como ser una misionera

Saludos de México! Our group of 10 has arrived safely and enjoyed our first full day here in el distrito federal. We all look like a flock of tall, (mostly) blonde lost ducklings following after Lindsay and Omar, our country coordinators. You could say we’re a tad conspicuous.

We are staying at a convent for the first 4 days of our in country orientation. We have had the privilege to engage las hermanas in lots of conversation about their lives, our lives, and the unlikely intersections between them. In one of theses conversations Hermana Margarita was explaining to our dinner table some of the specific valores/values of the Las Hermanas Guadalupanas. She told us that they believe in radical hospitality and in seeing “la cara de dios en cada huesped” “the face of God in each guest.” They also strive to listen “con los oidos de su corazon” “with the ears of their heart” to every guest and every person they encounter. They serve and love their neighbors indiscriminately, a value at the core of the YAGM program.

In conversations with these beautiful hermanas, I feel that I finally should be fully honest (mostly with myself) regarding my official title this year. I am a missionary-a word that provokes a strongly negative and visceral reaction. By taking on that title I am saddled with a history of oppressive evangelism, especially in Latin America, that leaves me grief-stricken and disgusted with the actions of an institution I love. When explaining my work this year I carefully danced around the “m-word” emphasizing the fact that I’ll be living in a host community, working in a secular NGO, focusing on relationship building etc. But, in the past few days it’s a term with which I’ve begun to come to peace.

           

I’m a missionary. I’m a tutor. I’m a servant. I’m una hija (daughter). I’m dependent. I’m vulnerable. I’m a student. I’m not here to help or fix or change or instruct. To do so would assume that I-as a US American, Christian 22 year old hold the monopoly on progress, virtue, faith. I’m here to live in community.  I’m here to seek out and listen to the many stories that make up this beautifully complex and diverse country, without imposing my own. I’m here to listen “con los oidos de mi corazón” and see “la cara de Dios en cada persona.” That is the mission to which I have been called. The mission to accompany without judgment, to serve without expectation of reciprocation, to love without distinction, and to live without the markers of material success as validation.

Peace be the journey,

Alyssa

quince dias

Hola tod@s!!

As the title of this post indicates, I've got 15 days that stand between me and a flight out of Norfolk. I have lots of updates to post regarding my work site and final days before beginning this journey! As I aspire to be as quippy as the authors of buzzfeed list-icles here's a list of 6 things that will fill the coming 15 days!

UNO: Lists-Yes, I am starting this list by listing lists. I'm writing and reading and rewriting and rereading so many lists: Packing lists, lists of grad programs/application information, lists of people I need to see/chat with, book lists, lists on lists on lists. All of the lists are leaving me almost listless ;)

DOS: Appointments-much of what is dominating the to-do side of those lists is running all over Hampton Roads cramming a year's worth of appointments into two weeks. Maybe by the time I leave, I'll actually have made it to a few of them on time.

TRES: Backpacks-I recently invested in a new pack (and became an REI member #winwin #finally). As such, I've come to terms with the fact that I'm gonna be that person walking to check-in for my flight with a backpack on my back, front and side. #teambackpack

CUATRO: Children-Kiddos are on the brain! Having just left 8 weeks full of Lutheridge children, I get a brief break from little ones before I start my work in Mexico. The work assignment I have received is work with an ecologically minded elementary school called Instituto de Educación Integral Magdalena Cervantes (IEIMC) in Tlaxco, Tlaxcala.  IEIMC is closely affiliated with Proyecto San Isidro http://www.proyectosanisidro.com/ where I may also might lend a hand from time to time.  IEIMC is committed to sustainable environmental practices. At IEIMC, I'll assist kids with tutoring in English or perhaps math, join kids when they work in the garden, or when they do physical activity and go for a hike. Knowing that I'll be able to work with children in an outdoor setting (sounds oddly familiar...) in this coming year has calmed much of my nervousness. 

CINCO: Google Maps-I find myself regularly looking at google maps zooming in and in and in trying to begin to try to center myself in Tlaxco. I can't wait to see it in person in just a few weeks!!

SEIS: Goodbyes- I'd be kidding myself if I didn't list this as paramount to the next 15 days. While there are some tough ones to come (aka hugging the madre at the airport #waterworks)... I'll hold fast to the pattern of my life that shows that the experiences that began with tough goodbyes (college, camp, study abroad) were of the most meaningful in my life. I'm confident that YAGM will continue that pattern!

besos y abrazos,
Alyssa

*~apoyo~*

Hello amig@s!

I am writing now to ask that you consider supporting me on this journey.
The average cost of each YAGM volunteer is $11,000 (this includes-flights, health insurance, housing, food allowance, local cell phones, 3 retreats, and a small living stipend). The ELCA covers most of the expense, but encourages each volunteer to raise at least $4,000.

Here's how you can help:

Make A Donation 

Mail in this form with a check or call 1-800-638-3522 to make a credit card donation. Please be sure to use my contribution code "GCS3188" (write it along with my name in the memo line of the check, or tell it to the person on the phone). 

Buy a calendar date

The cost to support me per day is $30. If you have a day that is significant to you, your friends, or family (birthdays, anniversaries, arbor day etc.), please consider buying that day. If you decide to buy a calendar date email me (apaigekaplan@gmail.com) the date you'd like to purchase. When that day comes, I will post a shout-out on my blog and newsletter and send you an email with pictures and an update of how I celebrated your special day.  

While the financial support is helpful, the most important support I can receive for this coming year is your thoughts and prayers (and hopefully some letters!). Thanks in advance for following my ~journey~

xo,
Alyssa

So what's this all about?!?!

Hola a tod@s!

Thanks for visiting me via the interwebs. This a blog that will try to follow the next 12 months of mi vida as I move to Mexico and begin my time in the ~*real world*~ (whatever that is...).

This year I'll be serving with Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). YAGM is an ethical and socially conscious international service organization that affords young adults ages 21-29 the opportunity to integrate themselves into communities across the globe. With work placements in local congregations, schools, and other NGOs, YAGMs accompany their global brothers and sisters as they work together to continue the holy work of serving those left at the margins of today’s society. My specific work placement and host community assignment are still in the works #staytuned #illblogaboutitwheniknow #thatswhyihavethisthing. 

I'll head to Chicago August 19th for a week of domestic training before flying to Mexico the 26th. You can follow my literal and spiritual journey here on this handy blog! I'll try to post with as much frequency as possible and promise lots of #culturallysensitive pictures!! Thanks so much for your support. Y'all are the real MVPs.

besos y abrazos,

Alyssa

PS-Also #staytuned for ways you can support my time in Mexico both with thoughts and prayers as well as financially.