the Mennonite Central Committee, just a little different focus) that sets up volunteers with placements in communities around the country. What I really like about it is that they work with organizations (or, as in my case, government agencies) that are already there instead of coming into a community and saying "this is what you need", setting something irrelevant (or great, but not sustainable), then leaving. The main mission of the program is promoting social justice and service (according to Glenn Beck, that would mean they're socialist and communist, so where do I sign up?). We spent half our orientation having anti-racism training, mainly focusing on issues relating to Hispanic populations. It was pretty interesting as that is the main population where I work and live.
So, there are 6 of us out here in La Jara all volunteering in different capacities around the valley. We get small stipends from the agencies that are all put together and we basically share everything. We share our food budget and a couple cars, for example. Each of us gets $50 in spending money for the month- which actually is fine for this area, but the people in NYC get the same amount which would be pretty much impossible. It is really neat to be reading Acts and seeing how this was how the first church community was operated. I'm not saying this is how it should be or everyone should live like that, but it is an interesting thought and idea. This is also not to say that I'm going to do this for the rest of my life (sometimes I freak about the fact that will be for 2 years), but it gives a different perspective for how I view community and resources.
Part of all this is to "identify with" poor America. While this isn't fully possible for me and most of the people in the program, it gives me a chance to step back and consider other people's lives and how my decisions are made (and how they affect others). It also makes me want to be involve in work that changes lives and communities, as I am changed by them as well. I think that's key in working with a population outside of your own: I'm not here to rescue you, but to understand you and be changed to work with you.
Another thing I find interesting (and with good intentions) is that we're not out here to "save" anyone. Obviously when I tell people here that I'm a Mennonite volunteer, various thoughts probably come to their minds. I've been really intrigued by the spread of the Gospel and speaking "in the name of Jesus", but not really sure where I fit into it or what that means in this world. It is not my "mission" (in the sense that we have a mission in this world, religious or not, it's what drives us to do what we do) to be out "spreading the Gospel", at least that is not how I feel called. I think these can be totally worthwhile callings (how else would be people know about Jesus ever?), but there is a time, place, and approach for this. It is just so unfortunate that a few loudmouths out there have ruined it for the rest of us Christians.
This was just to clarify some misconceptions that people might have (Mennonite?? what the... yeah, I'll explain more about them later). Please, if you have any questions, concerns, disagreements, comments, encouragement, experiences, etc... feel free to enlighten me! I'm out to do something different, this is new to me, I think have good intentions, and I'm open to conversation. It can be a beautiful thing.
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