Starting Off in Akron!

Let me start off by saying a huge THANK YOU to all the people who have made it possible for me to take this huge leap of faith and begin a new adventure. I couldn't have done it without your support in so many ways. In a way, you are all here with me because knowing all of my friends and family have formed me into the person I am now.

Before leaving for Brazil, me and the other SALT (serving and learning together) program participants need to spend a week here in Akron PA for orientation at the MCC offices here. We are joined by two other programs worth of participants- IVEP and YAMEN (other lovely acronyms of which the meanings have escaped me)- are two programs that bring international young adults to either the U.S. for service, or to other foreign countries. As a result, we all have a great cross cultural experiences here in Akron with many languages and cultures being shared as we live, eat, worship, and talk together. 

It is so beautiful to see the beauty that God has created through all of the diversity here. I love to hear languages, try dances, talk about new foods, and worship together. This is the experience I have always wanted, and even more than I had hoped. I am thriving in this environment and I hope that this feeling will continue throughout the year.

I ask for prayers for the next few weeks, as my visa has still not arrived. It could be several weeks after orientation, and until it comes, I will stay in Akron volunteering at the Material Resource Center (a large warehouse where many wonderful things are crafted out of recycled and donated materials), and also doing odds and ends around the MCC grounds. I love it here, and it will be a great experience to stay, but it will still be hard to see all my new friends leave when I must stay here. 

Thank you for your support! I hope you are all well!

Peace

-Annie